Is it just me or have kids clothes never been so cute? Maybe I have never looked before, buying a little designer outfit for a friend who’s expecting is a little different to setting up a wardrobe for your own little bun in the oven.
It was with great joy that I found out that finally I would have another excuse to shop for clothes. For me the even bigger surprise was when I started looking at designer baby gear and discovered that I could have my baby decked out in Burberry for under $100 bucks! It was like a gift from God, a shower of good fortune. Oh and I’m pretty excited about the baby too………..
As I waited the obligatory three months I window shopped my little heart out so that once that fateful day came my baby would be on all the best dressed baby lists. I soon discovered though, that no matter how much women love a label, unless they are mad or me, they can’t justify spending their baby bonus on the latest baby brands. When my mother finally came down on me for my out of control spending I decided to create a foolproof shopping guide to create a guilt free, fabulous baby wardrobe. Because lets face it, once the baby is born, nobody is looking at you. I could be wearing my daggy leggings but as long as the baby looks good I’m still classed as fashionable.
Step One: Start at Kmart.
I know you are all shaking your head thinking if this is a designer story where are the labels? They are coming my friends never fear. But back to Kmart, grab a few cap sleeve and sleeveless cotton suits to prevent against riding up, some cotton ribbed singlets that grandma to be can sew on gorgeous little embroidered logos (trust me she’ll love it), some stripy Bonds and Wondersuits and you are set. Layer these under everything in winter-time and a happy baby you will have.
Step Two: Head into Cotton On Kids
I know adults who don’t have children who can get lost in here. Even DJ’s has jumped on the bandwagon by adding a COK section to their kidswear areas! Best buys are their fabulous all in one polo shirts that never come untucked and cream cargos for boys or their ballet wrap tops, multitude of tights and denim for girls so fashionable you wish it was in your size. Their sales are phenomenal with entire ranges discounted from 50 to 75%.
Step three: Label Time
It is here that we finally start talking investment dressing. For kids you say? Hell Yeah! Why buy three polyester knits when you can have one pure wool cable knit lined in cotton to prevent baby scratching (Country Road Kids). Seriously how many heavy knits does a brand new baby really need? Its with this in mind that we start building on our basics blocks with a few label pieces. Country Road has taken the field with their range that just can’t be beaten for quality and price. When you match that back with a VIP discount card (get rid of all other store cards but never this one!) and seasonal sales you can quite often get it cheaper than the discount department stores. It will retain its value, so much so that I often see two seasons old CR Kids items on Ebay for more than they cost retail! Forget about the basic suits unless of course you are on an unlimited budget or have an obsessed mother in law, and concentrate on building the wardrobe. Go for the knitwear first. You should never ever put unnatural fibres next to baby’s skin and I challenge anyone to find anything less than natural here. The shoes are great in particular the miniature ballet flats and espadrilles so much cuter than what other children’s shoe labels have to offer and for around the same price.
Best pieces in-store right now are the French pink polka dot cardigans, red and white stripe denim shorts perfect for boy or girl, broderie anglaise piltcher pants (nobody likes an exposed nappy) and any left over knitwear from winter – be quick this will go in the coming weeks. Anything you truly love (see French pink polka dot cardigan) grab it in two sizes. You will wish you had next season. Slightly oversize is best rather than the perfect fit which may only get you a few weeks wear. CR is extremely versatile, kids don’t mind if their pants are cuffed for a while or become shorts during summer. As long as the waist isn’t tight you have a perfectly adaptable item of clothing. While you’re instore grab one of their oversized signature cotton totes as a perfect carry all for over night stays at the grandy’s.
Step Four: Designer Time
There’s something to be said for those special, special pieces you buy for baby that you treasure for years afterward. Or sell on eBay……
Collette Dinnigan Enfant, Bebe, Burberry Kids and of course the Dior Bottle and dummy gift set (mother please!!!) All fall into this category. Go for pieces that will be seen by all and make the biggest impact. Frilled pure silk Collette Dinnigan piltcher pants with a classic white bonds singlet is a fabulous look for all summer babies, simple, pure and comfy there’s nothing extravagant here. Same goes for the Burberry print trimmed t-shirt and pants sets.
Some of you will probably call me mad and reach for those printed Thomas the Tank Engine T-shirts rather than the designer versions but I say while you can control what they wear and if it makes you feel happy in the midst of all those sleepless crying nights, I say where’s the harm?
And remember there is always the baby shower!
Image Credits: Clockwise from top left - Cotton On Shorts, Country Road, Cotton On Shoes, Bonds
and don’t forget the local boutique labels… BAOBAB CLOTHING do a range of really cute inexpensive and super practical clothes that are perfect for newborns through to pre-schoolers. good e-website too.
Posted by: Bridget Cuming at October 4th, 2007 8:55 amwww.baobab.com.au
This is soooo right. I have a 2 & 1/4 yo, and this would be the exact advice that I’d give any mum with a fashion interest… (though I’ve stopped at step 3, cos that’s about where my reason & budget coincide!… or I haven’t been lucky enough to be at the right place at the right time for a truly fabulous designer kiddy bargain!).
At Step 1, I’d also add Target for well-made basics. And get Bonds lycra leggings and all-in-ones for layering. The long-sleeve button-under tops can take you through autumn-winter-spring, and leggings can be used all year round (even on those not-too-hot summer days - your baby will thank you if they could, for protecting their knees from grazes!). And Bonds leggings, while they cost more than Target ones, are worth the extra investment - they last for years. I got given 4 pairs for my baby, all having been worn by another baby, and they are still going strong through 2 years of my baby.
For girls, you can make summer dresses last all the way through winter with a basic navy skivvy and leggings/ stockings. In fact, get skivvies or mock turtlenecks in colours to match your best summer gear, and you’ll get double the cost-per-wear value out of those cute dresses, skirts, and tops or cool t-shirts (the short sleeve over long sleeve look is great for boys as well as girls) you couldn’t resist buying! You can often find basic skivvies in Kmart or even Best & Less. For summer, Best & Less has gelato coloured singlets at about $2 each.
Cotton on Kids - brilliant, and yes, buy up big from their regular sales. Their basic tops are good for crafty embellishers too. I’ve got some sequinned singlet-tops that were $2 each, that I’m going to sew tulle onto for an easy fairy dress. No pastels, but bright purple, jade green and hot pink!
Country Road knitwear - yes again! I have a wool vest which I bought in a size 4 when my baby was 16 months old (on sale, so limited sizes available… and my baby was quite… chubby!). Sure it was a bit long last winter, but this year it fitted better (esp perfect with a skivvy, denim skirt, and navy stockings, and red party shoes), and it’ll still be good for next year too!
Pumpkin patch cargoes are also highly versatile. Get them in a jungle green and they go with any colour. Like MM says, rolling pants legs up gets extra wear out of them. Look for adjustable waists - genius idea! - it means you can really make them last 2-3 years!… at least until your kid wears them out.
Happy smart and guilt-free shopping!
Posted by: Bibi at October 8th, 2007 4:12 pm