As a mom of three girls, ages 8, 5, and 2, I’ve had my fair share of mornings spent negotiating outfit choices, wrestling with zippers, and trying to get everyone out the door in something that feels good and looks cute.
When I started Duffield Lane’s kids line eight years ago (with a baby on my hip and no idea how much I’d learn), I kept asking myself:
“What makes a piece of kids' clothing worth it?”
Now, hundreds of outfits, customers, and loads of laundry later, I have a clearer answer. And I’m not alone. We recently asked the moms in our Duffield Lane community what they think about investing in high-quality kids' clothing. Their answers were thoughtful, honest, and reassuring: it’s not about the price tag, it’s about the value.
Here’s what they had to say, and what I’ve learned designing clothes for the kids I know best, my own little ladies:
1. If They Don’t Love It, They Won’t Wear It
Time and time again, moms told us: if their little one doesn't feel great in it, it never leaves the closet.
It’s a lesson I learned early. No matter how sweet the style or pretty the print, if the fabrics are itchy or the fit feels off, it’s game over. That’s why comfort is at the center of every Duffield Lane kids' design and fabrics. We use soft, breathable cotton and pay attention to the details for all products, like lined seams, covered buttons, patterns, and twirl-friendly skirts, because if my girls won’t wear it, I won’t sell it.
Our moms agree. One told us,
“My daughter is picky about clothes, but she actually asks to wear her Duffield Lane dress. She wears it, we wash it, and repeat!”
That’s the kind of feedback that tells us we’re doing it right.
2. Yes, Quality Really Does Last (and Wash Well!)
Many moms we spoke to shared the same shift in mindset: they’d rather invest in a few well-made pieces that hold up, through washing, playing, and passing down, than restock every season with items that don’t last.
At Duffield Lane, we design classic kidswear that lasts. Our styles for children are timeless enough to be worn season after season, and durable enough to look good doing it. Many customers tell us they’ve passed our dresses down from one sibling to the next, and they still look brand new.
One mom shared,
“It’s the only brand I don’t have to iron, rewash, or replace after a month. Totally worth it.”
My youngest, Ellie, is now wearing some of our very first season of Duffield Lane designs that have been worn by both of her older sisters. So I can personally attest to the lasting power of quality!
3. Matching Outfits Are About More Than Just the Photo
So many moms discover us through our matching mom and daughter outfits, and what starts as a special-occasion look often becomes a meaningful memory.
We heard stories about birthday traditions, first-day-of-school rituals, and vacations where matching was the highlight for both mom and daughter. And as a mom, I get it. When I see my girls light up because we’re matching, even in a subtle way, it’s pure joy.
That’s why we design matching styles that are soft, wearable, and easy to love, for your little one and you. Because the best memories are the ones you’re comfortable making.
4. Cost Per Wear Changes Everything
Let’s talk math for a second. If you buy a dress for $25 and your child wears it once, that’s $25 per wear. But if you spend $60 on a dress that gets worn every week for six months, that’s less than $2 per wear, and likely to be handed down after that.
This idea of cost per wear came up again and again from our moms. And it’s how I shop, too. When something is worn often, loved deeply, and holds up? That’s value.
One customer put it perfectly:
“With Duffield Lane, I know we’ll get our wear out of it. It becomes the favorite, not the backup.”
5. You Can Feel the Difference
Kids may not be able to describe it, but they know when a piece fits right, feels soft, and moves with them, not against them.
That’s what we aim for in every design. I’m always thinking about where the seams hit, how the neckline lays, and whether it’s something a toddler won’t fight you on, a five-year-old could run in, or an eight-year-old could dress herself in. These little choices are what turn a cute dress into a loved one.
So, Are Expensive Kids Clothes Worth It?
When they’re well-made, thoughtfully designed, and truly worn and loved?
Absolutely.
At Duffield Lane, we design an elevated kidswear collection where each item is polished, playful, and built to last. We think carefully about every fabric, every fit, and every finish, because we know what it’s like when a piece becomes a favorite. And we believe that what your child wears should feel just as good as it looks.
We asked real moms. We’ve been moms ourselves. And we’ve learned: investing in pieces your kids truly love is never a waste, it’s a win.
-Jamie Duffield
Founder of Duffield Lane
(Mom of 3, and proud of every grass-stained hem.)
