Baby/toddler wardrobe

[PoTayToes80]

Hello all,

I’m looking to be a bit more organised with buying my son’s clothes in advance (eBay or vinted). I’ve been piecemeal so far and it’s ended up with him having a rather jumbled wardrobe with potentially more than he needs and very little matching. So I’m planning to gradually buy a full set of 18-24 month clothes on advance so they’re there when we need.

Just looking for advice on the essentials. The list I’ve come up with seems really long - especially because of the number of coats/jackets! What don’t I need? What do you have for your kids?

• Summer raincoat
• Winter waterproof
• Puddlesuit - winter & summer
• Winter coat
• Summer coat
• Socks
• Slippers
• T shirts
• Jumpers
• Hoodie/cardys
• Long sleeve tops
• Vests
• Long sleeve vests
• Dungarees/ track-pants
• Shorts
• A few nice outfits
• PJs/ sleepsuits

I did this when one of mine was younger and it ended up being a waste of money as they grew into the trousers before the tops, or tops before the trousers. They grew in height at a different rate to weight and some items didn't end up getting used.

If I ever had another, I'd buy coats or nice jumpers in advance, maybe some pyjamas/footless sleepsuits, and buy the rest closer to their age so that if I needed to size up/down on particular items to fit at the same time then I can

You don’t need that many coats! Get a thin waterproof summer coat, a thick waterproof winter coat, and some waterproof dungarees which can go with either instead of puddlesuits.

I really wouldn’t do this. Think about the season you’re going into and buy a few appropriate things, and then add more when you need to. You seem to be buying summer and winter things for a six month period, for example. Why?

I try and buy in a particular palette so that things match and don’t look too thrown together, and will buy bigger things (coats etc) in the sales, often quite far in advance.

You can’t rely on sizes. My son has an age 3 jumper which he (at 5) still hasn’t grown into yet. Clothes will fit outside of the specified age range. Every six months we try everything on and I replace the stuff that’s too small. I don’t look at the size labels.

Ok thanks everyone. Some good advice.

And you don’t need that many coats. A summer anorak with a fleece lining that zips out. A winter coat. One winter hat, one summer hat. One pair of waterproof dungarees to wear with both coats, buy big and they will last 3-4 years. I never buy shorts or T-shirts- it’s rarely warm enough and little kids need long sleeves and legs to keep the sun off.

Agree re coats - their winter coat needs to be waterproof anyway so you don't need a separate waterproof. I found both jackets and coats lasted two years but maybe my children grow slowly. Would also agree it's very hard to find the right sizing - my very average-sized 4.5 year old is in an 18-24m cardi still! Dungarees are particularly difficult with sizing as the top half and bottom half don't always both fit at the same time. Shorts are always enormous - there was a thread on that recently. I don't think it's a bad idea to buy matching stuff though. I found my parents and in laws would buy random stuff on sale but I had nothing for it to match to. It's not like an adult wardrobe where you build up plenty of basics to mix and match with every season.

So I agree you are buying everything for all seasons eg you may not need a summer coat and a winter coat in 18-24 mths depending on how big he is and time of year.

Generally I have found buying coats and also shoes in advance eg in sales can be a bit hit or miss. As they may not fit when the right season comes around

I agree with this.

I found sizing at this age so unpredictable. There are clothes that my DS wears that are 12-18 months but there are others clothes that are 3-4 years with the majority being 2-3. His winter coat is age 3-4 but his puddle suit is 12-18 months. He is around 17 months old.

if I’d age bought a full set at once it just wouldn’t have worked as intended because he probably wouldn’t fit in it all at one. For example he maybe be one size for trousers and another size for tops.

Things will fit for multiple seasons too as they grow slower at that age (also making it harder to predict which seasonal clothing you will need). Eg. The current puddle suit is from last year and I expect the winter coat to also fit next year.

DD is soon to be 3.

I've always bought in advance and have boxes for size ,3-4, 4-5 and 5+

Some clothes are in different boxes, because they come up different sizes. So Boots babyclub tops come up "small" for me. So she's actually almost grown out of the 3+4 tops. But with another She still in a pair of trousers marked 18-24m, but is just moving on the 3-4.

I have a light and heavy coat in each age up to about 5.

I buy socks and pants, pyjamas as needed. And any other "and hic" items, like slippers.

This is because I have to buy at charity shops and keep an eye out for things. And pick up as I find. It's harder for the older ranges as kids wear them for longer. Also, at some point DD might express a preference for clothes she'd like.

This. Our 6 month old daughter is in 9 month old clothes for some things. I buy little and often as needed

Mine hardly wore 18-24 months. I found 12-18 fitted still, then he needed 2-3 years almost straight away.

Also, your looking at everything in one size. He’s not going to wear a winter coat and shorts at the same time. Only buy what he needs now for winter, then wait for summer stuff until April as you have no idea how
much they might grow in 6+ months