Monday Musings: Baby clothes

Why do baby clothes come with pockets? The tiny cargo shorts that I put on Baby C this morning, for example, have no fewer than six pockets. Why? He barely realizes he has hands; I can't imagine he can manipulate anything well enough to put it into one of his many pockets.

Why are baby clothes just as expensive as adult clothes? (Moreover, why are my clothes so much more expensive than my husband's?) I realize there's a good amount of labor involved, but as you use less material and don't have that many more stitches or notions on the shirt, I would guess that the smaller shirt should be less expensive, even if it were only a few dollars less. From one of my husband's shirts, I think someone could make three shirts for Baby C (I'm even being generous here), but Baby C's tiny tops cost about as much as his father's XXL shirts.

What is the purpose of designer baby wear? Do the other kids in school (or day care) really pay that much attention? Will my son be ostracized because the Ralph Lauren shirt he inherited from my sister's friend's son is four or five seasons old? And really, do the other kids even notice?

Just some things I've been pondering...