The Best Baby Clothes That Are Both Adorable And Practical

Forbes

02-04-2025

Picking out baby outfits can be so much fun, but the best baby clothes are as practical as they are cute. 'There are several features that can make life with babies easier,' says Stephanie Heintzeler, a New York-based doula, trained midwife and certified lactation consultant. 'For one, clothes with snap buttons or zippers rather than tight fasteners are a game-changer for quick diaper changes.' She also recommends clothes with built-in mittens or foot covers to help prevent babies from scratching themselves or getting cold, especially during the newborn stage.
You'll also want to look for baby clothing with soft fabrics and breathable, natural fibers like cotton and modal. 'These materials are gentle on sensitive skin, help regulate body temperature and reduce the risk of irritation or rashes,' says Dr. Asmi Berry, a board-certified dermatologist in Los Angeles. Below, you'll find a list of the best baby clothes brands and individual items that meet these expert criteria and are also loved by parents of little ones like myself.
I love Hanna Andersson's baby clothes for a number of reasons: They're durable, super cute and generally made with sustainable and soft fabrics like organic cotton that's backed with robust third-party certifications like Global Organic Textile Standard and Oeko-Tex 100. Many parents and experts I've interviewed over the years, including Heintzeler, recommend the brand. The onesies and pjs I bought for my first son held up well through many washes, and are still in good enough shape to be worn by his younger siblings when they grow into them.
Not only are the prints fun and fresh, but the clothing designs are thoughtful and functional. For example, the onesies have two-way zippers that make diaper changes easier, while other baby items have easy-to-use snaps. Hanna Andersson is also a great spot to shop for matching family pjs.
If you're looking to spend less, but still want certified organic cotton baby clothes, I highly recommend Burt's Bees Baby. I used a range of its products—from crib sheets to bodysuits—and have been very happy with the brand's overall quality. 'Their organic cotton pieces are soft, breathable and come in cute, simple designs,' says Heintzeler. 'They're known for being gentle on sensitive skin.'
They're also a great choice for gender-neutral baby clothes—for parents who prefer that style. You can also find bundles of baby items—like this five-pack of bodysuits—for an even better value.
When shopping for baby pajamas, a two-way zipper is even more important because no one wants to spend extra time messing with snaps or buttons during middle-of-the-night diaper changes. Posh Peanut's smaller sizes of zippered footie pajamas also have fold-over pockets for your baby's hands to protect them from scratching themselves. The fabric is made from ultra-soft viscose derived from bamboo, and the brand offers a wide range of prints that are updated seasonally. I also appreciate that some of the prints are available in preemie sizes, something that can be harder to find.
Some parents find ruffled dresses and tiny button-down shirts impractical for everyday wear. But for occasions when you want baby to be as dressy as everyone else—like holidays, weddings or family photo shoots—check out Janie And Jack. I particularly love the brand's knit baby clothes, like its cute cardigans and this cute matching gender-neutral set, which would make a great baby shower gift.
For adorable prints and patterns, take a look at Loulou Lollipop. The brand makes a wide range of cute and clever prints that are adorable on newborns—and appeal to toddlers and preschoolers like my 3-year-old son who gets excited about his new favorite smiley shark pajamas. If you find something you love, the brand often offers a range of matching items like bibs, baby blankets and crib sheets. The brand also has a nice selection of solid-color onesies and sets.
What's even easier than a quick zip? A onesie with a magnetic closure. I found Magnetic Me's baby clothes to be a huge time-saver when my son was a baby, helping me speed through diaper changes. Magnets are also much quieter than zippers and snaps, which means a sleeping baby might go undisturbed. The brand offers a range of fabrics including organic cotton and super-soft modal. I found these baby clothes held up pretty well after many washes—especially the cotton ones.
Caregivers with certain fine motor limitations might also find the magnets easier to use. However, one important note is that any clothing with magnets is not recommended for use by or around people with certain types of implants, such as pacemakers.
Admittedly, few parents need to plan for preemies or even need to prepare for tiny babies. But when I found out I was carrying twins, I set out to be ready with some extra-tiny outfits—twins often weigh under 6 pounds at birth. It's proven a bit harder than I anticipated due to somewhat limited style options and even some sizing surprises (one set of 'preemie' items I ordered arrived the same size as most 0 to 3 month clothing).
That's why I was delighted to discover Petit Lem's newer Layette collection, which includes these adorable sets designed for babies between 5 and 7 pounds and is made from 100% organic cotton. The set is also available in cute bunny and rubber duckie prints. Although I haven't used these exact newborn items yet (I'm still pregnant as I work on this story), my older son has other clothing from the brand that's stood up to plenty of wears and washes.
If you live in a region with cold or windy winters, consider 7AM Enfant's collection of snowsuits, jackets and stroller muffs for your little one. In the first six months, a cozy blanket that's designed to attach to a stroller may be all you need. When your baby is sitting up on their own, a snowsuit allows them to get out and play even on the coldest days—I love this one that makes your little one look like a baby-sized teddy bear. If you're still building your baby registry, consider how old your baby will be when winter hits, and pick a size accordingly. I'm also a fan of 7AM Enfant's 'Warmmuffs,' which connect to your stroller's handlebars‚ and judging from their popularity at our daycare and around our neighborhood, other parents find them helpful, too.
The writers and editors who contribute to the baby and kids section of Forbes Vetted have spent thousands of hours researching, testing and using a wide range of baby gear. We aim to help our readers make smart purchases, so that life with little ones can be easier and more joyful.
We combined market research, expert guidance and firsthand experience to curate this list of the best baby clothes.
When shopping for baby clothes, you can absolutely look for the cutest looks—as long as you also keep the following key features in mind.
'Look for soft, breathable and natural fabrics like 100% cotton, bamboo and modal,' says Berry. 'Avoid synthetic fabrics like polyester or nylon, which can trap heat and moisture and potentially irritate a baby's delicate skin. Also be cautious of clothing with rough seams, tags, or chemical finishes, like wrinkle-resistant or flame-retardant treatments, which can cause friction or reactions.'
For extra peace of mind, you can also look for fabrics that have a certification to ensure they aren't made with harsh chemicals. The two most common are Oeko-Tex Standard 100 and Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS). 'If a baby onesie is Oeko-Tex Standard 100 certified, it means it's been screened for things like formaldehyde, heavy metals, pesticides and other irritants that could trigger skin reactions,' says Berry. A GOTS certification means that the fibers have been grown using organic practices and are also free from harmful chemicals being added later in the manufacturing process.
Babies go through a lot of diapers, which means you'll be taking their clothing off and on frequently. 'Overly intricate designs with lots of buttons, ruffles or bows might look cute but they can be a hassle during quick diaper changes,' says Heintzeler. 'Clothes with tight necklines or complicated closures, like tiny buttons on the back, can also make dressing and undressing more time-consuming and frustrating.' They can also be uncomfortable for your baby.
It's better to avoid fast fashion brands, many of which now offer baby clothes. I've found these brands simply don't hold to the frequent rounds of laundry that baby items need to cycle through. You may find it's worth owning one or two hand-wash only items for special occasions, but generally, everything should be both washer- and dryer-safe.
Berry also recommends washing all baby clothing before the first use with fragrance-free detergent. 'Babies have a thinner skin barrier, so even small irritants can lead to redness, dryness or eczema,' she says.