The best summer clothes for babies and toddlers

The best summer clothes for babies and toddlers

by Sophie Knight |
Updated on

When the weather heats up, it's not always easy to dress your little ones comfortably. That's where summer clothes for babies and toddlers, specifically designed for little one's in the warmer months, are definitely handy to have in your child's wardrobe. Baby and toddler clothes that are made for comfort in the heat will be a lifesaver during the next heatwave.

Whether you're going out for the day or jetting off on holiday, you want something that looks cute but is practical in the summer. Plus, you want some clothes that will keep your youngster cool in the sizzling heat. Summer clothes for babies and toddlers will be one of the key ways, including using baby-friendly sunscreen on them and popping the fan on, that you'll keep their temperature regulated. Remember whatever outfit you go for, pair it with a sunhat to keep your child protected from the sun.

There's so many adorable summer clothing options out there, it can become hard to pick out items that you and your little one will love, combining style and practicality. That's where we're here to help you out.

Editor's Choice

• Best summer party dress: Boden Flutter Sleeve Appliqué Dress
• Best summer shorts multipack: Tu Dinosaur Poplin Shorts 2 Pack
• Best summer two-piece set: 2-piece Henley set
• Best summer romper for babies: Teal Blue Star Jersey Baby Rompers

We've picked our favourite summer clothes for babies and toddlers, perfect for pairing with some baby sunglasses. From baby rompers to colourful dungarees and dresses, the options are limitless. Shop our top summer outfits for babies and toddlers below. We have taken into consideration size range, durability, style, and price when choosing our summer clothes picks.

The best summer clothes for babies and toddlers 2023

Best summer party dress

Boden Flutter Sleeve Appliqué Dress
Price: £33.60 (Was £42)

www.boden.co.uk

If there's one thing that can get kids excited about a dress, it's mermaids. This beautiful Boden Flutter Sleeve Appliqué Dress is perfect for a summer birthday party. It's a quality piece of clothing, that will have your little one feeling comfortable while also loving their special outfit.

One reviewer said: "5 stars - Nice dress with a lovely pattern."

Pros

  • Key hole back opening
  • Machine washable

Cons

  • None!
Size Range:2-12 years
Material:100% Cotton

Best summer shorts multipack

Not only are these Tu Dinosaur Poplin Shorts 2 Pack adorable and comfortable during the summer months. they're also an absolute bargain. Made from a cotton poplin, these are breathable, with an elasticated waist for easy wearing. We love that they're stylish but still fun and vibrant for your little one.

One reviewer said: "Good fit and good value.Pattern and material makes them durable for smarter occasion wear for my very active grandson."

Another reviewer said: "Great colour, lovely fabric but big in sizing so had to return for smaller size."

Pros

  • Elasticated waists
  • Affordable

Cons

  • A little big
Size Range:1-7 years
Material:Pure Cotton

Best long sleeve top for summer

Summer in Britain means you can't always rely on a short-sleeve dress or romper. Sometimes, you need a long-sleeve top - so why not ramp up the cute stakes with a Liberty fabric collar? Plain white isn't always the most practical colour for toddlers, admittedly - but we can't resist a bit of Liberty print. Just make sure you have the Vanish stain remover on hand for the whitewash.

Pros

  • Made in the UK
  • Durable design

Cons

  • Limited size range
Size Range:3-18 months
Material:100% Cotton

Best summer dungarees for toddlers

If you're looking for the perfect pieces to layer up for a cute daytime look, these blue zebra embroidered dungarees are sure to fit the bill. An adorable pair of dungarees featuring zebras printed all over is designed to be worn over a pale, pastel T-shirt, for a look that's stylish and modern. To clarify, the dungarees are crafted from soft jersey cotton, so your babies will feel super comfy all day long.

Pros

  • Button side opening for easy dressing
  • Adjustable straps

Cons

  • Selling fast!
Size Range:0 months-3 years
Material:100% Cotton

Marks And Spencer's Cotton Rich Striped Bear Shorts

Best summer shorts for babies

Marks And Spencer's Cotton Rich Striped Bear Shorts
Price: £5

Irresistibly cute and and made from a cotton-rich material, these Marks And Spencer's Cotton Rich Striped Bear Shorts will keep your little one comfortable and cool when temperatures rise. The soft ribbed fabric and elasticated waist add to the comfort, while keeping them easy to get on and off.

Pros

  • Added stretch
  • Super soft

Cons

  • Only for babies
Size Range:0-12 months
Material:97% Cotton, 3% Elastane

Best casual summer dress

Perfect for keeping cool when summer is in full bloom, this Sofia skater dress is perfect for everyday adventures. The A-line design with a handy elasticated neckline allows your little one to dress easily. Pair with a cardigan for a warm layer when it's still a bit chilly out. Soft and gentle against sensitive skin, this one is a winner.

