Is buying secondhand / brand new baby stuff a class thing?

[Throwawayname123]

NC in case I get flamed for this! But I am genuinely wondering... although I won't say which side I come down on.

I'm wondering if class affects whether people buy brand new expensive baby stuff or go for second hand?
In my experience, the upper middle class types, seem to prefer second hand stuff, although they could easily afford new, whereas the more working class want their baby to have "the best" and spend £££ on things like travel systems (even though they can't afford it as easily).

I think its a confidence thing as much as a class thing. Plus some people have more environmental concerns than others (I try not to buy any new plastic toys but do sometimes and feel bad!)

DS1 had a mix of new and 2nd hand things, DS2 has all his brothers old things (and a few new things when the seasons didn't match up).

Yes, very much so in my experience.

Not a mum yet and not bought any baby stuff, but I'm on a low (ish) income and I'll buy everything secondhand. Never been one for branding.

Yes, I think so.

Yes also my experience.

yes me too... we could have spent more but it just seemed like a massive waste! Also I am super clumsy and can guarantee if we spent £1000 on a travel system I'd have a massive scratch all down the side the next day!

Nail on the head OP. People who care about what others think of them are often those with less money and are worried that they're being judged by how much money they spend on their kids.

Those with more money, or just more confident in general don't give a fuck what anyone thinks and will likely buy what they want. Money does bring a level of confidence.

We bought our DC a mixture of second hand and new clothes but very rarely branded stuff. We actually find it very tacky where clothes have obviously designer labels and that goes for us too.

Same goes for hair too. I once read that working class kids had short hair and middle class long, likely not been brushed for a few days. Again, same theory that being clean and groomed means people won't judge, when the reality is, those better off really don't care.

The people who judge are usually those who think they're better than others and like you to know it with designer labels, fancy cars and the like.

@Vectorgraph I'd agree - personally if you have a spare grand kicking around I think you'd be far better off saving/investing it and spending it on music lessons or something later!

Btw I'm not really talking about people who have no choice as they can't afford new stuff anyway!

Although I wonder how some people afford what they have?

I’m afraid that does seem to be true in my circles too.

In my personal experience, yes. And not just baby stuff ... I manage a charity shop, we have really lovely items for sale, many brand new from retailers .... very hard to sell them. . Brand new school clothes from a well known High Street retailer, £1 for a pair of new school trousers .....can't sell them. A lot of the people who will come in and buy from charity shops can clearly afford to pay more, but like to buy 'second hand' - I ever buy 'new', although I could afford to, just don't see the point.

most of the prams/car seats etc offered on my very MC local FB pages are usually filthy.

@123lalafafa although car seats are a little different tbh as you're supposed to get new (although obviously not everyone can afford to and used is better than nothing).

I don’t know about class but I am always amazed at the amount of unnecessary things people by for babies and children. Truth is tiny creatures need very little but they get houses full of things from birth.

No, I don’t think this is true, it’s about the individual. I’ve known working class mums with all second hand stuff and middle class with all new stuff just like Kate and William.

I really don’t get folks obsession with class on here. I never see it in real life.

I think another factor is that if you can afford 'better' brands, they may last longer and therefore using a second time round may make more sense.

I have been involved in a few clothes/ toy swaps and yes these were organised and attended by middle classes as is nct sales.

@Throwawayname123

NC in case I get flamed for this! But I am genuinely wondering... although I won't say which side I come down on.

I'm wondering if class affects whether people buy brand new expensive baby stuff or go for second hand?
In my experience, the upper middle class types, seem to prefer second hand stuff, although they could easily afford new, whereas the more working class want their baby to have "the best" and spend £££ on things like travel systems (even though they can't afford it as easily).

Yes I think so

Yes, agree to this observation. It's the self-consciousness of having no money/fear of being looked down on.

@CookieMumsters yes good point, I've bought quite a few second hand clothes but I have looked for "nice" brands - Jojo, John lewis, next etc. Will probably end up getting a few bits in primark but wouldn't bother with second hand for that!

Yes, I think your observation is correct based on my experience.

As a PP said, I think it is down to confidence, and a lack of concern about whether they are being judged.

People who claim not to 'see' or 'understand' class in this country are either lying, self-deceiving or chronically unperceptive. You don't have to like is, you don't have to buy into it, or feel bothered about it. But of course it is bloody there.

My DH grew up in poverty, he has a good job now, he wanted to get everything brand new, he has a weird thing about second hand stuff.

I'm a bit more relaxed, I grew up working class but not in poverty - parents had decent stable jobs.

My family often buy second hand toys in great conditions. DH family never.

We live in a very affluent area and it's a huge second hand culture around here.

So yes, I suppose we fit your theory!

The sad thing is that a mother and child walking out of housing assoc in a grubby buggy and not quite the right sized clothes will be judged. A quirky hippy wealthy type in the same set up in the country not so much.

These threads often lead to the middle class patting themselves on their back for being suprrior for buying second hand and looking down on less privilidged. They're actually contributing to the judgement people feel...

Yeah my first is due in 2 months - I’ve bought nothing new - we could afford it.

I don’t see the point - most of the new born second hand stuff I’ve bought has barely been used and is a fraction of the price !

Also I don’t want to buy too much new as it’s so bad for the environment - my friend gave me a bag of new born clothes - so I won’t need to try too many new items!

When I had my son, I was earning very little but insisted he had all new.

Now he's four, my household income has more than doubled (both my husband and I have worked hard to get better jobs), and he gets loads secondhand as it's such a waste otherwise!