Shopping for baby clothes can be a lot of fun. It can also be confusing. Determining color, style, and sizing are the most important factors to consider. You will also need to keep the parents' taste in mind while shopping. If they do not like your purchase, the baby will not wear your purchase frequently, if ever. Put some thought into the gift instead of grabbing the first thing off the rack. This will ensure a well dressed baby with happy parents.

Color

Girl does not equal pink, and boy does not equal blue. Even traditionalist parents get weary of these colors. Girls look great in a wide range of colors, including blue. If you include a matching headband or bow with the outfit, any girl can work blue. Choosing a blue onsie with a pattern and ruffled sleeves is a great way to create a blue look that maintains femininity. For boys, there are many color choices which maintain a boyish look. Brown is a great color for boys, especially when paired with orange. Red is also a handsome color on boys. If you want to incorporate blue, try a pattern such as stripes that uses different shades, such as navy.

Style

When choosing a style for baby clothes, keep functionality at the forefront of your thinking. Particularly with infants under 6 months of age, parents want clothing that is easy to put on, take off, and keep clean. Most parents only dress up their young babies in frilly dresses or complicated outfits for special occasions. Infants virtually live in onsies. Therefore, look for outfits that combine the simplicity of these crotch-snap pieces with additional appeal. You might choose a onsie with a matching pant or skirt. You could also pick overalls with crotch snaps and a cute shirt. If the parents have a favorite sports team, you might also consider buying an outfit with that team logo.

Size

When considering size, your best bet is to ask the parents. If this is not possible, err on the side of larger. For example, if the baby is 2 months old, buy a size 3-6 month outfit. If the child is 18 months old, purchase clothing in 18-24 months or 2T if you suspect the toddler is on the larger side. Also, keep adjustability in mind. Many pants, particularly jeans, for older babies and toddlers feature hidden elastic strips which can be pulled tighter and buttoned to fit children with small waists and long legs. For infants, remember to keep it comfortable. While tooling and fancy work can be cute, it can also be scratchy. Clothing should be soft, stretchy, and breathable to maximize baby comfort.

If you keep the baby’s needs in mind while shopping, you are sure to find the perfect clothing that is cute, comfortable, and convenient. Do not allow yourself to be carried away. Definitely, include your preferences in your decision, also. Buy clothing that you think is attractive, but will also be comfy for baby to wear, and easy for mom and dad to change. Baby clothes are a lot of fun to shop for, whether for other people or your own children.