Baby clothes - where to shop?!

[glueandstick]

It's time to sort out some clothes (due in a few weeks) and I'm at a loss as where to shop. Plain baby grows are fine but struggling to find nice cardigans and 'baby' things that aren't terribly gender specific (the sheer vileness of the pinks out there make me feel sick and the blues are all a bit 'oh look I'm such a real man') or just awful. I have a real hatred of Next and Mothercare but don't know where to go for nicer things. Petit Bateau will be visited in the week but apart from that- help!

I'm not a massive snob I promise, I just can't find anything I really like online (that is easy to get! There are some lovely European bits but they'll wait until it is older) or in real life. There must be lots of hidden gems out there but having had no children or contact with people with kids I've not been let into the inner circle of knowledge. Help!!

Was just coming back to say the same as Serenity! You'll probably be fine for the first 6 months unless you have a puker, but once weaning starts you might find yourself running to primark and supermarkets to get the cheapest clothes you can find. Nice stuff gets ruined!

DD2 had a lovely lined grey knitted hooded jacket from M&S, was a great extra layer for her when going out.

Totally agree about the pink and blue - too much pastel, we prefer brights!

Sorry for the double post too - sausage fingers!

Also, are you in London OP? If so, maybe check out the Fara charity shops. They tend to be in posh bits of London and have some really nice designer brands donated.

I appreciate the stuff won't last forever but I feel horribly judged for not wanting Primark and eBay bundles.

I just came to ask what is available away from the obvious and also the idea that everything should be pink or lathered with words and messages. There have been some fab suggestions but the 'loads of money' comments aren't very nice. I'm getting this right left and centre as I haven't bought a second hand pram or gone to charity shops for things. I appreciate I'm in a very lucky position not to need to, and I love a good bargain as much as the next person.

I am being a bit touchy but I'm so down about being constantly told I'm being a princess about things in real life. I'm not a mumsy sort of mum and baby groups are my vision of hell. A further hell would be a second hand sale. I don't have contact with other parents to be as my friends are friends as we have things in common rather than just having a kid (I'll admit I went to one and after 20 mins of constant baby talk I was ready to take any way out I could). I'll admit I'm probably too grouchy.

Not in London but there on a fairly regular basis as live in a fairly desolate part of the world when it comes to shopping.

My sister was like you with her first. She spent a fortune in clothes as she didn't want her baby to look like everyone else. She changed her mind pretty sharpish when she realised they are in their clothes for no time at all and they all end up covered in sick or poo or, when weaning starts, food.
Not that I'm saying that will happen to you but unless you have a lot of money I wouldn't spend loads on clothes that they grow out of unbelievably quick.

Sorry I didn't mean to sound judgy - the scandi stuff is expensive - I'd dress DS head to toe if I could afford it. :)

Honestly though if you want non girly brights try Little Bird. I get a lot from Frugi online - it's all organic and lovely and bright. Some flowery stuff but a lot is very unisex.

I especially love the star print parsnip pants. It's really good quality too.

Sorry you're feeling that way op. I admit nothing I buy for mine will be second hand but when you say things like not obviously high street I'm really sorry but it makes you come across a little bit snobby.

I don't give a crap if other kids are in it. I just don't like the vast majority of high street stuff as it is naff in my opinion. I hate the cute stuff with words on it or cutesy sayings. And really I wanted suggestions not judgement on my spending habits.

Ok. I'm a snob. Does that make people happy? We can't all like the same stuff but was hoping people would suggest things taking into account taste rather than the immediate 'you're stupid for spending that'. We are all free to do what we want.

M&S has the usual pink and blue stuff but also some lovely stuff that looks much more expensive than it is.

The Little Bird range in mothercare is fabulously bold and retro, but not available in every branch. Take a look online.

H&m do nice non gender specific vests cardigans and leggings etc if you're after some basics. They do a nice organic cotton range too

Ah Frugi. I love their stuff. It's quite different and girly but not pink and fluffy. They were randomly stocked in a garden centre and love the horse t shirts. Their sizing seems very generous though as 0-3 was coming up the same as some 6-9 stuff elsewhere. Have you found this or was the 6-9 very small from other places?

No one said you were stupid but presumably you came on here because you wanted peoples opinion with experience... Most people's experience will tell you not to spendloads of money on fancy designer clothes and the vast majority of people are going to suggest high street because that's where their experience is. There's a lot of variety on the high street as people have demonstrated here its not all the same.

Try here OP:

funkylittlepeople.co.uk

There's a sale on too! I don't think you are snobby but you may have preconceptions that aren't actually matched if you have a good rummage through high street places. I mix molo, frugi, next, jojo Maman Bebe, sainsburys and get loads of compliments. It's fun to find cool stuff from a variety of places.

The wrap over baby grows in h&m seem so much nicer than the straight poppered ones. I love that styling and kimono style cardigans.

Have you tried La Redoute, White Company and Zara?

Moomin clothing? I'm sold.

Zara is being visited next week too as their knitwear is very appealing. White company website keeps closing on me- but I love the subtle colours they do so will pop in there too.

Wrap over baby grows are a pain to get babies into. As are any baby grows that do up the back.

wow. I certainly wasn't being judgey, sorry if you were aiming that at me! Didn't mean to come across that way. I second frugi too, I get lots from there, generous sizing and good choice if you're going to use reusable nappies. Enjoy shopping OP this should be a fun time!!

That's why their sizing is generous btw, they're cut for cloth nappies :)

Not everyone ends up dressing their child in supermarket clothes once they start weaning/get to the toddler stage. I think it's a bit patronising to be doing the whole 'oh you'll realise once the baby is here and they ruin everything! thing like OP has no idea what to expect. My DD is 2 and her clothes have always stayed in great condition. Granted there was the odd nappy explosion when she was tiny but a vest takes the brunt of it and things can be washed! I've found good quality clothing wears/washes well and you can sell it for a decent price once you're done with it. I get that everyone can't afford to buy certain brands etc. but I wouldn't look down at people spending a little or a lot on their children's clothing.

You'll be best off with Scandi brands. Mini Rodini stuff is amazing (I can't afford most of it though!) and also Bobo Choses & Smafolk. I think they will be getting some new season things in soon. Also there's loads of small businesses who sell handmade. Milk Moustache Apparel do some ace clothing which is worth looking at. I know you said you hate mothercare but Jools Oliver does a range in there called Little Bird which is my favourite. Lots of colourful, gender neutral clothing. All lovely and retro looking. I buy a lot of vintage for DD and mix with other brands. I love Zara and H&M for high street shops too.

Sorry bendydick cross post! Hope you didn't think I was specifically aiming that at you. Just think some people have been a bit rough on the OP for wanting to stay away from supermarket clothes etc.