Do your kids have a better wardrobe than you do? Do you know what to look for in toddler fashion?
My toddler is the best dressed one in our house! After having three daughters, I’ve been through endless piles of children’s clothing. Sometimes I come across adorable clothing that is just perfect for my girls.
This is definitely one of those times. Poppy got to try out some adorable samples from Your Little Loves, an Etsy boutique specializing in unique custom clothing. From peasant tops to pillowcase dresses, these sweet handmade items are not only stylish but fun to wear. Add in darling accessories, and this momma is one happy shopper.
Typically, I send my toddler to daycare in leggings and a tee (she’s pretty active and needs to protect those chubby little knees). I happily selected two pairs of ruffled leggings with coordinating headbands and a necklace for good measure. But I couldn’t pass up those adorable pillowcase dresses. Dressing little girls is fun!
When I’m looking for clothing for my active toddler, I try meet these five criteria.
What to Look for in Toddler Fashion
Playability and Napability: Let’s be honest, kids will be kids. Buy pieces that allow them to move and wiggle and dance and climb. Your Little Loves leggings are great knits or jersey cottons that don’t prohibit play. And even though we are in the middle of summer, she wasn’t too warm for a morning trip to the park. And like most toddlers, Poppy plays hard and then crashes hard. Clothing not only needs to allow for play, it needs to be comfy enough to nap in.
Room to Grow: There’s a sweet spot for sizing when picking out toddler clothing. Buy slightly larger sizes to allow for growth. However, clothing that is too large impedes play. Although she is currently wearing 18-24 months, I opted for a 2t. There’s room around the middle, but not too much that they’re falling off. When she’s a little taller these leggings will look adorable under a skirt.
I also picked out a pillowcase style dress. With the bows at the neck, you can adjust sizes easily. It’s pretty generous in size now, but I know she’ll grow into it and it’ll be even more adorable. Plus, it will make a cute tunic shirt in a few years.
Quality: Half of my toddler’s wardrobe is composed of hand-me-downs from her two older sisters. Picking up high-quality staples like jeans and hoodies meant they would survive more than one child’s wear. Add in less expensive pieces that are on trend to complete the outfit.
Accessories that Grow with Them: Headbands and hats aren’t given much of a shot by my toddler. Thankfully, I can retie the knotted headband to allow for growth. Also, I wrapped it around her wrist a few times for a cute bracelet that she loved. Necklaces are also a fun accessory that will last for years to come. My 6 and almost 8-year-olds were elated to be able to wear her funky beaded necklaces.
Photo-op Ready: One of my favorite photos of my first daughter is the day she started crawling … but could only go backwards. I snapped a picture of her beaming with pride while stuck under the couch. But the outfit she’s in. Ugh. I had figured she was just hanging out at home, so what did it matter. Maybe it’s horribly vain, but it matters to me. There…I said it.
At the same time, I don’t have hours to dress three little ones and myself. So I tend to pick up simple pieces like solid tanks that’ll go with lots of different options. It’s a little more budget-friendly that way, and you can’t go wrong when pairing it with fun patterns like these.
Your Little Loves offers unique styles for my toddler that I know will keep her playing happily in between photo ops. Offering clothing for both little boys and girls, you’re bound to find some adorable options that met your criteria.
What do you look for in toddler clothing?
MJ L says
great tips! she is so stylish!!
Robin Rue (@massholemommy) says
Awesome tips. I always looked for comfortable clothing for my boys – I still do even now that they are older.
Heather says
See boys clothes just aren’t as stylish as little girl’s clothes. I have boys and there just doesn’t seem to be a lot to choose from for them. The pillow case dress is adorable!
Stacie @ Divine Lifestyle says
OMG, she’s a little super model! I totally love those geometric tights. Too cute!
Michelle F. says
What adorable looking clothes and model! I would have loved those moccasins when my daughter was younger.
Melissa Pezza says
What a cutie patootie! That headband is really doing it for me.
Pam says
Pillowcase dresses are great because they give a lot of room to grow. That’s important because kids grow out of clothes so fast!
Demetra says
These are such great pieces. It seems like toddler clothes have gotten cuter since my kids grew up.
