French Terry Cotton: The Fabric Behind Our Summer Streetwear

When summer hits in New Zealand, everything speeds up. Days get longer, shoes get optional, and kids somehow find more energy than you thought possible. From beach mornings to park afternoons and backyard evenings, summer life is lived outdoors—and what your kids wear matters more than ever.

That’s where fabric choice comes in.

At Crumb, we don’t just design clothes that look good. We choose materials that work—especially for warm weather, active kids, and parents who want comfort without compromise. One fabric shows up again and again in our collections for a reason: French terry cotton.

If you’ve ever wondered what French terry is, why it’s considered a premium fabric, or why we use it for our Drop Sleeve Set, you’re in the right place.

What Is French Terry Cotton?

French terry is a type of knit fabric most commonly made from cotton (or cotton blends). On the outside, it looks smooth and clean. On the inside, it features small loops that give it structure, softness, and breathability.

Unlike heavy fleece, French terry is:

• Lightweight

• Breathable

• Soft against the skin

• Flexible and comfortable

That combination makes it ideal for clothing that needs to move with the body—especially for kids who don’t stop moving once they’re dressed.

In simple terms:
French terry sits perfectly between a t-shirt fabric and a sweatshirt fabric. It’s not too thin, not too thick, and just right for our warmer seasons.

Why French Terry Is Considered a Premium Fabric

Not all cotton fabrics are created equal. French terry stands out because of how it’s constructed and how it performs in real life, not just how it feels on the hanger.

1. Breathable by design

Those looped fibres on the inside allow air to circulate. That means:

• Less heat trapped against the skin

• Better airflow during active play

• More comfort on hot or humid days

For kids summer clothes and baby summer clothes, breathability is essential.

2. Soft but structured

French terry has enough weight to hold its shape, but it still feels soft and relaxed. Clothes made from it don’t cling, don’t go see-through, and don’t lose their form after a few washes.

This balance is exactly why it works so well for oversized streetwear silhouettes, like drop sleeve shirts.

3. Gentle on sensitive skin

High-quality French terry cotton (like the kind Crumb uses) is smooth, low-irritation, and comfortable for babies and toddlers with sensitive skin. Also ours is certified OEKO-TEX® Standard 100 fabric, so there's no toxic chemicals on your child's skin.

For parents, that means fewer wardrobe battles and more all-day wear.

French Terry for New Zealand Summer Life

NZ summer isn’t just about heat—it’s about variety.

One day you’re at the beach. The next you’re dealing with wind, cloud cover, or a cooler evening after a hot afternoon. Kids don’t want to change outfits every few hours, and parents don’t want to carry half a wardrobe “just in case”.

This is where French terry really earns its place.

Perfect for outdoor play

French terry handles:

• Playground climbing

• Scooter rides

• Beach walks

• Grass, sand, and movement

It’s durable enough for everyday wear, but still soft enough for downtime, naps, and travel.

Easy layering when the temperature drops

Because it’s not bulky, French terry works beautifully on its own or layered under jackets, overalls, or caps when the breeze picks up.

That makes it a smart choice for kids clothes this summer, where New Zealand weather rarely stays the same all day.

Why We Use French Terry for Crumb’s Drop Sleeve Set

At Crumb, design always starts with function. When we created our Drop Sleeve Set, we wanted something that felt relaxed, breathable, and wearable across seasons—without losing that streetwear edge.

French terry cotton made sense instantly.

The Drop Sleeve Set Fabric

Our Drop Sleeve Sets are made from a premium French terry cotton blend (95% cotton, 5% elastane).

This blend gives:

• Natural breathability from cotton

• Light stretch from elastane for movement

• A soft feel with long-lasting shape

It’s comfortable enough for babies, practical enough for toddlers, and cool enough for older kids.

What Is a Drop Sleeve (or Drop Shoulder T-Shirt)?

A drop sleeve, also called a drop shoulder t-shirt, is where the shoulder seam sits lower than usual, dropping down the arm instead of sitting at the shoulder joint.

For kids, this design offers:

• More room through the shoulders and arms

• A relaxed, oversized fit

• Better airflow in warm weather

An oversized drop shoulder t-shirt made with French terry fabric creates a summer outfit that feels loose, cool, and unrestricted—ideal for active children.

This is why our drop sleeve shirt kids clothing category has become such a core part of Crumb’s summer range.

Why the Drop Sleeve Set Works as Summer Clothing

The Drop Sleeve Set isn’t just a style choice—it’s a functional one.

For babies (6 months +)

• Soft on delicate skin

• Breathable for warm days

• Easy to move, crawl, and nap in

For toddlers

• Roomy fit that allows running, climbing, and play

• Comfortable enough for all-day wear

• Less fuss when dressing

For kids up to 6 years

• Streetwear style they actually like wearing

• Durable enough for everyday adventures

• Oversized fit that grows with them

Summertime comfort and ease.

French Terry Meets Streetwear

Streetwear isn’t about being uncomfortable or restrictive—especially not for kids. It’s about movement, attitude, and ease.

French terry supports that perfectly.

The fabric gives structure to oversized silhouettes without stiffness. It allows the Drop Sleeve Set to drape naturally, sit well on different body types, and still feel soft and wearable.

This makes it ideal for:

• Everyday outfits

• Playdates

• Family outings

• Travel days

• Casual events

It looks intentional, but it never feels overdone.

Summer Activities That French Terry Handles Easily

If your kids’ summer looks anything like this, French terry is your friend:

• Beach mornings followed by café stops

• Scooter rides around the neighbourhood

• Park playdates that turn into dinner plans

• Backyard water play

• Weekend markets or road trips

French terry cotton keeps kids cool during movement and comfortable when things slow down—without needing an outfit change halfway through the day.

Crumb’s Drop Sleeve Summer Set Colours

For your summer outfit planning, here’s where it all comes together.

Milk White

Clean, minimal, and endlessly versatile. Milk White works as a full summer set or layered with other pieces.

Violet Crumble

A muted purple tone with streetwear edge. It’s soft without being sweet and bold without being loud—Violet Crumble is perfect for kids who like something a little different.

Matcha Green

Earthy, fresh, and modern. Matcha Green feels right at home outdoors and looks especially good paired with neutral accessories or summer footwear.

Styling Tip: Keep It Simple

French terry sets like the Drop Sleeve are designed to do most of the work for you.

On hot days:

• Wear the set on its own

• Add kids sunnies for sun protection

• Finish with slides or sneakers

On cooler evenings:

• Layer lightly

• Add a cap

• Keep the base outfit the same

No overthinking. No outfit stress.

The drop sleeve set also pairs easily with kids accessories like sunnies and caps (we will have them available very soon)!

Why Parents Love French Terry (Once They Try It)

We as parents often start by choosing clothes for how they look—but stay loyal because of how the clothes perform.

French terry earns that loyalty because it:

• Washes well

• Holds its shape

• Stays soft

• Feels good on kids

Once it’s in rotation, it becomes a go-to. We’ve also felt how French terry fabric feels on our own clothes so we have an idea how it’s going to be like for our kids.

Fabric Matters for Kids Clothing

When you’re choosing summer clothes for your kids, fabric is just as important as fit or colour.

French terry cotton offers a rare combination: comfort, breathability, durability, and style. That’s why it’s the fabric of choice for our Drop Sleeve Set—and why it works so well for NZ summer life.

Whether you’re dressing a baby, a toddler, or a six-year-old who never stops moving, French terry delivers what summer demands.

Cool. Comfy. Chaos-ready.