I used to shop for my children sporadically and opportunistically — e.g., when I’d see something I liked, I’d pounce — but this left me with heavily lopsided wardrobes where I’d have, like, twelve fall dresses but no leggings, or a sweater that could only be worn with one thing in my daughter’s closet. I have gotten better over time. My general rule now is to buy a lot of solid leggings from Cat + Jack and Old Navy and to invest more heavily in cute sweaters and tops. If I really love a pair of patterned pants/leggings, I need to make sure I have a top that pairs perfectly with it (or buy it as a part of a full look) — or vice versa. If there is a sweater in an idiosyncratic print, I need to make sure I buy it alongside something it can be worn with. This prevents drawer stragglers. On the cute tops/sweaters front, I had to call in reinforcements this year because my daughter is sizing out of a lot of my favorite little girls’ brands — she is now into a size 7 or 8 sometimes! — and one girlfriend with great taste recommended Bisby and Pink Chicken as brands that bridges the gap for those of us who generally prefer a traditional/sweet look but are sizing out of the brands that end at 6/6x. Noted! I also saw that Cecil & Lou has some cute sets that does the heavy lifting for you.
LA COQUETA COAT // AMAZON BLOUSE // LUIGI KIDS PETER PAN COLLAR DRESS // J. CREW RUFFLE SOCKS SET // CLASSIC PREP SCALLOPED COLLAR TOP // J. CREW CORDUROY SKIRT // MAYORAL CHECKED SHORTS // LA COQUETA DRESS // CIENTA MARY JANES // BISBY CAPE // GAP JEGGINGS // H&M HOODED PUFFER // BISBY CAROLINE TOP // BELLABLISS SCHUYLER JUMPER // CHILDRENCHIC FLORAL MARY JANES // CECIL AND LOU FLORAL LEGGING SET // BELLABLISS KITT DRESS // CARLOMAGNO KNEE SOCKS // PINK CHICKEN CARDIGAN // CHILDRENCHIC CORDUROY MARY JANES // WEE ONES BOW // CLASSIC PREP CLAUDETTE DRESS
+Fortunately, I think we still have one last season where she can wear my favorite everyday dresses from Luigi! I already bought her this blue in 6x. I also have in my cart this CPC Kids Peter Pan collar dress (40% off), and am liking the look of this new dress style from Little English. These cotton-with-peter-pan-collar dresses really work for both mini and myself – she finds them comfortable (she is now resistant to my preferred starchy/smocked styles, weep!) and I like the tailored, traditional look.
+I thought this quilted sweatsuit situation was a great, elevated take on athleisure. I know my daughter will love wearing these separately and together. More sizes here.
+Caroline Bisby top — to layer with leggings. Amazon has a great similar style for about half the price that I’ve bought in years past. She is definitely too tall to wear even the largest size this year, though. Such an easy everyday school look.
+Ralph Lauren flag sweater. A classic. Mini has owned this in other sizes in years past, and the quality is incredible. I love this with jeans or a little navy skirt.
+I thought this cape would be so fun to layer over leggings!
+This jumper is beyond precious. I have the same style in a past-season plaid that I’ve hung onto waiting for her to fit into it! Will be adorable with a turtleneck, Bisby blouse, or peter pan collar top.
+I’ve wanted to buy mini one of these La Coqueta coats for several seasons and finally took the plunge. Cannot wait! She’ll wear this to Church every Sunday! Honestly, my dream wardrobe for mini would be everything in La Coqueta’s fall collection but it is spend-y. I restrained myself by buying only this versatile classic (so far), but I am drooling over this for Thanksgiving.
+Meep! This Babidu! I can’t!!! This one is also precious. Slightly more affordable than La Coqueta but similar vibe.
+I know mini will not love me layering her up but I don’t think I can resist a knit gilet like this to layer over a blouse and pair with fall skirt or shorts?
+Last year, we got a lot of mileage out of Lila + Hayes’ leggings sets. They do great colors.
+Sunhouse’s patterns and details are unparalleled — this dress is beyond precious.
+Mini had this puffer in a past season and it was so, so cute — such a fun way to get the Liberty floral vibe for less.
+This Pink Chicken cardigan is adorable and so versatile!
+For footwear, we’re still big into Cienta Mary Janes (some cute florals on sale here), though now she wears these in navy to school with her uniform and I am eyeing some other options for weekend/dress wear. I am loving these corduroy ones from Childrenchic.
P.S. Coats for children, and coats for us.
P.P.S. On feeling weepy sending my boy off to school last year: “…motherhood is like that, I find: the tiniest tug might lever the most enormous lurch of the heart. Sort of like fishing, I think: a little nibble, you reel, and you might find a whale at the other end of the line.”
P.P.P.S. Great lunch gear for littles.
Such a helpful roundup! The Maisonette sale had some CP staples (navigated from your Claudette dress link) so I built a nice little cart there. And I remember those Amazon blouses from last season — such surprisingly good quality for the price!
Yay!!