Designer Creates Clothing That ‘Grows’ With Your Infant

Parents know all too well that buying clothes for a growing child is a crapshoot. Our kids grow so fast that sometimes we barely get a few wears out of the clothing before the child no longer fits into it. But now a U.K.-based designer may have come up with a solution most parents will go ga-ga for.

Ryan Yasin, an engineering graduate, recently won the U.K.’s annual James Dyson award for innovation for his line of clothing, Petit Pli, made from fabric that is structured to stretch and expand as a child grows. According to the BBC, Petit Pli clothing can fit any child from ages 6 months to 3 years old.

“So my sister was having another baby,” Yasin told the BBC. “I had sent him some clothes and he didn’t fit into them because they grow so quickly. I thought that their clothes should adapt to that growth.”

In video demonstrations, Yasin and the BBC show how the clothing expands and contracts, inspired, as Reuters notes, by Japanese origami. The geometric design of Petit Pli clothing is very modern, something Yasin seems quite fond of. When asked how Yasin plans to market such “unusual” clothes, he hopes the practicality of the clothing outweighs any hesitation someone might have about the look.

“I believe these clothes look so futuristic and obviously some of the market might not be ready for it,” said Yasin, before adding, “We’re going to focus on very gender-neutral styles particularly so you can pass these clothes on between siblings who are of different genders.”

Most parents would probably love to have more clothes that both boys and girls can wear, while adding eco-friendly sustainability to the overall appeal of the clothes.

Yasin also said that he’s looking into maternity wear for mothers made of the same fabric.

Petit Pli clothes are machine-washable, waterproof, and windproof, according to the company’s website.

While there’s no immediate release date for Petit Pli clothing, the website has a mailing list sign-up for any new parent who might be interested.

What do you think? Is the unusual design enough to turn you away, or would you love to have clothing that grows with your child – and save you a boat load of money?

SHARE your thoughts in the comments.