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Original poster

What do you look for in baby clothes ?

64 replies

Mylittlepumpkin23 · 10/07/2017 04:26

Hey everyone
I am a young father and I am looking to start a baby clothing website.
I wanted to find out from other parents what do they look for in baby clothes or when they go to shop on a baby clothes and accessories website ?
Material? Cost ? etc
Also what would you say would improve your experience while baby clothes shopping ?
I appreciate any feedback
Thank you

OP posts:
PegLegAntoine · 10/07/2017 04:29

100% cotton, most importantly machine washable and tumble dryable!

Other main thing for me is being mostly gender neutral so lots of bright colours and not pale pink for a girl etc.

If they have designs on they need to look high quality not like the transfer will peel off in the wash IYSWIM

Spam88 · 10/07/2017 04:36

For little ones, easy to get on and off. Buttons on the back are a pain, as are babygrows that have to go on over the head.

Orangedaisy · 10/07/2017 04:38

Easy to get on/off for example no buttons/fastenings down the back for babies too small to sit up.

Safety is important-no cords/loose fastenings.

Agree with needing to be very washable.

Original poster
Mylittlepumpkin23 · 10/07/2017 09:36

Thank you for the replies, its really helpful.

What else do you look for in terms or pricing or just durability ?

OP posts:
Orangedaisy · 10/07/2017 09:44

Durability in tiny sizes is less of an issue, as they are grown out of so quickly. I am torn on this though as I have some absolutely gorgeous joules/jo jo maman bebe/gap/mamas and papas baby things which weren't cheap (and were mainly gifts). They look practically new despite going through both of my DDs. They are now sat lovingly placed in a box waiting for someone I know (who is willing to use second hand-many don't like to do this with little ones) to have a girl.

I guess pick your market-do you want to do lovely stuff for gifts or cheap and cheerful for bulk buys. I would suggest the market is pretty saturated for both.

Original poster
Mylittlepumpkin23 · 10/07/2017 10:02

The market is really saturated, I want to have both really, I was thinking of doing a preloved section where parents could sell their unwanted gifts/clothing on there.

Mainly Ill be doing clothing and accessories.

OP posts:
Orangedaisy · 10/07/2017 10:27

I would happily sell my nice bits if I could get decent money for them. But even dec not quality baby gros from nice shops only go for 50p-£1, when they cost maybe £20 for 3. I'd prefer to give them to a nice home where they are actually wanted and will be loved like I have loved them, than basically get peanuts for them. over sentimental about baby clothes!

InDubiousBattle · 10/07/2017 10:37

Cotton, machine washable, goes in tumble dryer, comfy and good fit are the main things I look for. For cheap and cheerful stuff I go to the supermarkets or Mothercare. I've had some lovely, cheap bits and pieces from Sainsbury. I also go to table top sales (table tots and nct ones) and have sold stuff on at these too. Durability has become more important to me now mine are a bit older (they're almost 2 and 3.5) as they actually wear then for longer- I wasn't too bothered when they grew out of them in 6 weeks. I spend most money on shoes and coats. I don't drive so we do lots of walking actually like to be out in any weather so decent shoes and coats are important. I get their shoes from either Clarks (which have been ok for ds but their girls stuff isn't great)or an independent we have locally. I'll spend £40-50 on a main pair of shoes but I'm less fussy with sandles and wellies. I've recently been spending too much money on Toby Tiger, I bough ds a raincoat from there and it's very good quality.

crazypenguinlady · 10/07/2017 11:05

One thing that has struck me with baby clothes is that most places seem to take far too much inspiration from the adult section. Next are awful for this! I do not want to dress my 4 month old son as a mini adult with skinny jeans and shirt with bow ties, all black and dark greys! I want fun, young, cute babe clothes, plus all of the above!

Original poster
Mylittlepumpkin23 · 10/07/2017 11:27

Thank you all for replying.

What you prefer more selection ?

What would make you leave mothercare or mamas and papas to go to a online store ?

OP posts:
paddlingwhenIshouldbeworking · 10/07/2017 11:37

soft material and as PP said easy to get on and off. Necks which stretch to go over the head & absolutely no back fastenings until toddler size.

I'm happy to buy online but first, I need to know you exist because generic searches for 'baby clothes' bring up to many options so tend to stick to the shops I know.

