little boys can dress well, too

shirt | white jeans | shoes | necklace | watch
on Bear: shirt | bow tie | pants | shoes

From the first moment Zach and I publicly announced we were expecting a baby boy, we started getting comments like "Congrats! Maybe the next one will be a girl, they're so much more fun to shop for!" and "Boys are so sweet! You don't have to spend money on all the cute clothes like you do for girls!". I'll admit, this bothered me a little bit. I knew right away that I wanted to spoil my baby and dress "it" well, regardless of the gender. I found myself wondering if stores really did only cater to little girls, and if my son was doomed for light up sneakers and generic Paw Patrol t-shirts (not that there's anything wrong with these! Bear begs for light up sneakers). I quickly found, however, that little boys are so much fun to shop for and dress. I know from shopping for Bear's friends that little girls clothes are precious and seriously addicting. But I want all of you mamas expecting boys to know that there are lots of affordable, cute clothing options out there for your little mister, too.

When Bear was a newborn, we weren't so much concerned with style as much as constantly cleaning up spit-up. The first time I really got excited about dressing Bear up was for a wedding we went to in Oklahoma when he was four months old. At the time, I didn't really know where to look for dressy boys clothing and ended up finding him an adorable gray cardigan at Goodwill (no shame). He got a lot of compliments on his studly attire, and as soon as we got home I did some research on stores that carry cute boys clothing. Some of our favorites quickly became Baby GAP, Janie & Jack, TJ Maxx (for all things Polo), Etsy (for bow ties & leggings), Old Navy, and Target.

As the months passed, I started to realize that while there aren't tons of stylish boys clothes out there, you can definitely find them without having to look too hard. And when someone sees a little boy all decked out in suspenders and a bow tie, they typically carry on because you just don't see it as much as you do with little girls. All the more reason to take pride in your son's appearance; he will stand out from the crowd. 

I'm a frugal shopper and have learned when to buy at most of the stores listed above. Baby GAP, for example, occasionally does an extra 50% off sale items; this is the time to stock up. Even if it's for the next season and you have to guesstimate on sizes, it's worth it for quality $5 pants and $3 shirts. If you end up wrong on the sizing, clothes always make great gifts for little friends! I find the best deals with Old Navy in store normally, and almost always find Bear several items for under $5 apiece. The graphic tees from Old Navy are our favorite and you can usually grab some for a steal. We're lucky enough to live close to a Janie & Jack, so we stock up on quality pieces and accessories (hats, bow ties) there. 

One last thing while I'm rambling...my Mom buys these sandals for Bear every spring and he lives in them until fall. They can be dressed up or down and are super comfy on little feet (I know this because I own three pairs in my size!). Bear's had red, black, and tan; we always go back to the tan because they match everything.

So mamas, whether you have a son already or are expecting one, don't let anyone make you think that you can't dress him in style. You can do it affordably, too! And for those who think that little boys can't play or have fun if they're not in a t-shirt and stretchy shorts, Bear has proved you wrong many a times. Children are precious gifts and while love is the main component they require, taking pride in their appearance is one small way to showcase that love. Plus you're teaching your child early that showing up and looking your best are important, and this is something they'll carry with them always. 

Can you tell I'm just a wee bit passionate about this topic? I'll stop typing now and tell you all Happy Hump Day! So excited spring is finally here!
xo, Britt


p.s. Feel like I should add a disclaimer: My son is currently walking around the house in a comfy t-shirt and Angry Birds underwear. With a sucker sticking out of his mouth. This post is in no way meant to shame anyone, as we all have different tastes and opinions. I just want to shed light on the topic because I get asked about it often, and I like talking about clothes. K, the end.