Looking For Honest Opinions on Buying Used Baby Clothes
OK, so here’s a topic that I am obsessed with: Baby clothes. Although I shouldn’t just say ‘baby clothes’ because I really do love all children’s clothes. I could walk around the kids clothing department for hours, but people would think I’m weird, so I don’t do that so much. There are basically three price levels for children’s clothing; low, medium and high. In my opinion, I would probably throw Target and Kohl’s into the ‘low’ price level. In the ‘medium’ price level I would probably go with Baby Gap, Children’s Place, Gymboree, and stores of that nature. Then we have the ‘high’ price stores. I would classify boutique clothing in this ‘high’ price category. For example, here on Long Island, a popular children’s boutique is Denny’s. Denny’s carries brand name clothing such as Ooh LaLa Couture, Haute Baby and Pickle Juice just to name a few.
I don’t yet have kids, although that’s probably pretty flippin’ obvious for those of you reading this blog, isn’t it. But I can say that when I do have kids, I’m pretty sure I’m going to want them dressed as cute as is humanly possible. I can say with a lot of certainty that I will be shopping at Target, Kohl’s, and Old Navy for my children’s clothes, because they are affordable, and since they will grow out of them in oooohhh I don’t know, say 3 wears…I’ll be damned if I’m going to pay $200 for a dress for my little girl.
That being said, the clothes you find at these adorable little boutiques are to die for! I mean, so unbelievably precious, and they are usually of much better quality. So, would I like to dress my children in these clothes? Sure! IF I could buy them much cheaper. So I searched around on ebay. I found that you can find all the high end, name brand, boutique- style clothing that you would spend top dollar for in the stores, but for a fraction of the price. There’s just one catch….They’re used. Or as I like to say, “gently worn”.
Now, I’m all for kids clothing hand-me downs from family and friends, given they are in good shape; no stains or tears. And even though they come from family and friends, I’m sure I would wash everything anyway, just because I’m anal and that’s how I roll.
So here’s a question for all my awesome bloggy friends:
Do you think it’s weird to buy “gently worn” designer children’s clothes from people you do not know? Would you and/ or do you buy “gently worn” clothing? If it’s in great shape and you’re going to wash it anyway, why wouldn’t you spend the same money you would spend on clothes at Target or Old Navy, but on brand name high quality clothes? I think it would be kind of silly not to, no?
You see, I’ve discussed this with a bunch of my girlfriends and we have a little debate going on. So please do me a favor and contribute to this post. Leave your thoughts on the subject for me to dive in and wade through. I’m extremely interested in hearing your opinions and /or experiences. Has anyone ever bought “gently used” clothing from a yard sale or ebay or any other similar method?
I’m looking forward to reading your responses!
January 21st, 2008 at 5:54 pm
I don’t really see the difference between buying gently used clothing and accepting hand-me-downs which generally have been put through the wringer more than their fair share of times. Just because you know the person you receive the hand-me-downs from doesn’t guarantee an ick-free experience. Plus, you’re at the mercy of their questionable fashion sense. I’d prefer the freedom of buying from a stranger where I can pick and choose free of guilt the clothes I deem acceptable.
January 21st, 2008 at 8:03 pm
I agree with Monique–if you are okay with hand-me-downs, gently used clothing is fine. First thing you do is wash them!
January 21st, 2008 at 8:04 pm
Honestly, I buy used clothes for myself all the time from thrift stores, ebay and the like (I also wore hand-me-downs for years as a kid on LI). As long as the clothes are properly washed before you stick ‘em on the little darlings, I don’t see a problem with it.
January 21st, 2008 at 8:50 pm
hmmmm
That is mu first thought on this. My second thought is why the hell not?
My only concern would be getting ripped off (i.e. clothes that come with stains/tears) but if someone really checks out the seller than what is the big deal. For me personally I can’t shop at yard sales, I don’t have the gene that makes me patient enough to rummage unless it is something I really, really want. As for eBay I find that I get very emotionally involved with whatever I am trying to “win” so unless it has a “buy it now” tag I try and stay away (this is how I ended up with an Ella Moss dress that I saw on Sex and the city for 30% more than retail) I usually buy things that come new with tags from there.
Did I answer the question?
Ohh I just read Monique’s reply and I totally think she hit it right on.
January 21st, 2008 at 9:27 pm
I have bought some clothes on Ebay. Mostly custom made little outfits for a birthday party or something like that. Most of the time they are in excellent condition. I used to turn around and resell them, but now we just pass them to a cousin. Lucky kid!
January 22nd, 2008 at 9:49 am
I am all for hand me downs, ebay (except for those Superman socks..remember that.. gross)… or thrift stores. I normally get the kids clothes as hand me downs. You just double wash and it is fine..
January 22nd, 2008 at 10:58 am
honestly, it’s much smarter than buying the couture baby clothes, at full price. the babies, kids…outgrow their clothes and/or ruin them so fast that…to pay for new clothes is almost a waste!!
we used to have a gently used kids resale place that was AWESOME! abercrombie, polo, hilfiger…and way more…but, i shopped there…until they moved to some undisclosed location…where, i have no clue! but, great buys, great brands, great condition…some still with original tags!!
so, my point…it’s a smart move!! resale shops. i also bought some maternity clothes at a resale shop…because, being pregnant is such a temporary condition!!
anyway…hope my opinion helps!
xoxo
January 22nd, 2008 at 11:59 am
I say go for it… remember their little lovelies only wore them a short while too. I would maybe limit eBay purchases to those items that feature a photo. Consignment stores and thrift stores sometimes have great finds.
January 22nd, 2008 at 1:34 pm
OH my YES! There is absolutly nothing wrong with buy used. Wash it and all is fine. People sell used cloth diapers for goodness sake….and people really buy them.
