Our guide explains the different types of baby clothes, and how clever design details makes changing baby easy for you. As babies grow and start finding their feet, there are more and more styles and shapes to choose from. But comfort and easy changing features are always at the forefront of any good design.
Babysuits
One of the most important categories is Babysuits – and includes bodysuits, also called vests, sleepsuits, rompers and playsuits. Worn from newborn all the way up to 24 months.
Sleepsuits, all in ones, or babygrows
Cosy onesies include sleepsuits, all in ones, or baby grows. Sleepsuits cover babies all over, including arms and legs, with only the head, hands and sometimes feet visible. They are one of the most popular types of baby clothes especially for young babies. Often worn during the day or night, with nothing apart from a nappy underneath, or over a bodysuit when its colder. These clothes have many different features to help parents change their babies easily.
Heads
The neck opening is important because the sleepsuit needs to fasten up to the neck with just the head poking out of the clothing. It needs to be easy to get the baby’s head in and out of the clothing.
Envelope neck
A clever neck design. It allows for the neck opening to be pulled apart across the whole width of the body from the end of one shoulder to the other. This makes sleepsuits with an envelope neck really easy to pull over the baby’s head
Front popper opening
The poppers start at the neck and continue down the front to the crotch and along both legs.
Zip opening
This easy fastening, slides down from the neck, and has a chin guard at the top end to protect the baby’s chin.
Hands
Little fingers have little finger nails. Scratch mitts are a clever design feature found on some sleepsuits which prevent babies unintentionally scratching themselves. The scratch mitts are an extension of the sleeve and fold back to cover those teeny fingers making it super easy to protect your baby. Found on the lower sizes up to 6 months.
Feet
Sleepsuits with enclosed toes are great for babies to sleep in and means those tiny toes will stay warm and cosy. Footless sleepsuits usually need socks to keep those little toes snug.
Bottoms
Nappy changes need to be swift and easy, with minimal disturbance for a sleepy baby. All sleepsuits will have one of these nifty openings to ensure changing time is easy.
One way zip opening
This slides down from the neck and runs all the way down along one leg. The upper half of the sleepsuit is removable and pulled down to access the nappy.
Two way zip opening
The ultimate easy changer. This clever design has a zip that slides down from the neck and up from along the leg. If a nappy change is needed, only the lower part of the sleepsuit is removed.
Y shaped poppers
These poppers are down the front of the sleepsuit from the neck and along the inside of each leg. They pull apart to change your baby.
U shaped poppers
These poppers are along the inside of the legs and are good for nappy changes as you can pull them apart for easy changing without having to completely undress your baby. Found on sleepsuits that have an envelope neckline.
Bodysuits also called vests are similar to sleepsuits but without legs. They can have long, short or no sleeves, and always have poppers at the crotch and either shoulder poppers or an envelope neckline. Easy to wear under a range of clothing such as baby dungarees, leggings or yoga pants, or under a sleeping bag.
Rompers (or playsuits) can either cover the full length of the leg or arm or be a shorter length. There are even bubble rompers without sleeves or legs and are a bit like legless dungarees. They never have enclosed toes and fasten with poppers along the crotch and legs. They will also have either an envelope neckline, or shoulder poppers.
Baby trousers
Baby trousers come in a variety of shapes and these types of baby clothes can be worn with both bodysuits and baby tops. Most come with an elasticated waist, sometimes with ties at the front.
Leggings – slim, often in a stretchy fabric or knitted, leggings are like footless tights. These close fitting trousers are often worn under dresses, tunics and tops.
Joggers – loose baby trousers with a rib waistband and rib hem, which fits closer round the ankle
Pull ups – while most baby trousers are pull ups. Trousers that are not close fitting like leggings are often referred to as pull ups. They can be in stretch or non stretch fabrics. Some have a mock fly so they look like functional trousers that have a fixed waist and zip fly.
Yoga or harem pants – roomy and comfortable with a lower crotch. These are super comfortable and come in variety of bright colours. They work well with bodysuits and great for crawling or walking babies.
