One of the most exciting things about having a baby is getting to dress him or her in adorable clothing. Depending on your taste, it can be difficult to find the things that you're looking for. We all tend to have this image in our heads of what our child will look, dress and act like, so when we can't find clothing that matches that picture it can be a little frustrating.
When you find the style you're looking for, budgeting is usually the next big hurdle. You start asking yourself why you should spend $20 on a pair of jeans for a baby that's probably only going to wear them a few times before he or she grows out of them.
Dressing your little one
Personality: When picking a wardrobe for your bundle of joy, try to choose items that will complement his or her personality. Even in infancy, children have personalities that sometimes only their parents know. There are children who are quiet as newborns and others who are loud and scream a lot. In the nine months since Audrey was born, we've been able to find clothing that matches the kind of person she's become. As your child ages, they'll start to develop their own sense of style. At this point, you should start to let them choose their own clothing. Believe it or not, your son or daughter will develop a sense of independence around age 2, and he or she will want to pick out their own clothes when shopping. This will be a big moment for you and them, as you'll notice they really are growing up into a true big kid.
Comfort: Some people like to be comfortable, but that doesn't mean they should lounge in their pajamas around all day. While it's nice to dress for leisure every once in a while, dressing comfortably and cute can mean throwing on a pair of leggings and a sweater for a little girl or sweatpants and a hoodie for a boy.
Alternative uses: Don't be afraid to use clothing in different ways. Sometimes you'll find an adorable shirt at the store only to realize they don't have the size that fits your tumbling tot. If you have a girl, get a shirt that's big enough to work as a dress. That way, you'll get to see her wear it for a few months. And if it stays in good condition long enough, she can wear it as a shirt when she's a toddler.
Accessories: One thing we knew we wanted to stay away from were big headbands. However that changed big time when we stumbled upon the Etsy store Turbans for Tots. The headbands are handmade and the lady that owns the shop is always posting new patterns. Bow headbands, sailor knot headbands, turbans and elastic headbands are all available. The products were great because she dressed her daughter (also named Audrey!) similarly to how we were dressing our Audrey. If you have a little boy, you can accessorize him by throwing on bow-ties, hats and scarves.
Mix-and-match: Mixing and matching is easier with boys than girls because there are so many options. Boys tend to have a few more color options to work with than girls and still maintain a "masculine" look. If you want to help your little man look fashionable, be sure to add dimension to his outfit with a colorful onesie, a neutral vest and a button-down shirt.
Do you have any fashion tips for moms? Share them in the comments below!