Tiny TOMS classic hoodie (guest review)

When I’m asked to review something that I can’t test with my own family, I turn to my Facebook page and offer my readers a guest review opportunity.

Guest reviewers can be moms, dads, grandparents or other caregivers. They receive the products for free and get to keep them in exchange for their honest reviews. Like my own reviews on Mommy Gearest, receiving a product does not automatically earn a positive review.

Tanya is a mom to three active little ones – two boys, who are four (W) and two years old (C), and a one-year-old girl (L). She’s married to a great guy who she actually didn’t even want to kill after spending four months together while he was off work with an injury. [Editor’s note: That’s love.] She really likes that song “Party rockers in the house tonight!” – you know the one.

Tanya received a Tiny TOMS classic hoodie to test out with her middle child, C.

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Being on mat leave for three out of the last four-and-a-half years has been AMAZING for me emotionally, physically and mentally – but not so much financially.

As an avid shopper, I have had to come to grips with the fact that I can’t buy every cute outfit I see for my three children. I find myself (like most moms of same-sex children) saving my oldest son’s clothes for my younger one to save money. This was working out fine. I would go through W’s clothes, reminiscing. It made me feel great that my boys were able to share, and that I truly got my money’s worth.

Well, along came a surprise and we were blessed with our baby girl. The sudden urge to splurge on clothes returned. Instantly.

I’ll be the first to admit it: anytime I can get my daughter in a dress…I do! I also pretend it doesn’t bother her as I force the few strands of hair she has into a “ponytail.” Yet, as hard as I try to make her into a girlie girl, my little princess has taken a shine to dirt and trucks. I’m (reluctantly) coming to the realization that, like her brothers, she might want to wear comfy clothes, too.

This brings me to the Tiny TOMS classic hoodie. We were delighted to get one in grey – the perfect neutral.

THE GOOD

Anytime you can buy something and have those less fortunate benefit from it is a bonus. TOMS “one for one” commitment is a great idea: buy a pair of TOMS shoes or anything from its clothing line, and it donates a pair of new shoes to a child in need. And not just one pair – but new shoes for his or her entire childhood. As of September 2010, TOMS had given one million shoes to children in need around the world – impressive. Admirable. I can only imagine what that number’s up to two years later. And although the brand’s shoes and clothes are already pretty well-priced, many people don’t mind spending a little bit more for a product that does the world good.

Having children of both genders, not many things can be passed on. I can totally pass this super-comfy zip-up sweatshirt onto to my daughter once C outgrows it! Buying something I can eventually use for all of my children truly makes it easier to convince my hubby that it was a must-have.

The hoodie’s interior is so super-soft that when C first put it on, he said: “it feels like a puppy on me!” It made me picture curling up in front of a fire with a book and blanket. C giggles as I brush the inside of the sleeve against his cheek. Everyone has a go-to sweater, and this has become his favourite.

The GOTS-certified tag ensures that all the basics are covered when buying organic clothing (not just materials, but also the manufacturing and shipping). One way it’s environmentally friendly is that it requires less water during the rinse cycle when laundering due to the low-impact dyes used.

THE GAFFE

The sizing of these Tiny TOMS classic hoodies are sure to throw off even the savviest online shopper or a gift shopper. C usually wears a size 2 sweater snuggly and a 3T if we’re layering. The size 4 hoodie we received was a tight fit on his slim 32-pound body. This definitely would have been a bust if we were buying for a child who usually wears a size 4.

THE GEARS

4.5 / 5

So…where can you buy it?

•  Directly from TOMS; it ships to Canada!