What IS the Difference between 24 Mos and 2T
On the way home from the bank, Carson cried from the backseat, “No go home Mommy, no go home.”
Not really wanting to go home either, but without a plan, I asked Carson, “Well, where should we go?”
“Target Mommy. Go Target.” God I love that kid.
So off to Target we went, in search of a good time.
After an exhaustive search of the Dollar Spot and scoring some much needed items like a dust mop and other plastic crap like margarita glasses for ONLY $1!!!, we headed to the infant/toddler clothes section. Not surprisingly, I found a plethora of adorable little dresses for Ella and hardly any cute boy clothes for Carson.
Shopping for kid’s clothes, while mostly thrilling, also makes me so incredibly frustrated.
Every brand has it’s own sizing. There is NO ORDER to the madness. Size 6 mos in one brand may very well be the exact same as size 3 mos in another brand. I don’t really care if the size actually corresponds the the actual age of my baby (although it would be nice if the world revolved around me and my petite children), but it would be nice if I could reliably pick the correct size for my children.
And another thing that completely baffles me about sizing is why some brands completely skip 9-12 mos! Babies don’t just go from being the size of a 6 month old and suddenly wake up one day and are a rotund 12 month old. Or! OR! I don’t like it when brands have a generic 6-12 mos. I need smaller increments!
One more thing that confuses me, and truly confused me at Target yesterday, was understanding the difference between size 24 mos and 2T. I held up two pairs of shorts, one 24 mos, one 2T and there was NO discernible difference between the two. NONE!
Also, it seems that whenever I find something that is cute, more often than not they are out of the size I’ve estimated I need to buy. Of course they have oodles of EVERY OTHER size and NOT EVEN ONE of the size I want. Case in point, yesterday at Target, they had several Lightning McQueen shirts. Some of these shirts were hideous so obviously they were teeming with size 3T. The cute Lightning McQueen shirts were only available in size 18 mos and 5T.
I feel like since I’m a mom, and have been for 2 1/2 years, I should have a better handle on children’s clothing sizes. But I’m still a novice. Possibly I just need more practice shopping. Or a margarita. In fact, I’m going to go make myself a margarita in one of my Dollar Spot margarita glasses now.
Cheers!
Yeah, I never understood the 24 mo/2T thing. I think sometimes they are same, but sometimes 2T is bigger. confusing. Even the 4t/5t versus the size 4 doesn’t often make sense to me.
But I do have to say I completely am always baffled at why Target only has 18 mo and 5T sizes half the time! Either the other sizes are in big demand, or they just don’t stock those sizes…I never see them!
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Someone once told me that the difference between 24 mos and 2T is that 2T has less room in the “seat” area of pants and no more snaps on the pants, either. You know, because everyone is potty trained by age 2 and no more bulky diapers? I dunno. But I feel your pain.
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I have not been able to figure this out to save my life. My son is nearly 3, and has been able to wear anything from a 2T to a 4T for months, depending on the brand.
Making sense of the labels hasn’t gotten any easier, but I’ve definitely gotten better at eyeballing his clothes to figure out if they fit.
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I thought that 2T’s were for taller kids. Hmmm. I guess not.
And I HATE that nobody makes cute boy clothes. So freakin’ generic.
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Oh the sizing thing is nuts! Even in grown up clothes, sizing dosn’t make sense. And I never understood the 24mos/2T thing anyway. what’s the diff?
How was that margarita?
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I’m still not sure what the difference in the pants are, but in shirts 24 months has the snap crotch still were the 2t do not….at least at Target.
I figured the difference between 24m and 2T was a diaper thing - I have bought pants in Target for Miss E that were 2T and they did not fit well over her diaper (which she was wearing til she was almost 3!!)
