Less is genuinely more when it comes to dressing a newborn. Between the rapid growth spurts, the unexpected blowouts, and the sheer number of outfit changes a single Tuesday demands, parents who invest in a handful of well-chosen, washable pieces will always feel better prepared than those who fill a drawer with everything in the shop.

After a decade of listening to Petit Lune parents, we've distilled that experience into ten versatile pieces that wash well, layer beautifully, and survive every season — in sizes 0–24 months.

Why a capsule approach works for babies

Babies grow fast. The average newborn will pass through four to six clothing sizes in the first year alone. Buying less, but choosing better, means you spend less overall, do fewer washes per week, and always know where to find the vest that actually snaps shut in the dark.

"The parents who feel most prepared are those who bought three of the same sleepsuit in two sizes, not thirty different things they'll use once." — Camille Roy

A capsule wardrobe also means every item works with everything else — no orphaned pieces that only match one thing you've already grown out of.

The ten pieces

1–3. Long-sleeve sleepsuits (×3)

The workhorse of any newborn wardrobe. Choose organic cotton with full-length poppers for easy nappy changes at 3am. We recommend two in a neutral base tone and one in a soft print. Wash at 40°C, tumble low.

4–6. Short-sleeve bodysuit vests (×3)

The base layer for every outfit. Envelope necks make them easier to pull down in a blowout emergency rather than over the head. Pair with a cardigan indoors or a sleepsuit outdoors.

7. Knitted cardigan

A single, well-made merino or organic cotton cardigan is worth more than three thin ones. It regulates temperature beautifully and looks equally right at home or out. Choose a zip over buttons for the first few months — much easier with a wriggling baby.

8. Soft pull-on trousers (×2)

Elasticated waistbands are essential. Avoid jeans for the first twelve weeks — they're stiff on new hips and miserable to wash daily. Soft ribbed cotton or jersey trousers pair with every vest and top you own.

9. Quilted all-in-one

For outdoor trips in cooler weather, a quilted all-in-one replaces a coat for the first three months. It zips over a sleepsuit and fits safely in a car seat — something bulky coats cannot claim.

10. A good hat

Newborns lose a significant amount of body heat through their heads. A ribbed organic cotton hat that stays on without elasticated edges is worth its weight. You'll use it for every outdoor trip until at least month four.

Buying tips

• Buy up a size. Most babies arrive larger than expected and skip newborn sizing entirely. Have a couple of newborn pieces, but invest in 0–3 month and 3–6 month.
• Prioritise fastenings. Zips over buttons; poppers over zips for vests; magnetic fastenings if you can find them — they're a revelation at 4am.
• Check wash instructions before you buy. A romper that requires hand-washing is a romper you will resent by week two.
• Think about layering math. Every piece should work with at least three other pieces. If it only matches one thing, leave it on the rail.

What you genuinely don't need

Shoes before they walk. Matching bow headbands that slide over a bald head every thirty seconds. Special occasion outfits for occasions that don't exist yet. Multiple full outfits in every size from 0–18 months before the baby arrives. Jeans. So many jeans.

Keep the wardrobe small, keep it washable, keep it organic. Your future self — the one doing laundry at midnight — will be quietly grateful.