Newborn Clothing Buying Guide
There is something quietly profound about dressing a newborn for the first time. Those early days are fleeting, and the clothes your baby wears in them deserve to be as considered and beautiful as the moments themselves.
Key takeaways
- Newborns need 5–7 body vests, 2–3 knitted sets, and at least one special occasion outfit to start
- Pure cotton and cashmere are the best fabrics for delicate newborn skin
- Layering is the safest and most practical approach to dressing a newborn
- Look for popper and snap fastenings to make nappy changes effortless
- A bonnet is one of the most practical — and beautiful — newborn accessories
- Heirloom-quality pieces crafted from natural fibres can be passed down through generations
At La Coqueta, every newborn piece begins in our Notting Hill studio, where Founder and Creative Director Celia Muñoz draws on her Spanish heritage and the traditional clothing she grew up wearing in Granada. Each design is then brought to life by skilled artisans in our family-owned ateliers in Spain, using the finest natural fibres and techniques passed down through generations. The result is clothing that is not simply worn — it is kept, treasured, and handed down. This guide is designed to help new parents and gift-givers understand what clothes you need for a newborn, how to dress a baby with confidence, and how to build a first wardrobe that will stand the test of time.
Start with the essentials:
body vests
When it comes to newborn clothing essentials, the body vest is the non-negotiable foundation. Worn alone at home or layered beneath knitwear and outfits, a well-made vest does more quiet work than almost any other piece in the wardrobe. Look for an extra-soft, breathable cotton jersey with popper crotch openings for fuss-free nappy changes, and thoughtful details — a Peter Pan collar, embroidered trims — that improve the everyday without compromising practicality.
Our picks:
- White Perla Baby Body Vest: A classic short-sleeved vest in soft cotton jersey with a charming Peter Pan collar. Ideal for layering or wearing alone at home during those early, precious days.
- White Patricio Baby Body Vest: A unisex essential finished with sage green embroidered collar trims and nickel-free poppers. Designed with longevity in mind, it is made to be passed down to younger siblings.
- Pink Floral Stripe Belle Baby Girl Body Vest : For something a little more considered, this fine-gauge knit vest features a scalloped Peter Pan collar and envelope neck for effortless dressing.
Our key tip: Stock at least 5–7 body vests in the first size — newborns go through several a day, and having enough means you are never caught short.
How many layers should a baby wear?
Understanding how to dress a newborn is one of the first practical questions every new parent faces. The general rule is to dress your baby in one more layer than you are wearing yourself, but the quality and breathability of each layer matters just as much as the number.
Natural fibres are key. Pure cotton regulates temperature naturally, wicking moisture away from delicate skin without overheating. Cashmere, though a luxury choice, is naturally hypoallergenic and exceptionally lightweight — offering warmth without weight, which makes it particularly well-suited to newborns with sensitive skin.
A typical layering approach for a newborn might look like this:
- Base layer: a soft cotton body vest
- Mid layer: a knitted set or sleepsuit
- Outer layer: a cardigan or blanket for outings
In warmer months, a single cotton romper or body vest may be all that is needed. In cooler weather, a cashmere or cotton knitted set worn over a vest provides gentle, breathable warmth without bulk.
Warmth and comfort:
knitted sets
A knitted set is one of the most practical and beautiful additions to a newborn wardrobe — and one of the most thoughtful gifts you can give a new arrival. Look for pure cotton, merino wool or cashmere options that are gentle on delicate skin, easy to layer, and designed with the kind of detail that makes them feel truly special.
Our key tip: Choose natural fibres that suit the season. In warmer months, breathable cotton knitted sets help keep babies cool and comfortable, while in cooler weather, merino wool offers lightweight warmth and excellent temperature regulation without bulk. For the ultimate in softness, cashmere is naturally hypoallergenic, temperature-regulating, and exceptionally gentle on delicate newborn skin, making it a truly special choice for gifting. Each of these fibres offers lasting quality and timeless appeal, creating pieces to be treasured long after they have been outgrown.
Our picks:
- Ivory Marlo Cotton Baby Knitted Set: A beautifully neutral, unisex two-piece hand-knitted in Spain, featuring a pointelle-patterned top and matching bootie leggings. Versatile enough for everyday wear, considered enough for gifting.
- Dusty Pink Liliela Cotton Baby Girl Knitted Set: A dreamy two-piece with openwork embroidery, a scalloped collar, and attached bootie leggings to keep tiny toes warm. Crafted in our family-owned ateliers, it is designed for those precious early days at home.
- Pink Fernanda Cashmere Baby Girl Set: For the ultimate in softness, this 100% cashmere set with raglan sleeves and attached booties offers unparalleled comfort against newborn skin. A truly special gift for a new arrival.
Our key tip: Pair dungarees over a simple body vest for an effortlessly put-together look that remains entirely practical for daily life.
Day-to-night dressing:
rompers and dungarees
Rompers and dungarees are the all-in-one solution for busy days — and when it comes to how to dress a baby for daily life, they are hard to beat. Look for practical fastenings, soft linings, and designs that make nappy changes as straightforward as possible without sacrificing an ounce of style.
Our picks:
- Light Pink Floral Izara Baby Girl Romper: A bubble-silhouette romper in pure cotton poplin with ric rac trims, patch pockets, and mother of pearl buttons at the crotch. A warm-weather favourite that pairs beautifully with a simple body vest underneath.
