Denim: A Wardrobe Workhorse (GAP Review & Giveaway!)

***Giveaway Done! Winner will be notified on or before September 27, 2010***

This is sponsored content from BlogHer and GAP.

Let’s face it, toddlers are busy. Especially twin toddlers. And with such an active lifestyle, their clothing can take a serious beating. Which is why we are pretty deliberate about the clothing we buy, and why we also build their wardrobes around a handful of core, quality pieces.

For us, it is important that those core pieces possess versatility and compatibility, durability, and when possible, longevity.

Translation: denim.

Long before I had the opportunity to review denim products for the GAP, we were buying our denim (and quite a few tops and outerwear) from there. Why? Because it fits all our core requirements.

Versatility. Denim goes well with, well…everything, every color, print, material, or season: Our daughter can often be found wearing a denim skirt with any number of cute tops, both stylish and cool in the heat of a Texas summer. In the cooler months, we just put leggings underneath so she can still wear her “princess.” Back in December, for our holiday greeting card, we dressed down our son’s white button-down shirt and sports coat with, you got it, a pair of jeans. And nearly all our family photos? In jeans.

Compatibility. In the early spring, our son donned a micro-plaid shirt with denim overalls for the rodeo and a cowboy-themed birthday party. And when the GAP dress no longer fit our daughter as intended, we extended its use by wearing it as a top and putting jeans on underneath. That means that at 28 months old, she’s been able to use that size 18-24 months dress almost a year. Which is like forever in toddler years.

Durability.I cannot tell you how many skinned knees have been averted thanks to the super-material that is denim. Nothing handles the tumbles, spills, stains, concrete, dirt, and active play of toddlers like denim can. In fact, I’ve found we’re at greater risk of them outgrowing the clothing long before their denim duds are too worn to wear. Which brings me to longevity.

Longevity.Two words: adjustable waists. I love that toddler GAP jeans almost always have adjustable waists. Talk about long-lasting. I mean, for the most part, we can buy the right size or a size bigger, roll up the pant leg, and get a whole year's worth out of them. And for the infant-to-toddler age group, that is money very well spent.

Speaking of well-spent money, how would you like to win a $100 gift card to the GAP, courtesy of GAP and BlogHer!? You can enter to win three ways ( two available comments/entries per person!): (1) leave me a comment telling me what you'd buy and for whom you'd buy it, (2) share this post via Twitter or Facebook, leaving the direct url as a comment, or (3) blog about this post, leaving the direct url as a comment. Campaign/Sweeps dates: 09/14/2010 through 09/20/2010.

***Giveaway Done! Winner will be notified on or before September 27, 2010***

For more information, go to BlogHer.com GAP official rules.

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