With an affluent consumer base, a focus on sustainability and growing markets, kidswear has become one of the fashion industry’s most lucrative sectors. But it is also one that can be fraught with design challenges.
With their small bodies, tiny feet and sensitive skin babies are particularly prone to irritation from rough seams, tags and fabrics. This makes the selection of soft, durable clothing essential for their comfort and wellbeing. And with parents constantly on the lookout for the next best thing to keep their children happy and comfortable, it is a challenging market for baby brands.
Baby clothes are a hot trend and with good reason – they’re cute, well made and come in all sorts of adorable patterns. While it is tempting for parents to buy every super-cute piece of kidswear, this can be a costly and wasteful exercise. Newborns grow faster than weeds, and it’s not uncommon for them to outgrow clothes even before they’ve had the chance to wear them. Buying clothes that are too small for their babies can lead to discomfort and restrict movement, which isn’t good for their physical development. On the other hand, loose-fitting clothes allow for flexibility and promote healthy muscle growth.
Keeping this in mind, the best quality baby clothes are made of natural fibres such as cotton and bamboo that are grown using sustainable methods. This means less pesticides and other harmful chemicals are used, which is better for the environment. The natural fibres are also gentle on baby’s delicate skin.
When it comes to selecting a wardrobe, it’s important for new parents to start with a basic wardrobe of essentials. This should include bodysuits and onesies (sizes 6-8) in a variety of colours, prints and patterns. They should be sturdily made and designed to withstand being worn often, and the many tumbles and spills that are inevitable.
Rompers are another key staple. These are one-piece outfits that snap at the legs, and they can be paired with shorts or pants, for play or dress up. They also pair well with tights for cold weather.
Other basics include hats and mittens. Hats protect babies from the sun and help them stay warm in winter. These can have a drawstring at the bottom to tie under the chin so they won’t fall off. And mittens are essential for young infants to prevent their hands from freezing and becoming itchy.
In addition to the basics, it’s a good idea for parents to have several pairs of each item of clothing for their newborns. This is because newborns are prone to spit-ups and blowouts, which means they’ll need to be washed frequently. Having an extra pair of each type of garment can make laundry day less stressful for parents.