My kids might just be sporting your kids’ old outfits. If you happen to donate them to certain thrift stores or consignment shops, that is. Back in my childhood, wearing hand-me-downs was considered a social faux pas. I constantly feared it would turn into one of those cringe-worthy TV moments where the girl in the secondhand prom dress is mortified when the popular girl recognizes it and spreads the word. Thankfully, my little ones seem far less concerned about such things. Nowadays, clothing comes in massive batches, easily categorized into low-end finds from stores like Walmart or Target, or splurges from upscale boutiques.
While the clearance racks at Target and Phish.com certainly have their appeal, the majority of my kids’ wardrobe comes straight from resale shops. And with three boys, each two years apart, the younger ones have always been clad in hand-me-downs from their older brother. It’s amusing how we can trace our family history through their T-shirts. “Remember when Jake wore that vintage Marvel tee? Now it’s Matt’s turn!”
But our choice to shop secondhand goes beyond mere nostalgia. For starters, we’re not exactly rolling in dough. Sure, we aren’t destitute, but our budget is tighter than a pair of skinny jeans. My partner is a school teacher, so you can guess what his paycheck looks like (hint: it’s tiny). As a freelance writer, my earnings don’t exactly add to a fortune either. Toss in our hefty student loans, the special dietary needs of my kids (hello, gluten-free pasta!), and the pricey meds I need to keep my sanity intact, and it’s clear we need to stretch every dollar.
Have you taken a stroll through some of those resale shops lately? I could easily deck my kids out in fresh Walmart threads, but buying used allows me to splurge on Mini Boden, quirky vintage shirts, and high-quality brands like Kenneth Cole without breaking the bank. They often sport button-downs and khakis from Ralph Lauren, and I even snagged matching Christmas pajamas last year from a local kids’ resale store. When folks compliment how well-dressed my kids are, I take it as a huge win.
There’s another motivating factor behind our thrift-store habit, and it’s a biggie: the fashion industry is a mess. Many well-known brands rely on sweatshop labor, and I refuse to support a system that exploits vulnerable workers in developing countries. The issues don’t stop there. For instance, China’s textile industry spews out about 3 billion tons of pollution annually and tosses millions of garments due to dye mishaps. The scale of water consumption in clothing production is mind-boggling; it takes a shocking 505 gallons just to produce a single pair of Levi’s jeans. Imagine multiplying that by the countless jeans sold each year! The textile industry is one of the largest users of water globally—something to ponder the next time you’re browsing the mall.
By choosing resale, I’m not just being budget-savvy; I’m also contributing to charities and supporting local businesses. My kids look better than I could ever afford to dress them in new clothes, and surprisingly, they’ve never complained about wearing “previously loved” outfits.
So, while everyone else queues at the mall, I’m off to Goodwill, Roundabouts, or my favorite local charity thrift store. I’ll even check eBay for unique finds like kids’ wetsuits. And of course, I can’t forget to shop for my own gently used wardrobe—after all, I’d much rather sport a vintage Guess or Marc Jacobs than something from Walmart.
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In summary, dressing your kids in secondhand clothing isn’t just a budget-friendly choice; it’s a sustainable one that allows families to support local businesses, avoid exploitative labor practices, and create lasting memories with each hand-me-down. Plus, you might just find some hidden gems along the way!