The size thing is a joke - and it messes with a mother’s already worry full mind! Jay is teeny tiny - he’s 18 months - I bought him 12 month shorts in Target - what a JOKE! I held them up against 4T shorts that I had bought Miss E earlier in the week in Target, and they are the same freakin’ size, I kid you not! So then I had to get him 9 months - do that and not feel like you’re starving your child
Amen, sista. I’m willing to give a bit of leniency on the size variation thing between stores, say Target and Gap, but when two pairs of pants from the same store aren’t sized the same, I go bonkers! There are currently jeans in sizes 18-24, 2T, and 3T from Gap in the Toddlers closet and they all fit the same. That’s STUPID!
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H askes to go to Target too, mostly because he knows I will buy him popcorn if it means he’ll sit in the cart quietly and let me wander around. The kids clothes there frustrate me. Because they have so many different brands everything fits different, so even if I figure out the size needed in one pair of pants that won’t necessarily carry over to the next brand. I bought some 2t pants over a year ago that still don’t fit H in the waste, but are now about 4 inches too short.
I like buying Hanna Andersson clothes because their sizing system makes sense to me (except for the metric part, I never have been good at meteric conversion). And they occasionally have boys clothes in colors beyond navy, khaki, and olive.
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I just purchase large on the theory that the kid will grow and the clothes will shrink.
The whole 2T vs 24 months things smacks of math and I don’t do that.
Final thought– no light colors for boys. They stain the crap out of them.
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From what I’ve seen 2T tends to be a little longer than 24 mo., but there isn’t much difference.
I base most of my clothing decisions for the girls on height/weight descriptions for each size. Usually the weight is the most accurate.
And I also hate how Target is always out of whatever size we need. Cordy is in 5Ts now, and since they just put out the summer clothing, I had to rush in and snap up all of the 5Ts I could before they’re gone. I swear they only carry one of each size.
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I just recently discovered the Dollar Spot at Target (I am a slow learner) and I love it! I can always find something cute there.
because i am an expert…i will tell you.
the size 24 months is the equivalent of the size 18-24 months…that you would see at stores like Gap and Old Navy. the size 18 months really means 12-18 months. confusing. yes. stupid. hell yes.
so, 24 months is supposed to be a bit smaller and shorter than a 2T. but since kids aren’t growing as much at this point…there’s not a ton of difference between the sizes.
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I have no clue what the difference between 24M and 2T is. I’ve never figured it out.
And I have the same issues with clothes and small kids as you…and to top it off, there’s the fact that all clothes are made for fat little round babies…and mine are not only skinny, but LONG. M is long enough for size 4T…but only narrow enough for 2T (maybe 3T). We settle for 3T and hope for the best! (but her feet are HUGE and you know what they say about big feet…big BRAIN :P)
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I’m not sure about the difference between 2T and 24 months, but I do know that (almost always) the only difference between 2T and 3T is the length (and not the waist size). So if you can get things in 3T instead (esp) with adjustable waist) and just cuff the bottom, you can get significantly more wear out of them. This is specifically true of things from Gap, although I have noticed that this is mostly true about Old Navy as well.
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No idea on the sizes, when I’m buying the kiddies in my life clothes I hold them up to me and see what size based on how big the kid is in comparison to me.
Then I get a gift receipt.
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I hear you girl. But, I have to buy bigger sizes anyway because Babyhead is tall/long legged so we have moved away from the dreaded 24m/2T debate and moved into 3T pants (which by the way SOME places label them as 36m (???) my math isn’t that good so I always have to wonder if that is the correct size!) and 4T shirts…he can even wear some XS Boys shirts (thank goodness we are into regular sizing! LOL)
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Ugh. I hate dealing with buying clothes for my son. He is 14 months and is about to outgrow some of his 12 month clothes and is still way too small for some of his other 12 month clothes. I bought him summer stuff in 18 month sizes but he is no where near able to wear those yet and it is already in the 70’s every day here in Texas and getting warmer by the minute. I need consistency. I need them to create a 15 month size.