I buy clotes at resale shops and off ebay. The other day I got a nearly new pair of gap overalls for a buck. Why on earth would I spend more if I didn’t have to.
Go for it.
January 22nd, 2008 at 3:07 pm
Don’t be silly. There is nothing wrong with buying clothes this way unless you are Paris HIlton. I think it is a great way to get those clothes you want and also be able to afford the diapers and baby food that accompany those precious packages. What is most important is how you feel about it and it sounds like you are already convinced that there is nothing wrong with buying the gently used stuff, that mostly stems from the fact that you are smart and not drunk. I love getting hand me downs for our girls from their rich cousin. We loving seeing what new stuff they are getting from Nordstroms that come wrapped in huge black trash bags. My opinion is a good one and one you should seek out….LOL, I am glad you asked me for my opinion because I am so ready to give it
Your Pal,
Joe
January 22nd, 2008 at 6:43 pm
I am a label whore. I love really nice kids clothes for special occasions. The hold up nice. I spend big bucks on clothes and then sell on Ebay for 60-80 percent of their original price. So, actually, I pay GAP prices for high end fashion.
I have purchased used items on Ebay, based on the seller’s feedback. Usually, they are people like me…. moms obssessed with cute kid clothes.
January 22nd, 2008 at 7:17 pm
I sell all of my kids clothes on eBay. I only sell the stuff which is is near new and excellent condition. Practically all of it is brandname stuff, cuz I am a brandname whore like OHmommy (see my post about brandnames if you like HERE
eBay is actually a great place to buy brandname baby clothes in bulk. And if you find out down the road that you’re having a boy, let me know and I’ll send you some cute clothes for free!
January 22nd, 2008 at 8:28 pm
OK…I am passionate about this sort of thing. I was terrified of the kids’ clothes sections of stores during my infertility-hell days. Going near those cutesy things just sent me into a downward spiral. AFTER I had my babies, however, I became incredibly obsessed with children’s clothes. I will happily wear the same 3 or 4 things over and over as long as the peapod squad gets decked out in the most precious clothes ever. Now…I am a SAHM and have no money for the expensive clothing I like on them. So…I hit consignment sales and do a lot of Ebay-ing. I have only had wonderful experiences. I buy Gymbo, Gap and boutique brands (love Le Top, Baby Lulu and Mini Boden), let my kids wear them proudly and then resell them on Ebay. Sometimes I end up selling them for more than I paid when I bought them. It’s fabulous. I highly recommend it.
OK, I’ll shut up now.
January 22nd, 2008 at 9:02 pm
Here from Jogging in Circles.
Dude, I ALWAYS buy gently used. I buy them off ebay. I found a handful of great, honest, de-louced sellers and my daughter has an amazing wardrobe now. At TARGET prices.
DO IT! You’ll be so happy you did.
January 23rd, 2008 at 7:52 am
Also just arrived from Jogging in circles.
My kids have both worn hand-me-downs. And, I had an aunt send me a box filled with the most charming onsies she got at a garage sale. After that, I was hooked. Old Navy, Target, and used clothes are the way to go. My kids look like rockstars!
January 23rd, 2008 at 7:54 am
Also here from Jogging.
I say, Do It! Cute clothes are cute clothes. Who cares where they came from? And, kids grow so super fast. You could break your budget if you only buy designer. When my dh and I were waiting for my son to be born and for us to adopt him, I actually scoured garage sales looking for baby clothes. I found some great stuff.
January 23rd, 2008 at 7:57 am
I also just wanted to mention that I’m also from LI. And, I struggled with fertility, too. I had three miscarriages, adopted my son, then got pregnant with a daughter that I was able to carry with a great deal of medical intervention from an awesome RE. I’m gonna stick around and can’t wait to hear you tell us that you are Mom. You will be!
January 23rd, 2008 at 8:45 am
love love love used clothes
also love love brand new high end things
can’t afford the latter right now
so am happy with used and hand me downs…
and some of the best scores have been at tag sales!
we have a cool kids consignment store in my hood now and I am so excited!
January 23rd, 2008 at 1:31 pm
Not weird at all…I shopped on ebay for my kids clothes when they were little all the time! I just washed everthing as soon as I got it.
January 23rd, 2008 at 4:28 pm
I was an Ebay junkie after my daughter was born. I have no problems buying used clothes for her, but it gets a bit harder as she’s older because sizing is a challenge. It was perfect when she was a baby and toddler (she’s 3 now), I just washed everything. A lot of the stuff I got actually was so nicely presented, it was like brand new.
I sold quite a bit of her Gymboree stuff as well, it has its own section on eBay. I like surfing the higher end brands too.
Not so much luck for the boy though.
I used to buy vintage a lot for myself as a student, so maybe that’s why I don’t have any issues.
I also came via Jogging in Circles. And struggled with infertility for years myself (roller coaster all the way to IVF). We were luckily blessed with 2 children.
Good luck to you, throwing baby dust your way….
January 24th, 2008 at 9:00 am
I didn’t want to read any of the other comments, so as not to sway what I wanted to say, which is:
No, it’s not a big deal at all. I mean, it isn’t like you aren’t going to wash it first anyway, right? Once it’s washed, it’s like brand new as far as I’m concerned. Your future baby will look snazzy and you will have saved money. Win win!!
January 24th, 2008 at 8:26 pm
I know when we had garage sales we had quite a following showing up year after year. We always had nice clothes and priced pretty cheap.
January 25th, 2008 at 11:10 am
I buy most of my kids clothes at 2 yearly consigment sales I go to put on by local Mom’s clubs. I always get GREAT gently used, super-cute stuff at a great price! Go for it. I also get some good stuff at Garage Sales but that’s more hit or miss.