I LOVE winter clothes, it’s my favourite season to shop. Now I have a daughter it turns out it’s even more fun, seriously, have you seen the unadulterated array of cosy cuteness available at the moment?
This is a very quick turnaround type post as I wanted the pieces I’ve recently purchased to still be available should you stylish Mamas fancy investing. What I would really like is if you could recommend anything else that you’ve bought recently that I clearly need (Ahem, I mean Mabel needs, obviously).
For me the real test of genuinely super quality baby garments is if I then go and buy them in the larger size too, sometimes even the age range after that. Mabel grows so fast sometimes it seems such a shame for her to only have the opportunity to wear something particularly lovely for all of five minutes.
Zara
I can’t resist this brand. I would visit the site every day if it didn’t mean I might end up bankrupt. The corduroy pinafore dress is one of my most loved frocks ever, Mabel also has it in pink. I find they come up on the small side so actually the 9-12 month size isn’t that roomy and although it does look on the large side the 6-9 months version wouldn’t have lasted very long.
I have the star print trousers in 6-9 month and 9-12, they are super comfy and only £7.99, The knitted leggings with buttons and just gorgeous. I’m going to buy them in every colour.
Boden
This is a new adventure for me, so many of you had recommended their children’s range I couldn’t not have a butchers. They have recently had 20% off which was a good ruddy job as the stuff is rather spendy. The tights are possibly the nicest I’ve ever seen – they have a contrasting heel and toe hue. As they are suitable all the way from 6 to 12 months I went and ordered all four colour ways. Yes, I know I have a problem.
I need to talk about these pointelle mix n match sets though, they are so warm and soft. The two tops and trousers come in a coordinating drawstring bag so they would make perfect gifts. There is also a unisex grey and star print which I am trying REALLY hard not to add to my own virtual basket.
Gap
This fleece coat has toggles and bear-esque ears. Do I need to say anything else?
Unfortunately this blue frock is no longer available online but I also have this coral corduroy number which is equally as adorable (also currently 40% off!)
H&M
Sometimes Mabel gets through five outfits in a day, not because she is some kind of fashion diva but because of an array of drool, puke and exploding nappies – I don’t think I need to go into any particular detail on those topics.
H&M are mostly dirt cheap, I don’t often go ga ga for their stuff as such but their long-sleeved tops and leggings are good value and wash well, especially handy for our current weaning sessions (Mabel likes to wear fresh fruits and vegetables as often as she consumes them.)
The pink, red and mustard jumper is one of my favourite ever buys – it’s almost 70’s retro! and yes, I have indeed bought it in the next size up.
Mothercare
I rate Mothercare for sleep suits and the Little Bird range, I haven’t ever bought too much else but there are a great selection of sweet dresses on offer this month.
These peach and floral print cord numbers don’t appear to be available online but are still in some stores.
So folks, what have been your top rated recent small person purchases this season?
I do wonder if Mabel will look back in years to come and be like “Mum, what the hell were you thinking with that mustard striped jumper?!”
Oh, I love this Charlotte! I’m almost 18 weeks pregnant and have been, ahem, patrolling childrens’ clothes online. My favourite is most definitely Boden, and I just discovered Mothercare’s Little Bird range – beautiful! I also spotted a huge amount of cuteness for children in M&S and John Lewis – the latter again slightly pricey but I’m sure the quality would be up there. JL actually have a small Donna Wilson range at the moment. BRILLIANT! x
Hi Emily! I could spend a small fortune at Boden – seriously lush x
I like a grey jumper for Juliet (I have to avoid pinks and reds because she has red hair). I’ve picked up a spotty one from H&M (which I’ve previously had in a smaller size for her), and one with clouds on from Zara.
http://www.zara.com/uk/en/kids/baby-girl-%283-months—3-years%29/cardigans-and-sweaters/clouds-sweater-c269277p1984558.html
http://www.hm.com/gb/product/24063?article=24063-A#article=24063-A
I also got a Moomin mustard and white striped long sleeved top from H&M, which my husband and I adore but everyone else says makes her look like a boy. I don’t care.
I love dressing her, it’s so much easier than dressing myself!
Have you looked at JoJo and Zulily? JoJo is spendy but lovely (really pretty applique cord dresses) and Zulily sometimes has some bargains on it.
Love the clouds jumper Sara! Will check out these brands, thanks for the recommendations x
Lovely stuff Charlotte, it is so tempting isn’t it?!
My daughter is 9 weeks old and as the weather becomes more autumnal, wet and cold, wandering round Meadowhall with the pram seems an ideal past-time, not for my reduced maternity pay though!
One thing I’ve found with having a baby was the overwhelming generosity of friends, family and even my parents’ friends and work colleagues in buying beautiful clothes for my daughter in a range of sizes up to 1year when she was born. Consequently she was a fuller (mostly pink) wardrobe than me. However I do feel a little sad that I am denied the need to shop for her because as it is I’m not sure she’ll get through all the lovely outfits she has!