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The size thing frustrates me too. It seems to even out as they get older though and in big kid stuff because my big kid is seven and solidly wears a seven in everything.
Adam is three and is wearing a pair of 6 month shorts at the moment. Elizabeth is in 18 month pjs, but the dress she wore yesterday was 6 months. 6-12 months. I hate 6-12 months too.
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BB is now too big for his 18-24 month stuff but two small for the 2 T pants. I’ve got to find some of the 24 mo. clothing you speak of!
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too many numbers in that last comment. I mean too, not two. Dagnabit,I hate it when I do that.
Mama DB’s last blog post..Rhythm is the key when you open the door.
It doesn’t matter which size they are, you’ll always have trouble finding the right one at Target…mostly because they don’t stock enough of them. My niecelings are petite too and we always have trouble. 24 months and 2t are only different in length, but in shorts it shouldn’t matter.
For shorts that you can cinch all the way in and still watch fall off their butt, try the Childrens Place. All the pants and shorts have elastic inside that you can cinch the hell out of. And the stuff is CUTE.
For Cars shirts that are in his size, go to Disney.com. I always have to do that for princess things, because we can look at it at Target, but we can’t ever seem to buy it at Target. Plus they are always having some awesome sale.
Phoenix’s last blog post..Suck it, Dr. Google.
Oh and that concludes my commercialism comment for the day. Thank you and good luck. ;0)
Phoenix’s last blog post..Suck it, Dr. Google.
I am not admitting I have shopped at walmart, but my sources (read:midnight shopping without children) tell me that 24 month shirts have snaps at the crotch and 2T doesn’t. I know…it makes absolutely no sense. It’s as if someone in the children’s clothes industry is a dumbass….and that just isn’t possible, right?
I used to work in retail and people would always ask me what the different between 24 months and 2T was - and I had no idea.
I do know the different between 4T and just plain 4.
4T leaves rooms for a diaper, and 4s are just a bit slimmer.
I never go by sizes, I usually look at the weight they list - but then some companies don’t list a weight. why not?
I hate trying to figure out what size the kids will be in the future - like summer clothes - or next winter? It’s all a guessing game.
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I’m one of the confused so no help here…
I shop for my son at the outlet, so sizes are “irregular” anyway. From what I’ve been told (by the snotty sales girl at Gymboree) is 24mo and 2T is the same, except the 2T is something silly like 1/2 an inch longer… WFT?!
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In a few years, you’ll get to ponder over the difference between 5T in toddler and size 5 in little boys because it never ends!
The only difference I’ve seen is the 5T is skinner in the waist and perhaps not as long in length.
And the inconsistency in sizing…never gets better even as they get into bigger sizes. Come to think of it, even grown up close are the same way!
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I always had that problem too…Then she grew…Now I am amazed how high the number has gotten on her clothing…
I need a margarita now too…
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I think in some cosmic twist we may in fact be the SAME person, just living slightly different lives. Some evidence:
1) I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE, the damn Dollar Bins at Target.
2) I also LOVE, LOVE, LOVE Target.
3) I was thinking, just yesterday, how much I HATE the 6-12 month sizing thing. I need 9 month clothes and can find NONE. NONE!
4) I was also just thinking, as I was searching through the racks, that they NEVER have the size I need.
5) I’m always up for a Margarita. Yum.
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Someone once told me that 2T is longer and 24 mo is shorter, but I’ve never been able to tell.
Devan’s last blog post..Would you people
I used to work at Talbots Kids and the only difference between a 24mos and a 2T was that the 24mos left a little extra room in the bum for a diaper.
It’s a LINE difference. You know how some shirts will only be in the “baby” sizes and some only in the “toddler” sizes, and some will go all the way through so you can match siblings? If something is only in the baby sizes, it’ll go up to 24 months. If something is only in the toddler sizes, it starts at 2T. But if the line covers both size ranges, you get the silly 24m/2T thing. It’s so they can put them in separate sections: the 24 months ones on the baby side, the 2T ones on the toddler side.
