Tuesday, April 9, 2013

Help Please....Alternative to Cargo

After doing some Spring shopping for Henry I am going to need someone to explain to me shorts for toddler boys.  In particular I am wanting to know why they are all so long and why every pair must be cargo?  At 19 months he just needs shorts that are above the knee and sans bulging pockets on the sides.  Any suggestions where I can find (reasonably priced) said shorts?
Henry with my Dad.  My parents took care of Henry last week while we took a mini vacation and this was Sunday morning while we cooked breakfast. 

24 comments:

Tara said...

I've purchased Lands End shorts for my boys, ages 7 & 3. No cargo, not too long.

Angelique said...

Have you tried Janie & Jack? They have super cute clothing for boys and girls. Also, maybe Old Navy or Gymboree? Good luck.

Schoffman1 said...

I always have this problem! Boys clothes can be so difficult to shop for because everything is sweatpants and graphic t-shirts! Right now both Gap and Old Navy have flat front (non-cargo) shorts in several colors. I always have great success with nextdirect.com It's a British company that ships for free. Their things are reasonably priced (but do not go on sale) and far less logos and graphics :)

TarverPerry said...

I am cracking up about your cargo shorts post. I mean, boys have the rest of their lives to dress like grown men, let babies be babies!

I personally have my sons shorts (age 3) made. They are just cotton ginghams, solids, plaids, etc. and they are comparable in price to store bought shorts. They are cute and can be worn for play or sometimes he wears them to church with a white peter pan collar shirt. The person who makes them is Katie Holland (a Simple Stitch) and she is in Hoover. http://www.asimplestitch.net/item_329/Boy-Shorts.htm

Hope that helps!

Anonymous said...

I always find nice shorts at Gymboree. My son is almost 10 and most of his wardrobe is comprised of their clothing. Hope this helps.

Carrie said...

I got some at Once Upon a Time in Crestline that are plain no pocket shorts. They had different gingham ones. I have yet to find good heavy khaki that are not cargo.

Aaron said...

For the past 2 summers I have bought multiple pairs of little $5 shorts from Target. They usually come in khaki, navy, gray, and a few other colors or prints. They're the only ones i've found that don't look like Capri pants or have a ton of pockets. My 3 year old is pretty average sized and we still have to go a size down though.

Anonymous said...

Hey Marianne,
Okay, first try the website CWD kids. They have tons of great basics. Other brands that I love: E-land, Lands end, Mini-boden, Hannah Kate, Kellys Kids. Also, Target will surprise you. If you find the non-cargo in his size bu them up :)
Stacy

Unknown said...

Agreed! Way too much fabric for their little legs, too. We've had luck with Baby Gap (they have some cute flat-front khaki shorts now) and Crazy 8 has some cute patchwork and flat-front khaki shorts - you just have to dig through the cargos. Hope that helps!

Jennifer said...

I can't explain it but I, too, find it frustrating. My son is wearing size 6 shorts but they still hang at or below knee level. He's even frustrated. I've had to hem a few pairs that hang mid-calf. Sorry, no help but I feel your pain!

Anonymous said...

I am with you! I hate cargos as well. I ordered the cutest shorts this year from Old Navy - they have chinos that come in a lot of different colors. The length is "normal" too. Gap is another place where I ordered a few pairs. Good luck, I wish they would do away with the cargos.

Anonymous said...

if you sew at all, little boys shorts are really easy. just go over to the smocking bird and they will help you out.

Anonymous said...

Ralph Lauren Varsity Pull on shorts. Pulls on and off for easy diaper changing and oh-so-cute.

they are also on sale right now, plus RL is having a sale.

http://www.ralphlauren.com/product/index.jsp?productId=17571966&cp=2048081.2047539.2032039&view=99&ab=ln_baby_cs2_shorts&parentPage=family

Allison said...

You might think I am nuts, but you need to go to Target. Circo brand shorts are a reasonable length and have appropriately sized hip pockets. They are usually on sale for $5 and have lots of colors. If your child is skinny like mine, I would also recommend childrens place because they have those little elastic bands that pull to fit. Good luck!

Brooke @ Blueprint Bliss said...

I'm with TarverPerry... I have all of Collins' made or buy them from trunk shows. I like elastic waist either gingham or seersucker on little boys. no need for chinos yet!

Jennifer said...

There doesn't seem to be much between cargo and the boutique stuff (which you don't seem into). I know my sister hit the jackpot at Target last summer on plain chino and seersucker, but per usual with Target, it's hit or miss. Maybe try online?

Molly Witherington said...

Honestly, find someone who sews and pick your own fabric, get simple shorts made, and pair them with old navy or target polos or t-shirts. My boy is only 3 mos but I have done that with my 2 girls, just bloomers and bubble skirts instead of shorts. And with boys, since you don't want cute floral fabric (I am a sucker for liberty prints on my girls) use some of your husbands button down shirts that he might be throwing out for bubbles and shorts. How cute for your little guy to wear his dad's old gear!?

Melissa W. said...

Target, Shrimp & Grits Kids (online too), and Etsy for hand-made shorts

Anonymous said...

Bugs Boy's in Crestline and Lili Pad in Cahaba Heights are two Birmingham shops with boy's shorts in great lengths and fabrics.

Ashley said...

Try Kayce Hughes Pears and Bears shorts. They run a size big for us. But they are GREAT quality! For a cheaper pair, try your local applique shop. They usually have lots of cute options. Best of luck!

Ashley said...

Kayce Hughes Pears & Bears makes great boys shorts. We have to buy down a size but they are super cute colors and patterns and GREAT quality! Also go to your local applique shop. They usually have lots of great fun options at reasonable rates! Or as a couple of other people have mention, just have them made with fun fabrics! It won't take much!

Erin said...

This is too funny. I was just shopping for the same thing yesterday. Try Children's Place. They have some cute shorts that are not cargo, but they are still a little long on my 18 month old.

Stephanie Sabbe said...

LOVE that you asked this and I can read all the feedback. I TOTALLY agree. TARGET READ ME: We want swim trunks that are plain and do not have pockets are Cars Characters on them. Pinstripes, Whales, Anchors...Go.

Jennifer @ MillerMusings said...

Ugh, we are having the same problem for our 14 month old Henry! I feel like he can wear cargo shorts for the rest of his life, why does it have to start so early?! Also, my guy has short legs, (he's 6th %ile for length!), and the shorts look like capri pants-not cute. We just stick to rompers for the most part and will as long as I can find them in his size! Call me crazy, but I still want my sweet boy to look like a baby/toddler, not walking around wearing an outfit that a 15 year old could wear as well. ;)