Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

What do you really think of second hand for kids?

87 replies

thewalrus3 · 09/10/2025 22:48

I get at least 50% of my toddlers clothes from Vinted. Probably more. She does get brand new things too and I love the clothes in places like H&M and Zara but I cannot justify the cost when I know things are likely to get stained and ruined, or grown out of quickly. I get a lot of my own stuff from Vinted too so it’s not like I’m decked out in designer gear while my toddler is only getting second hand.

I have a friend who is very aesthetic focused and her and her dd always look perfect. She hasn’t said it directly to me but we’ve had conversations where she’s made it clear she’d never dress her dc in second hand anything.

I suppose it makes me feel a bit embarrassed and inferior. Not that I’ll stop doing it because we’ve had some great bargains. Does it really matter?

OP posts:
Nichebitch · 09/10/2025 23:16

I shouldn’t judge but I do judge people whose children look always dressed up or perfect, I find it tacky

Original poster
thewalrus3 · 09/10/2025 23:19

INX · 09/10/2025 23:10

But why mention her at all in the context of this thread, unless you feel so insecure about your own choices that you want MNetters to criticise your friend?

You could've just asked what people think of buying second hand clothes for their kids.

Show quote history

I don’t want strangers on the internet to criticise my friend 😂 I’ve said twice that there’s nothing wrong with it. However I’m just presenting a different perspective to my own and acknowledging the fact that yes it has made me feel a bit inferior when it comes up in conversation between us.

OP posts:
LifeIsBleugh · 09/10/2025 23:23

I bought my daughter the most amazing pink furry coat from a charity shop as a toddler. It was about £15 so alot for a coat at that time. It was for us over ten years ago.

When i got it home I realised it was a designer produced coat i can't remember who the designer was now, but we got a good deal. She had it for 2 years and really suited it and enjoyed wearing it. It kept her warm too.

novocaine4thesoul · 09/10/2025 23:23

Second hand all the way. Saves money, saves the planet, saves your nerves when they drip tomato sauce onto that new top, and you know you are never going to get that out in the wash. You will get to a time when they won't do second hand, save your money for those times. Everything is second hand once you have worn it for 10 minutes. x

ChickenWingChickenWings · 09/10/2025 23:34

I don’t buy second hand for my kids personally

DrCoconut · 09/10/2025 23:37

My kids live in charity shop and hand me down clothes. I can't get on with vinted though, we've yet to have a successful buy. Everything is missized, misdescribed etc.

Hillarious · 09/10/2025 23:45

If you’re feeling judged, OP, you need to start hanging out with different friends. Plenty on here!

Allswellthatendswelll · 09/10/2025 23:51

I think it's mad to buy new kids clothes. You can't move for cheap second hand kids clothes on vinted! I just buy in bundles. I think 90% of my children's clothes are second hand. I re sell anything decent or pass them on.

Honestly I reckon we could stop importing or producing clothes for about 5 years and everyone would have enough to wear.

INX · 09/10/2025 23:51

thewalrus3 · 09/10/2025 23:19

I don’t want strangers on the internet to criticise my friend 😂 I’ve said twice that there’s nothing wrong with it. However I’m just presenting a different perspective to my own and acknowledging the fact that yes it has made me feel a bit inferior when it comes up in conversation between us.

Show quote history

and acknowledging the fact that yes it has made me feel a bit inferior when it comes up in conversation between us.

Then this is what you need to concentrate on.

Why does other people doing things differently to you, make you feel inferior if it's not a lack of money issue?

It doesn't make sense if you're choosing this?

LaChouette · 10/10/2025 07:20

My teens/young adults would rather buy from Vinted/Charity shops than buy new. Secondhand is definitely having a moment much like designer brands for babies did about 20 years ago, so I see you friend as the slightly out of step one here, who hasn't got a clue how to operate on a budget.

My brother was the same. Told me I was clueless about how expensive kids were, after one afternoon in John Lewis buying for a baby. I think we spent less than he did that afternoon in the whole of our first one's pre-school years. He still has a taste for all the finer things in life and luckily for him, the matching budget. But he has zero awareness of anything outside his privilege bubble.

chippylips · 10/10/2025 07:50

From the age of about 6 everything my son wore was second hand, thanks to lovely friends with older boys who’d bought good quality clothes and wanted to pass them on. Got away with no purchases apart from socks and undies til he was about 13.

