I didn’t realize just how “off” baby clothing sizing could be. The first couple of weeks after we had Eleanor, it seemed like I was throwing piece after piece into a pile of stuff that just didn’t fit right. It’s literally like women’s sizes, where a small in one store is a large in another. And when you have a baby who’s tall and thin, it can be tough to find clothes that fit well.
I had bought all of these cute little onesies from stores like Old Navy, only to find out that my baby fit into a size 0-3 months for weight and a 6-12 months in height in that brand. I searched all over the internet for a guide to the best baby clothes for tall babies, and I kept coming up short, so here we are.
I’ve shopped practically every baby brand, so if you’re looking for the best clothing brands for your tall, skinny baby, you’re in the right place.
For reference, Eleanor was around the 75th percentile for height and somewhere around 4th percentile for weight in the first year. So when I say that she was a “tall and skinny baby,” I’m not kidding!
Onesies for Tall Babies
There are two places where I found the best onesies for our little lady: Carters (the store) and Carters at Target. Yes, they’re different! The “Just One You by Carters” at Target fits similarly to the items in the actual Carters store, but they run a bit shorter.
For the most basic things, like white onesies and kimono tops, Gerber or Carters worked just fine.
striped onesie | navy cardigan
Petit Bateau makes some adorable bodysuits with a little more style than the typical basic bodysuit. They’re the perfect fit for our little one, which is great (that they fit) but not great (that they’re not cheap) at the same time. I watch out for sales and buy for the next year. They’re currently having a sale, and my favorite baby cardigan is on sale for just $31 (it’s normally $62)!
As far as pajamas go, my favorites are from this store. They wash SO well, and they look almost brand new after washing them 10+ times.
Pants and Leggings for Tall Babies
By far the best pants that fit Eleanor are leggings. We love Carters, Petit Bateau (these are in her current drawer and are so cute with the bum ruffles!).
Another brand that fits really well? Little Marc Jacobs! (For those with designer taste)
For brands that aren’t the best fit but work fine: Cat & Jack at Target, Gymboree (Note: Gymboree is actually being closed down soon, so almost everything is 50% off right now), and Burts Bees.
princess bubble – similar (also comes in a dress for toddlers/walkers)
Brands that are hit or miss: Baby Gap, Old Navy (tend to be for babies who are in the “average” percentile in both height and weight)
Suggested post: How to Be Productive As a Working New Mom
Sweaters and Sweatshirts for Tall Babies
The best cardigan sweater we had for Eleanor was from Petit Bateau, and she wore it almost every day of the fall when she was a newborn. I actually purchased it in the 12M size because we loved it so much, and she still wears that.
For play sweatshirts, I love Harper Canyon. It’s a Nordstrom brand but you can find it at Nordstrom Rack, too. The best selection is definitely online vs. in store.
Best Holiday Outfits/Special Occasion Stuff
For special occasion wear, I always check Carters and Petit Bateau. (Again, shopping the sales the year or season prior always helps!)
Suggested post: Amazon Baby Shopping Haul
I’ve found some great holiday pieces on this site, and the prices are reasonable. This is where I bought Eleanor’s summer bubbles and rompers last year. Huge bonus? Almost everything can be monogrammed!
from E’s 11 month post
Where do you shop for baby clothes? Any brands I should check out? If you have any suggestions for the best clothing for a tall baby, let me know!
Leave a Reply