Dressing your reborn is half the fun. From christening gowns and knitted cardigans to snowsuits and tiny trainers, there is an outfit for every season and occasion, for boys and girls. This guide covers the most popular clothes and sizes, plus how to keep your baby’s skin free from stains.
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Outfits, sleepsuits, hats and shoes for 17 to 22 inch reborns, updated daily.
Table of Contents
Popular Reborn Doll Clothes
Dresses
Dresses are a favourite for reborn girls, and handmade designs are especially popular with collectors.
- Handmade and smocked dresses
- Vintage-style dresses
- Hand-knitted and crocheted dresses
- Christening gowns for special photos
- Party and Christmas dresses
Everyday Outfits
Real babies spend most of their time in soft, practical clothes, and these make a reborn look most lifelike.
- Sleepsuits and babygrows
- Bodysuits and vests
- Rompers and dungarees
- Leggings, joggers and shorts
- Matching outfit sets with a hat or headband
- Fun prints such as dinosaurs, bunnies and bears
Skirts
- Tutu skirts
- Frilled and layered skirts
- Rompers with a skirt attached
Knitwear and Winter Clothes
- Cardigans and jumpers
- Knitted bonnets, pom-pom hats and wool hats
- Mittens and scratch mitts
- Snowsuits and pramsuits
- Shawls and wraps
Shoes and Booties
Soft shoes suit a reborn best, because vinyl feet are softer than plastic play dolls and hard shoes can be difficult to fit.
- Knitted and crochet booties
- Soft-soled baby shoes
- Sandals and mary janes
- Mini canvas trainers
- Socks, including frilly socks for girls
Accessories to Finish the Look
Bibs, headbands, bows, dummies and blankets all add to the outfit. You can find these alongside bottles, carriers and nursery items in our reborn doll accessories and supplies guide.
Reborn Doll Clothes Size Guide
Reborn clothes are usually sold by doll length in inches, while real baby clothes are sold by baby size. The table below is a starting point only. A chubby sculpt, a heavily weighted body or full limbs can all need the next size up.
| Doll length | Clothes to try |
|---|---|
| 10 to 15 in (25 to 38 cm) | Micro preemie or mini reborn outfits |
| 16 to 18 in (40 to 46 cm) | Premature or tiny baby, or 17 to 18 inch reborn outfits |
| 19 to 20 in (48 to 51 cm) | Tiny baby or newborn (first size) |
| 21 to 22 in (53 to 56 cm) | Newborn or 0 to 3 months |
| 24 in and over (61 cm+) | 3 to 6 months and up, or toddler doll outfits |
How to Measure Your Reborn
- Length: measure from the top of the head to the heel, with the legs straight.
- Chest: measure around the fullest part of the body under the arms.
- Head: measure around the widest part of the head, which matters for hats and for anything that pulls over the head.
- Weight: real baby sizes are often given by weight, so weighing your doll helps too.
If you are between sizes, go up. Stretchy jersey and knitted fabrics are more forgiving than woven cotton, and a slightly loose outfit looks more natural on a baby than one that is tight.
Can Reborns Wear Real Baby Clothes?
Yes, and many collectors prefer them. Premature, tiny baby and newborn clothes from high street shops and supermarkets often fit better than cheap doll outfits and cost less. Specialist premature baby shops are worth a look for smaller reborns, and charity shops are a good source of nearly new baby clothes.
A real premature or newborn nappy under the outfit also helps trousers and sleepsuits sit naturally.
Stop Clothes Staining Your Doll
Dye transfer is the most common way reborns get damaged by clothing. Dye from dark or bright fabrics can soak into soft vinyl and silicone and leave marks that are very difficult to remove. Doll makers recommend washing new clothes before use, and experienced owners follow a few simple habits:
- Wash before wearing. Wash every new item, including hats, socks, headbands and shoes, before it touches the doll.
- Choose light colours. Navy, black, red and denim carry the highest risk. Save them for photos, or layer a white vest or white tights underneath.
- Test new fabrics. Rub the fabric on a spare piece of vinyl or a hidden spot, or wash it with a white cloth to see if the colour runs.
- Watch blankets and props too. Coloured blankets, dark car seat covers, newsprint and printed carrier bags can all stain if left in contact with the skin.
- Don’t leave a doll in damp clothes or in direct sunlight, as moisture and heat make staining more likely.
Dressing Your Reborn Safely
A reborn is far more delicate than a play doll. These tips help protect the paintwork and rooted hair, along with the joints that hold the doll together.
- Support the head and neck while you dress your doll, just as you would with a real baby.
- Choose easy fastenings. Envelope necks, poppers and front buttons are gentler than tight necklines that pull over the head and rub rooted hair.
- Ease sleeves on. Vinyl grips fabric, so slip a thin sock or small bag over the hand before sliding the sleeve on.
- Never pull the limbs. The head and limbs are held on by cable ties, which can loosen or snap.
- Keep the cloth body dry. Wash clothes off the doll and spot clean the body instead of soaking it.
- Avoid tight elastic around the wrists and ankles, which can leave marks on soft vinyl and silicone.
Seasonal Outfits
Changing outfits with the seasons keeps your reborn looking fresh. Snowsuits and knitted hats are popular for winter, along with festive sleepsuits in December, with summer dresses, sunhats and sandals for warmer months. For gift ideas and festive babies, visit our reborn baby Christmas shop.
If you are making your own baby, our reborn doll kits guide covers kit sizes and limb types, both of which affect what clothes will fit.
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Reborn Doll Clothes Questions
What size clothes does a reborn doll wear?
It depends on the doll’s length and build. As a rough guide, 16 to 18 inch reborns usually fit premature or tiny baby clothes, 19 to 20 inch dolls fit tiny baby or newborn sizes, and 21 to 22 inch dolls often fit newborn or 0 to 3 months. Chubby sculpts and weighted bodies can need a size up, so measure your doll before you buy.
Can reborn dolls wear real baby clothes?
Yes. Most reborns are sculpted to real baby proportions, so real premature, tiny baby and newborn clothes fit many of them. Real baby clothes are often better made and easier to wash than cheap doll outfits.
Can clothes stain a reborn doll?
They can. Dye from dark or brightly coloured fabrics, especially navy, black, red and denim, can transfer onto vinyl and silicone and is very hard to remove. Wash new clothes before use and choose light colours for anything that touches the skin.
Do reborn dolls wear nappies?
Many owners dress their reborn in a real premature or newborn nappy, which helps clothes sit naturally. Keep nappies dry and never put a wet one on a doll, as moisture can damage the cloth body and stuffing.
How do I get sleeves over a reborn's hands?
Vinyl grips fabric, so sleeves can catch. Slip a thin sock or a small plastic bag over the hand first, then slide the sleeve over it and remove the cover. Never pull hard on the limbs, as this can loosen the cable ties holding them to the body.
Are reborn doll clothes washable?
Real baby clothes and most cotton doll outfits can be washed as normal, following the care label. Take them off the doll first. Most cloth bodies should not be machine washed, so spot clean the body instead.