I was pretty superstitious about not buying anything for a baby until I was pregnant. (Not that I judge anyone for doing it… I’ve been tempted more times than I care to admit!) Even when we got the first pregnancy test, I was still anxious to make that first purchase. And then once I did (a pair of baby jammies), it was like opening the floodgates.
I know I’m going to be a first-time mom and I know I will definitely learn to buy more practical things the second he’s here…. but honestly, I’m just excited! Can you blame me?? When I posted the haul of what I’ve purchased so far, I got so many messages. Tons of veteran moms sharing brand and feature tips (like zippered pajamas for nighttime changes), other moms saying to buy what I want because they’re only little once (thank you! ha), and then lots of boy-moms-to-be excited for cute baby boy options.
I think with baby clothes in general, it’s hard to hone in on what you want. Like I personally don’t love knee socks, bubbles, clay-colored clothing, and onesies with words. I swear that alone eliminated like 80% of baby clothes.
FUN BABY BUYS SO FAR
Wanted to share some of the things I’ve purchased and then I’ll do a round up of things I’ve pinned too. While I was super sick in the first trimester, online browsing for clothes was like the one thing that brought me joy. I made boy and girl Pinterest boards with clothes while sitting on the bathroom floor.
(The only thing I’ve done that I think falls under the “practical” umbrella is that I mixed up the sizes that I purchased. Some 0-3 months, some 3-6 months, and then a couple of things outside that window.)
Kissy Kissy Sets (so many of my mom friends recommended this brand!)
Sammy + Nat “Take Me Home” Set
Red Wagon Whale Sweater (I bought the whale sweater and Red Wagon saw my order come through and also sent the anchor– so sweet!)
And some things from my Pinterest board:
Would love to know your favorite brands, too!
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Soooo cute! I can’t wait to see more purchases!
http://www.elspethsdaybyday.com
Little Me is cute, reasonably priced and generally good quality. https://littleme.com/collections/footies/products/sailboats-footed-one-piece-and-hat
Carter’s, H&M, Tea Collection and Hannah Anderson. I also recently bought my 9 month old a great fleece jacket from LL Bean. I recommend things that are easy to wash because I do laundry daily with her. Also, look into the Merlin’s Magic Sleep Suit for when it’s time to transition from swaddling. That was a life saver.
Congratulations Carly! I’ve been reading your blog since right after my son was born. I am excited for you. I was told this when I was a new mom – Please be careful with buttons on those PJs. They put EVERYTHING in their mouth! Best wishes to you.
I love all of these, totally my style! I’m due in September with a boy as well and it’s so hard to find cute clothes for boys that don’t have silly graphics or wording! Thank you for sharing g!
Super cute outfits and ideas! I’m child free by choice (and old, besides!) so I don’t have any wise advice, but I will say that I don’t like clothing with words/phrases on it, period…for boys, girls, or adults! Nor do I like home decor with trite phrases!
I’m childfree by choice, too, and sterilized, only I’m in my early twenties! I’ve been following Carly since I was in early high school and I feel like some distant aunt with how excited I am for her! Everything is adorable.
I encourage you to be very practical. Check out Carter’s, Old Navy, Gap, and Target for inexpensive but very cute options. You will be dressing your newborn in mostly pajamas and onesies. My baby didn’t wear more than a couple real outfits until she was at least six months old. Layers of sweaters and buttons just aren’t practical when you’re changing diapers and cleaning up spit-up every two hours. Get some stuff with zippers in cotton knit and call it a day. You can find some classic-looking styles and not worry about ruining expensive “heirloom” pieces while still getting the same look.
Personally I think infant sleep gowns are the bomb! I am now a Grandma, used then with my 4 children and now my daughter loves them also.
Love them! Is Henry his name? If so, it’s adorable!
it’s a stock photo from the etsy shop!
Growing up my mom worked at a local children’s clothing boutique that carried more of the cute and fun clothes versus ‘practical’. I used to love looking at it all imaging my future kids 😂 it was was mostly toddler and up, their baby clothes were aimed at things you’d buy for photos or a christening but it was all so sweet and precious, I wouldn’t bought stuff at 16 if it wasn’t weird.
Such great picks! One of my mom friends told me that if I saw something I loved, especially in a specific print, I should just buy it. Chances are that by the time someone would get it for us off a registry (or by the time he’s born), it would be gone anyway. Also recommend Monica + Andy!
Kissy kissy is the best. The pair of pajamas on the right were one of the first pair of newborn pajamas I bought for my son. I have so many memories of rocking him while he slept in them and just staring mesmerized at his face. I cried when I packed them up because I couldn’t believe he would never be that small again.
The biggest learning curve for me was realizing that not just women’s clothes sizes vary from brand to brand! I found that clothes printed with our college team/alma mater almost always fit weirdly (I have a 0-3 mo onesie that I swear could fit my 16-month-old now). I *love* almost everything from baby Gap and their stuff runs a little big in my opinion. I also like Old Navy but sometimes the boy options are not that great. I had to learn to let go of expectations of all these amazing little boy clothing options because compared to the little girl options there are just so few! At his young age I try to buy “special” clothes – his first Christmas outfit, his Easter outfits – from Target and Gap to be a little more cost conscious. But I do agree…they’ll only be little once! Get what you love. And finally, I have his changing pad on top of his dresser, so I keep all the clothes that fit him right now in the middle drawer and a bunch of seasonal and next-size-up clothes in the bottom drawer. He also has a bin in his closet that’s for too-small stuff, and I periodically go through the bin and either store or donate it. This makes clothing changes pretty straightforward! (The top drawer has all his diapers, burp cloths, socks, and extra diaper-change toiletries so it’s all right at hand. On top is the wipe warmer, diaper cream, baby lotion, and current needed toiletries like the nose Frida, saline drops, etc.) So happy for you and am just absolutely loving following your life!