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Piglet wears a 3T waist size and 4T length. So he’s either flooding or losing his pants. I can’t wait for summer so he can wear shorts and not look like a goofball. I’ve always been told that the month sizes leave room for the diaper, the toddler sizes assume just panties.
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I’ve always been told that the difference is the length. Whether it be the whole shirt, sleeves, or pants legs. And most have finally outgrown the “button snaps”
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I have no clue, but I’d join you for an extra large margarita.
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Kids clothing sizing sucks! I figure you just have to go by what other mom’s tell you… ie, my son is tall and skinny, but all the tall is in his torso. His legs are shorter than average. So we have to go with Carter’s for any one piece outfits (like sleepers) or they are too short. When you separate them though Carter’s pants are too long, but the tops are perfect. Gymboree bottoms work well since they are short, but their tops then are also way too short for my little guy! Circo (Target brand) is the same way, short and really wide.
And I have no idea on the 24mo/2T thing. My son is a year old and some of his clothes are still 9-12mo and some of them are 12-18 or just plain 18 months. Who knows!
Good luck!
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Often 2T will have the little maternity elastic with buttons on the inside of the waist. You know what I’m talking about??
But that’s about as far as my knowledge goes. Now I’m trying to figure out the leap between 5T and XS in the boys section. I’m thinking that they are very similar? Not sure though.
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Ugh, I hate baby clothes sizes. What a pain. My son just turned 2 and he’s wearing 18m-2T. He’s tall and skinny. I need at least 24m pants for him because of his height, but then they’re constantly falling off his little tushie. I’m thinking his 18m shorts from last summer will be fine, though, because length won’t matter so much. But 18m shirts show his belly. And 2T shirts fit, but they are huge looking on him sometimes. I can’t figure it out. If anyone ever does, I’d like to hear all about it.
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Clothing sizing hurts my head.
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When the boys were young I could never find cute clothes for them, I hated it! Now I have a little girl, I can find the cute clothes, she just refuses to wear them! The sizing thing, I have the same problem. Little Miss needs a 7 in the length and a 6 slim in the waist. Tell me what size is that. Wish I could help.
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I have no idea. I am constantly returning clothes. I can tell you that the transition from 4T to 4/5 kids is even worse. I could not find any pants anywhere that fit my daughter this fall.
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I could not agree with you more. My oldest is six and I still don’t have a handle on it. When you go to boys clothing, what does “S (4/5)” mean? And that 2T/24 mos. thing is ridiculous.
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your boy likes to shop at target? you score, kiddo!!!!!
my daughter will shop anywhere anytime, but dragging any of my sons?
not so much.
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I hear you on the clothes problem. My 7 month old is thin as a rail but really really tall. He’s 12 months for height and 3 months for waist! I can’t find anything to fit - especially now that he WOULD be in 9 month size clothes (thank you Carters for offering that size). The 12 months stuff literally falls down around his ankles. I’m just thankful that summer (shorts!) is almost here. Oh, and I LOVE that your little guy ASKS to go to Target. Sigh…
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From what I understand, 24 mo has more room from the waist to the inseam allowing for the diaper.
I have found with my kids that this “little difference” is a “big difference” in our case since both of my children have a very tiny waist, and that extra room allows for droopy drawers.
Whenever possible, I buy adjustable waists. They last longer and allow for those little growth spurts that are often not enough for the next size up.
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I think a margarita sounds like a great idea. That, or you could always have me mail you a few jon jons for Carson
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It doesn’t get better with more time as a parent, at least in my experience. I’m dealing with 6, 6X, 6 husky, 6 slim. I mean, really, how did our parents ever dress us when we were kids. They certainly didn’t have all these options and we lived through it somehow.
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My son (nearly ten months old) is wearing mostly 12 month clothing…except for, notably, a pair of 3-6 month jeans that are even a little big.
