A girl wears a knitted button up shirt and a hat.

Little Lars: Spring and Summer Kid’s Clothing Roundup

Every year when the flowers start blooming and our cold Utah Winters transform into balmy (or sometimes scorching) desert Summers, I take Jasper’s warm weather clothing out of storage…and none of it fits anymore. Such is life with a growing boy. If you’re in a similar situation, this roundup of fun, playful summer kids clothes is for you!

Buying new summer kids clothes every year would be a serious drag if there weren’t so many fun options to choose from!

Kids Clothes Guidelines

I have a few guidelines that I refer back to when I am buying kids clothes. The first question I ask myself is, of course, “do I like this?” No one wants to dress their children in an eyesore. The second question is “would Jasper actually wear this?” Even if I think something is super cute, anything my energetic, opinionated boy is going to wriggle out of in a matter of minutes won’t make the cut. Fortunately for me, Felix is still small enough that I have control of his wardrobe. I’ll enjoy this while I can. Ha! The third question I ask myself is “will this last?” I want to buy things for my boys that will stand the test of time and that can come back years later in the form of hand-me-downs.

Little Lars Boy

Shirts

I wanted to find a nice mix of casual t-shirts and slightly nicer button-ups. This classic striped pocket tee and this cream and black contrast binding tee can both become wardrobe staples and are easy to style, even for youngsters who insist on dressing themselves.

Boy wearing a cream and rust colored striped shirt and navy shorts smiles and walks toward cameraCream colored unisex tshirt with black binding on the collar and sleeves and small red words in a rectangle reading "the sunday collective."

This knitted polo is absolutely darling (even without the sprig of baby’s breath tucked into the buttonhole, but it sure doesn’t hurt). I love the colors pictured here, but it also comes in other lovely colorways and is a nice unisex top. I also love the color of this woven henley pocket tee.

 Boy looks into the camera wearing a knit striped polo in orange, cream, yellow, and cornflower blue. He has a small sprig of baby's breath tucked into his buttonhole. Boy wearing a woven henley pocket shirt in burnt sienna

This piqué polo shirt upgrades a classic look with fun, colorful details. Finally, if you have a little who loves trucks and cars as much as Jasper does, this embroidered button up is sure to be a favorite.

Red pique edge polo shirt with rainbow detailing Blue button up shirt with cars and trucks embroidered on it

Shorts

These patterned shorts will make any outfit fun and summery. The red, white, and blue checked ones are a great start to a patriotic ensemble, and the striped drawstring shorts (which also come in lots of other colors) absolutely scream adventure.

checked red and blue shorts Drawstring striped shorts in purple, blue, orange, green, and yellow

Solid-color shorts are probably the easiest-to-wear summer kids clothes. These brightly-colored sweat-shorts boast supreme comfiness, while these cargo shorts are perfect for picking up treasures at the beach or on hikes.

Bright green sweatshorts with nice big pockets and a drawstring Boy wearing a blue tee and brown shorts sits on a white box and smiles

Beach and Pool

Speaking of the beach, I think these mustard-colored swim trunks are so classic. And you can never go wrong with stripes! These green and white trunks invoke circus tents and old-timey beach umbrellas, and these light blue unisex striped shorts would be cute on the whole family!

Mustard swim trunks for baby or kids Green and white vertical striped boys swim trunks with a small embroidered dolphin in the corner of the leg Unisex swim shorts in a light blue and cream pinstripe pattern

If you’re looking for something a little bit more graphic, I love these balancing shapes swim bermuda shorts.

A boy in a blue polo shirt and yellow shorts with balancing shapes looks into the camera.Don’t forget sun protection! This octopus rashguard is super fun, and you can get matching shorts to go with it!

a matching rashguard and swim trunk set featuring range and blue octopuses on a mint green background.

This peppermint-green swim tee, which comes in lots of patterns and colors for boys and girls alike, will keep your kiddo both stylish and sun-safe at the beach or pool. Don’t forget a towel, like this rabbit poncho-style one!

Mint green rashguard with mustard, dark green, cream, black, and royal blue spotsSage green tassled beach poncho with a face and ears on the hood

Little Lars Girl

Even though I have only boys, I can’t help but ooh and ah over adorable girls clothes when I’m shopping. Here are some of my favorite finds.

