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).

@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!

As a pp has said, it’s rather the reverse. I seem to remember some Telegraph piece about Kate and Pippa Middleton’s schooldays, which featured highly-coded class put-downs by anonymous parents who’d had children at the school at the same time. It appeared complimentary — remarking on the Middleton girls’ top-quality, brand-new clothes, luggage and hockey sticks, how perfectly their name tapes were sewn in, the perfect picnics served from shiny cars that made the other parents feel disorganised — but the obvious implication was that they were a bit nouveau, and the smart people wore battered hand me down school kit and sports equipment ferried about in ancestral trunks etc.

I don't think it's common to see second hand baby stuff around here - an expensive central London area. There are a lot of working professionals though, rather than old fashioned middle class. In a nearby area, you do see more second hand stuff, but it's not really about class but more an ethical/hipster vibe.

Personally I preferred buying new stuff for my baby, partly because we could afford to and it was easier to just order from a website and getting it delivered, instead of rummaging through Ebay or FB listings and organising collections. And partly because certain items wear out so I didn't want to get something that wouldn't be covered by guarantees and might not last, and certain things can't be cleaned properly and they'd be bound to have some random baby's poo/vomit in it.

I'm from a working class background but have done well enough that we'll be able to send dc to private school. I don't usually go for expensive brands and I get lots of secondhand clothes from my DSis (illogical I know but I don't mind my niece's poo etc as she's family) and I've bought certain toys secondhand from Ebay as I know they can be put in the dishwasher.

I think it’s a load of bollocks actually.it’s always trotted out on here but in my experience upper middles spend a fortune on their kids. I do think there is potential more acceptance of second hand clothes (or handmedowns look at all of the second hand shops in prep schools) but I’m in an affluent area and just don’t believe people are shrimping on their children’s clothes from what I see. Yes someone might accept the odd handmedown but set against a wardrobe of Boden or random scandi brands, it’s not really making a lot of difference. I think there is a trend to spend a lot on more ethically sourced clothes etc and some might take the environmental angle more seriously and seek out second hand but I don’t think it’s that common.

Same with cars. I live next to a prep and spent many hours watching the school run with my toddler (not my idea of fun...) most are in expensive SUVs- like 95%. You might see the odd fiesta but it’s generally a grandparent. I’ve yet to see a battered Volvo.

I think it’s an individual thing. I’m MC and only buy new things for my DS.

So many other things come into it. It’s not purely class.
I live on the rough side of a naice part of Bristol. Loads of eco mums pretending they don’t work for banks that deal arms etc. It would be positively frowned upon to boast about buying new stuff. The same for having big piles of presents or renting a softplay for a birthday, so tacky! The downside is that the cost of second hand stuff has rocketed (even though quality is worse.) The upside is that genuinely skint people (like me) can blend in and not feel like I’m doing my kids a disservice. I spoke about buying my kids all second hand for Christmas and was showered with praise, rebelling against Amazon etc. They don’t know I have a fifty quid budget for both DC’s!
Also catalogues and credit accounts have changed the way non working and WC people shop. I used to go and buy brand new trainers and toys for less than half price from my local H.A high rise. They were buying it on Littlewoods and selling it on to get the cash for food.
We really need to look at capitalism and my hope is that this pandemic might make us do just that.

[quote SleepingStandingUp]@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 😂😂[/quote]
It's a balance though. We weren't well off when the dc were young but we've never been overdrawn

Yes in my experience, same with clothes and dressing up for occasions.

But my sister and I have this split even though we're from the same very working class (raised on benefits, very troubled area) background, though I'm probably a bit more "middle class" now (even though my household income is a lot less than hers!) It means I'm getting all her barely used from her baby stuff for my second, hooray!

I also think there's a difference between slightly middle class and the upper middle classes who live in posh areas and have tons of disposable income, who in my experience do buy loads of new expensive stuff as they have a similar "keeping up appearances" vibe as working class people who don't want to be seen as poor.

@BurpsTheDragon

I also think there's a difference between slightly middle class and the upper middle classes who live in posh areas and have tons of disposable income, who in my experience do buy loads of new expensive stuff as they have a similar "keeping up appearances" vibe as working class people who don't want to be seen as poor.

I think you’re talking about different types of lower-middle and middle-middle class. UMC in my experience are far less likely to be concerned about ‘keeping up appearances’, and are more likely to express (consciously or unconsciously) their class allegiance via carelessness about appearances, old/inherited stuff. (And you don’t necessarily have loads of disposable income if you’re UMC, either.)

Joules and Boden types are much further down the middle classes.

Anyone here buy scandi? I buy the odd bit. Personally I don't find the quality any better than Tesco, next etc.
It amuses me all the stealth posts online on drop days and how all the mums ( in the groups I am in online) try to outdo each other in purchases. Also the mums who have to buy one each of an item in each size.

Good market in second hand , faded and stained scandi though. I recently came across a long sleeved top that was advertised at £60 or so on a Facebook group.

mmummtonicekidz now you really are getting middle class.

I'm not middle class at all and I don't live in an affluent area. I've bought a lot of DSs things second hand partly because it's better for the environment but mostly because it's cheaper. I can get "nicer" things second hand than I can new.

shrimping on their children’s clothes

Skimping?

I think it,s the scadi comment. I associate that with being middleclass. (

and are more likely to express (consciously or unconsciously) their class allegiance via carelessness about appearances, old/inherited stuff. (And you don’t necessarily have loads of disposable income if you’re UMC, either.)

Don’t forget cultural forays and having lots and lots of books.