On the hunt for the perfect kids’ outfits for your family photos? Here’s a list of my favorite kids clothing stores for family portrait sessions.
With the change of seasons, finding cute clothes that won’t totally gouge your wallet or make you freeze your butt off can be so hard. For parents struggling to coordinate family members at the last minute, it can be overwhelming. My first trick is to plan ahead, but if you’re reading this you probably skipped over that part so allow me to provide some probably much needed direction!
What You Should Look For When Shopping
The right clothes tell the story without distraction. We want to be immersed in the connection created between family members in the image, not struggling to read text on a graphic tee, or squinting to make sense of too many patterns. Kid’s clothes should show off personality, but also look cohesive… which can be hard!
Where To Start with Kid’s Clothes
When choosing outfits, I always recommend starting with the hardest person to dress. For us, that’s our son. He’s extremely picky about his clothes (no tags, no seams, prefers dinosaurs and Poptart crumbs on his shirts whenever possible), followed by me. My husband couldn’t care less and looks good in everything. When we shoot our own family photos, our outfits revolve around my son’s, which makes it easier to narrow down color pallets and textures.
Not to make assumptions, but little kids are notoriously monsters about clothing choices. So, here are my top kid’s clothing shops to start if your child’s wardrobe needs a little something before your portrait session:
Reverie Threads
Honestly, you can’t go wrong with Reverie if you have little ladies. While most of their products are made for itty bitties, many products come in sizes up to 5. Reverie Threads brings so much warmth and texture to photos and each piece usually has a pop of uniqueness. The neutral pallet helps keep things simple, especially when shopping for multiple children. Plus, purchases from Reverie help fund a motherhood journey for a cancer survivor— seriously what more can you ask for?!
For moms with little ladies, this is your SHOP. I’m talking patterned bellbottoms and all the lacy, pretty things. Plus, their retro color scheme makes it easy to mix and match outfits to give you something you can wear even after your session is over. Bailey’s Blossoms now has a collection specifically coordinated for photoshoots, so mama and the girls are covered.
Target – Art Class Line
I think we often gloss over Target when shopping for photoshoots… but if you’re on a budget or need something to-go… don’t doubt the power of Target Drive Up! The new(ish) Art Class line offers an interesting and unexpected amount of texture and flair to cheap basics.
H&M
Alright, before you tell me I cheated with this one, hear me out. H&M’s kid’s clothes are CHEAP, y’all. Do not come to your session expecting to stay clean. In fact, prepare for all the dirt. At my sessions jump in puddles, get dirty, and roll around in grass… because we’re documenting real life! H&M clothes probably won’t hold up as well as you’d like them to, but they sell necessities like t-shirts and kid’s pants, in packs up to tweens and teens sizing so it’s easy to grab a few different options in case back up clothes are needed while on a shoot. While most of H&M’s products are pretty basic there’s beauty in simplicity when it comes to coordinating amongst multiple family members. Plus, I’ve got no complaints about H&M’s seasonal color pallets— it’s hard to mess it up!
Joyfolie
Like Free People but for little girls. Seriously, I just can’t with Joyfolie. Not only is every product to die for, but the quality of their pieces is just fantastic. Joyfolie can get a little pricey, but every season comes with new markdowns and sale items— that’s when you gotta swoop in and snag your little lady’s new photo shoot gown. The dresses retain their shape even after they’ve been washed, snagged, rolled up in a ball… whatever kids do with their clothes. If you’re dying for magic, magazine level imagery, Joyfolie’s where you need to be.
Belle and Kai
A small Etsy shop, Belle and Kai have one of the most unique product lines I’ve ever seen, at prices that will agree with your pocket 100%. A Belle and Kai dress will most definitely be the focal point of any collection of outfits, making your life that much easier when all you have to do is build the family’s wardrobe pieces around your little one’s new dress
Mouse in the House Shop
Ethically responsible, totally cute. MITH is a little on the pricey end, but you truly get what you pay for AND you’ll be supporting a responsible company when you buy. MITH has clothing pieces for both boys and girls, in textures like linen, corduroy, and knits that make your photos more unique. If you’re looking for an earthy, vintagey vibe, MITH is perfect for bringing quality accessories or statement pieces to your portrait outfits.
An amazing little boutique of bright and classic dresses.
Offers unique patterns and vintage inspired looks for kids & babies, in fabrics you literally won’t find anywhere else. If you’re feeling confident with patterns, Kate Quinn is a great place to add a little pizzazz to your family photos.
A bright, colorful boutique for little girls.
If you’re looking for boho, hippy styled clothing that’s ethically made, Little Baberham has a ton of options for both little and big girls.
If you’re finding that coordinating outfits has been harder than you thought and you want a good starting place, here you go! I highly recommend taking full advantage of all the styling resources included in a Brey Photo portrait package— from readable style guides, to mood boards, to personal style consultations, I am here to take the portrait experience from a stressball to a fulfilling experience.
Prefer a one stop shop, or needing more inspo for the fam? Check out my favorite shops for the whole family here.
If you follow my guides, are open to some suggestions, and really take control of your wardrobe during your portrait hour, you won’t just be left with pretty photos. You will have created some serious art.
Happy shopping!
[…] play a big roll in the amount of movement and emotion we can create in such a short time span! My list of favorite children’s boutiques can help you find sustainable, coordinated clothing that’s well worth the […]