Go figure.
I don’t get it either.
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i just moved to Vegas from Michigan and I love reading your blog because it’s very funny, of course and I feel it helps me with my Meijers withdrawls! Thanks. My son asks to go Target and”Potty Barn”. My husband cringes everytime.
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good LORD this is all confusing.
room in seat of pants? I now vote that womens sizing should be 2, 4 , 6, 8, 10, 8+2, 12, 20-6, 8×2, 18….
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Wish we had Target here in Canada. But this whole T issue has always baffled me too. Maybe if I’d taken a margarita with me it would have made things much clearer. The brilliance of that!
We’re in the 4T/4 zone now; what I’m finding is that there is no size 9; 6, 6x, 7, 10, 12 … my 8 yo is sick of wearing floods but swimming in 10s. The irony LOL!
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I honestly think the T sizes run a tab bigger. Both of mine wear a size larger in Target clothes though!
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Margaritas? When can I come over?
Unfortunately, sizing for bigger kid (and even adult) clothing isn’t any more reliable. I mean, there is no way I can actually be the size I have to buy for myself! Really!
It can be such a frustrating experience.
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this is a tough one for me too; my 16mo is in 18-24 months but 2t is too big.
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I have found with my three kids that there was a very slight difference in the size between 24 mos and 2T. 24 months tends to be just slightly smaller.
Sleeping Mommy’s last blog post..Kid’s meals: 99 cents
Jodi is right about the shirts at Target. The 24 months are often onesies, which neither of our boys wore after a year. Thank goodness the youngest can wear 2T now.
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I really think they should screw the age sizes altogether and just do the weight ranges, like they do at Sears. Of course, I’m speaking as someone who’s 3 year old wears size 5. So maybe my gigantic children are making me believe that the age sizes are out of whack.
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Swistle is right — it’s a “line” thing. Designers make clothes for a “fit model” who is around the middle size of the line, and then “grade” up or down to the rest of the sizes in the line. Typical children’s lines are as follows:
1. Babies (0-24 months).
2. Toddlers (2t-5t).
3. Boys (4-16).
4. Little girls (4-6X).
5. Girls (7-14).
This doesn’t help much with figuring out the exact differences between 24 months and 2t, but it helps to understand that a “24 months” garment has more in common with a garment for a round, diaper-wearing 6-month-old than with a garment for a tall, active 4-year-old.
I didn’t read all of the comments, so this may have already been answered. Size 24 mos generally refers to the approximate age the child will outgrow the garment, but size 2T refers to the age the child will actually wear the garment. Therefore, size 24 mos is smaller than size 2T, but this does not account for differences between brands.
The difference between size 4T and size 4 is that the “T” sizes have more room in the rearend to accomodate a diaper. The size 4 will generally be slimmer. Again, though, there can be dramatic (and frustrating) differences between brands.
I hope this helps. I have 5 yr old twin girls with completely different body types, and shopping for them has been a challenge, and it only seems to get harder as they get older and growth spurts seem to be less frequent, but more dramatic.
He asked to go to Target? That kid’s a keeper, lady.
Also? I’m baffled with the whole clothes thing, too. Bah!
You’re going to love a picture I plan to post soon, that I took of a piece of clothing at BRU recently. *cackle*
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my daughter is going to be a target obsessed kid. we are there EVERY OTHER DAY. no lie. i don’t have trouble finding clothes anywhere else but there though. my daughter is just turning one next week and has been in Circo brand 18 months for the past couple of months. but oddly enough everywhere else she is ‘normal’ sizing. but seriously, who can pass up a $3 pair of shorts?! not me
24 mos=2T…I don’t know why they can’t figure that out.
The second-hand store that I take my boy’s stuff to won’t take 9-12 month clothing. Wha? Why? How? I bet charities across the area are ONLY stocking 9-12 month clothing, but all three of my kids went through that stage…so wha? Why? How? Ugh!
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