Shirts

I love the ruffle sleeved blouses that are in right now, like this sprinkle-pattern one. And can you even believe how cute the rick rack trim is on this watercolor blouse?

A girl wears a white ruffle sleeve blouse with multicolored sprinkles on it and salmon shortsA girl wears a ruffly blouse with red edging and a white and yellow skort.

This multicolored gingham tank top would be so cute for a summer picnic. I also think that the colors on this colorblocked swirly tank top are absolute perfection.

Rainbow gingham cross-back rainbow top a gathered tanktop with red, pink, and blue colorblock stripes

This jacquard tank is also so fun. Can you believe that teapot print? A girl wears a pink, orange, and blue jacquard tank top with a blue rick rack trimmed skirt

Shorts

The detail on these scalloped chambray shorts would upgrade any summer outfit. In other adorable shorts news, I love the color of these yellow frill shorts.

A girl wears a floppy sun hat, an embroidered blouse and chambray scalloped shortsA girl wears a forest green shirt, mustard yellow frilled shorts, and sandals.

Dresses and Skirts

I love my boys so much, and still when I see adorable dresses I can’t help but feel like I’m missing out in the summer kids clothes department. Let me live vicariously through you with these skirts and dresses!

Bring on the embroidery! I love how European the embroidery on this pinafore feels–I get serious Midsummer vibes from it! And I can never resist a strawberry, so when I found this tiered, embroidered strawberry dress I just about lost it.

Blue swiss dot dress with colorful embroidered flowersTiered and ruffled white dress with embroidered strawberries

I know I’ve already talked about how much I love ruffles, but can you blame me for revisiting the theme? The ruffly sleeves on this tiered dress (and yes, those are little flowerpots you see in the print!) are so playful. I also love the cherry print on this ruffle neck dress.

A girl spins in a blue ruffled dress with flower pots Two girls eat ice cream on a bench. The one on the left is wearing a blue ruffle neck dress with cherries printed on it.

The ruffles in this sherbet-colored dress pair so nicely with the smocked bodice. Can I have one in my size?

Sherbet-colored striped dress with ruffles

Beach and Pool

I can’t get enough of the colors from the previous dress, and I loved seeing them pop up again in this striped swimsuit! Keep your girl protected from the UV rays with the long sleeves on this suit. This yellow ruffled (yes, ruffles again!) swimsuit also will protect from sunburns while being extra cute. And before I bid adieu to ruffles, I would be remiss if I didn’t mention this ruffle-necked longsleeve suit with a buttercup print.

Sherbet-colored striped rashguardStriped and ruffled long-sleeve swimsuit in yellow.

Buttercup flowers on a ruffled long-sleeved swimsuitSun protection is so important, especially for babies, and this zip-up swimsuit will protect your baby girl from burns without sacrificing on style.

lilac-colored long sleeved swimsuit with a zip down the front and tulips printed on it And I’m not done showing you floral beachwear! Look how sweet and playful this daisy-print tankini is! I also found this hooded dress, which would make a great swimsuit coverup (or just a fun outfit in its own right).

red daisy-print tankini.Black hoodie dress with colorful flowers

These outfits would be perfect for a pool-less pool party, or cool off your kiddo with this fabulous sponge crown.

I would love to see the outfits you put together out of our summer kids clothes favorites! Tag us online with #LittleLars, and let me know if you want to see a baby version of this post.

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

Trending Articles

DIY Beaded Chandelier

The Inspiration You've probably seen this amazing bead chandelier before, as it has made its way around the internet (others found here and here and...

DIY Palm Leaves

DIY Palm Leaves Palm leaves are an incredible material that has been used by humans for thousands of years. They come from various species of...

Recent Articles

The Bauhaus That Lars Built–our new Casetify Collection!

The Bauhaus That Lars Built--Our new Casetify collection Casetify has quickly become one of our very favorite partnerships because it's a great opportunity to share...

Casetify Phone Case: Honest Review (Updated)

This post contains affiliate links. Any time you buy something from our affiliate links, we get a small commission at no cost to you! Honest...