Dungarees – like pull ups but instead of a waistband, they extend up to the upper chest area with adjustable straps across the shoulders. Roomy and comfortable, dungarees are wearable over bodysuits and baby tops. Easy changing with poppers along the crotch and down to the hem.
Slungarees – similar to dungarees but instead of the crotch poppers extending to the hem they finish above the rib hem cuff. Usually found in a soft stretchy fabric. Very comfortable and easy to create different outfits.
Shorts – shorter versions of baby trousers.
Types of baby clothes tops
Baby tops come in different lengths, fabric weights and in a variety of styles. They’re great for layering. Fastenings include button fronted, zip front and the envelope neckline found on sleepsuits are replaced with poppers along one shoulder that open to allow enough space to get a baby’s head through.
Jersey tops in long sleeve or short sleeve are perfect to have all year. Often in all over prints, appliques, plains and stripes, they can be worn under dungarees and pinafore dresses, or with baby trousers to create an outfit. Woven tops like tunics are always loose fitting.
Cardis & jumpers are great add ons to complete an outfit. Cosy cardis in mid weight knits can tone down a busy print, or lift an outfit with a bright pop of colour. Jumpers have a neck opening, such as shoulder poppers and so slip on and off easily.
Sweats & hoodies are made from thicker fabrics. So they provide an extra layer as an alternative to a cardigan or outerwear jacket.
Outerwear jackets, the final piece added to an outfit, and keep babies warm during the colder months. Pramsuits, Snowsuits and Puddlesuits are all in one outerwear which are worn over day clothes to protect your little ones when you’re outside during the colder months.
Pramsuits are fully lined and padded or have a warm fleece lining. They have integrated feet with enclosed toes and fold back mittens, and keep little ones snug and warm while ferrying them around. They are popular for younger babies, and some even have fold over hem cuffs so when your baby starts to toddle about you can fold them back and add some baby boots so they can also be used for walking about as well as wrapping up baby while you’re out and about.
Snowsuits are also fully lined and padded in a waterproof, breathable outer fabric with taped seams to prevent water entering, making sure your baby stays dry. Instead of enclosed toes, they usually have detachable booties, and fold back or detachable mittens. These cosy outerwear all in ones are great for rainy or cold weather.
Puddlesuits are so practical for keeping babies and toddlers dry in all weathers. They’re available in different weights and layers depending on the weather. Outerwear all in ones are perfect for little ones that have started walking and by keeping them wrapped up and warm, the wind and rain doesn’t stop play. Unlined or jersey lined puddlesuits are useful when the weather is unsettled, such as in Spring and Autumn, because they pack away into their own pocket. You can build up the clothing layers underneath to keep your baby warm, while the waterproof puddlesuit makes sure they’re dry.
Fleece lined puddlesuits are warmer and are great for when the weather gets really wet!
Fleece lined and padded puddlesuits are insulated through the body, hood and sleeves. They are the ultimate waterproof, windproof and breatheable all in one, and can even be worn during the snowy months.
Dresses
Dresses are usually in a jersey fabric with or without sleeves. Long sleeve styles are more popular for the cooler months and the fabric weights are heavier. Popular shapes include A line, dropped waist, high waist under chest.
Bed clothes
Pyjamas – consist of two pieces, a top and bottom. With short or long sleeves and legs, they are worn by babies from 6 months old. Sleeping bags enclose the whole body except the head and arms, and are great in providing a safe place for your baby to sleep wherever they are. Sleepsuits – worn at anytime of day or night and usually with enclosed toes.
Swimwear – Surf suits – cover from the neck to knee and have long sleeves, surf sets or surf swimsuits -covers from neck to wrist and body, swimsuits – sleeveless and legless.
Rent all types of baby clothes
Qookeee has all these types of baby clothes to rent. Our baby clothes are there to create a more sustainable wardrobe or mix with your baby’s own clothes. Renting baby clothes saves parents’ money, maximises the available space they have, and reduces the number of items that end up in landfill. Renting baby clothes instead of buying them is one of the most sustainable things you can do.