skip to main content
Where to Shop for the Best Toddler Clothes

Once your toddler has graduated from their baby wardrobe of bodysuits and footies, it’s time to upgrade them to cute separates and put together actual outfits (complete with accessories, if you wish). If building a toddler wardrobe sounds daunting and complicated, don’t stress—it can be as basic or elaborate as you want. You can stick to the basics, with simple tops and bottoms that can be mixed and matched or you can kick it up a notch and add in trendy, stylish pieces that are reminiscent of your own style.

And here’s a saving tip: every season, your toddler will likely need a whole new set of clothes since they grow seemingly overnight. You can save a few bucks by purchasing the bulk of their clothes off-season when they're marked down (like up to 60 percent off, in many cases). This means, at the end of the summer season, it’s a good time to buy a couple of swimsuits, short sets and other warm-weather clothes. And at the end of the winter or cold season, it’s time to buy a cute winter coat, hats and gloves. Since you'd be buying for the future season, go up a size or two.

Whether you're looking for neutral basics or that colorful kids' aesthetic, here are our favorite places to shop for toddler clothing.

Best for Basics

Old Navy

Old Navy is known for clothes at affordable price points, and that includes cute toddler basics. You can find just about everything, like clothing, outerwear, undergarments and even some cute shoes. Most of their selection is designed to mix and match so you can easily put together cute outfits. Sizing ranges from 12 months to 6T.

Carter’s

Carter’s is well known for baby essentials, but it’s also a great place to shop for toddler basics. Their multi-packs of tops and bottoms easily coordinate and help you effortlessly piece together cute outfits. If you’re looking for organic cotton pieces, be sure to check out Little Planet by Carter’s. Sizing ranges from 2 to 5T.

Cat & Jack

Target’s in-house kids' clothing line, Cat & Jack, carries everything you need to build your toddler’s wardrobe at an affordable price. This brand is unique because you can also find sensory-friendly adaptive clothes in-store (such as tagless t-shirts and flat seams). Also, if you’re not satisfied with your purchase, you can bring it back within a year for a refund. Sizing ranges from 12 months to 5T.

Zara

If you prefer more mature silhouettes, styles and designs, Zara Kids might just be the brand for you. Whether you’re looking for versatile basics or the perfect outfit for a special occasion, Zara has kids’ clothes that look more like mini versions of what you’d find in a stylish adult’s closet. They also have a fun Edited line and you can even personalize certain pieces, like a sweatshirt or little fleece robe with a cute symbol or your toddler’s nickname. Individual fit depends on the style, but generally runs on the larger size, so they’ll have room to grow. Sizing ranges from 12 months to 6 years.

H&M

Another popular pick for trendy toddler clothing, H&M carries multi-packs of basics as well as clothing fit for special occasions. They have both neutrals and bolder, fun prints and pieces. And while everything is adorable and stylish, many of their pieces are made of 100 percent cotton, while their Conscious line is made up of at least 50 percent organic cotton and recycled polyester. H&M Kids fit runs on the larger end, so your tot will get a lot of use out of their clothes. Sizing ranges from 2 to 8 years.

Best for Gender-Neutral Finds

Primary

Primary is your go-to for simple gender-neutral pieces in vibrant colors and prints. Their selection of fun basics is mix-and-match friendly and they carry everything from cozy cotton pajamas (I’m a huge fan of their zipper romper) and kids' uniforms to UPF 50+ swimwear. Sizing ranges from 2 to 14 years.

Best for Hand-me-down Quality

Hanna Andersson

Known for its super soft, durable fabric, this brand has a wide selection of unique prints. While it’s a favorite place among parents to buy cozy pajamas, they also carry everyday clothing. The quality feels like it’ll last through a few children, so even though some of the pieces are pricier, they’ll definitely last longer. Many families love Hanna Andersson for its wide variety of family matching options—they even carry matching swimwear. Sizing is based on height (in centimeters) and ranges from size 2 to 12 years.

Janie and Jack

Sophisticated and stylish, Janie and Jack clothing carries a wide variety of special occasion clothes as well as elevated everyday pieces. All of their products are durable and have a hand-me-down-like quality that parents love. Sizing ranges from 2T to 4 years.

Boden

Boden is a British brand known for bright, colorful prints (think stripes, appliqued animals and bold patterns) as well as cute knits. The clothing is well-made and perfect for passing down to younger siblings. Sizing ranges from 2 to 14 years.

Best for Organic Cotton

Colored Organics

If you’re looking for comfortable, everyday pieces that are 100 percent organic cotton, you’ll love the selection at Colored Organics. They offer basics such as bodysuits and pants as well as knit pieces that are mix-and-match ready, so you can easily put together stylish yet comfy outfits. Sizing ranges from 2 to 6 years.

Best for PJs

Little Sleepies

Made of 95 percent bamboo and 5 percent spandex, Little Sleepies pajamas are lightweight, breathable and super stretchy. Parents love that, because of the spandex material, the PJs can stretch to fit toddlers as they grow. My toddler, who’s a hot sleeper, wears Little Sleepies PJs and the light and airy feel of the material gives me peace of mind that she’s sleeping comfortably at night and not overheating. I also love the fun prints and colorful designs. Sizes run from 12-18 months to size 16.

Kyte Baby

Similar to Little Sleepies, Kyte Baby pajamas are made of a mix of bamboo and spandex but the percentage leans more towards bamboo than spandex (97 percent bamboo and 3 percent spandex) so they aren’t as stretchy, offering a more snug and slimmer fit. And if you prefer a more minimalist look with solid colors (versus busier designs), Kyte Baby fits the bill. Also, they sell sleeping bags with foot holes, which are basically like the wearable blankets you’d use for a baby, for toddlers. They’re useful for toddlers who kick their blanket off while they're sleeping. The sizing ranges from 18-24 months to size 12. 

Best for Unique Finds

Mini Rodini

Founded by an illustrator, Mini Rodini is a playful children’s clothing brand where you’ll find chic sweatshirts, fashion-forward winter coats and fun swimwear. Each piece is unique and stylish but still feels like something a toddler would be excited to wear. Sizing ranges from 1.5 to 3 years.

Milk Teeth

Bright, artsy and super playful, these design-forward toddler clothes are intentionally gender-neutral and instead of usual graphics, you’ll find modern patterns and trendy silhouettes. Overall, the brand feels really cool and even if you don’t want to fill your child’s entire wardrobe with their pieces, just a few selections will elevate your toddler’s mini style. Compared to the other toddler clothing brands, this one is on the pricier end, so keep that in mind if you're a first-time shopper. Sizing ranges from 1-2 years to 5-6 years.

Stay Up-to-Date with Babylist