Boy clothing that doesn’t make me want to stick pins in my eyes?

[PregnantCat]

I’ve found out I’m expecting a boy and already getting frustrated at how ugly and unimaginative so much ‘boy’ clothing is - dirty brown and green colours, everything has a truck on it and don’t get me started on the slogan t-shirts...

Of course, I’m sure I would be annoyed just as much by the heavily gendered girls clothing but the floral patterns appeal to me more than muddy looking crap marketed as for boys.

Just wondering how other Mums are getting around this? I would really like bright neutrals but there seems to be little of this about!

Definitely suggest Frugi as others have - not cheap but really good quality and no stupid slogans!

Next, Boots, M&S, H&M, supermarkets.

Yes, there is still sludge and trucks - but there are a lot of nice things, too. I always find it fun to dig through all of the crap to find nice things, sort of a challenge!

Also second hand can be a goldmine - try ebay and local sales. Also use search options on websites to exclude blue, grey, white and brown, or specifically search for yellow, green, orange or purple as these are the harder colours to find but tend to be brighter and nicer.

Avoid navy blue, mid blue, baby blue, white and grey, even if you see nice things in these colours unless they are totally gorgeous - because you will somehow accumulate a sea of these colours and your wardrobe will be overwhelmed by them. When you do end up with then a part of a multipack or bundle or gift, don't worry as they tend to pair nicely with brighter colours as neutrals.

You don't have to pay frugi or scandi prices if you are prepared to do a bit of digging IME!

DS1 is 11 and refuses most of my colourful suggestions now :o :o So dress them in lovely brights while you still have the choice!!

It gets easier, IME, once they enter the "toddler" section rather than baby. And then harder again once they go into "Older boys" at about 7.

I've actually found Boots' gender neutral baby stuff to be really nice - I got a couple of lovely sleepsuits from there yesterday, they have loads of stuff with lovely animal and nature prints, in all sorts of bright colours, not just the usual "pink for girls, blue and brown for boys, grey and white for gender neutral". And they're pretty cheap too.

www3.next.co.uk/g71472s1

www3.next.co.uk/g712472s4

www3.next.co.uk/g69264s2

www3.next.co.uk/g59596s5

www3.next.co.uk/g59592s1

www.marksandspencer.com/3-pack-organic-cotton-sleepsuits/p/clp60371513?color=PINKMIX

www.marksandspencer.com/5-pack-organic-pure-cotton-ribbed-bodysuits/p/clp60204077?color=MULTI

www.marksandspencer.com/5-pack-organic-cotton-nautical-bodysuits-0-3-years-/p/clp60439754?color=BLUEMIX

www.marksandspencer.com/2-pack-pure-cotton-elephant-sleepsuits/p/clp60439722?color=GREENMIX

www2.hm.com/en_gb/productpage.0639305003.html

www2.hm.com/en_gb/productpage.0840582003.html

www2.hm.com/en_gb/productpage.0633785009.html

www2.hm.com/en_gb/productpage.0855183001.html

www.boots.com/mini-club-dino-print-all-in-one-10273413

www.boots.com/kids-clothes-mini-club/baby-clothes/mini-club-baby-clothes-baby-fashion/mini-club-3-pack-t-shirts-10260423p

www.hema.com/en-gb/baby/baby-clothing/baby-jumpers-baby-cardigans/baby-sweater-yellow-1000017526.html

www.hema.com/en-gb/baby/baby-clothing/baby-trousers/newborn-trousers-pink-1000018746.html

www.hema.com/en-gb/baby/baby-clothing/baby-trousers/2-pack-baby-leggings-yellow-1000017441.html

www.hema.com/en-gb/baby/baby-clothing/baby-jumpsuits/newborn-jumpsuit-with-bamboo-yellow-1000017637.html

nutmeg.morrisons.com/en/duck-stripe-romper-set

nutmeg.morrisons.com/en/whale-jersey-dungaree-set

tuclothing.sainsburys.co.uk/p/Multicoloured-T-Shirts-4-Pack-%289-Months-6-Years%29/136661561-MultiColoured?searchTerm=:newArrivals&searchProduct=

tuclothing.sainsburys.co.uk/p/Multicoloured-Jersey-Shorts-3-Pack-%289-Months-6-Years%29/136664623-MultiColoured?searchTerm=:newArrivals&searchProduct=

Animals seem to be a common theme...

I find I am not hugely keen on trucks/diggers at least until the boy enters the "I am obsessed with trucks and diggers" phase at about 2 years old. DS2 is just getting there with tractors. But I don't mind city scenes which tend to have different kinds of traffic on as these are bright and colourful. But I've left these off my search for you anyway. This should start you off. I have enjoyed having a but of a rummage :o

Tescos f&f have some gorgeous stuff in. They have a Disney range -Winnie the Pooh and the lion king seem to be the biggies right now.

I have two boys and I hear ya. So I do scandi clothing. Frugi and Duns are my faves. Check out Simply so lovely, babipur etc websites. It’s more pricey but lasts so so much longer, better quality and has a high resale value

Mine are older now too and have restricted what they will wear so much! So I agree with PP to go for as many brights and colours. Reds, Yellows, Greens. I think there's more in the shops than there used to be.

It's much better in the summer. I was pregnant last winter and unimpressed with the muddy colours. I stocked up on lots of colourful t-shirts etc in the summer in several sizes.

The worst thing I ever seen when shopping for DS was a tshirt that said “Rad like Dad” absolutely hate slogan clothes.

I bought a lot of neutral babygrows from next (white with grey patterns etc). We have some lovely little outfits from H&M too.

And I did manage to buy a huge load of nice clothes from Mothercare before it shut down.

The options for little boys are rubbish though, always huge sections for girls then one little crappy set of hangers for boys.

Yes, it's a pain. Good suggestions on here, you have to hunt online rather than rely on the high street and supermarkets. It gets worse as they get older - up to about 4 you can find nice stuff, but post 4 it's all dreary sludge. My favourites without spending a fortune are:

Next (online or big shops)
Frugi (eBay)
John Lewis (and try eBay for old season stuff)
Little Green Radicals
Picalilly
H&M (online)
M&S (online)

Never had this problem with either of my boys. As others have said go for Scandinavian brands or for cheeper versions try h&m, Zara, John Lewis...

@Villanelle92 how funny you think the Rad Like Dad t-shirt is the worst thing you've ever seen! My 4yo DS picked it out of everything in Next because it is purple with coral writing and he loves those colours. Plus his dad is pretty rad.

There's far worse out there - boys will be boys, little monster, heartbreaker, troublemaker etc.