When the much-awaited day finally arrives and your beloved baby is born, an entire new closet must be added in your home. Whether that closet is big or small, fill it with only the best, most comfortable items – as any adorable baby deserves. Building a wardrobe for a baby or young child does not have to be costly. Purchase durable and well-made clothes, and they will get you through to the next growth spurt. As for the styling and fashion aspect, leave that to the experts. All of the clothing stores listed below have a friendly staff, reliable designers and top-notch garments.

Apple Seed Maternity and Baby Boutique
115 South Columbus St.
Alexandria, VA 22324
(703) 535-5446
www.appleseedboutique.com

Located in the historic district of Old Town, Alexandria, Apple Seed is a destination retailer for baby and maternity clothing. Apple Seed offers baby apparel geared toward infants, for both girls and boys. Name brands include Splendid Littles, Angel Dear and Feather Baby, among others. In addition to clothing, Apple Seed also carries new-mom and baby necessities to make everyone’s life easier: baby carriers, breastfeeding pillows, strollers and diaper bags. Be sure to stop by Apple Seed before and after your pregnancy.

Related: Best Children’s Clothes In Washington, D.C.

Daisy Baby & Kids
4912-A Del Ray Ave.
Bethesda, MD 20814
(301) 654-7477
www.shopdaisybaby.com

Daisy Baby has everything a new mother could possibly need. Not only does the Bethesda boutique carry clothing, but it also has an extensive collection of cute accessories like hats, socks and bibs/burp cloths. New moms can also find other necessities like swaddling blankets, adorable cribs and baby baths. For a peek into Daisy Baby’s inventory, visit the website, before heading to the store to make your purchase. You can also check out the special offers section to receive a discount on your next purchase.

Dawn Price Baby
3112 M Street NW
Washington, DC 20007
(202) 333-3939
www.dawnpricebaby.com

One of the more popular baby stores in the area, Dawn Price Baby has two convenient locations in the district. One is in the heart of the nation, Capitol Hill, and the other in quaint Georgetown – both live up to their reputation. The store has a customer-approved newborn essentials section, equipped with everything from onesies to swaddling blankets, and a baby registry for moms-to-be. If your little one is still going barefoot, try out these adorable pastel Mary Jane socks from Trumpette. Look for two new Dawn Price Baby locations coming later this year to Reston Town Center and Merrifield Town Center.

Monkeys’ Uncle
321 7th Street SE
Washington, DC 20003
(202) 543-6471
www.monkeysuncleonthehill.com

This recycled clothing store was created by two loving uncles, hence the name, who wanted to give Capitol Hill families a place to shop for affordable clothing. Think of Monkeys’ Uncle as a designer consignment shop, only for children. “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Rethink” is the store’s mantra. If you are on a budget, but still want to dress your children in fashionable garments, Monkeys’ Uncle has just the answer. To find up-to-date information about what’s new in the store, go to their blog.

Related: Best Kids Shopping In The DC Area

The Magic Wardrobe
Neighborhood: Georgetown
1663 Wisconsin Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20007
(202) 333-0353
www.themagicwardrobe.com

The Magic Wardrobe is just as it sounds, a magical and unique boutique with specialty clothing geared towards infants and young girls and boys. At The Magic Wardrobe, customers can monogram sweaters to feature children’s initials or even add fun designs, like a sail boat or flower. While the garments may be a little pricey in comparison to other stores, the clothing is one-of-a-kind, just like their joyful owners. With over 20 years experience, the buyers at The Magic Wardrobe have quite the trained eye.

Kelly Johnston is a freelance writer living in D.C. She is a soon-to-be University of Alabama graduate who hopes to have a successful career in fashion journalism. Her major is Apparel and Textiles with a Concentration in Fashion Retail and Merchandising and her minor is Journalism. Her work can be found at Examiner.com.