The Summer Style Edit: Baby ☀️🍼

Tiny Outfits, Maximum Cuteness and Absolutely No Respect for Clean Clothes

We have reached the smallest members of the Hayls Beauty Tales Summer Style Edit.

And I have a confession.

Baby clothes are dangerous.

You walk into a shop intending to buy one sensible pack of bodysuits and emerge twenty minutes later holding a tiny linen romper, miniature sunglasses and an outfit with strawberries embroidered on the pockets.

The baby does not need the strawberries.

I, however, apparently need the baby to have the strawberries.

So for our Baby Summer Edit, I’m attempting to exercise some restraint.

We’re looking for clothes that are cool, comfortable, practical and easy to change — with just enough ridiculous cuteness to make getting dressed fun.

Comfort Comes Before the Outfit

With the women’s edit, we could talk about silhouettes.

With the men’s edit, fit.

With teenagers, personal style.

Babies?

Can they comfortably have a nap in it?

That’s my starting point.

Soft, breathable fabrics are your friend during warmer weather. Cotton and other lightweight materials make much more sense than complicated outfits covered in stiff embellishments.

If something looks adorable but appears uncomfortable just sitting on the hanger, I’m putting it back.

Even if it has tiny ears.

Probably.

The Humble Bodysuit Is Doing Most of the Work

Let’s give the basic baby bodysuit the appreciation it deserves.

They’re easy.

They’re comfortable.

They’re brilliant for layering.

And on a genuinely hot day, sometimes a simple bodysuit is practically the entire outfit.

Have a selection of plain ones and then add some fun options.

Little animals.

Fruit.

Stripes.

Flowers.

Dinosaurs.

Rainbows.

Tiny nautical prints.

This is one stage of life where wearing a smiling avocado across your stomach is entirely socially acceptable.

Enjoy it.

Rompers Are Basically a Cheat Code

I love a one-piece outfit.

No coordinating required.

No wondering which top goes with which trousers.

No discovering that the only clean top clashes spectacularly with the only clean bottoms.

One romper. One baby. Outfit complete.

For summer, look for lightweight cotton styles with easy fastenings.

And I emphasise easy fastenings because an outfit involving fourteen decorative buttons stops being charming at approximately the third nappy change.

The Little Summer Dress

Tiny summer dresses might be one of the cutest things ever invented.

Gingham.

Florals.

Broderie.

Little collars.

Fruit prints.

Give me all of it.

But underneath all that cuteness, we’re still thinking practically.

Look for soft fabrics and comfortable shapes without scratchy details, and remember that babies are going to sit, crawl, wriggle and sleep in these clothes.

The dress has to accommodate the baby.

Not the other way around.

Shorts + T-Shirt = Sorted

Sometimes the obvious answer is the best answer.

A comfortable little pair of shorts and a T-shirt makes a perfectly lovely everyday summer outfit.

You can keep the shorts neutral and have fun with the tops, which also makes mixing and matching easier.

And because babies have an extraordinary ability to require a complete outfit change immediately after you’ve dressed them…

Mix-and-match wardrobes are extremely useful.

There is no point having five beautiful outfits where every piece only works with its designated partner.

Chaos will win.

Plan accordingly.

Matching Sets Are Ridiculously Cute

That said…

I reserve the right to make an exception for matching sets.

Because tiny coordinating shorts and tops are adorable.

They’re also more useful than they first appear because you can separate the pieces and combine them with your basics.

So yes, buy the little lemon-print co-ord.

I’m enabling you.

But responsibly.

The Cardigan Lives in the Changing Bag

Once again, we must address the British weather.

The sun may be shining.

This means nothing.

A lightweight cardigan or little jacket is one of those pieces worth keeping nearby because temperatures can change quickly.

Choose something fairly neutral and it’ll work over almost everything.

Cream, grey, navy, soft pink, pale blue or beige are easy options.

Although if you want the cardigan covered in tiny cherries, I am hardly going to object.

Let’s Talk About Baby Shoes

Baby shoes are possibly the greatest example of fashion triumphing over necessity.

They are so small.

Look at the tiny trainers!

Look at the tiny sandals!

Look at those miniature loafers!

I understand the temptation.

But for babies who aren’t walking, footwear is largely about warmth and completing an outfit rather than supporting walking. Soft booties or socks may be all that’s needed much of the time.

Once they’re beginning to stand and walk, practical fit and appropriate footwear matter far more than whether the shoes perfectly match the romper.

Even if the matching shoes are painfully cute.

Hats: Cute AND Useful

Now this is an accessory with a job.

A lightweight sun hat is worth having for summer outings.

And fortunately, baby sun hats are adorable.

Bucket hats.

Wide-brim styles.

Little legionnaire hats.

Prints.

Pastels.

Tiny ears.

Oh no.

We’ve reached the ears again.

Choose something comfortable and appropriate for the weather, and preferably something that stands at least a fighting chance of remaining on the baby’s head.

The Occasion Outfit

Summer tends to bring weddings, christenings, parties, holidays and family celebrations.

This is where the tiny fashion really comes into its own.

A beautiful little dress.

A romper with a collar.

Tiny smart shorts.

A little shirt.

Possibly even a miniature bow tie.

Do babies require bow ties?

No.

Do I support the existence of baby bow ties?

Completely.

But unless you have several events planned, one lovely occasion outfit is probably enough.

Babies grow far too quickly to build an extensive formalwear collection.

Don’t Buy Everything in Advance

This is perhaps the least glamorous but most useful piece of this entire edit.

Be careful about buying an entire seasonal wardrobe months ahead.

Babies grow according to absolutely nobody’s schedule.

That gorgeous outfit you bought for August might fit beautifully in June and resemble a crop top by the time August actually arrives.

Buy the essentials.

Add pieces as you need them.

And don’t become too emotionally attached to the size label.

Second-Hand Baby Clothes Make So Much Sense

Of all the wardrobes we’ve covered so far, baby clothing might be the strongest argument for shopping second-hand.

Some pieces are worn only a handful of times before they’re outgrown.

So accept the hand-me-downs.

Browse bundles.

Check charity shops.

Swap with friends and family.

Save your money for the things you genuinely need — and perhaps one completely unnecessary outfit that makes you ridiculously happy.

We’re fashion people.

I’m allowing one.

The HBT Baby Summer Capsule

If I were building a little summer wardrobe, I’d start with plenty of bodysuits, several rompers, comfortable shorts and tops, a couple of dresses or matching sets if wanted, lightweight sleepwear, a cardigan or jacket, sun hats and appropriate socks or footwear.

Add swimwear and any occasion outfit according to your plans.

And keep everything easy to combine.

Because there will be spills.

There will be dribble.

There will be food.

There will be unexplained substances.

The beautifully coordinated outfit may last eleven minutes.

Take the photograph quickly.

The Smallest Style Edit 💕

And that’s our Baby Edit.

Tiny clothes are undeniably fun, but the best baby wardrobe isn’t the biggest or the most fashionable.

It’s the one that makes everyday life easier while keeping its tiny wearer comfortable.

If it also happens to contain a romper covered in strawberries?

Well.

Nobody’s perfect.

And with women, men, children, teens and babies now dressed, there’s only one way to finish our Summer Style Edit properly.

Next: The Summer Beauty Edit — the makeup, hair, skin, nails and beauty heroes bringing the entire HBT summer together.

Love,
Hayls x