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From ‘twirly’ sundresses to denim playsuits, the best kids clothes for summer
Treat your little ones to these fresh 'fits
It’s no secret that kids grow FAST. However, there's just something so fun about buying clothes for children. Whether that's your own kids, nieces and nephews, or a friend's little one, we find ourselves unable to resist adding adorable new buys to our basket.
As a parent of two, I’ve learnt first-hand that buying quality pieces in unisex shapes means they last longer, can be passed down to siblings, and often retain a fantastic re-sale value on sites such as Vinted. Stick to similar colour palettes and everything becomes mix-and-match and can be chucked in the same wash.
And, thankfully, with summer firmly on the horizon, there's a new excuse (not that I need one) to indulge. So, whether you’ve got a teeny tiny bundle of joy, a sassy seven-year-old that knows exactly what they want to wear, or a toddler who’s all fingers and thumbs but WILL do it by themselves, these are the best children's clothes to add to basket this summer.
Read more: Best newborn clothing sets | Best toys for one-year-olds | Best toys for two-year-olds | Best toys for three-year-olds | Best toys for four-year-olds | Best toys for five-year-olds
Founded in England, Happyology celebrates traditional craftmanship, paying beautiful attention to detail in every element of our little one's clothes. From intricate hand embroidery to unique prints, I can't get enough of the new spring/summer range.
I'd style these cotton trousers in 'crème brulee' with this sweet embroidered stripe top for a special occasion summer look.
With a nod to the French Riviera, Organic Zoo's summer collection is designed for little ones to live in. Simple shapes in luxuriously soft fabric make each piece a real joy to wear. We'd team this classic tee with some frill culottes (also available in adult size!) and sun hat. Magnifique!
The Sainsbury's Tu range is fab for picking up every day basics that they can wear to nursery and the beach without fear of them getting grubby.
If your kids are anything like mine, T-shirts don't look fresh for too long. Replenish their stash with this well-priced, fun three-pack from Uniqlo in collaboration with designer Anya Hindmarch. There's also a grown-up version if you want to match.
An effortless one-piece makes busy mornings that much easier. And we love this durable (and affordable) little denim romper from H&M.
For a tight edit of sustainable kids fits, look no further than All Things Dylan. Home to an array of independent makers, you won't find any fast fashion here. Instead, everything is high-quality and ethically sourced, with clothing for children aged 18 months to six-years-old.
We love the quality of these ultra-soft, organic tees, and this one has a bold message that we're on board with.
A collaboration between retailer Boots and singer Mollie King, the Maybe range is designed with affordability in mind (hurrah!).
The summer collection includes 48 new pieces – all priced £20 and under – and features stylish summer pieces, including waffle short playsuits and co-ords, as well as swimwear and sun hats.
Great quality given the price, we'll definitely be adding a few bits to our basket next time we're shopping for toothpaste.
A twirly, swirly dress always goes down a treat with little ones, and this one from Boden can be dressed up or down. Layer over a crisp white tee or add a cardi.
We think this cotton pinafore and t-shirt combo – featuring a pretty ditsy floral print – is the perfect summer-ready co-ord.
These hard-working, comfy cotton shorts come in array of colours for when the sun shines.
Tapping into the huge trend around fruit prints in kids clothing, JoJo Maman Bebe's machine-washable blue gingham summer dress features all-over lemon embroidery.
The little ruffle cap sleeves and swishy skirt will delight little ones, and the breathable cotton is perfect for warmer weather.
Sezane has recently launched a “petit” range for newborns through to 12 year olds, and it’s every bit as stylish as the adult selection. In fact, we’d like one of everything in our size please!
Favourites from the latest collection include the unisex Joey denim shirt, which we’d team with houndstooth check trousers or skirt.
Available in this ditsy floral print, or a pink and white stripe, Arket's boxy resort shirt is a versatile piece for throwing on over T-shirts and teaming with jeans. The print is also available in a dress and skirt.
Spruce up their summer look with this convenient two-piece. We love the abstract graphic print, and the comfy stripe shorts will also provide the perfect base for other T-shirts and sweatshirts.
Everything from the new Claude & Co collection is dreamy (breakfast dungarees anyone?) but these super cool oversized jeans have gone straight to the top of our wish list.
Rockahula's extensive collection of hair accessories, update any outfit instantly. We always stock up as they make a great gift for kids birthday parties too.
Our current haul inclues these safari friend ponies, made with recycled felt and glitter. There's also matching hair clips.
For a super cool wardrobe update, we love this varsity style bomber jacket with contrast buttons and cuffs. It can also be personalised with their initials or name, to make it feel extra special.
You can't beat a fresh pair of cotton pjs for spring. Chelsea Peers makes excellent quality sets, and we love this unisex bold leopard print design on soft baby blue stripes. And we'll be buying the matching set for ourselves!
Stacey looks after all food and drink reviews — from coffee pods and veg boxes, to natural wine and tequila. Stacey is also founder of Crummbs, where she’s written nearly 2,000 restaurant and hotel reviews since 2013. Prior to this, Stacey wrote hundreds of in-depth buying guides for the Independent, i newspaper and BBC Good Food, as well as reviewing restaurants and interviewing celebrities in her column at Balance Magazine. Stacey has also appeared in BAFTA-nominated BBC documentary Blood, Sweat & Takeaways, where she investigated South East Asia's food production industry, appearing on both Newsnight and BBC World Service to share her findings. Regularly checking out the latest restaurants, bars and product launches, Stacey also loves experimenting with recipes at home, and is a WSET-certified wine and spirits expert, with over 10 years of experience in the business. You can follow Stacey on Instagram @crummbs_uk
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