Fabric comparison
Muslin Cotton Set and Shirt & Pants Separates are both simple, easy ways to dress a baby, but the fabric and cut work differently. Muslin is a loose, open weave that Epic uses double layered for warm climates, while separates cover a wider range of fabrics and weights depending on the brand. Neither is wrong, the right pick comes down to your climate and how your baby likes to move.
By Vanessa & Bob, Epic in Bali · Updated 3 August 2026
| Muslin Cotton Set | Shirt & Pants Separates | |
|---|---|---|
| Fibre & construction | Cotton woven in an open, loose weave, so there are small gaps in the fabric itself. Epic sews it in two layers with flat seams and finishes it with child-safe dyes. | Usually a tighter, closer cotton or cotton-blend weave, cut as a separate shirt and pants. Construction varies more from brand to brand since separates aren't tied to one fabric type. |
| Breathability | The open weave lets air move through the fabric, which is what makes muslin feel airy against the skin. | Depends on the weave and fibre content of the specific piece. A tightly woven cotton shirt breathes less than muslin's open weave, though a lightweight cotton separate can still breathe reasonably well. |
| Weight & feel | Lightweight and soft, and it gets softer with every wash. It also creases easily, which is just part of how the fabric behaves. | Feel depends on the fabric chosen for the piece. It can range from light and soft to heavier and structured, so two pairs of separates can feel very different from each other. |
| Hot-weather performance | Dries quickly and the loose weave helps air move around your baby, which suits warm or humid days. | A lightweight cotton pair can work fine in heat, but a heavier or blended fabric will hold onto more warmth than muslin's open weave does. |
| Softness & durability | Pre-washed so it arrives soft rather than needing to be broken in, and it keeps softening the more it's washed. | Softness on day one depends on the fabric and how it was finished. Some separates start soft, others need a few washes, same as any woven cotton garment. |
| Best for | Warm days, layering, and parents who like a relaxed, slightly rumpled look. | Parents who want a shirt and pants they can mix and match on their own, or who need a fabric weight suited to cooler weather. |
Choose Muslin Cotton Set if you want a breathable, lightweight fabric that softens over time and suits warm days or layering.
Choose Shirt & Pants Separates if you want to mix and match pieces or need a fabric weight better suited to cooler weather.