Shanna Shipin, Sophie Cockett
Despite little ones popping up all over your feed, your family, and maybe your own household (!), the best baby clothes can be quite difficult to nail down. Especially if it’s your first go at parenthood – or if you’re looking to impress loved ones with a thoughtful baby gift or something special for a one-year-old.
Sure, people will say, “They outgrow everything so fast—don’t buy too much!” They’re not wrong, but trust that babies (and their sweet little digestive tracts) will demand them in multiples. We also can’t deny that in the age of everyone being a documentarian, parents always have cameras at the ready (looking at you, G-mas and G-pas of the world). So, if you’re the style-loving kind by nature, it’s impossible to resist adding some high-end options to cart. Think: a Hunza G swimsuit to match your own, logo-clad summer sandals… or a velour Juicy Couture tracksuit?
Before we get into the best baby clothes and what brands to buy them from, a word on secondhand clothing: yes. Just, yes. Whether you’re buying them from your local Oxfam store or receiving them from a fellow parent, or will soon have clothing to donate from your own babe, few things are better than giving gently used clothing new life. If you’re getting a present for a new dad or a gift for new mum, or are simply in the market for fresh clothing for your little, there are generally three tiers to think of.
How to shop for the best baby clothes
- Bulk budget buys: This is where parents will spend a lot of their time but hopefully not a lot of their hard-earned cash. You can find tons of everyday staples—at some of their lowest prices—at big-box retailers.
- Elevated essentials and special occasion outfits: Tap here for organic cotton clothing, extra durable sleepwear, and plenty of photogenic ’fits. This section is where you’ll find quality sweaters and jackets for cold weather, baby swimsuits (with UV protection!) for summer, and the sweetest shoes for those first steps.
- Novelty clothing: There are lots of celebrations that the little guy or girl of the hour will be invited to (and maybe hosting) from holidays to milestone first birthdays. These are the picture-frame-worthy outfits.
How much should I spend on baby clothes?
Exactly how much you should spend on baby clothes directly correlates with your personal budget. You can easily find baby clothes that cost upwards of £40 per piece, but keep in mind: Babies, especially newborns, grow out of their clothing very quickly. Plus, babies’ clothing takes a beating from things like spit-up, diaper blowouts, and—later—food messes. Because of this, we recommend more budget-friendly pieces in the range of £10 to £20 per item. Shopping sales and secondhand is also a good strategy to score some of those more expensive, special-occasion pieces.
What are the best clothes to bring a newborn home from the hospital in?
Ah, the going home outfit. New parents everywhere look forward to baby’s big debut and take the opportunity to dress them accordingly in something special, whether a onesie that says something like “Hello, world!” or a special dress. In general, the choice is yours, but make sure to consider the weather. Babies can’t regulate their body temperature the same way older children and adults can. The general rule of thumb, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), is to dress newborns in one more layer of clothing than an adult would wear in the same conditions.
We also recommend avoiding clothing that restricts baby’s leg movements. Hospitals require babies go home securely strapped into a car seat, and some layettes — like gowns cinched at the feet — won’t allow you to properly strap them into their seat.
Where to shop the best baby clothes brands
Much like price, this is a matter of preference—style-wise, budget-wise, and shopping-habit-wise. If you prefer convenience, get even comfier at your preferred mass retailer of choice. If you like shopping small, first start at your local indie kids’ store, then hop online for curated pieces you’ll low-key want for yourself.