Old Navy and H&M have been great for basics – lots of solid colors, soft fabrics and they’re so inexpensive. Old Navy’s zipper sleepers have been our favorite in the first six months for both of our babies. But definitely highly encourage you to buy some of those really sweet pieces too – those are the good ones you’ll wrap your memories up in and hang onto long after your sweet baby is grown.
Burt’s Bee’s makes the softest onesies and pajamas!!
There are many things about raising little children that can be challenging. Sleepless nights, messes, loss of time to yourself. Buying adorable clothing and dressing your son is not one of those things. If it brings you joy (it does for me), buy all the things!!! Kissy kissy is the best. Keep in mind it does run small. I also love Little English, Bella Bliss, and Nantucket Kids. Wishing you a smooth back half of your pregnancy 🙂
I’m also having a boy and can’t believe how difficult it is to find clothes I like for him! Thanks for this round-up. I had actually already purchased a few of these items, and look forward to seeing more of your choices in the future! Other brands we’ve liked so far are Little Me (some classic choices and cute prints- love the puppy toile they have) and Janie and Jack (good sale section as well!).
When first born, babies typically fit in the 0-3 month. But then they start growing and I found that they wear double their ages. So – a 3 month would be wearing size 6 month. Maybe keep that in mind when buying for the “coming” season and when purchasing “end of season” items on sale.
You are going to make me love the idea of a baby boy. I’ve been buying my nieces clothes from Maisonette and been super pleased with everything so far. Buy what you want!! You are only going to be a first time mom once! For every other baby (if thats your plan) you’ll be thinking practical and boring
I counted down the days until the boys could fit into Jcrew 🤣. Mine are now 10 and 5… buy whatever you want! I saved my favorite outfits for future grand kids and always donated the rest ❤️
So excited to see how you dress baby. Please try and resist personalizing a ton of stuff with his name. It will never get reused once personalized and is so wasteful. I know it is super popular though. Enjoy this prep time. It is the best feeling in the world.
We received so many clothes when I was pregnant with my son that I hardly bought anything for him. Now I look back on those photos and wish I had. A lot of the clothing we were gifted is not my style and I cringe a little when I look at those photos. I feel a bit ungrateful admitting that, but it’s true. So buy anything and everything you want for your little boy!
P.S. The bond between mama and little boys is so very special. I’m excited for you to experience it!
I am due in June and haven’t purchased anything 😬. Not sure why? I also hate words on baby clothes—I received some hand me downs and one said “women keep picking me up” and it made me want to barf.
oh god NOOOO
I say dress him in what you love and enjoy it while you can! Before you know it he will be refusing to wear anything but athletic shorts or pants and tees, and you will be begging him to put on any shirt with a collar to go to dinner!!
I’m really loving Primary Clothing right now. I am expecting a girl in September and it is so nice to find things that are not overly pink and floral for her. Stripes, rainbows, solid colors with no tags, and lots of organic options!
You’re off to a great start! Buy what makes you happy 🙂 I’d also recommend Baby Boden. Their stuff is really good quality and easy to pass down. Keep in mind the season: my son had to wear long-sleeved onesies under all of his pajamas because he was so little and born in the winter. I loved Kissy Kissy for the summer!
Mini Boden! And Hanna Anderson for pjs! Magnetic me is also super practical and adorable at the same time
Think you would love the Swedish brand Polarn & Pyret, and their classic stripes. Their quality is amazing and can be passed on to siblings/cousins/friends 👍🏻
https://www.polarnopyretusa.com/pop-originals-baby/#
There is also a Danish brand called Konges sløjd, with the most adorable baby things there is
So cute!
I love Magnetic Me onesies and Primary.
Great style!
My son is 6 so I miss buying baby clothes!!! I don’t know if you can get Petit Bateau stuff in the US, but if you can, have a look, they have a lot of great quality cute stuff.
Have fun 🙂
OMG, you already know it’s a he? 😭 So beautiful! All the best!
I’m a busy working physician and mom of two (boy is 8 and girl is 6). My favorite brands are Tea Collection and Mini Boden. I also like outdoorsy brands such as Patagonia and LL bean for high-quality, durable apparel for our active outdoor lifestyle here in Vermont.
My advice to you would be to find a local high-end consignment shop. One of my pure joys of parenting is finding clothes in my kids’ sizes, in brands I love, at these stores. It’s basically a revolving door, as I donate to them as well, and get in-store credit for this. I feel better about not contributing to fast fashion and the strain on our planet and its resources. I know it likely isn’t conducive to the “influencer” lifestyle, but something to consider. I think the element of the hunt makes it especially fun!
we have two GREAT children’s consignment stores in town…. so many like-new clothes!!!!
Ahh baby clothes are the cutest!
GAP pjs are the best once they hit 12 mo size. Burts Bees makes super soft baby pjs. Rugged Butts has cute monogrammable options, too.
Baby Gap has surprisingly nice infant clothes for the price. Childshood Clothing, Aden and Anais swaddles, Freshly Picked Mocs.
Forget about practical, buy whatever you love. It is so much fun dressing them ( and they have no opinion)! I splurged all the time and gave me such great pleasure.
Kissy Kissy is great and if you like the little John John’s Florence Eichman had cute ones. Nothing cuter than a little boy in a seersucker button shoulder short overall!! Have so much fun!!
Thank you for sharing the Red Wagon Sweaters! I’m looking now for my daughter. It’s fun to have a few special pieces to dress in for outings. We already have 2 RL Polo Bear sweaters I got from Poshmark. They’re my favorite!
I love Brimmer Boys for little boys belts!
https://brimmerboys.com/collections/belts