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It's just so hard because they are all different. DS one was in a size 2T from 2 to almost 3. DS two is only 13 months and is already in 24 month clothes. And also it depends on gender, because the boys clothes are baggier and I think they stay in them longer. The girls clothes are fitted more so I think they grow out of them quicker...

DD is 75% for height and about 50% for weight. She is just finally fitting properly into 2T pants at 2.5 but some of the waists are still big on her. Lengthwise, pants seem to fit her pretty true to age/size, so she must carry her height in her torso.

The nice thing with the toddler sizes is that if an item doesn't fit this summer, it's likely to fit the next summer since they stay in one size close to a full year. DD won't turn 3 until late August, but I'm buying any new summer dresses in 3T just to be safe. The majority fit her okay with plenty of room to grow - dresses and short-sleeve tops seem to be more forgiving. I need to try last year's shorts on her, since she usually wears a size down with shorts since length doesn't matter as much (she wore 18m last year and hasn't grown much in her waist).

I feel your pain! DD will be 2 in a couple weeks and it can be a puzzle.

My son is about to turn 3 and has been growing out of most of his 2T stuff recently. He is a very muscular and lean kid...always has been. He's right around the 50th percentile for height and I think he was in the 60-70s for weight?

In my opinion, Gap and Old Navy clothes fit wider and shorter, so my son usually grows out of their stuff first. All his ON/Gap things are getting too short at the ankles and wrists. He can usually wear Carter's longer than Old Navy/Gap, but usually only a month or two longer. When I needed to purchase a new pair of khakis for him this winter, I went with 3T even though he could have worn 2Ts because I knew I would get more use out of them that way.

I have given up trying to figure out sizes. But I do agree that summer things are more forgiving. Last summer my then just turned 3 year old wore bike shorts under dresses, ranging from size 2t to 5t. Seriously.

I would suggest pants with adjustable waists. B is 3 and wearing 2T for height, but 12-18 month shorts because that's what waist size fits him. The only way we can do pants is to buy adjustable waists and tighten them all the way up. (Related: why do so many sweat pants have fake ties at the waist?!?! Why put strings there if you're not going to make them functional?)

@skipra: I'm curious too!

Gap seems to fit my boys but the waist is huge if it's not adjustable. Honestly, I mostly get clothes secondhand but if I buy new it's usually Gap. I loved Target brand before they changed it.

My dd, who was at least around the 75th % in height, was in the 2t til about 2y9m to 3. But things shrink in the wash so the leggings would eventually be capri length. Even within a brand we had different experiences depending on the style. Adjustable waists are a good suggestion. I think OshKosh (which is also Carters brand) worked well around that age.

@Littlebit7: Janie and Jack has a ton of adjustable waist stuff. Basically anything that isn't made out of a stretchy material will have the adjustable waist. It's great. But even with the adjustable waist, I usually have to size slightly down for my oldest.

My oldest is 3.5 and my youngest is 18 months and they can both wear 2t skirs/shorts. My older girl needs 3t in pants or dresses for length, but she will swim in them unless they run slim or have some kind of adjustable stuff. Last summer, I also had my mom tack the waist (like, fold and sew) a bunch of skirts and shorts because I couldn't find summer stuff that fit her waist that weren't super short.

Sizing is weird. Or I guess just children's bodies are so variable. My kids can wear each other's clothes but how they look in them is totally different.

Also, my oldest wore a skirt last Christmas that was a 3-6 months skirt....and she was 3, haha. True story.

My LO is almost 21 months and is about 80% for height. Most of his height though is in his torso. I always have to size up for his shirts and pants are true to size. Right now I am buying pants and shirts in 2T. The shirts fit good and pants are big in length. I roll them. In a year from now I will definitely have him in 3T.

Mostly reiterating what other people said. I have a tall, skinny kid.

Gap fits wide and short. I stopped with Gap clothes when DS was around 2. Same with Old Navy and Crazy Eights. Oshkosh fit the best, especially with overalls being adjustable at the straps and not needing to the fit their tiny waist. Ralph Lauren fit even better, and I could find it at dept. stores or TJ Maxx type stores on sale.

If she's going to potty train soon, you may want to skip overalls, zippers, and buttons, and just buy elastic waist bands, especially if she goes to a daycare or school with this request.