Let’s admit it: our toddlers don’t really care what they wear as long as it doesn’t irritate them or interfere with their play. The cute and trendy stuff we buy for babies and toddlers is more for our own vanity than theirs! But still, who is to say that one’s toddler may not be the best dressed on the block? If that is your aim, then we have the right tips for you.

Just remember that while you stress more on style, your child is more interested in comfort. If you think sequins are sexy, your toddler probably looks on them as something to idly pick at and pull apart from the clothing. So you need to strike the right balance between the vision in your head and what you actually buy for your child. If it’s something that your child will hate or spend more time pulling off or getting annoyed by, then it’s best left alone.

And yet, this does not mean that you must pick something that is fully functional but dowdy. Your child deserves to look chic and get admired by the world. Consider the following tips to dress your toddler stylishly:

* Pick the right fabrics: Your child will be more at home in a light cotton tee in the summer than a heavy full-sleeved one. But the summer tee can have pretty embroidery, or a cute slogan, instead of featuring just one plain colour. Similarly, go with season-friendly fabrics that keep your child’s skin protected from the elements whenever needed, without overheating or freezing.

* Accentuate sensibly: Adults use accessories to accentuate their clothing, using jewellery, shoes and bags to highlight the clothing and its contours. The same applies to children, but in a slightly different form. Heeled shoes are not recommended for children, but you can get stylish sandals and flip flops to go with girls’ party wear dresses. Or a lovely hoodie for the winter over a stunning girls’ dress and winter leggings. The point to note here is that your toddler’s style quotient can be increased by the right accents in clothing and accessories.

* Take your toddler’s wishes into account: Too often, parents buy the first things they find on the Internet or in stores and force their children to wear them. This is not conducive to your child’s freedom of expression – some girls are not comfortable wearing skirts for playtime, and should be allowed to wear shorts or denim jeans instead of dresses and skirts. Or your son might think the suspenders you got for his pants are too old school, or the leather shoes for party wear are too heavy and stiff. It never helps to buy clothing and accessories that your child does not like – they will rebel against them and refuse to wear them.

* Layering is the best way to style: One of the most practical dressing tips for both stylish adults and kids is to layer up. This means finding the right complements in      bottom wear to highlight the tops. For instance, pair full length trousers with a tweed coat or hoodie in the winter, and girls dresses with shrugs or faux leather jackets, complete with a scarf or stole around the shoulders. Layering is a fine art and if you get it right, your toddler will look chic.

* Let them experiment by themselves: Your toddler has an idea of what looks good on them, even if those ideas don’t always coincide with yours. Let them go through their own wardrobe and mix and match – who knows, they might be able to dress themselves far better than you ever could! Allowing them to dress themselves is an important part of letting their thoughts and expression flow freely, and it instils confidence, too. The same applies to shopping for them online or offline – show them what you intend to buy and ask them if they like your choice. Let them decide on the colours and other factors before you buy the items. This will get them excited to wear what you purchased, and also experiment with their look.

Do you have tips of your own to share? Tell us in the comments below.