Then I need to know its not going to cost more than just picking something up when shopping (I'll very often decide to not buy something due to postage costs which I know is tricky for an online retailer).

Free returns an absolute must.

Also probably some recommendation from someone I know re sizing & quality.

Original poster
Mylittlepumpkin23 · 10/07/2017 11:41

I am hoping to give some free samples to people on here and on the website so they can try them out and let me know what they think

OP posts:
paddlingwhenIshouldbeworking · 10/07/2017 11:43

Oh and not having to register and give loads of details just to buy something. Plenty of times I abandon purchases because I can't be bothered to register or the password rules are too complicated. Sounds really lazy written down so maybe it's just me if we're using baby clothes as an example, there's so many lovely clothes about and babies look gorgeous in most of them so if it not quick and easy I'll just move on knowing I'll end up at the GAP sale at some point.

Original poster
Mylittlepumpkin23 · 10/07/2017 11:45

I truly agree with that, I have bought my daughter some before and they want me to sign up to newsletters and make an account. Ill just leave it at that point

OP posts:
EssentialHummus · 10/07/2017 11:46

Other main thing for me is being mostly gender neutral so lots of bright colours and not pale pink for a girl etc.

Yes! I am expecting DC1 and keen on gender-neutral stuff, and find that I have to search the entire catalogue of Tesco/Next/H&M/Boots/Sainsburys etc to find stuff. It's really not that hard, surely? Avoid tractors and fairies, use animals, balloons, geometric shapes, nature, colours, fruit...

I also find the "Daddy's Princess" type of stuff incredibly cringey.

Other things - integrated scratch mitts on stuff to 6 months, so I don't have to faff with gloves, and really prompt delivery.

Original poster
Mylittlepumpkin23 · 10/07/2017 11:49

I agree with you there, Daddys little princess has been overused terribly.

So more gender neutral stuff? What colours ?

OP posts:
glastogal · 10/07/2017 11:52

I love bright rainbow colours.. so much of the gender neutral stuff is a bit blah. Rainbow colours all the way!! (For me)

EssentialHummus · 10/07/2017 11:53

What colours ?

I think anything but very bright pinks can be gender-neutral (personally), but I'd steer clear of strong blue and pink if you want to make your life easier. Yellow, orange, green, white with patterns, red, purple - all good.

EssentialHummus · 10/07/2017 11:57

OP if you want to see bright colours done well at enormous cost have a look at Frugi.

Ollivander84 · 10/07/2017 12:01

I think it's nice to have a choice of colours so maybe a brights section then a paler section
So brights - red, orange, purple, green etc
Paler - pale grey, lilac, mint green, peach etc

Ollivander84 · 10/07/2017 12:02

Oh and I saw in TK maxx a great idea for a gift. It's called grow with me and had two bodysuits age 0-3 months then three age 3-6 months but all on the same hanger as a bundle

glitterglitters · 10/07/2017 12:11

I like quirky stuff. Bright colours without being "gendered", easy to wash, I hate anything too novelty. Dinosaurs and pirates for all!!!!

I love H&M and Next in particular. H&M is quite gender neutral I find a lot of the time and next although gendered, is less "cutesy" daddy's little princess stuff. Though I'm fond of a unicorn or two.

WhittersE · 10/07/2017 12:15

One thing that has struck me with baby clothes is that most places seem to take far too much inspiration from the adult section.

I was just about to post the opposite! I have a boy and I find all the clothes are cars/trucks/monsters/dinosaurs in bright greens and yellows. I don't like clothes that look overly childish, I prefer normal clothes - more similar in style to the clothes my DH wears.

I am talking about older babies here though.
For tiny babies, I liked things that weren't just sleepsuits. But were still easy to get on/off and were comfy. DS had some lovely clothes they looked like shorts & tshirts but were really all-in-ones. Just makes a change from always wearing sleepsuits (and I always messed up the poppers on them!)

phoenixtherabbit · 10/07/2017 12:19

Easily washable. Bright colours. Love leggings for boys and girls. Do not like slogans at all. Must look comfy and not be a hassle to get off and on. Like a nice pattern. I don't like stereotypical tractors and cars etc for boys.

Orangedaisy · 10/07/2017 12:25

I like it when the base colour of clothing isn't white-so grey/blue/purple/red/whatever fabric with pattern on that.