If you’ve ever shopped for children’s clothes from different brands, you’ve probably noticed something: a 4y isn’t always a 4y.

One brand’s 4y might fit perfectly, while another feels a little too big or surprisingly snug. It can make choosing a size online feel like a bit of a guessing game, especially when your child is between sizes.

At Lightbulb Lighthouse, we work with quite a few European and independent children’s brands, and we’re often asked how their sizing compares. So we thought we’d put together a simple guide to some of the brands we carry. There are always differences between individual styles, but here’s a general idea of how we find their fits.

The Campamento

The Campamento has a relaxed, playful approach to clothing, and the fit reflects that.

Many of their pieces have an easy, slightly oversized shape, especially sweatshirts, T-shirts and some trousers. They are designed to feel comfortable and give children plenty of room to move.

For most styles, we find that sticking with your child’s usual size works well. If you are between sizes, choosing the larger size will give you a more oversized look and a little extra growing room.

We particularly love this quality in their sweatshirts and outer layers - they feel comfortable without looking too big.

Tinycottons

Tinycottons is generally fairly true to size, but the silhouette of each piece is important.

The brand has a mix of fitted basics, relaxed T-shirts, sweatshirts and more oversized styles, so two pieces in the same size can look quite different when worn.

Our advice is not to automatically size up. If a piece is designed to have a loose or oversized fit, your usual size may already give you the look you want.

For more fitted styles, sizing up can be a good option if your child is between sizes or you would like some extra room to grow.

Weekend House Kids

Weekend House Kids has a relaxed and comfortable aesthetic with plenty of easy-to-wear silhouettes. Many of the pieces have a little extra room, which makes them lovely for everyday wear and layering.

We generally find that your child’s usual size is a good starting point, but, as with all the brands, the individual style matters.

A loose T-shirt, wide-leg trousers and a sweatshirt will naturally fit very differently, even if they all have the same size label.

Claude & Co

Claude & Co has a more timeless feel. Their pieces are simple, thoughtful and made for everyday wear.

Sizing can vary depending on the style, so this is a brand where we recommend checking the individual measurements if you are unsure.

This is especially helpful for babies and younger children, where height and proportions can vary quite a lot even when two children are the same age.

If you are between sizes, consider the style as well as the season. A relaxed piece can easily accommodate a little growing room, while a more fitted style may be better sized up.

Flöss

Flöss has a playful, slightly nostalgic feel that we really love. Their pieces have plenty of personality, but they’re still designed to be comfortable enough for everyday wear.

The fit can vary across the collection, so we always recommend checking the individual product measurements when you’re between sizes.

Some styles have a more relaxed silhouette, while others are designed to have a neater fit. If you like a little room for growing, sizing up can work particularly well with their more relaxed pieces.

And with Flöss, we think it’s worth considering the whole look. Some of their pieces are made to feel a little oversized and playful, so going up a size isn’t always necessary just because you want some extra room.

Bebe Organic

Bebe Organic has a beautifully soft and timeless approach to baby and children’s clothing.

Their pieces tend to have a more traditional, comfortable fit with thoughtful details that make them easy to wear and layer.

For babies especially, we recommend looking at the measurements rather than relying only on the age range. Babies grow at very different rates, and things like height, body shape and even diaper size can make a difference to how a piece fits.

If you’re between sizes, we often prefer sizing up, particularly for pieces you’d like your little one to wear for a little longer. A bit of extra room can also make layering easier during cooler months.

And because many Bebe Organic pieces have a timeless quality, we love the idea of choosing something with enough room to grow into rather than something they’ll outgrow in a few weeks.

So, Which Brand Should You Size Up In?

There isn’t really a single answer, and that’s what makes children’s clothing sizing a little tricky.

As a general guide:

The Campamento relaxed and often slightly oversized. Usually stick with your child’s regular size.

Tinycottons generally true to size, but pay attention to the silhouette.

Weekend House Kids comfortable and relaxed with many styles offering a little extra room.

Claude & Co varies by style, so checking measurements is especially helpful.

Flöss varies by style with some relaxed silhouettes. Check the individual measurements when between sizes.

Bebe Organic a comfortable, more traditional fit. For babies between sizes, sizing up can give you more room to grow.

And of course, your child’s height and proportions matter just as much as their age.

If you're between sizes, think about the look you're after.

If you like a more oversized, relaxed fit, we'd usually go with the larger size.

If you prefer something a little more fitted and neat, sticking with the usual size may be the better choice.

Personally, we don’t mind a little extra room. especially when it’s a cute, well-made piece that can be worn for a little longer!

Our Favourite Way to Choose a Size

If you’re still unsure, send us a message or an email. We’re always happy to help compare sizes and recommend what we think will work best. We can send you more extra photos too! :)

After all, we know that buying children’s clothes online can be tricky enough without wondering whether a 4y is actually a 4y.

Children grow quickly, and a little extra room can sometimes be a good thing. A favourite sweatshirt might start out with rolled-up sleeves and become the perfect fit a few months later.

Happy Growing!❤️