Cat & Jack is a successful budget-friendly kids clothing line exclusive to Target stores. It was launched in 2016 as Target’s own brand, with a focus on providing trendy, high-quality basics and seasonal pieces for kids and toddlers at lower price points. Within a year of launch, Cat & Jack had become one of Target’s most popular clothing brands.
The brand was created to fill a need for cute, durable, and affordable kids clothing that parents could rely on. By controlling product design and manufacturing, Target has made Cat & Jack stand out in a competitive market. The clothing line includes apparel, shoes, and accessories for newborns through elementary school ages.
Target Customer Base
Cat & Jack is designed for kids ranging from infants to teens. The brand offers clothes, shoes, accessories, swimwear, and more for babies, toddlers, kids, and tweens/teens. Their size range generally spans from newborn up to size 18 or XL for the tween/teen line. Some of their key target age ranges include:
- Infants and babies: Cat & Jack makes clothes, shoes, hats, and accessories for newborns up to 24 months.
- Toddlers: The toddler line focuses on kids aged 2-5 years with clothing, shoes, and accessories designed for their needs and active lifestyles.
- Kids: For older kids aged 5-12 years, Cat & Jack sells apparel, shoes, school uniforms, graphic tees, shorts, jeans, swimwear and more.
- Tweens and teens: Cat & Jack’s tween and teen lines offer trendy clothing and accessories catering to middle school and high school students.
Overall, Cat & Jack aims to be a one-stop shop for affordable, functional kids’ apparel for babies through teens.
Sizing Compared to Other Brands
Cat & Jack clothes are offered in a wide range of children’s sizes from newborn through size 18/20. The sizing is designed to be true to fit, meaning the sizes match typical size ranges for each age group.
For infants and toddlers up to size 5T, Cat & Jack sizes run very close to the sizing of other major national brands like Carters, Old Navy, and Children’s Place. The fit is designed to be snug but not overly tight in this size range to allow for some growing room.
In bigger kid sizes from XS-XL or 6-18, most customers report the sizing aligns well with industry averages. The clothes are designed to fit similarly to other comparable retail brands marketed to this age group like Old Navy, Target’s own Kid Made Modern brand, and Children’s Place. The fit allows for growth spurts while avoiding an overly baggy appearance.
The only sizing difference parents may notice is that the pants tend to run slightly slimmer or more fitted than some other brands. But overall, Cat & Jack aims for true-to-size clothes that grow with kids through different stages. Referring to the detailed size charts provided with each item can help choose the right size range.
Customer Feedback on Sizing
Reviews of Cat & Jack clothing on Target’s website and other sites like Amazon indicate some mixed feedback on the sizing. Many customers report the clothes running small, especially in toddler and baby sizes.
For example, one reviewer on Target’s site said, “I love Cat & Jack but the sizing is totally off. I size up for length but the width is tiny too so it’s still tight.” [1]
Another customer review on Amazon stated, “These run very small! I bought 18 month size and they are tiny on my average sized 16 month old.” [2]
However, some reviews indicate the opposite, with clothes running large, especially in bigger kids’ sizes. As one review said, “I purchased a size 7 but this shirt fits more like an 8 or even a 10. The material is very thin too.” [3]
So it seems parent reviews confirm inconsistent or unpredictable sizing across Cat & Jack’s product line.
Measurement Charts
Cat & Jack provides detailed size charts on their website to help customers determine the right size for their child. The charts include measurements for height, weight, chest, and waist across all clothing categories like tops, bottoms, shoes, etc.
To use the charts, first measure your child according to the guidelines. Then match their measurements to the size chart to find the best fit. For example, if your child is 36″ tall and weighs 32 lbs, the size chart recommends a 4T in t-shirts.
It’s important to refer to the specific clothing category charts, as the sizing may vary. For example, your child’s short size may be different from their t-shirt size based on the fit. Measurements for bottoms include inseam length as well.
If your child falls between two sizes, Cat & Jack recommends sizing up for the best fit and room to grow. The detailed size charts account for the changes in children’s body shapes and growth patterns across ages. Following the charts closely can help you choose the optimal size.
You can find the Cat & Jack size charts at https://www.target.com/c/toddler-baby-clothes/-/N-5xt9kZ4ygfv or on individual product pages. Take the time to measure accurately and refer to them when shopping online or in stores.
Fit Issues
Cat & Jack clothes are designed for children, but some parents report inconsistent sizing and fit issues especially with length and waist sizing. Many customers note the pants and leggings run short, while the shirts tend to run slightly big and boxy.
