# Adaptable Apparel Children’s clothing incorporates expandable features for longevity. By [Hayley McGlone](https://www.trendhunter.com/hayley_mcglone), Manager, Client Research & Strategy | Published Mar 28, 2019 | Category: [Life-Stages](https://www.trendhunter.com/pro/category/life-stages) Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/adaptable-apparel ## Key Figures - Trend score: 4.9/10 - Evidence articles: 4 ## What is the Adaptable Apparel trend? **Adaptable Apparel:** To mitigate the problem of children quickly outgrowing their clothing and shoes, brands are reimagining such items to grow with the child rather than being repeatedly replaced. Ranging from expanding children's clothing to size-changing shoes, these showcase how brands are providing functional alternatives. ## The consumer insight behind the Adaptable Apparel trend With climate change awareness growing and the cost of raising children rising, parents are increasingly adapting how their raise their children to accommodate both and global shifts. Millennial parents that have financial difficulties and more environmental awareness are looking to find a balance between accommodating their children's needs with their own. ## At a Glance - Evidence: 4 featured examples - Articles from: Jul 6, 2017 to Mar 26, 2019 - Published: Mar 28, 2019 - Patterns: [Divergence](https://www.trendhunter.com/pattern/divergence), [Reduction](https://www.trendhunter.com/pattern/reduction) - Megatrends: [Curation](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/curation), [Simplicity](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/simplicity), [Naturality](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/naturality) ## Audience - Gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Gen Alpha, Millennial - Top markets: North America, Europe, Asia ## Themes within the Adaptable Apparel trend ### Adaptive Apparel Brands are reimagining children's clothing and shoes to grow with a child to mitigate the problem of children quickly outgrowing their clothing. ### Sustainable Fashion Parents with financial difficulties and more environmental awareness are looking to find a balance between accommodating their children's needs with their own, leading to more sustainable fashion choices. ### Affordable Long-Lasting Babywear Brands are investing in affordable options for baby clothing and making them last longer through fewer standard sizes and designs that can grow and transition with kids as they age. ## What the Adaptable Apparel trend means for industry ### For Fashion The adaptive and sustainable aspects of these trends create an opportunity for innovation within the fashion industry to create longer-lasting and more eco-friendly clothing. ### For Children's Products As parents become more environmentally conscious and financially strapped, designing long-lasting, expandable, and adjustable products that grow with children can set businesses apart. ### For Philanthropy Through creating products for children living in poverty and those in need, new opportunities for philanthropic endeavors that better the lives of children come forward. ## Workshop question Consider how your brand could alter your products to alleviate consumer concerns. ## Trend signals for Adaptable Apparel Trend score 4.9 out of 10, from popularity 74%, activity 66%, freshness 8%. - Popularity: 74% - Activity: 66% - Freshness: 8% ## Examples of the Adaptable Apparel trend 4 featured examples from Jul 6, 2017 to Mar 26, 2019. - [Expanding Children's Clothing](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/petit-pli): The Petit Pli Line Grows With Kids (Category: Life-Stages) Implication: Disruptive innovation opportunity: Embrace sustainable practices and offer clothing lines that promote durability and reduced environmental impact. - [Affordable Long-Lasting Babywear](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/hanes-ultimate-baby): The Hanes Ultimate Baby Line Grows with a Child Over 24 Months (Category: Life-Stages) Implication: Disruptive innovation opportunity: Revolutionizing the children's apparel industry by offering affordable, durable, and flexible-sizing options for all stages of baby growth. - [Expanding Adjustable Youth Sandals](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/grofive-expandals): The GroFive 'Expandals' Expand Up to Five Sizes (Category: Fashion) Implication: Opportunity for children's footwear manufacturers to create expandable shoes and tap into the growing market for sustainable and cost-effective products. - [Durable Size-Changing Shoes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/the-shoe-that-grows): The Shoe That Grows is Intended for Children Living in Severe Poverty (Category: Social Good) Implication: Philanthropic organizations that focus on designing and donating customizable footwear, using sustainable materials, and providing resources like education and healthcare to impov… ## Recent trend clusters - [Constructible Franchises](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/constructible-franchises) (Life-Stages) - [Assisted Choices](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/weight-loss-medication-support) (Lifestyle) - [Storyline Sips](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/themed-drink-menus) (Lifestyle) - [Bedtime Cocoon](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/sleep-sensory-blocking) (Lifestyle) ## Trending in Life-Stages - [Retro Graphic Tees](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/nostalgic-graphic-tees) - [Screen-Free Kids Phones](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/screen-free-kids-phones) - [Edible Oil-Based Lubes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/coco-lube) - [Women's Health-Focused Probiotic Supplements](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/womens-health-probiotic-capsules) All articles: [Life-Stages](https://www.trendhunter.com/life-stages)