One reviewer said: "This dress instantly became a favourite for my 4 year old daughter. She loves the bright colours and the fact it flares out when she twirls. Great quality item, washes well, so mummy rates it too!"

Pros

  • Super soft
  • Unique, colourful print

Cons

  • Won't be to everyone's taste
Size Range:0 months-10 years
Material:95% Organic Cotton, 5% Elastane Jersey

Best summer two-piece set

2-piece Henley set
Price: £29.99

www2.hm.com

Lightweight and effortlessly cool, we really like how summer-friendly this 2-piece Henley set is. This soft cotton weave set looks stylish while keeping them happy in the heat, plus it even has pockets. We'd definitely recommend this summer set for your next family holiday or weekend get away.

Pros

  • Elasticated, drawstring waist
  • Has pockets

Cons

  • Only one colour option
Size Range:18 months-10 years
Material:90% Organic Cotton

Best summer T-shirt for toddlers

We absolutely love the fiesta feel of this colourful summer t-shirt from Frugi. With either a colourful farmyard applique or a playful unicorn on the front, this short-sleeved tee is great for popping over shorts to create a cool summer outfit. We love these designs and your little one will too.

One reviewer said: "Lovely colourful t-shirts which are soft and hard wearing. We love the super bright colours and that the quality is amazing."

Another reviewer said: "My son loves the snake design on this. I love the bright colours, the softness and the ease of wear."

Pros

  • Interactive design
  • Gentle against their skin

Cons

  • Could distract them a lot
Size Range:0 months-5 years
Material:100% Cotton

Best summer romper for babies

This adorable 4-pack of pure cotton rompers in star and striped prints in shades of blue and teal feature a crewneck collar and has short capped sleeves, making them ideal for the warmer months. The popper fastening makes for easy changing.

Pros

  • Popper fastening
  • Made from 100% cotton

Cons

  • It's hard to find any!
Size Range:0 months-3 years
Material:100% Cotton

Best summer dungarees for babies

This Marks And Spencer's Collection Denim Bibshort is ideal for the summer season and easy easy to pair with any T-shirt or top. The design takes stress-free changing into consideration, and we love that it's available in two colours. This is definitely a summer staple for your little one's wardrobe.

One reviewer said: "Bought in the neutral colour, they looked very well made and were part of an outfit which was well received by the new parents."

Pros

  • Tumble dryer friendly
  • Popper fastening

Cons

  • Don't wash above 40°C
Size Range:0 months-3 years
Material:100% Cotton

Best formal summer dress

Smock dresses are bang on trend for adults, so why not get one for your mini-me too? This super sweet River Island white floral embroidered smock dress has some gorgeous details and is designed to be breathable too. The puff sleeves and scalloped hem really add to the adorable look, and we love that it's easy to wash.

Pros

  • Sustainably sourced cotton
  • Beautiful design

Cons

  • No reviews yet
Size Range:5-12 years
Material:100% Cotton

Best romper set

A gorgeous set especially if you're off on your holidays, this two-piece outfit includes a striped romper and a matching sunhat, made from pure cotton. The sleeveless romper has a button-down front, and poppers at the legs for easy changing while the sunhat has a wide brim to help protect from the sun, and handy riptape straps to hold it in place.

Pros

  • Set includes matching wide brim hat
  • Romper has poppers at legs for easy changing
  • Hat has riptape straps to keep it on your baby

Cons

  • Only one colour available

What should you consider when picking summer clothes for babies and toddlers?

Materials - Summer can be uncomfortable for little ones because of the heat. Choosing clothes made from materials that will help to regulate their temperatures and keep them cool can really make a difference. That's why the majority of the options above are made from cotton fabrics, it's breathable and soft, perfect for summer.

Design - Not only do you want clothing that's comfortable and easy to put on them, you'll also want to get your child clothing that's stylish and suits their evolving personality. Colours, prints, and styles that they love will always be a winning option, no matter what the season is.

Budget - Babies and toddlers are always growing, so their wardrobe can get expensive. Their are so many amazing and affordable summer clothes out there, that you don't have to empty your bank to dress your little one during summer. Set a budget and stick to it, you'll thank yourself later.

Should you buy summer clothes for babies and toddlers?

Because younger children grow so quickly, it can seem silly to keep buying them clothes that they'll grow out of and can't be used next year. But summer clothes are important for keeping your little one comfortable in the heat.

We'd recommend buying summer clothes that can be utilised during the rest of the year. For example, you can layer jumpers over a T-shirt, or add tickets and cardigan to a dress. Of course, you can also hold onto certain clothing items for younger siblings too.

Sophie Knight is a journalist and mum of two, and previously edited motherandbaby.com before moving on to write about family cars for Parkers.co.uk - now Sophie is Commercial Content Editor for M&B, Closer, Heat, Empire, Yours, Garden News, and WhatsTheBest.co.uk

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