- Pink Floral Stripe Ronita Baby Girl Romper Dungarees: Soft cotton with butterfly frill straps and side buttons, designed for layering over a vest on sunny days. Effortless to dress and equally effortless to change.
- Navy Stripe Coroza Baby Dungarees: Crafted from durable pure cotton in a classic navy stripe, these relaxed long-leg dungarees feature handcrafted wooden buttons at the straps and a front patch pocket with contrasting red piping. A timeless unisex staple that layers effortlessly over a jersey body or pairs beautifully with a favourite top.
Sleepwear: dressing your baby for sleep
Safe, comfortable sleepwear is one of the most important considerations in any baby dressing guide. Look for snap fastenings that make night changes as undisturbing as possible, breathable natural fabrics, and a relaxed fit that allows freedom of movement without excess fabric.
Our picks:
Pink Bird Floral Nicole Baby Girl Pyjamas: A romper-style sleepsuit in pure cotton with a classic Peter Pan collar, snap fastenings down the front and at the crotch, and full-length legs for coverage. Beautifully designed for sleep and equally charming for cosy morning play.
Our key tip: Pure cotton is the ideal sleepwear fabric for newborns — breathable, soft, and easy to launder through those early, well-worn weeks.
Special occasions: dress sets and outfits
Our key tip: Hand-smocked pieces are designed to be kept and cherished — many La Coqueta families pass them down through generations, making them one of the most meaningful investments in a first wardrobe.
Every new baby deserves at least one truly special outfit — whether for a christening, a naming ceremony, a family gathering, or simply a first portrait. La Coqueta's hand-smocked sets and occasion dresses are crafted with the same meticulous care as our everyday pieces, and are designed to become the kind of heirlooms that are brought out again for the next generation.
Our picks
- Pink Floral Stripe Arcadia Baby Girl Hand-Smocked Set: An iconic La Coqueta silhouette, featuring intricate hand-smocked embroidery across the empire-line waist, a Peter Pan collar, and matching bloomers. A piece that embodies everything our ateliers stand for.
- White Vega Ceremony Baby Girl Set: A delicately crafted linen-cotton set featuring short puff sleeves, a gathered frill collar, and matching bloomers, all fully lined for a beautifully feminine silhouette. Finished with covered white buttons and a raw silk sash tied in a statement bow — an heirloom-worthy choice for christenings and naming ceremonies.
- Dusty Blue Carlina Baby Boy Hand-Smocked Set: A beautifully crafted two-piece set in soft linen-cotton, featuring a white Peter Pan collar shirt with intricate hand-smocking and delicate baby blue embroidery, paired with coordinating dusty blue bloomer shorts. Made in La Coqueta's family-owned Spanish ateliers.
Layering pieces: tops and shirts
Lightweight tops and shirts are the quiet workhorses of a newborn wardrobe — essential for layering as the seasons shift and temperatures change. Look for pure cotton with practical back fastenings and details that make them easy to mix and match across the collection.
Our picks:
- Pink Floral Lila Long Sleeve Baby Girl Shirt: A relaxed, boxy 100% cotton shirt with gathered cuffs, lace trims, and a soft frill collar. Pairs beautifully with soft trousers or bloomers for an effortlessly coordinated everyday look.
- Yellow Stripe Leo Baby Top: A relaxed cotton jersey top with a printed Peter Pan collar, designed for complete freedom of movement. Effortlessly versatile and ideal for daily styling with dungarees or soft trousers.
Finishing touches: bonnets and accessories
A bonnet is one of the most practical newborn accessories, protecting tiny heads from the elements while adding an undeniably charming finishing touch to any outfit. It is also, we would argue, one of the most beautiful.
Our picks:
- Pink Abril Cashmere Baby Bonnet: Handcrafted from the finest pure cashmere with a scalloped edge and soft chin ties. A luxurious essential for newborns, and a beautiful keepsake that speaks to La Coqueta's reverence for natural fibres and time-honoured knitting techniques.
- Ivory Bigal Cotton Baby Knitted Bonnet: A unisex pointelle-patterned cotton bonnet in a versatile ivory hue. Practical, timeless, and perfectly suited to everyday outings from the very first days.
Our key tip: A bonnet pairs beautifully with a matching knitted set — look for coordinating pieces within the same collection for a perfectly considered ensemble.
What clothes do you need for a newborn?
A checklist
- 5–7 body vests (a mix of short and long sleeve)
- 2–3 knitted sets (cotton for everyday wear, cashmere for special occasions or gifting)
- 2–3 rompers or dungarees for daily wear
- 2–3 sleepsuits or pyjamas
- 1–2 special occasion outfits
- 2–3 layering tops or shirts
- 1–2 bonnets for outings and cooler days
A note on craftsmanship
Every La Coqueta piece is handcrafted in family-owned ateliers in Spain, using traditional techniques and the finest natural fibres — pure cotton, Pima cotton, and cashmere. Celia Muñoz's designs are rooted in the clothing she grew up wearing in Granada, and that heritage is present in every covered button, every hand-smocked panel, every scalloped edge. We believe that the clothes a child wears in their earliest days should be as beautiful as the memories being made in them. Each piece is designed not just for now, but to be treasured, passed down, and loved for years to come.
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