Buying guide for Best baby clothes for boys
If you’ve welcomed a baby boy into your family recently, you’re probably in the middle of building a well-rounded wardrobe for him. While it’s easy to pluck every cute top or pair of shorts off the rack, it’s helpful — not to mention more cost-effective — to have an organized plan when you’re clothes shopping.
For one, it’s important to shop according to the season. Since baby boys lead active lives, you’ll need a wide variety of clothes for play, travel, and everything in between. If you’re attending a formal event with your baby boy, such as a wedding or graduation, you’ll also need to invest in suits or dressier outfits.
There are countless clothing options on the market for baby boys, so no matter what your budget or preference, there’s an outfit that suits it. Take a look at our buying guide to get all the tips and guidance you need to create a versatile wardrobe for your baby boy, and check out a few of our recommended favorites.
Key considerations
Size
The smallest size for baby clothes is preemie, but not every article of baby clothing is available in this size. The next smallest size for baby clothes is newborn (NB). After babies outgrow that, they enter the numerical size scale that runs from 0 to 24 months.
Materials
Cotton and cotton blends reign supreme as the preferred materials for baby clothes. Not only are they lightweight and breathable, they often become progressively softer with each washing, too.
Cotton blends: If you’re wondering what makes up a cotton blend, especially in baby clothes, expect to see mostly polyester, spandex, and rayon. These materials help garments retain their shape and color through repeated washes. However, these blends can irritate the skin of some babies.
Bamboo: A popular alternative to cotton and synthetic materials is bamboo. It’s just as lightweight, soft, and breathable as cotton, but unlike other materials, bamboo is naturally hypoallergenic, making it an ideal choice for babies with sensitive skin.
Be sure to choose soft, comfortable baby clothes for long car trips. Pajamas are a good choice, as are leggings or sweatpants.
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Features
Pajamas
Some of the first clothes baby boys wear are in the pajama category, namely onesies. These consist of either footed pajamas or bodysuits, which can be legless, knee-length, or ankle-length.
Older baby boys often wear regular two-piece pajamas. Depending on the weather, tops may be short or long-sleeved, and bottoms can be shorts, sweatpants, or leggings.
When it comes to choosing any type of pajamas for baby boys, it’s recommended that you choose a weather-appropriate style. This keeps your baby comfortable and aids in regulating his body temperature.
Tops
Baby boys wear a variety of tops, including long- and short-sleeved T-shirts and tank tops. More often than not, the tops feature crewneck collars, though polo collars are also popular for baby boys.
When the weather is colder, baby boys can wear sweatshirts or hoodies, both of which are usually lined with soft fleece that won’t irritate your baby’s skin. Hoodies are available in pullover or zipper styles, neither of which has drawstrings for safety reasons.
It’s important to examine any tops to make sure all the seams are smooth, flat, and soft. Otherwise, they may irritate sensitive baby skin. It’s also recommended that you remove garment care tags, which can also irritate the skin.
Bottoms
Bottoms for baby boys include shorts, sweatpants, leggings, corduroys, khakis, and jeans.
Shorts, sweatpants, and leggings are usually made with soft, flexible materials like cotton, fleece, and polyester. The waistband on these bottoms is typically flexible and adjustable to give baby boys a full range of motion. As expected, these garments are ideal for playtime, lounging, or travel.
Corduroys, khakis, and jeans are more structured and made with thicker materials. Since they’re quite warm, they’re typically worn in colder weather. Corduroys and khakis are also popular options for dressier outfits.
As you compare bottoms, be sure to inspect the waistband to ensure it can provide a comfortable fit. Even elastic waistbands can be uncomfortable if they’re not covered with soft materials. More structured bottoms like jeans may have rough edges that could irritate or dig into the skin.
Formal attire
Formal attire for baby boys includes sweaters, button-down shirts, vests, blazers, and suits. These are most often worn for family photo ops, special events, or ceremonies like weddings. As expected, these pieces tend to be more expensive than others given their premium materials and fine construction.
Outerwear
It’s important to invest in season-appropriate outerwear so babies are protected when they travel to and from the car. Insulated and lined winter jackets are recommended for cold weather, while lightly lined jackets are ideal for the cooler spring and fall temperatures. Snow pants are also worthwhile purchases so little ones can enjoy their first snowfall.
When it comes to buying outerwear, many parents try to buy coats or jackets several months in advance. While it’s a smart and cost-effective idea, it’s important to keep in mind that it’s a bit of a gamble. If your baby boy has a growth spurt, there’s a good chance you’ll need to size up.
Swimwear
Swimwear for baby boys mostly includes swimming trunks, swim diapers, and board shorts. Some parents prefer dressing babies in rash guards with an ultraviolet protection factor (UPF) for additional protection in direct sunlight. Rash guard tops and bottoms are usually sold separately, though there are some two-piece sets available.
Finding well-fitting swimwear is essential, especially when it comes to bottoms. Unfortunately, looser trunks and shorts won’t hold diapers in place. As expected, when the diaper is saturated for more than one reason, this can result in a mess. For that reason, it’s best to choose swim bottoms that offer a snug yet comfortable fit.
DID YOU KNOW?
When some of your baby’s garments start to feel a bit snug, it’s a sure sign it’s time to size up.
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Baby clothes for boys prices
Baby clothes for boys cost between $5 and $60. While overall quality has the most effect on price, the brand name also has an impact.
Inexpensive: In the $5 to $15 range, there is a wide variety of single pieces as well as budget-friendly two- and three-piece sets. Quality is decent in this range, and the better-quality pieces in this bracket are manufactured by well-known baby brands.
Mid-range: Entry-level outerwear, swimwear, and many outfit sets cost $15 to $30. Some large value packs of leggings and pajamas are also found in this range.
Expensive: For $30 to $60, you’ll find mostly high-end outerwear and outfit sets from premium baby brands. They’re incredibly well made to withstand the test of time. Most formal attire for baby boys, including suits and premium knits, are found in this price range as well.
Invest in packing cubes when you take an extended trip with your baby. The cubes condense baby clothes into smaller bundles, which could eliminate the need for an additional suitcase.
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Tips
- Wash new garments separately. It’s a good idea to wash new garments separately, especially if they’re brightly colored, or they may bleed and stain other items in the washing machine.
- Go tagless. Sensitive baby skin is easily irritated by the care tags on clothing. Fortunately, there are plenty of tagless garments on the market these days.
- Wash knitted sweaters by hand. Knitted sweaters can get snagged in the washing machine, which is why it’s best to wash them by hand separately.
FAQ
Q. Why are baby clothes that feature popular characters so much more expensive than regular ones?
A. These pieces cost more due to licensing deals, which essentially means a manufacturer pays a premium to display or use the image on their clothing. Unfortunately, there’s no getting around the lofty price tag unless you’re lucky enough to snag a good deal at a sale.
Q. What other outerwear should I buy for cold weather besides a jacket and snow pants?
A. A popular alternative to snow pants are snow overalls, which prevent snow and cold air from reaching a baby’s belly. There are also snowsuits, which essentially resemble insulated body suits. Those designed for younger babies usually have attached feet. Those for older babies don’t because they’re designed to be worn with socks and snow boots.
Q. Should I buy bottoms that have snaps or zippers?
A. Both allow for easy access during diaper changes, so it’s a matter of choosing the style that makes life easier for you. Some parents prefer snaps to zippers since they’re softer against the skin. Zippers, unfortunately, can have rough backs or edges that irritate skin. Some zippers are designed with softer details to prevent this issue.