X
I can be accused of forgetting things I’ve bought Natalie, every “age range” I find something with labels still on that I have to put in the loft….. x
I’ve worked in the industry for 11 years and so I am familiar with most kids wear product. There are a few non high street brands we can trust for value for money, to pass the washing machine test over and over, keep baby comfortable, cozy, looking super cute and in good condition for baby number 2/3. Over the years my consistent favourites are:
Girls : Mayoral, Petit Bataeu , Chloe, Bonnie Baby, Burberry, Ralph Lauren
Boys : Timberland, Hugo Boss, Mayoral, Petit Bateau, Tutto Piccolo, Burberry, Ralph Lauren
In Spring Summer 2015 Look out for the new baby wear range from Billieblush the lovely & affordable label worn regularly by Harper Beckham.
Ooh love this post but my husband won’t be impressed when I accidentally buy half of it!! I am obsessed with Gap for my baby girl, I permanently have a window open on my iPad with things in my basket! At the moment I really want (I mean Emily NEEDS) this cute little hat for the winter months… http://www.gap.co.uk/browse/product.do?cid=1020967&vid=1&pid=000987503002
I love all their bodysuits as well. They do great reductions when they have a sale too, I recently bought her lots of bits for next summer including vests, shorts and a swimming cossie for about £3 each! Also like a lot of John Lewis stuff but there’s so much cute stuff I can’t decide so I often end up putting things in my basket then not ordering! Things I am eyeing up at the moment…
http://www.johnlewis.com/john-lewis-halloween-cat-face-sleepsuit-grey/p1493232?colour=Grey
http://www.johnlewis.com/john-lewis-baby-layette-rabbit-top-pack-of-2-pink-white/p1492644
http://www.johnlewis.com/john-lewis-baby-layette-pointelle-pyjama-bottoms-pack-of-2-coral-white/p1493683
http://www.johnlewis.com/john-lewis-baby-woodland-print-snowsuit-white-multi/p1493297
Plus about 30 other items! I can’t believe I’ve never looked at Zara baby stuff before, you may have started a new obsession…! Love the knitted leggings I definitely want a couple of pairs of these for Emily this winter. x
Sarah what a lovely selection! the hat is super cute, I have a similar design from Zara – um, good luck with not spending a fortune online by the way! x
This is great motivation Charlotte, thank you! I’m currently lying in hospital being induced and impatiently waiting for my little girl to come. Can’t wait to shop for her and am loving baby Zara at the moment! I randomly purchased a panda all in one from next the other day (literally a panda…must be the hormones) and it’s gorgeous! I love their all in ones etc. I’ve been struggling to find decent girls’ clothing as they are all pink and glittery!! X
Rhiannon! You are in hospital being induced and reading RMS?! I am super impressed! this Panda item sounds mega, lots of love and luck x
Boden tights are AMAZING that is all.
My go to shop over here is Country road – worth a browse (it is gorgeous) but i don’t think you guys get it in the UK unless a store has opened since we moved here…
Aren’t they?! now they have discount I’m tempted to buy every colour in the next size too (!)
I thought I’d struggle to find nice boys clothes but Billy now has a better wardrobe than me. I’ve found some lovely unusual things at Zara, H&M etc but also in John Lewis (http://www.johnlewis.com/john-lewis-repeat-fox-print-jumper-grey/p1337127) and M&S (http://www.marksandspencer.com/2-piece-pure-cotton-cloud-appliqu-t-shirt-and-joggers-outfit/p/p22321445). My real addiction lies at Boden though. Oh lordy. My maternity spends are literally all being whittled away by my desire to cloths him in zoo t-shirts and cover him in stars. I need to stop… but how can I when I’m now faced with snowmen and robins. That poor boy. He’s going to end up in a reindeer outfit, complete with antlers…….
Sarah I am currently looking for both a Halloween and Christmas outfit! Mabel won’t appreciate either I’m sure but I am thoroughly enjoying browsing!
Charlotte, I had my eye on this classy number but it may be more Mabel than Billy. I’m wondering if it’s a bit girly? x http://www.johnlewis.com/john-lewis-halloween-cat-face-sleepsuit-grey/p1493232?colour=Grey. It’s incredibly cute…. x
Sarah that is cute, may have to um….press “add to basket” 🙂
Charlotte…. I forgot about these! http://www.bladeandrose.co.uk/store/girls-star-leggings-65.php I don’t love all the designs but they’re brilliant for when they’re scampering around on the floor. They’re such good quality and have been much admired when we’re out and about. The Christmas pudding ones may have accidentally just been ordered….x
Sarah these are AMAZING! I think I may also accidentally order the pudding ones…
Mine have just turned up in today’s post. Seriously brilliant. I’m wondering if October is too early to start rocking the Christmas look……x
Just wait until she’s 2.5 (like Frankie) and matching shoes is a possibility… Seriously, I love being a size 4 foot and getting in to infant sizes..
Love Zara for clothes, although they are big on Frankie. She was 2 in April and I find 2-3 far too big for her, both around the waist and in length, she’s in the smaller size fine though. And can we talk about the shoes in Zara? I die.
