You walk into your kid’s room. Suddenly their pants look like they rolled them up, but somehow the hem is intact and our sleeves are closer to our elbows than our wrists. You know you have bills and plenty of other things to do, but suddenly kid’s clothes rises to the top of the list. Smart moms buy second hand.
I know, I was you. I lived in California and I was just sure that the things I bought at Target was just as cheap as what I could buy at a second hand store. Plus, they were new.
New for one day
and then guess what — they’re USED. 🙂
It’s true, buying smart at Kohls or Target can often be quite cheap. I still shop those places, but shopping second hand at an online store (or a brick and mortar store) can give you a lot of benefits!
- Kids get dirty, and dirty is fun. I feel less like a maniac when we have used clothes that I’m to SCREAMING mad that I spent a fortune on. I make the choice to wash them or even throw them away if they’re that bad. My heart doesn’t hurt.
- Kids grow. Especially my teen. Just like I said at the beginning one day they fit just fine and the next they look like they’re the beanstalk from the magic bean. Not sure how that happens. Just does.
- Lots of selection. Sometimes (especially for boys) I can find a larger selection in a second hand store than I find in the regular store. Lots of color, lots of different types of clothes. It’s often easier for them to find their own style. I think some of my kids prefer shopping at a second hand store (after getting over their own pride) for just these reasons.
- Get better brands, for less. You can often even find NEW clothes at second hand stores. You have to go in feeling like it’s a treasure hunt. Great brands like Gymboree, Gap, & Pumpkin Patch — they’re all just out there waiting for you to buy them!
- Did you know you can skip the store and shop second hand online?
If you’re looking for more tips on shopping kids clothes second hand — check out these posts:
Check out Schoola!
**{Smart} Moms is a relative term. I had to give it a name, but I am the first one to say I’m not smart all the time. I love a matchy-matchy Gymboree outfit as much as the next mom, but in general I buy second hand. This series is just a list of things I’ve found to make life easier — not to say — WOOT WOOT, I’m SOooooOOOO smart! {said like Steve Martin}
Check out all my other {smart} moms posts:[pt_view id=”4256a9870e”]
Jessica [Havok] says
I like to believe my mom loves that I stopped growing at 12 – because from then on out, clothes never really didn’t fit any more, and shoes lasted much longer than one school year.
I have also found that Goodwill has a much larger selection of styles than Target or any other clothing store has. I used to love getting jeans at Target, because the style was right and they were cheap (clearance jeans for 13$, yes please!), but then “skinny jeans” became the “it” thing and I haven’t been able to get pants there since, ha! Goodwill shopping, however, may take longer but that’s only because there is really so much more to look through. Not all of it is a good option, but at least there *are* options.
Kim says
I love the thrift stores around me! They were great for playclothesvfor my daughter when she was younger. Now, not so much. I can sneak some stuff by her but she’s 13, so it doesn’t happen a lot! I love the comfy, already shrunk down sweatshirts. Jeans are great too!
I take my time and have found some really good kitchen buys. It lets me try things out!!
Hilary says
Sure does!
Jennifer says
I love this idea! I do not have time to sort through thrift stores and I have had mixed luck at local consignment sales. My daughter is very picky. Do they sort for stains and such?
Hilary Erickson says
Not at thrift stores, no. Consignment stores do make shopping easier!