Designer vs. high-street kids' clothing: when to splurge or save

When it comes to buying clothes for your children, it can be hard to determine whether they’ll last for years or be torn after one day of playing outdoors. 

That’s why so many parents stray away from buying designer clothes for their kids. If it’s just going to get ruined, what’s the point, right? But sometimes investing more money into your child’s wardrobe can actually pay off. 

The key to finding the perfect balance is knowing when to indulge and when to opt for more affordable pieces. Today, Village Kids will walk you through doing just that. 

What are the benefits of designer kids’ clothing?

With more and more people turning to designer fashion brands for their wardrobes, many are starting to weigh the pros and cons of designer clothing. 

When it comes to small children, they don’t care what they’re wearing. The outfits that we adorn them in are simply for the parents; whether they’re wearing Hugo Boss or fast fashion, they’re just going to end up with mud on them anyway. 

So, why are so many parents investing so much money into designer brands for their children?

1. They tend to be of better quality

It’s no secret that the more you spend, the more likely you’re going to get better value for your money. 

Designer kids' clothing is made with softer, longer-lasting materials that can withstand frequent washing and constant wear. For this reason, designer items serve better as hand-me-downs and often increase in value over time.

Chloé Kids and Balmain are just two of many brands that use organic cotton or ethically sourced wool, which provides excellent longevity and comfort. 

2. More ethical production

When you buy from a fast-fashion brand, you’re contributing to unethical manufacturing practices, excessive waste, and unfair wages.

Designer brands tend to favour quality over quantity and are pushing for more sustainable, humane production methods. This means you can remain eco-conscious and buy clothes for your children with a good conscience. 

3. Unique designs 

When it comes to your typical high-street fashion, everything is a copy of something else. With social media trends influencing so much of how we dress, the same designs and themes are just getting recycled over and over again. 

Designer items are a bit more unique, perfect for adding personality to your child’s wardrobe. Plus, many designers have iconic logos and trademarks on their clothes, making for a simple, stylish outfit. 

Why do so many parents opt for high-street clothing?

One of the main reasons why so many parents opt for high-street clothing is because of how affordable and accessible they are. 

Why struggle to pay for a £200 coat when you could get one that’s perfect for your child for £40? Buying designer is a luxury, and you should only do it if you’re able to do so– no one should be pressured to buy designer.

Plus, given how quickly young children grow, it makes sense to buy cheap clothes since they won’t be wearing them for too long. When it comes to older children, parents start to buy designer clothing, and teenagers become influenced by what their peers are wearing.

With high-street clothing, you don’t have to stress about keeping it pristine. If something gets stained or damaged, it’s easily replaced. This makes it the perfect option for messy days out playing or for your child who loves to spill every meal on themselves. 

So, how do you decide whether to buy designer or high-street clothing for your child?

Designer or high street clothing: how to decide

The truth is, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer when it comes to choosing between designer and high-street clothing for your child. 

Every family — and every child — has different needs, lifestyles, and preferences. 

What does a typical day look like for you?

If your life is filled with frantic running around and muddy days outdoors, then high-street basics can take the daily wear and tear without the worry.

However, if you frequently attend family parties, special events, or stylish outings, you might want to invest in some timeless pieces for your child. These could be something like a classic Ralph Lauren polo jumper or Hilfiger jeans.

What’s your budget?

If you have a lot of children to buy for, then it’s best to only buy them one or two designer pieces that you know you’ll get the most use out of and high-street for the rest. 

A designer piece should feel like an investment, not a strain on your wallet. That said, we have many luxury children's brands available at Village Kids at mid-range prices — ideal for parents wanting the look and feel of designer without going to high-end extremes.

Age and growth stage: Will it last long?

Buying designer clothes for a baby that’s a few months old can seem pointless to most parents. Why spend so much on a babygrow if they’ll grow out of it next month?

This only makes sense if you’re going to keep them as keepsakes or pass them down to other family members. As your kids get older and their sizing plateaus (typically around age 6–8), investing in longer-lasting designer pieces becomes more practical. 

They’ll get more wear out of a high-quality coat or dress over the years than your 3-month-old baby.

Do ethics and sustainability matter most to you?

If you shop around based on how ethical a brand is, then designer fashion may align more with your values. 

Luxury brands tend to be more transparent about their supply chains and may follow more rigorous environmental standards. Stella McCartney, in particular, is widely known for its use of organic cotton and cruelty-free practices.

If ethical production and sustainability are important to you, buying fewer, higher-quality pieces may be more in line with your values. 

For this reason, many people tend to opt for capsule wardrobes, where they favour less high-quality, versatile items rather than hoarding clothes they don’t really need. You can learn all about creating your own capsule wardrobe here.

When to splurge and when to save: a comparison 

If you’re still pondering what to do with your child’s clothing, we’ve created a visual to help you get the ball rolling. 

Situation	What we recommend	Why?
Child’s birthday or family celebration	Designer	They add a special touch to the day and make it more memorable
Regular nursery or school days	High street	Kids are messy in school, so you’ll need quantity over quality
Trendy, short-term pieces	High street	Trends come and go, and before you know it, your teen will be hopping onto the next fad.
Seasonal outerwear (coats, boots)	Designer	These pieces are more durable and warm, offering extra comfort and use
Growth spurt phase (ages 0–3)	High street	As mentioned before, toddlers grow quick and you’ll need to be able to keep up
Sibling hand-me-down potential	Designer	High-quality clothes can be mwashed and used over and over, while they keep looking brand new
Gifts for new parents or Christenings	Designer	Buying designer clothes as gifts for other children in your family makes for a luxurious, thoughtful gesture

Overall, if you want to achieve a healthy balance when buying clothing, it’s best to opt for a few timeless designer pieces and keep the rest affordable.

You could pair a Kenzo hoodie with a pair of high-street jeans or a Moschino coat with a basic tracksuit for a well-rounded outfit. You don’t have to go all in by choosing one or the other!

Plus, sometimes it’s good to spoil yourself and your kids every now and then. If it makes you happy, it has value.

Designer fashion made easy with Village Kids

Whether you’re looking for a stylish coat you can rely on or an outfit for a special occasion, Village Kids makes shopping for designer items easy and affordable.

With our carefully curated range of premium brands — from Guess to Monnalisa— we’ve got designer style at every price point. Trusted by UK parents for over 30 years, our handpicked collections provide the best in kids' fashion.

Browse our new arrivals for trendy pieces and timeless basics.