Traditional Knit/Pima Cotton Outfits for Littles.

*Image above via Proper Peony showcasing their lemon print pima cotton bubble.

When mini was young, I went all in on the crisp bubbles and starched dresses. Over the past few years, I’ve realized the blessing of pima cotton/knit pieces that nail the traditional look but are far easier to launder (and softer and less fussy to boot). These are great everyday pieces for school and play and though I have always subscribed to the notion “dress them up and let them play,” I find myself breathing much easier when mini is mucking around in one of them versus an heirloom-quality Luli & Me dress. Bonus: the knit variations tend to be less expensive than their starchy cotton counterparts.

At any rate, today, I’m sharing some favorite brands and favorite styles for babies, boys, and girls. I have to say I am feeling weepy today realizing that Hill has more or less outgrown the bubble/romper phase — I had no idea when I was packing up his summer wardrobe that he’d be graduating to shorts and polos this year. Meep! Time is a thief! At least I can put him in jon-jons for another year or so…

Dresses for Girls.

For girls, I love pairing dresses like this with sweetheart Sun Sans or Cienta t-straps and a big Wee Ones bow.

BOWS FROM TBBC (01.)

ROSEBUD KNIT DRESS (UNDER $30) (02.)

WHITE WITH GREEN TRIM FROM BELLABLISS (03.)

I LOVE (!) THE GINNY DRESS IN COTTON FROM BUSY BEES (ON SALE!) — MINI HAS OWNED IN AT LEAST THREE PRINTS

MINI HAS OWNED SEVERAL OF THESE LUIGI DRESSES WITH PETER PAN COLLARS (TOO SWEET; CAN BE MONOGRAMMED), AND MANY ARE ON SALE, INCLUDING IN THEIR SHORT SLEEVE VARIATION JUST IN TIME FOR SPRING

STRIPES FROM RACHEL RILEY

STRAWBERRIES FROM THE OAKS

TOILE FROM PETIT BEBE — ONE OF MY FAVORITES MINI HAD LAST SEASON

SQUIGGLES DRESSES (ON SALE IN SEVERAL COLORS!)

POSITIVELY LOVE THE PIMA DRESSES FROM PROPER PEONY — MINI HAD A FEW LAST SEASON — THIS ONE IS DARLING, TOO

STRIPES FROM PETIT BEBE

UNDERSTATED NAVY FROM 1212

POLKA DOTS FROM ELIZA JAMES

LIBERTY POCKETS!

LOVE THESE SHORT-SLEEVED, PETER PAN COLLAR DRESSES IN GREAT COLORS — PERFECT FOR MONOGRAM, TOO

For Itty Bitty Girls…

STRIPES — GREAT WITH A BIG MONOGRAM ON FRONT! (04.)

WHITE SWEETNESS (ON SALE!) (05.)

SMOCKED CHERRIES — MY PERSONAL FAVORITE! (06.)

HEARTS OR BOWS FROM NELLA PIMA

STRIPES FROM PEGGY GREEN

FLORAL FROM PROPER PEONY

LITTLE ENGLISH PLAYSUITS

$10 PLAYSUIT IN SWEETEST PRINTS FROM OLD NAVY

For Boys…

MICRO OWNED ONE OF THESE PROPER PEONY BUBBLES LAST SUMMER — TOO SWEET (07.)

STRIPES FROM TBBC — ALSO LOVE THE GATORS (08.)

HILL OWNED A FEW BENTON BUBBLES FROM LILA AND HAYES (09.)

LAYETTE SET FROM LITTLE ENGLISH — ALSO LOVED THEIR PLAYSUITS (<<THIS ONE 50% OFF!)

CARS FROM RACHEL RILEY (ON CRAZY SALE)

One final note on pima cotton for littles — it is seriously the softest fabric on earth and holds up insanely well to infinite launderings. I always do a double take when I read something is in pima cotton! The quality tends to be exceptional and something about the construction of the fabric means that you launder it and it almost looks like it’s been ironed when you pluck it from the dryer — it withstands wrinkles very well. Point in case: Kissy Kissy’s peter pan collar onesies (here is the short-sleeve variation), which I bought in multiples in every single size and are gender-neutral. I passed many of them down from mini to micro and they held up beautifully. These are fantastic for layering underneath shortalls and jon jons in cooler weather, and great for pairing with skirts, jumpers, and just as a first layer for girls. They are pricey but I guarantee you will treasure them. I had a girlfriend who bought a few and told me she’d do her laundry just so she’d have clean ones available to use over her other brands. They are so good!

P.S. On the more casual end of the child clothing spectrum: statement sweatshirts worth a gander.

P.P.S. Grandmillennial fashion finds for littles.