Sabrina says
I LOVE shopping for my toddler and infant! Those outfits she’s wearing are adorable!!
Trisha Haas says
She could NOT be cuter! When Charlotte was little, I was all over fashion trends for little girls. P is fun, but I miss the dresses and bows for sure.
Amanda O. says
Those leggings are adorable! Toddlers look so cute in leggings too.
Mandee says
Oh my word….she’s adorable!!!! She looks like she’s straight out of a little boutique! Love it!!! 🙂
Debra says
What adorable clothes! Love them! Heading there now!
Kristi says
Love those outfits. Our girls are too old for clothes like that but thankfully they have good taste in clothes and want practical clothing.
Felicia says
This is such a great post for buying for kiddos! It is great to leave a little space and get a little extra wear.
Candy o says
I love these tips!! It’s so true, if you buy a little bigger specially with the leggings they can use them later under skirts. Super cute baby girl!
Sara P. (@SensiblySara) says
I am done buying toddler clothing for my own kids – but I always look for quality! I like the idea of ‘napability’ too, though!
Christie says
Talk about cuteness overload! I love the unique fabrics and designs. And I’m a sucker for ruffles!
Toni | Boulder Locavore says
Could she be any cuter?! Great tips for creating a practical wardrobe that is also darling.
Ann Bacciaglia says
These clothes are so cute. I like kids clothes that breath and stretch. I love the little moccasins.
Lisa Bristol says
Kids clothes need to be durable. For me something that is easy to put on and take off is important. Toddlers do not like to sit still.
Tracy @ Ascending Butterfly says
I wish I had heard of them when my niece was still little, super cute! Your DD makes the perfect model! 🙂
Cinny says
She looks so cute! I personally love clothing that’s easy to care for and is comfortable to wear.
Mama to 5 BLessings says
What cute outfits. I love all the fun bright colors. These would look cute on my little one.
Ellen Christian (@ellenblogs) says
Oh my. Those leggings and those mocs are just the cutest thing ever.
Jeanine says
So cute, the whole outfit but those leggings and moccs are the absolute cutest!
Chrystal | YUM eating says
Great tips. These little outfits are adorable! When kiddo was little, and even now, we do a lot of thrift and sale shopping. She grows every 5 minutes so its nuts for us to pay retail. Our local thrift store gets brand new with tag stuff from Target and Old Navy so we always find a lot of great things.
Lexie Lane says
These are definitely cute patterns. And yes, napable and playable make a big deal. I wouldn’t want my son playing in his best clothes.
Kelsey Louise Apley says
My oh my those are some adorable outfits! I love those leggings, they are beyond adorable! My niece would look adorable in these clothes!
Judy | MTM says
Love the leggings with the peasant top. Poppy looks adorable in them!
Donna says
I think that buying toddler clothes is just like buying other clothes. You want something that will last, looks cute, and is affordable.
Tracey says
These are great tips! Something that will last and is easy to clean is an important factor for me!
Donna Ward says
Awww….loving these images – I used to just love dressing up my little guy – what great little shoes and wonderful outfits that sound like they’re easy to take care of
Rosey says
Toddler fashions are oh so cute. Washable is number one in my book. I don’t want them to fade or stretch after a wash or two.
Marina John says
Awww, those pieces ARE adorable! I’ll have to check out this shop. Thanks!
Kristin says
I’m dying over those leggings! And we are obsessed with Freshly Picked!
Holly @ Woman Tribune says
There are some really great toddler clothes out there, and I think it’s easy for your toddler to amass a better wardrobe than you. So many adorable clothes!
Stephanie Keeping says
Those pants are so cute!! I have a niece that would love them.
Amy @ Marvelous Mommy says
Well she is adorable in anything! I love her hair too!
Amanda says
What a cutie! I love those leggings. My daughter would love them!
Krystal says
The moccassins are SO cute. My toddler boy only wants to wear red shirts with superheroes on them! LOL
Anjanette @MommaYoung says
Haven’t had a Toddler in a bit but these items are so cute!
Peanuts & Thread says
So much stuff to consider when dressing up a toddler, but they are so much fun even though dressing them can sometimes burn a whole into our wallets. Tips like these are always appreciate to find ways to be smart about it.