Second hand clothes

[parentpanic]

Do you buy second hand clothes for your children and AIBU to ask why and how you feel about it?

I don't, but I donate everything that's still in very good condition after my DC have worn it.

When they were primary and under, loads and it felt great. Since starting high school, DD doesn't want second hand clothes, though. I'm not going to make her but hope she will come back round 😅

I would say i do 50-50, 50% are second hand and 50% new (many are gifts)

@Classicblunder

Yes. For environmental reasons. I feel good about it - I feel bad when I buy new clothes

I feel like this too. I try to limit the purchases of new, but I get given a lot of clothes from a friend with older children. They are hard-wearing brands mostly.

[quote TheToddlerLife]@RobertaFirmino You're lucky, in the charity shops around here the clothes are all really worn. I find the occasional nice thing but it's rare to find something that isn't tatty.
The kids' clothes are a bit better because they grow out of them so fast, so they're in better condition when they get donated.
I draw the line at second hand shoes though, or even worse, second hand cloth nappies 🤢 which also seems to be a trend. [/quote]
Second hand cloth nappies aren't an issue. You strip wash them and they're as clean as new.

I don't use second hand shoes, because if they're worn they'll have been shaped by the wearer's foot.

@coochyboochy

I do just find second hand shoes beyond the pale. You can't wash out the traces from the previous wearer- they always carry the sweat et. It's just grim. Yes toddlers get dirty but I presume you still bath them to remove the dirt, we don't just leave kids dirty. I don't know why you would subject a child to that,

So your children have NEVER worn anything that wasn't theirs? They've never worn your t-shirt as night shirt... they've never borrowed a jumper... they all have their own towels? You never wash tea towels and reuse them?

It's not "subjecting" a person to anything by wearing second hand clothes.

Yes. It's better environmentally and it's cheaper. I got a bundle of 9-10 year old clothes for my son off fb marketplace for £15 - half a dozen jumpers, 10 or so t shirts and about 8 pairs of trousers, all in really good condition. I feel fab about it tbh.

Yes I have bought some bargains over the years. I buy second hand for myself happily too, either charity shop/eBay/Vinted. I am paying significantly less for the same item, makes sense to me. Shoes are new for the DC usually new for me though I have some boots etc second hand for myself.
Underwear is new.

The kids stuff is mostly new now as they are older but my teen loves a good charity shop find too!

I especially like to buy going out clothes from charity shops as I will often wear them once then not again or not for a long time. Or fashions change and I no longer like them. Saves me a fortune and people always comment on what I wear and are none the wiser where I got it!

When they were babies/toddlers, yes. The majority of their stuff was secondhand.
They are nearly 5 now, and more is new-bought, as they aren't growing so quickly.

I normally buy a massive bundle from ebay or simlar for my 2 ds. Around a years worth of clothing that costs around 40-60 pounds, so saves me alot of money.

@MarshmallowFondant

Yes - all the time. Especially things like party dresses, fancy dress costumes, winter jackets, waterproofs. So many lovely things for a fraction of the price they would have been new.

Also used to love a bag of handmedowns, there used to be a roaring trade at the school gates of parents passing on bags to those with younger children.

At least 50% of my own wardrobe is second hand too. Nothing to do with money or not being able to afford new.

I totally agree with this. My own wardrobe is probably at least 50% designer, and I’ve even gone to work in Burberry, Fendi, Chanel, YSL, Gucci etc., all because it’s affordable because it’s second hand. Better for the planet, better for your bank balance, and nothing beats the feeling when someone says, that’s nice, where did you get that from? You’re also more likely to look after it properly and the clothes will still have a residual value when they are outgrown or no longer wanted, so you can still sell them on and buy something else, rather than taking bags of fast fashion to the charity shop (where they may not sell) or worse, the tip.

I have bought second hand clothes for both of my boys but the town I live in is a small town & the kids section in the charity shop is only really 1 rail maybe 2 small ones,so it's rare to find stuff to fit them,but I've bought toys, travel cot( bought new mattress obviously),bouncer etc

Yes. We're on a pretty tight budget i but most clothes for me and the kids second hand except underwear, socks and gym stuff. If they wanted something specific I would but they it but I would check 2nd hand first. Same for Christmas presents.

Yes. Cheaper, better for the environment, and makes sense as they grow out of clothes and get them dirty.

I get bundles on ebay. Really good value and nice clothes.

Yes. All the time. Especially baby clothes. I feel great about it.

I bought everything new for DS1 and I look back and kick myself - I could have saved hundreds and hundreds if I’d been more savvy.

Yep. She's extremely tall and growing constantly. I feel great about it because I feel like I'm doing my bit for the planet as well as saving a few ££.