Even those of us without children walk past Baby Gap wishing we had a reason to buy teeny tiny winter coats so here’s another excuse to coo as Mae-anna designer and mum of one, Tammy, gives her guide to dressing toddlers for chilly weather…

Sticky little toddler hands from ice lollies, floaty yellow dresses and a bombardment from B&Q telly ads are just some of those things which I find endearing about summer. I love the warmer seasons, and if I had it my way it would always be summer, even to those who say you can’t appreciate summer without winter, I stubbornly disagree!

One of the good things about winter however, is that it can produce some truly beautiful and chic fashion ideas. No need for dressing in drab black and greys especially when it comes to the little ones.

So saying, a single splash of colour can lift an entire outfit, may it be a bright hat, hair bow or even a little pair of mittens. I love fabrics in tartan and all those classically beautiful prints. Even better, this style of material often has some wool component which is of course perfect for keeping warm.

Leggings instead of tights

Even though our mini-mes may look like small tottering penguins in their fully zipped-up coats you mustn’t ignore their lower halves. Leggings are a brilliant accessory and as well as looking super cute, I often find them warmer than trousers when teemed with a dress or skirt.

Our little tartan skirt has been made with toffee, grey and a red striped check and really pops with the burgundy bows and little frill of black lace along the hemline. Just peeking out from the bottom of a coat and worn with bright red leggings and faux fur lined boots, this was one of my favourite winter outfits for my little one last year.

Dresses and layers

Dresses are probably Mae-anna’s favourite thing to design, and no need to only keep them for the summer months. A vest and long-sleeved top worn underneath are perfect for the chilly weather, and in addition they look so sweet peeking out from under the sleeves.

Dresses for winter are best not too long as the hems tend to get dirty from splashes from the snow and mud, and also bearing in mind dark colours are a bit easier for hiding inevitable dirt; think rich navy, wine red, forest green, and touches of silver and gold for the festive season – all timeless yet striking.

I am aiming to get my hands on some skinny cord soon too, which is just divine to the touch and a lot softer than traditional corduroy, but nevertheless warm. Made into one of our A-line dresses, it would be a beautiful addition to the winter wardrobe. With this style, the hemline falls just below the knee and the dress is fully lined. Every little girl deserves at least one outfit for special occasions and with winter of course comes Christmas!

Instead of a scarf

Chilly necks are one of my pet hates during winter and scarves can be so cumbersome winding on and off. So one of our own favourite little fashion accessories to tackle this are our shrugs/ mufflers. Available
in various sizes, they can really transform any outfit into something special. The outer is a gorgeously snugly faux fur fabric which has then been lined with satin.

We have experimented with roses as an embellishment and also something a bit more regal with our
old-fashioned king’s cape. This one is longer so will extend further down the child’s back, but either way, they are a cute and useful item for just a little extra warmth around the neck. For our very little ladies, we have some beautiful Santa hats, made from soft fleece so they are nice and toasty, and transformed into something rather special with a bow or soft petal flower, with a bit of bling of course!

Cherry on top

Practical head gear for those wintry walks whilst the mums and dads tackle their first encounter with steering a pram in snow, your little one may as well still resemble festive cheer. Winter may seem long and bleak, but ensuring one is warm is the first battle won!

Keep your princesses cosy most importantly, but don’t forget to add in at least one special item and be creative with colours.

Finally, enjoy the extra snuggles with your little ones this winter!