For NEW Parents: What is the difference between Ribbed vs Non Ribbed Footies/ Onesies?

When Elisa and I first became parents we were surprised and overwhelmed by all the different clothing options for newborns and babies. First of all there are so many children's clothing brands and so many nuances to materials, size options and other factors like whether the clothing is hypoallergenic. 

Cotton has been and will continue to most likely be the #1 most used fabric for baby clothing. In the last 10 years cotton fabric blends which include bamboo, polyester or spandex have become popular. 100% bamboo clothing has also become popular. What we have learned as new parents and as new clothing designers is that there are pros and cons to different fabric materials. 

So, to answer the question: what is the difference between ribbed vs non ribbed? 

It comes down to texture and construction of the fabric:

Ribbed Footies:

• Texture: Have a vertical, raised "corduroy-like" texture created by alternating raised and lowered rows in the knit. This gives the fabric a stretchy, elastic feel.

• Stretch and Fit: The ribbed knit provides more stretch and a snugger, more form-fitting silhouette. This can be beneficial for a comfortable and secure fit, especially for active babies and toddlers.

• Durability: The ribbed structure can sometimes make the fabric slightly more durable and resistant to stretching out of shape.

• Appearance: Often have a more textured and sometimes a slightly more traditional or classic look.

• Warmth: The thicker texture can sometimes provide a bit more warmth compared to a flat knit of similar weight.

Non-Ribbed Footies:

• Texture: Have a smooth, flat surface. The knit is even and doesn't have the raised and lowered rows.

• Stretch and Fit: Generally have less inherent stretch than ribbed fabrics. The fit can vary depending on the specific knit and material, but they tend to be less form-fitting and sometimes looser.

• Durability: Durability depends more on the type of knit and the material used rather than the absence of ribbing.

• Appearance: Offer a smoother, cleaner, and often more modern or simple look.

• Warmth: Warmth depends on the thickness and material of the fabric. A non-ribbed footie can be just as warm as a ribbed one if made from the same weight of material.

As we mentioned earlier there are so many clothing brands and fabric options out there! The ribbed vs non-ribbed options for Elisa and me simply added more complexity. I hope this helps any parent out there who start seeing these terms ribbed or non-ribbed.

At En Route Designs, we plan on coming out with more iconic South Asian and Asian designs for our Kurta Footies. Our kurta footies will clearly show whether it is ribbed  or non-ribbed as a product category so that parents can easily make an informed decision. In my opinion, I love both. The texture for our ribbed and non-ribbed kurta footies are different but they both feel super soft in their own ways. At the end of the day, what really matters is what your child thinks and how you feel about it! 

Have a great week. 

-Abhishek 

PS...Join our community. Lets grow this community together. We promise to listen, keep our community involved in the design process for future projects and offer special incentives for being a part of the En Route Adda (community). 

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