Summer is the easiest season to dress a baby for — and the easiest to get wrong. Too many layers and they overheat; the wrong fabric and they're sticky and miserable; the wrong cut and every nappy change is a wrestling match. What actually works is a short list of light, breathable, easy-change pieces you reach for again and again. These are the eight we'd put in every baby's summer drawer — and right now they're part of our Summer Vibes Sale, with up to 50% off.
1. A Breathable Muslin Romper — the everyday hero
If you buy one thing for summer, make it muslin. The loose double-gauze weave lets air move, so it keeps a baby genuinely cooler than close-knit cotton, and it softens with every wash. Our Watercolor Tulip Muslin Romper ($37.90) and Strawberry Fields Muslin Romper ($39.90) are sleeveless, snap-fastened, and cut roomy — the pieces that end up in the wash twice a week because they're the ones you keep reaching for.
2. A White Cotton Romper — goes with everything
Every summer capsule needs one clean neutral that pairs with any hat, any shoe, any headband, and photographs beautifully. The White Cotton Sleeveless Romper ($42.90) is that piece — simple snap fastening, soft cotton, and the one you'll pack for every day out.
3. A Two-Piece Set — for easy changes
Separates beat one-pieces on hot days: you can swap just the top after a spill, and there are no crotch snaps straining in the heat. The Little Sailor Summer Set ($49.90) and Truck Embroidery 2-Piece Set ($37.90) both pair a soft cotton tee with elastic-waist shorts — comfortable, roomy, and quick to change.
4. A Muslin Swaddle Blanket — the hardest-working thing you own
Ask any parent what they'd buy again and the muslin comes up every time. It's a light blanket, a sunshade over the pram, a picnic mat, a burp cloth, a nursing cover — all in one. Our Botanical Print Muslin Swaddle ($33.90) is 100% cotton double gauze at a generous 120×110cm, so it actually stays tucked.
5. A Dungaree Romper — roomy and forgiving
Overalls are a summer secret: loose through the body, nothing tight at the waist, and easy to layer a bodysuit under on cooler evenings. The Floral Bear Muslin Dungaree Romper ($35.90) and Denim Dungaree Romper & Bonnet Set ($54.90) both give plenty of room — and the denim set comes with a matching hat, which brings us to the next one.
6. A Sun Hat — non-negotiable
Paediatric guidance is clear that shade and clothing do most of the sun-protection work for babies, and the single most useful item is a wide-brim hat that shades the face, ears, and neck. Several of our summer sets — including the Yellow Gingham Duck Romper & Bonnet Set ($47.90) — come with a matching bonnet, so the hat is one less thing to buy or lose.
7. Soft Breathable Shoes — for movers
If your baby is crawling or walking, summer feet need shoes that breathe and bend. Our Breathable Baby Summer Shoes have a soft non-slip sole that lets the foot flex naturally — the right choice for early walkers (see our shoe sizing guide before you order).
8. One Dressy Piece — for the summer that has plans
Summer means weddings, christenings, first birthdays, and photos on the lawn. Having one lovely piece ready means you're never scrambling. The White Botanical Eyelet Romper ($41.90) and the Little Gentleman Set ($59.90) are both smart enough for an occasion and soft enough that your baby won't fight you (see our special occasion guide).
The Short Version
- Buy the most of: muslin rompers and two-piece sets — the everyday workhorses
- Buy one of: a white neutral romper, a muslin swaddle, a sun hat, breathable shoes
- Buy one nice one: a dressy piece for the summer's occasions
- Skip: heavy synthetics, tight cuts, and anything that needs full undressing for a nappy change
Every piece here is soft, breathable cotton or muslin, cut roomy, and made to survive a summer of washing — and they're all in the Summer Vibes Sale, up to 50% off while stock lasts. Sizes go quickly in summer, and babies don't wait: if you're between sizes, size up (our size chart will tell you which).