Cool Clothes: Baby's Got Style!

Since this is blog is all April Showers, I thought it would be cool to give you the online version of the cool baby clothes and funky booties conversations that take place in our brick and mortar all the time. When you first see baby stuff, if you have no previous experience with little ones, a lot of this stuff can be quite confusing because infant clothes are like nothing adults wear- there are feet and snaps and weird shoulders and everything is really tiny! Once you are familiar, you see the genius that created each outfit type, and you'll seriously wonder how people got along before the convertible gown/romper/footie/booties came into existence! This "Baby Boomlet" we are in is a very exciting time for baby style, because there are so many cool patterns, fun sayings, funky colors, and rock n roll stuff for little ones as well as the traditional colors and choices that makes expressing style all the more fun!

The following is a general guide in Psychobaby terms- if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us (orders@psychobabyonline.com), and if you have any favorites from your when your child was a wee one, be sure to share in the comments section because something we always hear that is totally true is how valuable information parents share with each other is!

Cool Baby Clothes and Funky Booties Glossary of Terms, PsychoStyle!

Booties: Can be knit , angora or leather and are a basic foot covering that's like a baby "shoe" except they have a nice soft sole. These are also called crib shoes, but in our domain that is more like the Converse and Vans we carry. Booties are more Me In Mind's cool designed leather shoes, and yes, that growing room in the front that you can bend over your baby's foot? Totally normal and stylin' in the baby world. We say if it stays on, go for the bigger because they are sized in months, and we are pretty sure your baby isn't going to get smaller!

Booty Hatch: The classic changing set up for baby clothes- think of all the adverts from the 50's and you'll know what we mean. In this instance, babies are held, the hatch on the tushy is unsnapped and then the little one is laid down to change that poopy diaper. Petit Bateau's classic rompers and footies hearken back to this super fun style.

Easy-off shoulder: This overlap on both shoulders on baby t-shirts and onesies makes it easier to get your baby's head through when you're dressing them so you don't feel like you have a "So I Married An Axe Murderer" "Own Weather System" situation!

Flip-Cuff: Super handy (no pun intended!) cuff that flips over that little hand so your baby doesn't claw at themself!

Footie: Normally these'll snap down the front, middle or side, and in one piece become an outfit with socks! If dressing as an adult were only this easy! See Paul Frank and Bees and Dragons.

Gown (or Sack): A garment, usually with a flip-cuff and easy-off shoulders that is open (usually hemmed elastic) at the bottom for easy changes in that newborn and 0-3 region.
See Psychobaby and Mad Sky.

Gown, Convertible: See "Gown," and then check out the Transformers-like quality of this kind, which has two ways of snapping one that keeps it a gown and one that makes it into a romper!

Kimono: Can be a shirt, onesie or outfit that ties across either with a ribbon or snap, like true kimonos. The avoidance of the center of the tummy is great for those sensitive new belly buttons! See Mad Sky/Barn

Layette: According to Princeton University, a "Kit consisting of a complete outfit (clothing and accessories) for a new baby." In our Clothing Section, we use this term loosely to describe all the squishy and comfy tiny baby clothing that usually also has blankets and hats in the same patterns and colors. These sets, especially in a fun pattern, makes for a great baby shower gift.

Lounge Wear: Normally two-piece sets with straight legs and easy-off shoulders made of cotton. Think: Outfit If Baby Did Yoga! See Hi Ho Batik

Onesies: A "leotard" like tee-shirt that was once popular with adults back in that stirrup-legging 80's phase, now thankfully part of a cool baby's style. Lots of parents like these because they keep baby's tummy covered when they raise their arms or get picked up, and lots of folks treat them as a full outfit with some type of leg warmer, like Baby Legs!
See Psychobaby Tees.

Romper: A one-piecer that has both a top and a bottom. In summertime, they will have short sleeves and shorter legs on the pants- winter will show them with long sleeves. These will always have snaps, zippers or buttons because otherwise there'd be no way in or out! Lots of Moms use onesies underneath as a kind of undershirt. See Psychobaby and Bees and Dragons.

T-shirts: Tees are exactly like adult t-shirts, except many baby ones incorporate the easy off shoulder, and now incorporate cool patterns, rock bands and funny sayings into their designs .
See Hot Tees and Denim.

Take Home Outfit: Usually a layette type thang- outfit, matching hat, socks and blankee- just remember you have to have a car-seat belts appropriate outfit to be able to get home from that hospital!

Now, what we normally tell folks is to try a different style just to see if it is easier to dress or change your baby, and one of our recommendation for gifters is to get a little bigger seasonally appropriate gifts, because just like Goodnight Moon, super tiny sizes re always popular for showers, and Moms always say that it was nice to get something for later! Everybody has their own drummer when it comes to their style preferences- I'm pretty sure that "Onesie/T-shirt" debate will never be resolved! Definitely let us know in the comments what works for you and which styles you like the best!