How To Shop Secondhand for Your Children’s Clothing

 

Here are our top 10 tips for shopping secondhand for your children: 

1. Build a good base of timeless staple garments - it goes without saying that to build an effective capsule wardrobe we have to start with good staples, even when it comes to dressing children. Look for neutral colours, plain bottoms and tops that will help to weave in more colourful and patterned styles as well as changing seasons. You can read more about how to build a capsule wardrobe for your tyke here. 
   
   
2. Always shop one size up  - it is always better to buy clothes that are slightly too big for your children. That way you can give your child plenty of room to grow and lengthen how long the garment is in play.
   
   
3. Think about what your child already has in their wardrobe - try and buy pieces that will go with the clothing they already own. This will help to maximise the usage of their entire closet. Make sure any potential purchase goes with at least two other items in their closet so they always have outfits ready to wear. Keep your tyke’s closet organised and you will never have any trouble finding outfits for them to wear. 
   
   
   
   
4. Know your child’s favourite brands and styles  - this helps to ensure you are always buying pieces you know they are going to love. If your son loves to live in sweatpants and t-shirts then there is no point buying him that smart collared shirt as it will just sit idle in his wardrobe. Also knowing your child’s favourite brands always gives a great starting point when you are looking online to narrow down your search criteria. 
   
   
5. Think about what activities or events your child may have coming up and plan their wardrobes accordingly - it is always good to plan ahead as secondhand finds are one of a kind so you need to bag those coveted treasures when you find them and have them ready in your kid’s closet for when the occasion arises. 
   
   
6. Don’t be afraid to buy off season - resale shops or platforms are not constrained by seasons and receive different types of clothing all year round. You may well find a great winter coat or a ski outfit in the middle of summer. Take advantage of such a great find and store it away until the season or holiday comes. 
   
   
7. Get your children involved - teach them how to manage a budget by giving them a monthly allowance to shop secondhand. You can help create their accounts on trusted resale sites and let them choose the items they love. Encourage them to write a list of what clothing items they really need so they can shop more consciously. 
   
   
8. Double check condition - if you are shopping second hand in person always take a good look at the garment before purchasing. Check the seams and buttons are still in good condition, if the material has faded and look for any stains or rips. When shopping online, use the zoom function and look at the different angles and condition descriptions. Ask questions if you are unsure. Alternatively use a trusted resale platform, like Retykle, that has strict condition requirements for resale and stands behind the quality of their listings with guarantees around condition and authenticity as well as the security of being able to return should something not work out.
   
   
   
   
9. Keep an eye out for counterfeits - whilst it is a lot less common to find counterfeits in childrenswear than adult wear, it can still happen. If you are going to a secondhand store, take a close look at labels buttons, zips, stitching and linings ass these provide the indications if an item has been copied. Alternatively use a trusted platform again, like Retykle, that has a strict multi-point check system and expert detectors of any condition or authenticity concern. We do not recommend buying luxury brands from a platform which does not offer any assurances (like Facebook, Taobao, eBay etc) There are potential risks associated with buying counterfeits for your children- such as toxic dyes, unsafe closures - as these products do not go through the proper testing and rigorous safety standards that the actual brands comply with.
   
   
10. Don’t just stick to clothing - children go through scores of toys and gear from the moment they are born which can be hard to keep up with. That means however that there are just as many great finds to be had when looking for nursery furniture, baby gear, accessories and toys. You can find great quality, preloved cots, changing tables, strollers, baby carriers, baby monitors, sleepsacs, swaddles and so much more. If you are buying directly from someone through a secondhand marketplace, always arrange to see the item first so you can vouch for its condition and that all of the pieces and parts are intact. 

How best to use the Retykle platform:

1. Check the Retykle website regularly - we list hundreds of new items every day and the most popular brands always sell out fast. 

2. Use the filters to help narrow down your search - we have tens of thousands of products listed online. Use the filters, such as size or season, to narrow down your search and look at just what you need to save time.

3. Use your wishlist - tag the items you love as you are searching the website. That way you don’t forget about any treasures you may have spotted. You can then do an edit and only add the items you really love when you come to checkout. You can also cull your wishlist to remove items that have already sold out with the handy button at the top.

4. Use your Tyke points - once you sign up for our loyalty program, every time you shop with us you’ll earn store credit in the form of Tyke Points. You can then use your Tyke points to redeem incredible discounts on your future purchases.