EatMoreChocolate44 · 10/10/2025 07:53

I have bought so many lovely Boden clothes off vinted for a fraction of the price. Second hand all the way. Great getting bundles - so much better for the environment. Think about how we're leaving the world for our children to live in and not your snobby friend.

HappyAsASandboy · 10/10/2025 07:53

I used second hand clothes for the vast majority of clothing until about age 8, when the circulating of bin liners full of kids clothes seemed to dry up!

I passed the clothes on again after we’d finished with them, obviously minus items that had perished and plus new items I’d bought. It is fairly normal here to find a family with a slightly smaller child than yours and introduce yourself to offer a bag of clothes (smallish friendly village!).

PicaK · 10/10/2025 07:56

I've never been fussed about expensive clothes - except for when I was made redundant and knew I absolutely couldn't afford to buy them at all. Then I wanted them.
I think when you've had to buy 2nd hand, not because it's ethically better or you want to save money for other things, then it becomes a matter of pride that your child's clothes are new.
It's a love language.
I've gone back to shopping in charity shops because you get some right bargains, not cos I have to but I do understand those that don't.

Sirzy · 10/10/2025 07:58

ds has a cousin 11 months older than him. Most of his wardrobe was “hand me downs” when he was younger.

I didn’t actually buy him a blazer at all through high school. For his year 11 jumper I went to the local uniform exchange.

it’s not just about saving money but it’s better for the environment too. If clothes still have use left then pass then on for someone else to use!

PurpleThistle7 · 10/10/2025 07:58

I buy the vast majority of mine and my children’s clothes on vinted. If I want something specific I get it from a shop and I’m a bit fussy about shoes but otherwise I’m always up for a bargain and the environmental cost of endless consumerism is devastating. Most of their toys and books were charity shop or similar as well. And most of our furniture too actually.

there is more stuff in existence than we could ever use so we should all look for opportunities for recycling where we can.

KittyRannaldini · 10/10/2025 07:59

I buy very nearly all our clothes from Vinted or charity shops. I get my shoes from Vinted, child's I buy new.
No point at all that I can see, in buying things brand new for a child who grows like a weed. She's outgrown two sizes this year.

OodlesTheTalkingPoodle · 10/10/2025 08:00

I think what you're doing is great. I had a ton of second hand stuff given to me for DD including clothes, a cot bed and tons of toys and I was thrilled. I can't really be bothered to actively look for second hand but I'll happily take it if someone offers.

HannahHamptonsGloves · 10/10/2025 08:05

My two have always worn 2nd hand. I remember shopping at NCT nearly new sales when pregnant with my first 18 years ago, before Vinted existed. That 18 year old now loves a charity shop bargain, vintage kilo sales and Vinted/Depop shopping as it allows him to create his own style.

It's good for the environment and good for your bank balance - What's not to like!

Octavia64 · 10/10/2025 08:09

Second hand is much more environmentally friendly.

babies and toddlers grow out of clothes so quick that second hand is often like new.

new is a waste of money in my opinion.

Londonrach1 · 10/10/2025 08:13

What everyone mum I know does. My dd is now at the age where I'm struggling to find second hand clothes...she's 9. Most of dd clothes and pretty much all of her toys are second hand...better for the environment and you get more for your money. Huge win win

Theunamedcat · 10/10/2025 08:14

Ds is 12 im still buying second hand coats for him tbh im wearing a second hand one myself today

Save your money while you can the older they get the less opportunity to buy second hand is

hjgdddpok · 10/10/2025 08:19

We are very financially comfortable, 6 figure household with low outgoings, but I buy loads off Vinted. Anything branded for the kids I often get off there, DH buys loads of him clothes on there, we have to go to formal events a few times a year and I will always pick up my dresses on there. My youngest’s wardrobe is almost exclusively second or third hand having everything passed down (he’s in high school now but doesn’t seem to bother him yet).

We might be well off but I still like to spend wisely and carefully. They like brands but it just feels really wasteful to spend £50+ on something I can buy for a fraction of that and 9 times out of 10 it still looks new, kids grow fast!

I don’t have the energy to sell though, most things get donated.

mixedcereal · 10/10/2025 08:23

I got 95% of my daughter’s clothes second hand (now 2.5years) ….and was frequently commented on how lonely she looks and what nice clothes she has!

my second daughter is now wearing them all.

second hand and looking nice are not mutually exclusive. It’s your friend that should feel embarrassed for having that view. You keep doing
you!

borisjohnsonsforgottencondom · 10/10/2025 08:23

I read this as second hand kids and it really make me chuckle! Needed that this morning Smile