I also love Next. Frankie goes to nursery 3 times a week and depending on if she’s been at the paint or the garden can go through 4 changes a day. Their clothes wash up so well, plus they do super cute multi-packs that mix and match, and they’re really reasonable too. So when she comes home looking like a paint splattered scare crow, I don’t mind so much!
Also love John Lewis as suggested above a few times, really cute traditional clothes. Frankie wore a lot of JL when she was tiny.
Hx
Holly I really need to check out NEXT more often, for whatever reason I forget about it yet the few things I have had from there have been great – the leggings wash so well.
I have seen some fur lined booties in Zara! I really REALLY need them…I mean ahem, Mabel needs them obviously 🙂 x
Do they have any of this in grown up sizes? haha
Too cute – I prefer the Zara and Gap collections – loving the duffle!
If they did the duffle in my size I would order it immediately. Maybe minus the ears though.
Or maybe not?
Aww these are my exact faves…in the same order…maybe with John Lewis wedged in just above H&M (I always manage to sneak a stripy dress underneath the brocolli on a trip to Waitrose) Sara the Zara cloud jumper is one of my absolute faves! And Natalie – I wander round Meadowhall eeking out the last of my maternity pay too – we must have passed or blocked each others prams in squashed near the Gap sale rails at some point!
Zara is beautiful but I have found gets holes in and not as long lasting – I tend to save my Zara spends for the bits you just can’t be without (like this Voila T which is also a huge fave) and not as much for basics. I recently found some knitted leggings really similar to Zara ones in Sainsburys and have stocked up when they had 25% off and they seem a lot thicker and bobble less actually. Boden is just gorgeous and I think the quality makes it worth its spendiness – especially when they get a bit bigger and get the wear out of it. I always do a pack of 2 long johns for Christmas PJs and the shorts versions for birthdays. Love my kiddies in matchy PJs and their shaggy hood hoodies so much!! The styles at Boden are worth stocking up on to when they do send you a code through -they dont seem to date and make the same beautiful classics year after year… I have a few bits that Holly wore that I’ll definately save aside for Niema even with a 9 year gap as they’re still producing the same styles. Vertbaudet are worth checking out too – my friends daughter had the most beautiful trousers on yesterday from there. Love buying kiddie clothes so much!
Amanda your comments are immense – and also a nightmare, I inevitably end up buying stuff you’ve recommended!
You are right about Boden, the sets she has right now are so pretty, but not particularly “trendy” I should stock up! x
We need a post about baby boy fashions. I haven’t any of my own, but all my friends have baby boys and always struggle to find lovely things for them!
Claire, I shop with my best friend who has a baby boy and I’m always jealous that everywhere has such gorgeous little boy things! I’ve been so impressed with M&S for boys recently with their lightning strike T-shirt sets, dragon hoodies and some gorgeous little bear things. Then Zara is even MORE gorgeous http://www.zara.com/uk/en/kids/baby-boy-%283-months—3-years%29/trousers/hut-print-leggings-c269289p2101578.html …these are my favourites and the tree print ones and then they have loads of the cute trousers and jeans with braces which are just so adorable! http://www.zara.com/uk/en/kids/baby-boy-%283-months—3-years%29/trousers/embroidered-trousers-with-suspenders-c269289p1985164.html I get these type in bigger boy for my son and they are just so handsome with a plain T. River Island can be really nice for toddler boys onwards actually (I can never face looking in the girls – it does have occasional lovely things but overall looks like the chav-fairy has vomited up with far too much glitter, leopard print and lacey frills :S) I love shopping for my boy – seems so much more strait forward and you dont have to buy 17 pairs of shoes to go with all the different outfits…just converse, hunters and a pair of trainers and that will do!
Hi Clare, point taken! I will definitely see what I can put together x
Currently sat waiting for my next boden parcel to arrive!! A rather fetching mustard cord pinafore (just like your zara one) was my fave! They just last and look amazing on so I definitely stock up in the sale, although do find I want the new collection more!!! Little bird is my other go to. Also love JL and they have some extra cute woodland prints at the moment. I like my girls to look like little girls and not too overly trendy so think that’s why I fall for boden so much. Plus with 2 girls I justify the spend as it will get too owners!! X
Mwah ha ha!!! I ordered the pinafore in the blue 🙂
Boots mini club is always worth a look although the current boys range is a bit limited. I like that it’s always on 3 for 2 and you get Advantage points too. Next is my go-to shop, loved their babygros and I’ve now had everything from shoes, coats, jeans, jumpers, socks and t shirts from there and everything has washed really well.
Gap most definatly our fav, have the same dress as the picture. Best other finds are trumpette socks, super cute and they stay on and Pigeon organic’s body suits, not cheap but got loads of wear
I’ve got to mention Jojo Maman Bebe. I walk in and want to buy one of everything. I love the bright colours and the quality is amazing. It’s a little pricier than other places, but the quality is so great, it’s worth it. If I had to choose one thing, the girls tights are the best I’ve ever brought, they wash like new and have slip-safe grips on the feet.
Amy x