If you are a working mom, try to resist the temptation of buying more than one of those cute little wool peacoats, seersucker suits, dainty crinoline-lined party dresses or anything made of silk. If money is no object, you can ignore my advice, but seriously you will be lucky if your child gets more than one or two wearings out of it. These days many retailers are starting to come out with cute, stylish, cotton knit, washable wear and that is what I strongly suggest you buy.
With children in daycare or preschool full-time, what you will need are clothes that are comfortable (i.e. can be napped in), machine washable (who wants to spend your weekend or evening handwashing), but are still stylish.
Keep in mind that the clothing needs of your child will change based on naps and the age that they start crawliing or walking.
I try to take advantage of sales by buying clothing in larger sizes for later seasons/years. Keep in mind what size your child will be at the time of year s/he will wear the item, e.g. I was stuck with a thick, 6-12mos size sweater when it was summer time.
For infants:
- Onesies (long sleeve for cooler weather and short sleeve for warmer weather)
- Cotton sleepers that zip or snap in the front (footed or not depending on preference)
- Sleepsacks (cotton for warmer weather, fleece for cooler weather, preferably organic)
- Sunhat with wide brim
- Cotton knit t-shirts and pants
- Fleece jacket
- Cotton Socks (the stretchier the better)
- Soft soled shoes (I love Pedipeds for my son who has very wide feet)
For Girls (starting at 18 months):
- Cotton jersey dresses
- Cotton leggings or cotton jersey pants
- Cotton T-shirts (both long and short sleeves)
- Fleece jackets
- Footless and Footed tights
- Stop buying onesies when toddlers start being toilet trained (usually at age 2-2.5)
- Preschoolian shoes are great for kids once they start walking and need shoes with a little more substance to the sole, but still with a little flex - with velcro closure for easy on/off.
For Boys (starting at 18 months):
- T-shirts (both long and short sleeves)
- Cotton jersey pants
- Fleece jackets
- Stop buying onesies when toddlers start being toilet trained (usually at age 2-2.5).
- Preschoolian shoes - with velcro closure
Favorites Retailers:
$-Inexpensive, $$-Moderately Priced, $$$-Expensive
- Gymboree - $/$$, Good quality, classic and stylish, washable clothing. Great sales; get on their mailing list and receive coupons good for 20-30% off everything. I usually identify in-store items that I adore, and wait until it goes on sale. If you time it right, you can also use a coupon (generally mailed on quarterly) and the item becomes very reasonable. Good for cotton dresses, tops, sweaters, pants and leggings. Make sure that sleeper/pajama arm holes stretch - sometimes the sleeves and body were too tight (but long) for my chubby babies. I imagine they would be great for skinny/long babies.
- Pumpkin Patch - $$, Moderately priced, stylish, cotton, washable clothing. Adorable skirts, dresses and leggings. Great colors.
- Janie and Jack - $$/$$$, High-end sister store of Gymboree. Really cute stuff, but expensive. Check out sale racks.
- Peek...Aren't You Curious! - $$$, hip newcomer. Surfer-style.
- The Tea Collection - $$$, hip, great, comfortable cotton jersey knits. Good value as many of their pieces will be favorites with you and your baby.
- Mini Boden - $$$, hip clothing.
- Hanna Andersson - $$$, Pricey, high-quality, stylish. Cute Fleece jackets, coats.
- Lands End - $$, classic clothes. Good sales.
- Gap - $$, Good quality, classic and stylish, washable clothes. Cute jeans. In recent years, sales haven't been as good as they used to be.
- Old Navy - $, Inexpensive, stylish, washable clothes. Great selection of cotton knits, sleepers, dresses, pants.
- Target - $ Inexpensive, durable; great for onesies and sleepers, t-shirts, leggings and swimwear.
- The Children's Place - $, Inexpensive. Good for sleepers.
