Boujee KidsSummer dressing for children is a balancing act: pretty enough for the photos, tough enough for the paddling pool, and sun-safe enough that you are not reapplying suncream every twenty minutes. We pulled the pieces we would actually buy this summer from three brands that get it right, Angel and Rocket for the pretty, Polarn O Pyret for the practical, and Mamas and Papas for the everyday classics, sorted by need.
The sun dress: Lois Tiered Seersucker Dress
Angel and Rocket · British childrenswear
Lois Tiered Seersucker Dress
Seersucker does the work of an iron for you, in tiers that move. The sun dress that survives the picnic and the paddling pool.
Check price at Angel and RocketThe summer set: Liv White Crochet Frill Top And Short
Angel and Rocket · British childrenswear
Liv White Crochet Frill Top And Short
A crochet frill top and matching short, the kind of two-piece that looks considered but goes on in seconds. A holiday wardrobe in one buy.
Check price at Angel and RocketThe everyday stripe: Short sleeve dress striped
Polarn O Pyret · Swedish organic
Short sleeve dress striped
The organic cotton stripe in dress form, for the days too hot for anything that thinks too hard. Throw it on, done, soft enough to sleep in.
Check price at Polarn O PyretFor the boys: Kylo Oversized Palm T-shirt & Short Set
Angel and Rocket · British childrenswear
Kylo Oversized Palm T-shirt & Short Set
A palm-print tee and short cut oversized, so there is room to climb. The boys answer to a heatwave, sorted in one.
Check price at Angel and RocketFor the beach: Long sleeve UV suit sailboats
Polarn O Pyret · UPF sun protection
Long sleeve UV suit sailboats
Long-sleeve UPF coverage that means you reapply suncream half as often. Polarn beach armour, and the reason they have a following.
Check price at Polarn O PyretThe sun hat: UV sun hat striped
Polarn O Pyret · UPF sun protection
UV sun hat striped
A proper UV sun hat with a brim that actually shades a face. The cheapest insurance policy for a long day in the sun.
Check price at Polarn O PyretOn their feet: Hazel Tan Espadrille Sandals
Angel and Rocket · British childrenswear
Hazel Tan Espadrille Sandals
Tan espadrille sandals that go with everything in the case. Summer footwear that is not a jelly shoe and not a trainer.
Check price at Angel and RocketThe linen two-piece: Sardine Linen Top & Shorts Set
Mamas & Papas · British nursery heritage
Sardine Linen Top & Shorts Set
Linen that actually breathes in the heat, in a top and shorts that look considered and go on in seconds.
Shop at Mamas & PapasThe classic set: Gingham Romper & Bodysuit
Mamas & Papas · British nursery heritage
Gingham Romper & Bodysuit
Summer gingham with a bodysuit layered underneath, breezy and sun-aware in equal measure.
Shop at Mamas & PapasThe all-in-one swimsuit: Squid Print Rashsuit
Mamas & Papas · British nursery heritage
Squid Print Rashsuit
A full rashsuit in a squid print: sun-safe coverage in one piece, so there is less to reapply and less to lose at the beach.
Shop at Mamas & PapasThe romper and hat: French Pink Romper & Sun Hat
Mamas & Papas · British nursery heritage
French Pink Romper & Sun Hat
A romper with a matching sun hat, the holiday-ready duo that means one less thing to coordinate at 7am.
Shop at Mamas & PapasAngel and Rocket prices rise a little with size, so those are shown from the smallest size up; Polarn prices are flat. Everything here was in stock as we published, and the links go straight to each brand. Prices are correct at the time of writing.