Specifically, some parents note the pants are not long enough for taller kids. The leggings also tend to be on the short side, riding up on longer legs. The shorts may be too tight in the waist for kids with straight up-and-down body types.
The T-shirts are often noted as being too wide, long and boxy, with excess fabric around the waist. However, Cat & Jack tops with adjustable waistbands or smocking tend to run small and not accommodate kids with longer torsos. The pajama sets also tend to fit snugly.
To summarize, the main fit issues cited are pants, leggings and shorts running short for tall kids, and shirts running loose and boxy except for styles with adjustable waists. Checking the sizing charts and trying items on is recommended. Exchanges and returns are available for any pieces that don’t fit as expected.
Material Issues
The materials used in Cat & Jack clothing can impact how the sizes fit. Cotton tends to have more stretch and give than synthetic fabrics like polyester. So a cotton t-shirt may fit a bit more generously than a polyester t-shirt in the same size.
According to sources at The Spruce Pets, cotton woven fabrics have a natural stretch and recovery that allows them to conform to the body better than stiff polyester fabrics. So cotton items like t-shirts or dresses may feel like they run slightly larger than a polyester item cut in the same size.
Since polyester does not have the same flex as natural fibers, polyester clothing may feel tighter and less forgiving. The stiff fibers can make polyester shirts and pants fit smaller and feel restrictive compared to softer, stretchier cotton pieces. So polyester clothing from Cat & Jack may seem to run slightly smaller than their cotton counterparts.
When shopping for children’s clothing, it’s important to note the material, as natural fibers like cotton tend to allow for more comfort and better fit compared to synthetic fabrics. That means cotton options from Cat & Jack will likely fit truer to size with more wiggle room than polyester pieces.
Washing Instructions
Proper washing is crucial to avoid shrinkage issues with Cat & Jack clothing. According to National Geographic, domestic cat fur is very sensitive and requires gentle cleaning. Just as cat fur needs gentle care, Cat & Jack clothing is designed for children and therefore requires delicate washing.
Always follow the care instructions on the garment’s tag. Most Cat & Jack items can be machine washed in cold water on a gentle cycle. Avoid washing in hot water, as the heat can cause Cotton shrinkage by up to 5% (Wikipedia). Delicate items like leggings and sweaters should be washed in cold and line dried to prevent shrinking.
Also be sure to wash colors separately from whites to avoid dye transfer. Use a mild detergent without bleach or fabric softener, as harsh chemicals can damage fabrics. Hang dry when possible or tumble dry on low. With proper washing care, Cat & Jack clothes will retain their size and maintain quality over many wearings.
Exchanges and Returns Due to Poor Fit
If you purchase Cat & Jack apparel from Target and find that the sizing doesn’t fit your child properly, you have options for exchanging the item for a different size. The return policy at Target allows returns and exchanges within 90 days of purchase with a receipt. For exchanges, you can bring the original Cat & Jack item back to any Target store and exchange it for the same product in a different size. This is a convenient option if you just need to go up or down a size. You can also return Cat & Jack items purchased online by mail. When exchanging online purchases by mail, you will need to return the original items and place a new order for the correct size yourself.
According to Target’s return policy, “If a guest purchases an item in-store or online and later decides they would prefer a different size, color, or scent we’ll gladly exchange the item within our 90-day return policy period.” So you have plenty of flexibility to get the right fit for your child when it comes to Cat & Jack apparel.
The key things to remember are you need to have the original receipt, be within 90 days of purchase, and have the tags still attached on the original item. As long as you meet those criteria, Target will happily exchange any Cat & Jack clothing item that doesn’t fit your child properly for a different size that fits better.
Conclusion
In summary, Cat & Jack clothes do tend to run small compared to other children’s brands. Their clothes are best suited for slimmer kids. Checking the size charts and measuring your child before purchasing can help ensure you get the right size. Size up if your child is in between sizes or has a fuller figure. Stick with knits and stretchy fabrics if concerned about fit. Follow the washing instructions to minimize shrinking. Exchanges and returns are easy if the size still doesn’t work out. With some planning ahead, you can get great-fitting Cat & Jack clothes for your kids.
Some final tips:
– Measure your child and use the size charts as a starting point
– Consider sizing up, especially for fuller or in-between sized kids
– Stick to stretchy knits if concerned about fit
– Wash in cold water and dry on low or hang dry to prevent shrinking
– Save receipts and tags for easy exchanges and returns if needed
– Don’t be afraid to try a size up for a better fit