1-2 Year Toddler Clothes Checklist: What Every Parent Needs

1-2 Year Toddler Clothes Checklist: What Every Parent Needs

Your baby has now graduated into the toddler phase. It’s likely you’ll be spending a lot of time out and about exploring. Having the correct outdoor gear can mean the difference between a happy trip and a cold and grumpy child. Child sizes here vary from specifying months, or 1-2 years, some will even just say ’2yrs’. When looking at sizes it’s important to remember that 2 years means ‘up to’ 2 years.

You may well find your little one makes requests (or complaints!) about their outfit. Getting them involved in the process of picking out clothes can help. 

Functionality is key so keep an eye out for easy dressing and adjustable details – there’s nothing more frustrating than chasing around a small child who’s joggers keep falling down. Look out for lightweight cottons and linens for summer in airy styles, and cosy knits and fleeces for winter. You'll also find hats and swimwear with UV protection. 

Your toddler is likely to resist lying down for changes, so clothes that can be easily changed standing up are brilliant from this age. This may mean saying goodbye to the bodysuits as those poppers are fiddly to do from this angle. Joggers or leggings and tops and jumpers are excellent staples of every toddler wardrobe. 

1-2 years adventurous toddler
Your little one is bound to be getting more adventurous and indepedent!

As a mum of two, and founder of a baby clothes business, I’ve learned a few things about dressing babies and young children. Here's my 1-2 year toddler clothes checklist and some tips to make it all less daunting. 

If you’re looking for an easy and sustainable way to dress your toddler, renting baby clothes from Borro can be a lifesaver - especially when you’re not sure what will actually work for your little one.

Quick 12-18 & 18-24 Month Toddler Clothes Checklist

  • 5-8 tops (a mix of long and short sleeve depending on the season)
  • 3 sets of pyjamas
  • 5-8 bottoms (dungarees/ joggers/ sets to mix with your bodysuits/tops and jumpers. Great for daytime outings)
  • 3 cardigans or jumpers (look out for jumpers with poppers or buttons at the neck)
  • 1 occasion outfit (for all those birthday parties)
  • Socks (ones with grippy pads are great for new walkers)
  • 1-2 hats (a warmer one for outdoors if it’s cold, or a sunhat)
  • mittens (for outdoors if it’s cold)
  • 1 coat or jacket (to suit the season)
  • 1 snowsuit or puddlesuit (snowsuit if winter, puddlesuit for the rest of the year. You may prefer waterproof trousers)
  • 2 sleeping bags (1.5 tog in summer, 2.5 tog in winter – if you haven’t moved on to a duvet)
  • Shoes and wellies (walking in bare feet is great for toddlers when safe. Little feet are developing so measuring feet will get them the best fit)
  • Swimwear (look out for UV protection and swim hats) 

At this age your toddler is exploring the world through play, so you will find their wardrobe needs to keep up with their mess (along with the washing). Start off with the minimum and you can always buy/Borro more if you feel you need to. See our recommended 1-2 year toddler wardrobe for everything you need.

Which size should you get?

When shopping for toddler clothes, the first thing to know is that sizing isn’t always consistent across brands. This age spans the 12-18 month and 18-24 month bracket. You may find some items are suitable for the full year, while others are outgrown. Look out for our notes on sizing to tell you how generous the brand is.

Other considerations for 1-2 years

Toddlers can be particular about what they wear, . Renting allows you to keep up with their current favourite themes and colours. They can also be fiercely independent. Making clothing choices that allow them to start getting dressed and undressed by themselves gives them a wonderful boost to their self esteem.

What other parents overlook

Nursery clothes

If your toddler is spending time are nursery or with a childminder, they’ll be doing lots of lovely activities that involve getting messy or dirty (a plus that you don’t need to clean up afterwards!) It is likely however that their clothes will not be kept as clean as you may be able to achieve at home. Sending your child in items you don’t mind getting dirty and shoes that go on easily will help you and them on their nursery days. Many parents find it easier to have dedicated nursery items - a hat and wellies that stay in their bag for example.

