From car seats to strollers to clothes, the first year of raising a child can be expensive, and I’m talking thousands of dollars (insert bulging eyes!!). That being said, I’m going to explain why I buy ‘used’ clothing for my kids! It’s very evident that buying used you’re saving money… think of it as recycling clothing. With our boys, we try not to buy much brand spankin’ new. With baby gear, I couldn’t justify paying $100 for a brand new mobile swing, when I could buy the same gently used for $45. I understand secondhand, used, consignment is not for everyone. But I want to share my experience, especially because the one thing kids are always going to need — clothing, and mountains of it!

The first year I was given so much clothing for Jack I rarely had to buy him anything, unless he had a difficult time fitting into certain items (pants were his thing), or if there was just something too cute to resist! Once he grew out of his infant clothing I started to re-sell some items and keep the sentimental/ favourite pieces if we had another boy. Since our second (Max) was a boy, he wore most of Jack’s smaller clothing that no longer fit. Now that both boys are one size apart and Max is shaped differently (stocky to be exact), Max has skipped a few of Jack’s seasons and the boys were in need of a new fall wardrobe. OK, so I enjoy shopping and I was pretty excited to spend some money on these boys wardrobes! I love dressing my boys in neutral tones, and yes, of course Jack has the odd John Deere tee ;) I like simple clothing without many labels and the boys will have plenty of years to pick out their own clothing. But even so, three-year-old Jack has an opinion… anything plaid or denim we’re good to go! Fall shirt shopping was a no brainer. If you haven’t noticed, Jack is always wearing a plaid shirt in all of my IG photos!

A few of my favourite stores to shop for the boys are Old Navy, Joe Fresh, Carter’s OshKosh, Gap, H&M and my favourite used clothing store, Once Upon A Child. I’m always on the lookout for the latest bargains and sales, so I usually shop the retail stores at the end of every season when everything is on sale. To keep myself in the loop, I receive emails from some of these stores notifying me about online/in-store sales.

Old Navy was having a pre-fall sale a few weeks ago, so I decided to go into the store and check it out – FYI: the sales are always better online, and they have a sale on right now! Since summer is coming to an end, I knew Once Upon A Child would be stocked to the roof in fall clothing. When shopping at Once Upon A Child, sometimes I walk in and find a few decent items mid season, but at the very very beginning of the season theres much more selection. They do a good job of screening all of their clothing for holes, stains, wear and tear, so the items you buy are in ‘gently’ used condition.

To show a little comparison, the bottom navy waffle-knit tee and blue paid shirt were bought new at Old Navy on sale for $7 and $13. I also purchased nearly the same items (pictured above) at Once Upon a Child for $4.50 and $5.50. The 1-piece fleece PJ’s purchased used for $4.50 and retail for $10.00 at Carter’s.

These used shirts were in great condition — I’m very picky and when it comes to flipping through the racks at Once Upon A Child. I make sure the items I buy are not stretched or look excessively worn. 

  
Jack obsessing over his plaid shirts!These Jeans both retail around $24.99 at H&M. I purchased them at Once Upon A Child for $6.50 each. H&M jacket purchased at Once Upon a Child for $9.50– What a steal!

I spent $30 on 3 items from Old Navy that were 30% off original price, and I purchased 19 items slightly over $100 from Once Upon a Child! That is exactly why I can’t justify buying all new items at full price when I can buy almost the same gently used. AND your children can still be trendy in previously owned clothing! Sometimes I will splurge on a shirt, jacket or pair of shoes for the boys that are going to be worn daily or worn for a special occasion. I also believe in supporting Etsy shops and online stores. There are so many wonderful and amazing online stores that are owned and operated by mamas — It’s always great to shop local and support them :)

A few tricks of the trade when it comes to buying kids clothes:

• Be picky when shopping for used clothing, I always look for brand name items I’m familiar with.
• If it’s play clothes, then let them stain and wreck the heck out of them.
• Find an great go-to stain remover, I swear by BunchaFarmers.
• Know which clothing fits your kid best- for Jack, Gap jeans are made to fit a little longer which are great for slender and tall kids. Max fits great in most clothing because of his stocky build.
• Each season, go through your kid(s) clothing and sort: keep, consign/donate, and throw out.
• Always check to see if those bigger sizes stored in your child’s closet fit yet, you will be surprised how quickly they grow into things.
• Always buy ahead when shopping at retail stores, that’s how you save money. When there’s summer sales, I always buy up a size for the following year.
• When hesitant over size, always buy a little bigger, it will probably shrink and your child will eventually grow into it. (Keep in mind that most children’s apparel stores have a great return policy).

When it comes to your child’s clothing, do you buy new or used? What are some of your favourite places to shop for children’s clothing?