The Best Children’s Clothes to Buy Preloved (And What I Still Buy New)

After three children, I’ve become a big believer in looking for preloved first.

That doesn’t mean I never buy anything new, but my approach to shopping for children’s clothes is completely different now compared with when I had my first baby. I used to buy much more new clothing without really questioning whether I needed to.

These days, I shop ahead, keep an eye out for good-quality pieces and buy preloved wherever I can. It saves us money, gives me access to better-quality brands and means I don’t have to wait until somebody desperately needs a coat before trying to find one.

So, what do I think is particularly worth buying second hand?

Coats Are Brilliant to Buy Preloved

Children’s coats can be expensive new and, depending on how quickly your child grows, may only fit for one winter.

That makes them one of my favourite things to find preloved.

Good-quality coats from brands such as Boden, JoJo Maman Bébé, Frugi, Next and M&S can have years of life left in them. If they’ve been well looked after, there’s absolutely no reason they can’t keep another child warm.

I tend to buy coats well in advance. If I see the right coat in the next size, or sometimes even a couple of sizes ahead, I’ll buy it and stash it away.

It means I’m not suddenly searching for a winter coat when the temperature drops and everyone else is looking for exactly the same thing.

Waterproofs and Wellies

Waterproof clothing is another category I’m very happy to buy second hand.

I look carefully at the condition and check for obvious damage. Depending on the garment and its care instructions, waterproof outerwear can also sometimes be cleaned and reproofed to help restore its water repellency.

Wellies are another good preloved find if the soles and uppers are still in good condition.

Children can grow out of wellies ridiculously quickly, so buying every pair brand new can become expensive.

Jumpers and Layers

I’m a big fan of layers rather than replacing an entire wardrobe every time the weather changes.

If T-shirts still fit, why immediately replace them all with long-sleeved tops?

I’d rather find some good jumpers, cardigans and fleeces to layer over clothes we already have.

It makes a child’s wardrobe work harder and means clothes can be used across different seasons.

Occasion Clothes

This is one I wish I’d realised much earlier.

Children might wear an outfit for a wedding, party or other special occasion once or twice before growing out of it.

I’ve wasted money buying occasion clothing new in the past and now think it’s one of the best things to look for preloved.

You can often find beautiful dresses, shirts and smarter outfits that have barely been worn.

Quality Everyday Brands

I also buy everyday clothing preloved.

Boden, Frugi, JoJo Maman Bébé and Next are some of the brands I particularly like because, in my experience, they wash well and can last through more than one child.

Buying them second hand also makes them much more affordable.

I would rather spend £20 on a bundle of good-quality preloved clothing than buy several cheaper new items that may not wash or last as well.

What About School Uniform?

I buy as much school uniform second hand as I can too, but the secret for me is buying it early.

I don’t wait until the end of August. I start looking months beforehand so I have time to find the right sizes and pieces without panicking.

Interestingly, current government guidance in England says schools should make second-hand uniform available and tell parents on their websites how they can access it.

So if your child wears uniform, it is always worth checking what your school or PTA offers before buying everything new.

What Do I Still Buy New?

I’m not against buying new.

Sometimes you need something immediately, sometimes you can’t find the right thing preloved and sometimes you simply find something new that you really love.

Shoes are one area where I’m particularly careful about condition and fit, although I will still consider barely worn pairs depending on the type of shoe and you can pick up new pairs much cheaper where a child has outgrown before using them.

For me, it isn’t about having rules. It’s about changing the starting point.

Instead of automatically asking, “Where can I buy this new?”, I now ask, “Can I find a good one preloved first?”

Why Buying Ahead Makes Such a Difference

Buying preloved is much easier when you aren’t desperate.

I normally have the next size waiting for each of my children, and sometimes I’m two or three sizes ahead if I find something I love.

That gives me time to find quality pieces rather than settling for whatever happens to be available when something suddenly stops fitting.

It also means I can take advantage of bargains when I see them.

WRAP’s research into clothing longevity has found that extending the useful life of clothing can reduce its environmental impact because fewer replacement garments need to be produced. That fits perfectly with the way I now shop for my own children.

Final Thoughts

After three children, I don’t think children’s wardrobes need to be completely new or completely preloved.

For our family, the best approach is simply to look second hand first.

Coats, waterproofs, wellies, jumpers, occasion clothes and everyday clothing can all be fantastic preloved buys. By shopping ahead, I can wait for good-quality pieces rather than buying everything at the last minute.

And if I can find a beautiful Boden coat or a bundle of Next clothes that still have loads of life left in them, I’d much rather give those another adventure than buy something new just because it’s new.