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 definitely understand the reluctance to buy second hand for DC1. But not passing clothes/prams between siblings is insanity! It's a sad reflection on our society that some people feel they would be judged if they did that.

I'd rather have money in the bank than waste it and feel comfortable
Why would you consider using money to make yourself comfortable a waste? I think it's such a waste to have money accumulating in the bank but then live on a shoestring and going without

I'm not sure, I can see some truth in it though. My baby has all hand me downs and charity shop clothes though, buggy second hand, cots a hand me down. I like to go in the charity shops and find decent quality for cheaper, we don't have much money at all, husband is on minimum wage and we get universal credit.

Don't really know my class, but I'm not posh I liked second hand as they grow out of them quickly. I'm not keen on wasting money.

@Fizbosshoes

I thought of this thread as I've just been to a pet shop (it's mainly for dogs and horses - I have neither but you can buy other pet food in bulk) Whenever I turn up, I always feel like the poor relation in my 12 year old car. Everything else in the carpark is usually a range rover or 4 x 4 and only a few years old, but I think majority will be MC horsey types just because of the type of shop it is.

Those vehicles probably belong to the nouveau riche.

@SleepingStandingUp

I'd rather have money in the bank than waste it and feel comfortable Why would you consider using money to make yourself comfortable a waste? I think it's such a waste to have money accumulating in the bank but then live on a shoestring and going without

Don't go without but it's nice to have a cushion rather than fritter it away

@NameChange30 yes you're probably right

@MyNameForToday1980 it was my mum's family - but "fallen upper class" probably describes it quite well - my mum's dad walked out when she was 11 leaving my gran with 3 small kids. Apparently she worked in a pub for a bit and never told her mother (my great gran) because she wouldn't approve!

I was just reflecting on this a bit more, and I think some second hand things would only really appeal to middle class parents. So perhaps that partly explains why they're only bought by the middle class market.

For example in the town I grew up in, an aspirational brand would be something like Next or JoJo. Nobody could care less about Frugi.

A lot of people say it's about confidence, but I also think if you're in a wealthier circle it takes much less time and energy to get good second-hand stuff.

If you're better off, the people around you are buying better quality, so those items are likely geographically closer.

Then there's transport- you're less likely to be hauling things on the bus, up flights of stairs etc.

If you're poorer, small daily things can take more energy and effort- you're less likely to have services, big supermarkets and other amenities close by.

If it takes a long time to just get nappies, are you honestly going to want to go rifle through a nearly new sale?

Don't go without but it's nice to have a cushion rather than fritter it awac
I don't get the rather be rich than comfortable tho. Ok you don't need to buy new everything and replace constantly but wouldn't you want to be comfortable?

I suspect it’s largely about judgement. Some MC parents feel others know they can afford new so second hand doesn’t reflect badly on them. Some WC feel people will think they couldn’t afford it if they don’t buy it. I’d also bet a lot of that judgementalness is made by those who are MC.

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).

Not all working class people are poor.

Aso class is not the same is wealth. I am middle class husband upper working. But he was a student at one time and I was working pt so our wealth was not huge.

We used to be a Forces family... so everything my kids had came from the Thrift shop! It was fab as the wealthier Officer's wives donated some really good quality stuff, and as a result I also used to buy some new (Boden was the 'good' kid clothing then) because I knew it would last through at least two children. Pushchairs likewise. I think we bought one new one (four children) and that was because he had special needs and needed more support.
DD2 is now expecting her first and her plan is everything second hand bar the car seat and cot mattress. She's on a decent wage but hates wasting money ! Cloth nappies for the same reason .My family have always passed clothes on and been charity shop hunters.. we just enjoy it!

@DemolitionBarbie

I think it's also a political divide. I suspect that left wing middle class people buy second hand, right wing buy new. It's that way with the people I know.

I buy everything second hand, good brands that are cheap enough that I won't be bothered if the kids trash it.

I iron nothing.

Nah, I'm a leftie and I like new things I'm not quite a champagne socialist (!) but am comfortably off; however, I realise that I'm fortunate, unlike some well off people who claim to struggle and clearly have no idea how privileged they are compared to some.

Call me a snob, but my DC won't be seen in 2nd hand stuff.

This has nothing to do with income or social background. I had a mix of both as a child and hated the (very good quality/ branded) used stuff. There is nothing like choosing your own!

Matter of personal preference

@Ylvamoon

Call me a snob, but my DC won't be seen in 2nd hand stuff. This has nothing to do with income or social background. I had a mix of both as a child and hated the (very good quality/ branded) used stuff. There is nothing like choosing your own!

I'm not arguing over what you dress your children in, bit why can't you choose your own if it's second hand and as babies / young children how much choosing do they do?

I suppose if you are from the upper areas of the class system, you are more used to second hand, inheriting second hand money, hand me down furniture, art, houses and land.
Auction houses wouldn't exist if people didn't mind a bit of second hand stuff, neither would antique dealers. Drew Pritchard would be out of business.
Second or third or fourth hand doesn't stop something being good quality, useful or beautiful.
Unfortunately my tastes are Sotherby's and my budget Ikea

D'you reckon Harry and Megs had new and Wills and Kate had pre-loved?

It's not a class thing. It's a MN we are solidly MC brag and better than the WC plebs thing.

@Ylvamoon

Call me a snob, but my DC won't be seen in 2nd hand stuff. This has nothing to do with income or social background. I had a mix of both as a child and hated the (very good quality/ branded) used stuff. There is nothing like choosing your own!

Call me a snob,

It’s more the opposite idea that is being alluded to.

@SleepingStandingUp

Don't go without but it's nice to have a cushion rather than fritter it awac I don't get the rather be rich than comfortable tho. Ok you don't need to buy new everything and replace constantly but wouldn't you want to be comfortable?

We are, that's what I'm saying 😊

@woodhill sorry I read it wrong. O though you were like who needs to be comfortable? I'd rather have the pennies piling up in the bank, bah humbug 😂😂

Ylva, I think it's a kind of reverse snobbery that's being hinted at, with buying new somehow betraying an insecurity around social standing or income.
I have bought second hand all my life, and have continued to do so to furnish my home and clothe and entertain my DC. I come from a northern European country where routine second hand shopping was definitely quite niche until fairly recently, so having settled in the UK, I have always loved the fact that you can buy literally anything you want or need second hand and no-one bats an eyelid. I am ecologically motivated and absolutely hate the idea that me wanting to buy X item should necessitate resource extraction and carbon emissions through the manufacturing process. I'm picky and don't mind paying nearly new prices for good quality items, but unless it's underwear, it's second hand. I do the same for gifting, but try to make sure it's "as new" and in original packaging. But the bottom line is always that someone else bought it first, and that my carbon footprint stays small.