The Newborn Guide | Baby's First Wardrobe

What style would you say you dress Alaïa in?

Cute, playful styles are my go-to for her currently.

What do you look for when buying clothes for Alaïa?

Given that she is just three months old, I always look for outfits made from soft, natural, breathable materials like cotton and linen because comfort is key. I also consider the practicality of the piece, making sure it’s easy to put on and change diapers in! 

Have you kept any items from her newborn phase to treasure?

Yes! I’m keeping a small memory box to collect items that she loves or we love on her. From her newborn phase we have kept the little beanie they put on her right after she was born, as well as the first outfit she wore at the hospital.

What baby clothes would you advise a new mum to stock up on?

Sleepsuits, rompers and bodysuits made from natural fabrics. It’s kind of crazy how many outfit changes they can go through in a day! 

What is your go-to outfit for Alaïa for a smart occasion?

A pretty dress or set is always a winner — adding in matching socks and/or a cute headband really makes any outfit feel just that little bit more special.

What style do you dress Santiago in?

I would definitely say that I err on the side of tradition when dressing Santiago. I love old-school European looks, however, I definitely like modernising it a bit. He sometimes looks like a bohemian baby dripping in oversized linen!

Are there any clothes that you find super easy to change Santiago in and out of?

Yes, definitely! When we are just around the house I love onesies that zip, and when we are out of the house I find that tops with snap buttons on the backside are the best!

What would you consider to be Santiago’s wardrobe essentials?

I would say his white linen shirts are wardrobe essentials. I bought them about five months ago, oversized and he’s worn them for so long. I would also say that around the house, his onesies in tan colours are what he lives in.

What would you dress Santiago in for a smart occasion? 

For anything smart, I love traditional Spanish clothing. For instance, for his baptism, he wore a very classic tailored linen look. I think for any smart occasion you want to be able to look back on it and not feel like what your baby was wearing went out of style.

Can you tell when Sora feels particularly happy in an outfit?

Yes! She's already a pretty cheerful and silly girl but you'll know she's really excited about what she's wearing when she keeps pointing to it and smiling, trying to play with her clothes, or when she attempts to learn the name of her clothing so she can ask for it later on. She can't talk much just yet so it's really cute to see her put in that much effort.

Your job is very hands-on and your kids often accompany you to work. Does this have an influence on the clothes you pick for them?

My kids are always with me, even at work, so they really do love being around the flowers, coming to my studio and playing around. I always make sure they wear clothing they can have fun in if they are going to visit me at work. 

Are there any clothes that you’ll be keeping to treasure or hand down someday?

I try not to get too sentimental about keeping things to hand down to the kids, only because I don't want to be crushed if they end up hating what I've saved for them. But I'm making a small collection of some classic bags for Sora so if she doesn't like them, I'll have no problem keeping them for myself — or maybe for a grandchild?

Did Sora inherit any clothes from her big brother?

They are only 17 months apart so she wears a ton of his clothes! Some items, depending on the fit, they can still share. We specifically were excited to hand down a little pink hoodie that looks adorable on them both. 

What baby clothes would you say are must-haves?

My non-negotiable pieces for a baby wardrobe would definitely be soft basics and lots of separates. These are things that are compact so you can pack a few outfit changes in case of any spills or accidents. These pieces can come off easily if you have to change a diaper in an odd place and they are also usually organic cotton because babies have sensitive skin. Sora still struggles with eczema, so we are always making sure her outfits are cute but most importantly not itchy!

What clothes are you most looking forward to buying for Clementine as the colder months draw in?

I love knitted sets and dungarees layered over frilly blouses. I'm a sucker for dresses as well, so she'll be wearing a lot of those. She's obsessed with shoes and I can't wait to get her some UGG booties for winter, and for her to get big enough to have some mini Birkenstocks. 

What style would you say you dress Clementine in?

In summer, I would say it's girly without being too twee. At the moment she's wearing a lot of printed rompers and dresses with a slight '70s vibe to them. That said, I put her in a lot of boys' clothes as well, like Breton tops, denim two-pieces and shorts sets.

Have you been excited by the creativity and quality you’ve seen in kidswear?

Absolutely, I love how a lot of the clothes are an extension of what I'd wear, rather than designs that are overtly baby-ish. A lot of the trends I've seen on the runway have trickled down to the kidswear collections.

What clothes have been Clementine’s go-to outfits for day to day?

She's just started walking, so I've been dressing her in clothes that are easy to move around in, like cute tops with matching bloomers and shirt-and-shorts sets in fabrics that are easy to wash, like cotton and gauze. In winter, she wore a lot of knitted two-pieces.