We understand at thegreenlist.nl not so sure why every parent doesn't buy second-hand children's clothes more often. It's cheap, sustainable, children grow within no-time out of their clothes and the supply of second-hand children's clothes is huge. Why buy everything new? You are crazy! With these tips, you can find the prettiest second-hand kid gems for next to nothing.
Steam course in second-hand children's clothing search
For children, you can find so much cool second-hand clothing online. To save time and find the best things, it's useful to research which children's clothing brands you like in advance. Then you can set up search queries for those brands on Vinted and Marketplace. On Vinted, this is called personalising your account. Sit down one evening, browse online shops and create search filters for the children's clothing brands you like. We have already done a lot of preliminary work for you, as we have already compiled a big list of beautiful sustainable children's clothing brands.
Tip: Do you come across a nice brand you don't know yet? Look up the brand and also check the material. Many sustainable children's clothing brands also consciously choose high-quality materials such as certified natural fabrics and better synthetic materials that release fewer microplastics. Want to know more? You can read more about synthetic clothing and microplastics in this article.
The best places to find second-hand children's clothes?
As far as we're concerned, Vinted is top of the pile. The selection of second-hand children's clothing is enormous, and thanks to the handy search filters, you can often find exactly what you're looking for. What's more, with the tips in this article, you'll find things faster second-hand clothing from Dutch sellers. Which is just as well, because the closer you buy from, the fewer miles a parcel has to travel. But don't forget offline addresses either. At the flea market (Here's a handy overview of flea markets) and you can find brilliant second-hand children’s clothes in charity shops, especially for the smaller sizes up to about size 116. Although, as we know from experience, you can also find some great bargains for older children at a good car boot sale. And perhaps the biggest advantage of all: you’ll struggle to find anything cheaper.
At a good flea market, you'll also find second-hand clothes for older kids, just look! Three pairs of shorts in a ‘ten years’ size and cool summer shoes with polka dots in size 31.
- Further The Clothing Loop a nice tip. This is totally free, by the way! Holland's clothing chain has become best known for loops for women's clothes, but there are also more and more bags for children in circulation. Just check if this is the case in your area, or start one yourself. Want to know more about The Cothing Loop? Then check out this review and learn all about it!
- Another well-known clothing swap for children is GotClothes.nl. This works a little differently than a clothing chain, as children naturally all have different sizes. Therefore, you don't need to swap with the same person. For 15 euros per year, you can choose unlimited clothing boxes and pass them on yourself. Prefer to select or drop off clothes individually? On the website, you'll also find physical swap locations throughout the country, often at volunteers' homes.
- If you're a fan of a particular children's clothing brand, see if there's a Facebook group for it. Often, you only need to search for the brand name and you'll quickly find an active group where parents buy and sell second-hand clothing. This way, new items will appear automatically, and you won't have to keep searching yourself.
- Also, take a look at a second-hand children's clothing shop in your area. Shops in neighbourhoods where a lot of nice children's clothes are donated can yield some great finds. You often pay a bit more per item of clothing in such a boutique, however.
- Finally, school or sports club app groups are worth their weight in gold. Post a request if you're looking for something, and before you know it, someone will have the gym shoes, wellies or sports kit you need lying around at home. This is an easy way for items to change hands, without you having to leave the house.
Second-hand shopping for kids: think ahead!
Shopping for second-hand children’s clothes can sometimes be a bit of a puzzle. Children grow quickly, and you also need to take into account the season in which they’ll be wearing a particular size. So it’s best to think one size ahead. If you come across a lovely winter coat in the summer or a cute summer outfit in the winter, snap it up! Keep your finds in a ‘growth box’ – for example, a shelf in the wardrobe or a simple box – so you’ll always have something to hand when your child has another growth spurt. Have a look inside every now and then, because before you know it, you’ll have forgotten what treasures you’d already collected. It’s also handy to pick up an extra coat, a pair of wellies or some trainers in a larger size. If something gets lost at school, you’ll always have a spare to hand.
Tip: if you go shopping online and see several cool items at one seller, you can often get a bundle discount. Moreover, it saves shipping costs. Ask about this!
Left: The growth box filled with second-hand children's clothing bought in larger sizes. Right: A repaired second-hand children's trousers.
Underwear and socks second-hand too!
A nice outfit is more likely to be passed on than socks, underwear and pyjamas. But why should those garments end up in the rubbish? Many people are actually greatly helped by such basics. Does it still look good and can you wash it? Then you can pass it on! Luckily, there are a lot of people on Vinted who have understood this, because this is how I find the best kids' pyjamas, socks and boxer shorts for a few quid.
How many pieces of clothing does a child need?
How much does a child need? That varies, of course. Some children come home in dirty clothes daily, while others can manage three days in the same outfit. We think the average child in the Netherlands needs about nine outfits. Say, four summer outfits and five winter outfits. That's excluding underwear, socks, sportswear, shoes, coats, and other accessories. Hmm, that's quite a lot when you break it down. Anyways, this is useful information while second-hand shopping. That way you know a little bit about what to look for.
Please (not): a bag of second-hand children's clothes
It's meant with the best intentions, but as soon as people know you like buying second-hand, they often want to give you all sorts of things. And that's quite often children's clothing. LOADS of children's clothing. Sometimes a whole bag full. It's very kind, of course, but you have to put all that clothing somewhere. What's more, it's often not quite to your taste, meaning a portion remains unworn in the wardrobe. And before you know it, that wardrobe is as full as it was before. So, you don't have to accept everything that's offered. Thank them kindly and let them know there's probably a family or a charity that would be even happier with it.
Repair children's clothes as often as possible too!
Broken knees, a worn-out elastic waistband, or a loose seam? Don't throw a piece of clothing away straight away, but first see if you can repair it yourself or have it repaired. It's often worthwhile, especially with children's clothing. A small repair can ensure that a favourite pair of trousers or jumper can last for months. And if your child has outgrown it anyway? You can often pass the repaired item on to a new owner afterwards.
How do you find the coolest second-hand kids' clothes?
What did you think of these second-hand shopping tips for kids? Did you already know everything or do you have a different way to find cool stuff for kids? Let us know (contact buttons can be found at the bottom of this page)! We will add to the list with love! And have you found something fun? Show it off on Instagram and don't forget @thegreenlist.nl and impossible to tag, of course! We love that! Want to see more? We've also made a video about this topic!
More sustainable tips for kids
- Sustainable parenting can be quite tricky. We'll get you started with these tips from a sustainable mum!
- Soft toys are often made of polyester. Have you ever thought about their environmental impact? We do!
- Want to know more about washable nappies? These come in all shapes and sizes and also of different materials.
Photo credits: main image: Angela de Vlaming, other: thegreenlist.nl.
