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Shopping for newborns — aka people you haven’t actually met yet — is usually some combination of stressful and exciting. Those tiny baby clothes you spend hours choosing, washing, and folding represent both your hopes for the newest addition to your family…and also the mountain of work that is caring for and cleaning up after a tiny human. Which means that while you want the cutest clothes, you also want things that can stand up to repeated washing, and aren’t a pain to put on a screaming baby in the middle of the night.
Toddler clothes, while less stressful in the sense that you already know the size and personality of the person you’re shopping for, are also important to get right: You want them to be fun but also practical, comfortable, and well-made enough to survive the inevitable daily falls, scrapes, and spills.
This guide to our favorite baby and toddler clothing retailers has everything you need: From the sweetest going-home outfits (that may never fit your baby again) to cost-effective basics and even special-occasion dresses or suits that can actually go in the wash. Happy tiny shopping.
Looking for more affordable, stylish clothes? Here’s what to wear when working, traveling, and playing — and picks for your kids, too.
A swaddle is likely one of the first things your baby will ever wear. And you’ll quickly find that old-fashioned swaddle blankets are tricky to keep on, especially when you’re sleep-deprived and your baby’s writhing around in their bassinet. Which is why we are capital-O Obsessed with the Halo sleepsack swaddle, an 100% cotton sleepsack with two Velcro straps you simply fold over your baby’s arms. It really couldn’t be easier. Grab a newborn size to pack in your hospital bag to use in those first few postpartum days (we’ve done that, and were thrilled we did).
One of our all-time favorite brands for all kids of all ages, Hanna Andersson is particularly good for babies, especially now that the brand’s iconic baby sleeper is available with a two-way zipper for easier diaper changes. Those sleepers and their kimono bodysuits (more comfortable on umbilical cord stumps that haven’t fallen off yet) are excellent baby gifts. Our other favorites for babies and toddlers include the long john PJs, girls’ dresses, and long-lasting, comfortable cotton underwear.
We love Old Navy for staples like women’s activewear, affordable maternity clothes, and older kids’ tees and pants, but it also really shines in the baby and toddler department. This two-way zip footed sleeper, available in sets of up to five, is possibly the single most useful baby outfit of all time — economical, cozy enough for winter, but also light enough for summer, and soft and stretchy enough to last well beyond the size on the tag. You’ll find plenty of other cute baby PJs, plus great toddler dresses, swimsuits, and more.
Another brand we’ll never quit for baby and toddler clothes, from cute polo rompers to the most adorable (actually comfy) toddler jeans and multipack bodysuits that make things easy. For this age group that grows out of things so quickly, we also love getting winter coats and windbreakers here (preferably during a big sale). We’ve found they can often last for up to two years if you get the sizing right. Don’t forget to check Gap Factory, too, where you’ll find good deals on completely different designs.
It may not be the flashiest or most eye-catching brand, but it’s a classic for a reason — this baby and kid clothing retailer reliably stocks everything you need it to. You’ll find everything from rinse-and-repeat baby one-pieces and cheerful toddler sets to toddler outerwear, all at excellent prices.
In practice, any time we’ve ever bought a going-home outfit for a baby, it’s either been too small for them to wear, or it was worn only once and promptly left in the dust as the chaos of the first postpartum weeks set in. But that hasn’t stopped us from wanting to buy another cute one next time around. Kissy Kissy’s classic, high-quality pima cotton playsuits and sets are perfect — and highly giftable, if you’re in the market for a newborn gift for someone else.
You may have had a pair of OshKosh overalls as a kid, and we’re happy to say they’re still available in both classic and more eclectic styles (like a denim overall dress with a white skirt, or a set of overalls with a delicate flower print). There’s just something about a tiny person running around in overalls that gets us every time.
Even if you haven’t actually met your baby yet, you’ve probably already been advised to skip tricky button-up sleepers in favor of easier-to-manage zippers. Magnetic Me takes it a step further, with PJs and clothes that have magnetic closures for the ultimate easy dressing. Try a magnetic footie or magnetic gown, both available in numerous adorable prints and made from super-soft TENCEL modal fabric. Sleepers for the smallest babies also have fold-over cuffs so you don’t need to bother with mittens. The brand also makes clothing and even some costumes with their signature sewn-in magnets.
If you have a need — or simply the desire — to dress your little one in upscale preppy attire, Janie and Jack is one of the best sources out there. Their sweet baby rompers, adorable toddler sweaters, and mini dresses were made for family photo sessions or family holiday celebrations, and are extremely easy to clean and care for, so you can save them for younger siblings down the line.
Super-soft zip sleepers and matching two-piece sets are what bring people back to Little Sleepies again and again. The bamboo fabric is cozy for all ages, and fold-over mittens (for younger babies) and feet mean you have the choice of turning any sleeper into a footed PJ. You’ll also find swaddle sets, bodysuits, rompers, and more.
These days, lots of brands have family matching PJ sets — but Petite Plume’s stand apart because of their classic, old-fashioned designs. If you’re less into bold graphic prints and more into pajamas that wouldn’t be out of place in an English stately home, check out their adorable baby one-pieces and button-down pajama sets.
Bright, beautiful multipacks, friendly patterned outfit sets, and whimsically busy dresses — those are all things we associate with Boden’s baby and toddler collections. They’re heirloom quality but durable enough to be worn every day, then passed on to younger sisters, brothers, or friends.
For more basics reminiscent of what you’ll find at Old Navy, Gap, and Carter’s, The Children’s Place delivers. We love their dresses, matching sets, and reasonably priced winter coats, which you can even get for under $30 on sale. For toddlers who can easily outgrow coats within a year, that’s a pretty good deal.
Target’s Cat & Jack brand is a perennial favorite, stocking basics ranging from $5 leggings and under-$10 pants to fleece jackets that cost less than a ticket to most toddler playspaces. It’s a great place to stock up on essentials like socks and underwear, too. Plus, they have one of the most generous return policies out there, with a one-year guarantee.
There’s no shortage of companies making quality cotton sleepers and toddler PJs, but Burt’s Bees is another brand to consider, especially because many of their PJs are available for under $20 (before any sales even kick in). Try some footed sleepers and matching long-sleeved PJs for older sisters and brothers.
If you’re looking to stock up on a budget, here’s a great place to do it. H&M has lots of affordable, cute options for every age, and while they may not last forever, your baby or toddler won’t be in each size for long anyway. Sometimes you’re looking for quantity, which is understandable when you’re spending money elsewhere. It’s hard to beat a $4.99 dress, and you’ll also find cute sets they can wear to school or daycare on repeat.
We love Maisonette’s eclectic selection of baby and kids’ clothes — from casual staples by Primary and Orangeheat to expensive occasionwear from La Coqueta, Kissy Kissy, Antoinette Paris and more. It’s all highly giftable — to friends, family, or yourself.
For outerwear with many decades of fans to recommend it, L.L.Bean is essentially a one-stop shop. And infants and toddlers aren’t too young to make full use of it — with winter coats, full-body snowsuits, and fleece bunting that will keep them comfortable in any kind of weather.
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