1-2 years messy eater
Little ones will still be very messy eaters!

Be sure to check the laundry for ‘treasures’ in the pockets before the wash. Every toddler mum has had pebbles, leaves and toys in their machine.

1-2 years summer outfits
Summer outfits look cute but remember you'll have to put suncream everywhere they're not covered up

What Borro parents rented for 1-2 years

Top 5 most popular product types

Top 5 most rented products

1.      T shirt

1. Rainbow ele t shirt

2.       Joggers

2. Knee patch joggers navy

3.       Joggers

3. Rainbow stripe joggers

4.       Long sleeved top

4. Mumma-saurus long sleeved top

5.       Hoodie

5. Faraway fleece hoodie

 

Average Borro order for 1-2 years = 8 items

Why Renting Toddler Clothes Makes Sense

As a mum, I know how quickly toddler outgrow their clothes. Renting clothes from Borro offers so many benefits:

  • Sustainable: Reduce waste and choose a more eco-friendly option for your child from the beginning.
  • Cost-effective: No need to spend a fortune on clothes your child will only wear a handful of times.
  • Convenient: Save time searching for clothes you like from different shops or on Vinted, plus no hassle of dealing with outgrown clothes – just send everything back for free!

Final Thoughts

Putting together a toddler wardrobe doesn’t have to be overwhelming. By focusing on the essentials—like t shirts, joggers, leggings and layers—and considering options like renting from Borro, you’ll be well-prepared.

Remember, every child is different, so don’t stress if you find yourself needing more (or less) than what’s on this checklist. With Borro it’s easy to rent more, or just return things and stop paying. 

Explore sustainable and practical toddler clothes rentals at Borro.

Back to blog

Receive Credit For Your Unwanted Clothes

Tired of the endless cycle of kids outgrowing their clothes and wondering what to do with them? Our Sort Out Sack is your easy way to clear space and earn credit!

Receive £5 Borro credit guaranteed for every full bag we receive. PLUS £5 Borro credit for every organic item in excellent condition

Get Credit For Clothes

Questions?

Why Borro clothes?

Renting means less waste, more wardrobe flexibility and no more piles of outgrown clothes. It’s a smarter, more sustainable way to dress your little ones.

With Borro, you get high-quality kidswear without the commitment, just what you need, when you need it. Helping you save time, save money, and save the planet.

What about stains?

Don't panic! Let us worry about the stains. Stain insurance is included. Obviously it's best to prevent stains if you can, or treat them as soon as possible. But we will never charge you.

If the garment can't be saved, it will be upcycled or recycled. Nothing ever goes to landfill, and we'll never charge you.

Subscription & exchanges

Subscription

All the clothes are individually priced and there's no minimum amount or set subscription - we're flexible!

Rent as many/few things as you like and you'll see at checkout what your monthly subscription will be. (If you want us to pick out a coordinated bundle of 10 items for you, it's £29/month).

Exchanges

We know little ones grow as fast as the weather changes! You don't need to return your previous order to order new clothes, so simply send back items whenever you no longer have a need for them, and add any new items to your subscription, by adding them to your basket and checking out.

Delivery & returns

Delivery

Your order will be packed and dispatched the next working day. Delivery takes 2-3 working days.

Returns

Pop them inside the bag/box they came in, attach the free pre-paid returns label, then drop off at your nearest Evri ParcelShop.

We only include one pre-paid returns label per order, so if you choose to send just some of an order back and the rest later, you will need to pay for the postage of the second return. 

Once we've received your items we will amend your subscription so you only pay for what you've got.

We recommend returning items 4-5 days before your subscription renews in order to allow enough time for delivery and processing to avoid your next monthly payment going out. If you're a few days late, you can always cancel online (use the link in the order confirmation email). As long as we receive the clothes within the next few days, that's fine.

Sustainability

At Borro we maximise the use of each item of clothing by providing a service that ensures it's well maintained, repaired and enjoyed by as many families as possible.

So if a garment is used by 6 different users, the global warming potential is 49% less, with a CO2e (kg) per user of 1.18, instead of 2.29.

All Frequently Asked Questions