A Blog For Mums
Before I had kids, I used to look at second hand baby clothes with a bit of side-eye. It wasn’t snobbery, exactly – more just a worry that they’d be stained, worn out or not up to scratch. I had this idea that when my baby arrived it would deserve the very best, and in my head that meant brand new. But a few months into motherhood, after seeing exactly how fast babies grow (and how little they wear most of their wardrobe), I changed my tune.
Now, most of my kids’ clothes come from places like Vinted, eBay, and Facebook Marketplace. I’m not talking about newborn sleep suits – though you can find those too – but proper outfits. Dresses, jeans, cardigans, little pairs of shoes that look like they’ve barely touched the floor. And I’ve never looked back.
Let’s start with the obvious one: the price. Brand new baby clothes can be expensive – especially once you’re out of the multipack vest and sleepsuit stage. I once saw a pair of baby-sized Converse trainers on sale for £35. That’s more than I spend on my own shoes.
On Vinted, I found the exact same pair, barely worn, for £4 plus postage.
You can pick up bundles of clothes for the same price as one outfit from the high street. I once got a package of seven lovely baby girl dresses for under a tenner, and they looked practically new. It makes dressing your little one in proper outfits way more affordable – and a lot more fun. You’re not constantly worrying about getting your money’s worth or panicking if something gets stained.
Here’s the thing no one tells you until you’re knee-deep in laundry: babies grow so fast, they barely get the chance to wear most of their clothes. And when they do wear them, it’s often just for a photo or a short outing. Especially those “proper” clothes – the cute dungarees, button-up shirts, party dresses, and little shoes. If they’re not sleeping or covered in puree, they’re probably being carried or in a pushchair. Half the time you take the outfit off thinking: that could go straight back on the hanger.
So when people sell these clothes on, they’re often still in amazing condition. Some have even still got the tags on – they were bought for a special occasion, never worn, and then outgrown before they had a chance.
Buying second hand doesn’t mean settling for bobbled, stretched-out hand-me-downs. It means getting lovely, barely-used baby clothes for next to nothing.
I didn’t think much about sustainability before I became a mum – then suddenly I was surrounded by single-use plastic, disposable everything, and endless Amazon deliveries. It was overwhelming.
Buying second hand clothes is one little thing I can do that actually makes a difference. The fashion industry is one of the biggest polluters in the world, and kids’ clothes – which are worn for such a short time – are a huge part of that. Every dress or jumper I buy second hand is one less new item that needs to be made, packaged, and shipped.
It’s not going to save the planet overnight, but it’s a step in the right direction. And it sets a good example. I want my children to grow up knowing that second hand doesn’t mean second best.
I used to imagine second hand shopping as a bit of a slog – traipsing around charity shops, digging through boxes, never finding the right size. But buying second hand online is a totally different experience.
On Vinted, for example, I can filter by age, brand, colour, season – even whether it’s part of a bundle. On ebay I can look for free postage. I can search for exactly what I need (say, 12-18 month summer dresses) while I’m feeding the baby or watching TV. It gets delivered to my door a few days later. No busy shops, no tantrums in changing rooms, no lugging a buggy around.
It’s also a bit addictive. I’ve had evenings where I’ve spent a fiver and ended up with four gorgeous pieces I never would’ve found on the high street. And when the parcels arrive, it feels like a little treat – even though you’ve barely spent anything.
One of the best parts about buying second hand is that you can keep the cycle going. Once your baby outgrows those jeans or boots or sweet little dresses, you can sell them on just as easily. In fact, I’ve made back a fair bit by selling clothes on Vinted and Facebook groups. It doesn’t take long – snap a few photos, add a quick description, and post it when it sells.
That means you’re not just saving money – you’re recycling it. Some of the things I’ve bought second hand have now been worn by two or three babies and still look brilliant. There’s something really nice about knowing these clothes have stories, and that they’re getting more life instead of ending up in landfill.
There’s something a bit more exciting about finding a great second hand deal than buying new. It feels a bit like treasure hunting – spotting a lovely Boden jumper or a pair of Clarks shoes for a few quid. I’ve had bundles arrive with little extras inside – a hairband, or a handwritten note – and it’s oddly heartwarming. Like this quiet community of mums looking out for each other through parcels in the post.
And because the prices are so low, I feel freer to try out styles I might not usually go for. A bold print, a quirky little romper – if it doesn’t work, no harm done. But more often than not, I’m pleasantly surprised.
Look, I still buy some new things. I’m not totally converted to the second hand-only lifestyle, and I understand why some people like the feeling of shopping new. But when it comes to baby clothes – especially the “proper” bits like shirts, jumpers, jeans and dresses – second hand just makes sense.
It’s cheaper. It’s easier. It’s better for the planet. And honestly, it’s smarter.
So if you’ve been on the fence, give it a go. Download Vinted, have a scroll through eBay, pop into your local Facebook selling group. You might be surprised at what you find – and how quickly you become a second hand convert too.
Child Clothing and Equipment
