Let’s be real: there are few things cuter than a well-dressed baby or infant. It might be their tiny feet in their tiny shoes that are modeled after the latest adult styles. Or maybe it’s the way they wobble around in their little pants, totally unable to walk in a straight line, or the silly messages on baby clothes and tee shirts that they certainly can’t read or comprehend themselves. Either way, when you see it, it can be hard to look away. But when the adorable well-dressed infant in question is yours? You get to stare all you want and beam with pride.
If you’re new to shopping for an infant, it can be hard to find trendy baby clothes. Are there unwritten dress code rules like there are for adults? Are certain things “in” and “out” each season? Are there baby fashion no-no’s? Yes and no. Infants don’t need to follow social codes of fashion the way many of the rest of us (feel like) we do, but there are certainly trends that make their way around each year. So if you’re about to go baby shopping, or you’re making a baby shower registry, here are a few ideas that are sure to up your baby’s cuteness… even if it seems like he or she couldn’t possibly get more adorable.
Graphic Tees
When it comes to trendy baby clothes, graphic tees never go out of style. Graphic tees might have an image on them, like a favorite animal, or a fun and colorful pattern or picture on the front like stars or rainbows. But my personal favorite is when they have words or cute sayings. Something about infants wobbling around the world rocking a graphic tee that says something like “troublemaker” or “mama’s boy” or “rule breaker” or anything more creative (but appropriate!), all the while not being able to read or comprehend what’s on their shirt is adorable and hilarious. Graphic tees are rarely not a hit. Luckily, you can find the same sort of messages or patterns on onesies, too.
Rompers
Rompers are always a big hit among busy parents as they cut down the getting ready process just a little bit – which we’re all looking for. Not only are rompers adorable, but they make it so picking out an outfit is just one piece of clothing, and mixing and matching isn’t an issue. They’re also practical for staying cool in hot weather.
Unisex Clothes
Many younger parents grew up with the idea that there’s a particular set of colors for boys and a different set for girls (the classic blue vs. pink, for example), but as our society continues to evolve, so do some of those simple rules that we all were raised on. Now, a broader set of colors is being used in baby clothes, and any baby can wear them. There are more gender-neutral colors, like greens and yellows, and even the traditionally gendered colors and shades are being worn by most infants now. There’s also more variety and more patterns – all with less worry about who looks acceptable in them.
Adult-Style Clothes
Another personal favorite of mine: seeing a baby or an infant dressed up in an outfit that you’d almost pick out for yourself. An infant in khaki pants, or wearing a vest, or rocking some cool kicks. Not only does your child look adorable, but also genuinely stylish. But mainly, there’s just something so cute about seeing regular looking clothes in such a miniature size, on such a miniature person. The people can never get enough of it.
Standout Patterns
On the flip side, infancy is one of the best times to express yourself, though babies and infants don’t really recognize that at the time. Nevertheless, chaotic, bright, expressive patterns will always be on the list for trendy baby clothes. If you’re not as interested in putting your baby in adult-style clothes, get them in the colors and patterns and clothes you wish you could wear to express yourself, but that might look a little silly on an adult. Babies have that advantage. Let them use it and express themselves with crazy star patterns and animal prints and lightning bolts while they can.
Other Tips, Tricks, & Trends
It’s important to remember that a good baby outfit isn’t all about looks. In fact, safety and comfort should be your first priority for your infant. Here are important things to remember when making sure your infant’s ‘fit is the right fit.
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Material & Fabric. Talk about trendy baby clothes – organic materials are super in right now, and for good reason. If you’re into keeping it natural (or even if you’re not), organic baby clothes are a great way to protect your baby from harmful chemicals and pesticides that can be used in certain non-organic materials. Pesticides sprayed on some non-organic cotton could cause rashes, for example. If you want to play it safe on the material front, go organic.
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Chewable Parts. Before you put your teething child in that cute button-down shirt, or that dress, make sure there’s nothing they can chew and choke on. Many baby clothes manufacturers are cognisant of this when making clothes for infants, but if you’re buying from a smaller or locally-owned brand, it might not be the first thing they consider.
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Comfort. If you want your morning routine to be as smooth as possible, a good place to start is to generally make sure you’re picking out baby clothes for comfort, not just for trends. If your infant is constantly uncomfortable in their clothes, whether it be due to a material or due to bad fit, they’ll associate that with the process of getting ready, and they’ll be miserable all day. Obviously finding trendy baby clothes is great, but you can find trendy comfortable baby clothes, too.
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Durability. Babies and infants can be wild when they play. Don’t splurge on the cutest baby clothes if they aren’t going to last. Not only are babies constantly growing, of course, but they also are prone to making a bit of a mess. Getting clothes that are durable is always a smart decision so you don’t have to buy more clothes for your infant than necessary – especially when they don’t fit in them for long.
