I shared specifics on all the exact items in my son’s wardrobe last week and got a lot of positive feedback! I thought I’d share notes on mini’s wardrobe this fall. She is 4.5 and usually wears a size 6 in pants and a 5 in dresses and tops. I’ll make notes on which brands require different sizing…my aesthetic for her was tiny cord-centric prep.
+Gap jumper. I find Gap runs TTS and I love jumpers to pair with turtlenecks (<<mini owns this exact striped one) and collared tops. My two favorite collared tops in mini’s current wardrobe are this one from TBBC and this one from H&M with an on-trend exaggerated collar. I find TBBC runs big in everything but their pajamas (which run long and narrow), so I sized down to a 5 in the top. H&M runs a tad small, so I ordered a 6 for her. I will say that in general I find it’s worth the investment to buy good-quality pima-cotton collared shirts because they are workhorses! Can be layered beneath sweaters, worn on their own with jeans/leggings, paired with jumpers, etc. I know a lot of you reach out asking for peter pan collar basic tops for your littles. For younger girls, you cannot beat Kissy Kissy. For older girls, I love the styles at TBBC (though they are a bit more on the “flouncey side,” usually with a ruffled cuff and/or piped collar on the larger size) and Little English. I find the latter runs a tiny bit short and small but I like the un-fussiness of the design as a staple.
+Amazon embroidered cardigan. This is not the best quality cardigan I’ve ever encountered but it is precious. I also bought mini several of J. Crew’s solid Casey cardigan — some are deeply discounted at the moment. These run small — I would size up, especially since these are layering pieces and will often be worn over a layer of cotton!
+Hair bows — mini has been wearing longer velvet and satin hairbows. The satin ones are a really great value and decent quality. I love the way they look when I tie her hair into a low ponytail.
+Mini’s Patagonia fleece from last year still fits in a 4T. Hers does not have the hood shown in the linked style, but I wish it did! More versatile and warmer that way. These coats are built to last! I also bought her this inexpensive sherpa fleece in the teddy brown color (I have the same style in my size) and this quilted barn coat. I love the latter — it has a nice weight to it, has a hood, and I like the length and lining. It’s the perfect October/November coat because it’s not super bulky, has a slight coating that makes it suitable for a light drizzle, and goes with everything in her wardrobe!
+Amazon sherpa fleece vest. Mini hates vests so though I wanted to get her a faux fur style for the fall, I instead bought her this inexpensive sherpa style in the event she’d refuse to wear anything at all, and I have so far been correct in that decision.
+RL oxford top. I love (!) this style of top to put under jumpers or pair with jeans. Classic! I ordered her a 6 in this and it fits a tiny bit roomy but I think she’ll have it for this season and next.
+Vejas. I like this velcro style. I find this brand generally runs small. Mini wears a size 10, so I ordered her the European equivalent of an 11 and it was pretty roomy. They work fine with thicker socks though.
+Cecil + Lou gingham dress. I find this brand runs big. I ordered her a size 5 in this and a few other styles (including this navy cord beauty and a bib collar dress similar to this I had monogrammed) and the fit is solid. I think C&L’s aesthetic is generally a bit boxier/more exaggerated than I’d like, but this style is super sweet. I like to style it with cableknit tights (<<these are great quality for the price and come in really good colors) and boots. I intentionally sized up to an 11 in the boots (she usually wears a 10) to accommodate thicker socks/tights. I’ve mentioned this elsewhere but Gap’s shoes last a season or less — not particularly well made — but sometimes you can get them at such a bargain and I tend to like the styles.
+Floral smocked blouse. This is just such a good value for the style – I love the various prints/colors and it’s the cutest (and easiest) everyday outfit paired with $5 Old Navy leggings, which are my perennial favorites for mini (I find the fit is perfect, the colors are great, and I don’t groan when they’re stained!), and a big bow.
+Pink cords. These are such a great dusty pink color that work beautifully with sage green, blue, white, tan, navy, etc. I also ordered her these cord leggings (run super slim) and these ones, too, in the khaki-green color. I generally try to buy solid bottoms because in the past when I’ve purchased patterned pants/leggings, they rarely get worn because I find them difficult to pair with tops unless I intentionally buy something as a set? But this year I did buy mini these ribbed floral leggings because the colors really went with the pieces I’d bought in her wardrobe, and I bought her this neutral-colored sweatshirt to pair with it just in case I find there’s nothing at all that goes.
+Cord skirt. I couldn’t not! The color is fabulous again! Right now, I’m stalking this RL sweater in the hopes it will go on sale for her to pair with it. Too cute.
+This cableknit cardi-coat was TOO GOOD to pass up. I’m waiting for it to arrive in the mail as we speak but feel it will be ideal for layering over every single thing in her wardrobe.
+Striped fleece sweatshirt. Sized up to wear oversized with those navy cord leggings and these exact jeans, which are classic.
+Cienta t-straps. Just a classic. Can be worn with dresses, with/without socks, with jeans, with skirts/shorts! Anything.
+Adorable plaid jumper to pair with the matching collared shirt. This was her first day of school outfit but it’s gotten a lot of mileage since the shirt can be worn on its own with jeans or underneath the green cord jumper or with skirts!
Not seen above, but mini also has a couple of peter pan collar dresses from Luigi that are a cinch to pair with leggings and Cientas for everyday wear, and I’m also eyeing this cute turtleneck dress as well as this fair isle cardi (which would go with everything in her closet) at the moment.
P.S. More adorable little girl finds here and here.
P.P.S. Things I love about my daughter.
P.P.P.S. Mothers and daughters.