A Guide to French Children's Sizing: What You Need to Know
Shopping for children's clothing online can feel like a puzzle — especially when the sizing system is different from what you're used to. French children's sizing, used by heritage brands like Jacadi, follows a straightforward age-based system, but there are a few things worth knowing to get the right fit every time.
How French Children's Sizing Works
French sizing is based on the child's age in months or years, which corresponds to an approximate height range. For example, a size "3 ans" (3 years) is designed to fit a child of around 98 cm tall. This makes it easy to shop by age, but because children grow at different rates, we always recommend checking the height guide alongside the age label.
Jacadi Size Guide
| Size Label | Age | Height (cm) |
|---|---|---|
| 1M | 0–1 month | 50–56 cm |
| 3M | 1–3 months | 56–62 cm |
| 6M | 3–6 months | 62–68 cm |
| 12M | 6–12 months | 68–74 cm |
| 18M | 12–18 months | 74–81 cm |
| 2 ans | 18–24 months | 81–88 cm |
| 3 ans | 2–3 years | 88–98 cm |
| 4 ans | 3–4 years | 98–104 cm |
| 5 ans | 4–5 years | 104–110 cm |
| 6 ans | 5–6 years | 110–116 cm |
| 8 ans | 6–8 years | 116–128 cm |
| 10 ans | 8–10 years | 128–138 cm |
| 12 ans | 10–12 years | 138–150 cm |
Tips for Getting the Right Fit
- Measure height, not age. A child who is tall for their age may need to size up. Always cross-reference with the height column above.
- Consider the cut. Jacadi garments are designed with a classic, slightly relaxed French silhouette. Smocked dresses and gathered styles have more flexibility; tailored pieces like ceremony outfits may benefit from sizing up for comfort and movement.
- Room to grow. For special occasion pieces worn infrequently, sizing up by one gives extra wear across a season or two.
- Newborn sizing. For gifts, we recommend sizing up from birth weight — most newborns outgrow 1M quickly. A 3M or 6M size is often a more practical gift choice.
Comparing French Sizing to Irish & UK Sizing
French sizing runs slightly larger than standard UK sizing at the younger ages, and aligns more closely at older ages. The key difference is that French sizing prioritises height over weight, making it a more reliable guide for taller or slimmer children.
Still Not Sure?
Our team in our Dublin store is always happy to help you find the right size. You can also contact us with any sizing questions before placing your order online. Browse our full range of baby clothing, girls' clothing, and boys' clothing to find the perfect fit.
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