If there’s one thing I’ve learned already while shopping for baby clothes, it’s this: designer doesn’t have to mean full price. Recently, I noticed that Ralph Lauren baby clothes were marked down at Macy’s, Bloomingdale’s, and Nordstrom—while the exact same pieces were still selling for full price on the Ralph Lauren website.

Across the board, Macy’s and Bloomingdale’s had very similar pricing on their Ralph Lauren baby markdowns. Nordstrom also had many of the same items, but prices were slightly higher in comparison.

I ultimately chose to shop at Bloomingdale’s. As a loyalist, it made the most sense for me to rack up points, especially since the prices were comparable. If I’m buying anyway, I might as well get rewarded for it.

When it comes to baby clothes, one thing is guaranteed: they grow fast. Because of that, I intentionally sized up on most of my Ralph Lauren purchases. The bulk of what I bought falls into 3–6 months and 6–12 months For jackets, I went all the way up to 2T, so my baby can truly grow into it and get more wear out of it

Spending a little more on quality pieces makes sense when you’re buying sizes that will actually last.

What really helped me shop intentionally was keeping a simple seasonal chart in mind based on my baby’s age:

• 0–3 months: Which season will he be born into?
• 3–6 months: What time of year will that fall under?
• 6–12 months: Planning ahead for weather and layering

Using this approach made it much easier to decide what to buy and avoid over-purchasing in sizes he’ll outgrow quickly. Most of my Ralph Lauren pieces fall into the 3–6 month and 6–12 month categories, where I know they’ll get the most use.

For newborn sizes, I kept things more practical. Since babies grow out of this stage so quickly, I opted for brands that weren’t as expensive. There’s no need to splurge on pieces that may only be worn a handful of times.

I also scored some great deals on Lacoste onesies directly from Lacoste.com. A little shopping tip: certain colors go on sale, so it’s worth checking back often. The quality is great, the styles are classic, and it’s another way to get that polished look without paying full price.

Shopping for baby clothes can add up quickly, but with a little planning and patience, you can build a beautiful wardrobe without overspending. Watch department store sales, size up strategically, and don’t forget to factor in rewards programs—it all adds up.

Designer baby clothes? Yes.
Paying full price? Not necessary.

Below are some of the goodies I’ve bought so far. So freaking cute!