SECOND HAND ISN'T JUST FOR SEPTEMBER: TIPS FOR BUYING PRELOVED KIDSWEAR

We love Second Hand September! The more we talk about the positive impact and joy of preloved kidswear (and womenswear, men's clothing, homeware, electronics, books... the list goes on) the more normalised choosing second hand first will become.

But at Kinder Collective we believe that second hand isn't just for September - we're in it for the long haul.

Since we launched in October 2023, we've sold over 500 items of preloved kids clothes and shoes. Plus nearly 300 second hand books, which has raised almost £600 for charities Save the Children, Medical Aid for Palestine, Mama to Mama and Action Against Hunger.

Sustainable style and keeping clothing in circulation is something we're passionate about and have been practising for decades: it's how we dress our kids and ourselves. Second hand clothing is a brilliant way to save money, help the planet and hone a sense of style away from the marketing machines of big business. All excellent skills to pass on to the next generation.

Whether you're just starting on your preloved fashion journey, or are well on your way in the reuse revolution, read on for some of our expert tips for how to best shop for preloved kids clothes.

Look for items you like, not what's 'on trend'
Circular fashion is a great chance to take risks with colours or prints that you like, rather than what's in fashion that week, and invest in premium brands at a big discount compared to buying new.

Some of our faves for quality and style are Stella McCartney Kids, Bobo Choses, Tiny Cottons, The Animals Observatory, Mini Rodini, Osh Kosh B’Gosh, Jelly Mallow. These have a strong resale value so don't let them linger in the wardrobe if they're not quite right.
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Look at the label
Natural fibres like cotton, linen and wool usually wash and wear better than synthetics, won't shed microplastics in the wash, and they feel softer on little ones’ skin too.
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Choose Scandi brands for outerwear that will last basically forever
Liewood, Polarn O.Pyret, Konges Slojd, Kuling, Mini Rodini. They know how to make the most of bad weather in this region and sizing is usually generous.
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Get to know the sizing conventions of your favourite brands.
Not only do the numbers mean different things, but fits are far from standardised. Not sure where to start? Our Size Guide is here to help!
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Size up to get plenty of wear out of clothes
A little kid in an oversized look is universally adorable! Roll up hems and cuffs, and look for adjustable waistbands in trousers (why do women's jeans not have these?!) But always get the right size shoes. Which leads us to...
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Don’t stash shoes
You might think you're making a big saving by buying shoes for them to grow into, but feet grow at an irregular rate and aligning seasons and sizing is a gamble that rarely pays off.
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Shop IRL
Looking at items in real life is always going to give you the clearest picture of what you're buying. Scout out small independent stores selling curated preloved (like us!) or vintage collections as well as vintage markets and pop-ups.

Locally, we’re lucky to have brilliant pop-ups like She Sells By The Sea, Gather Ramsgate, Margate Bazaar and The Community Clothes Bank, and we’re proud to be part of The Playground Project in London too (we'll be popping up in Coal Drops Yard, King's Cross on 8 and 9 November with them, hope to see you there)

Charity shops and car boot sales are also great sources of second hand treasure, but you'll need to be prepared to rummage.
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Choose wisely online
Buying online is convenient, but can take more time and you never know what you're going to get. Scrolling blurry photos and vague often mislabeled descriptions on Vinted can be like digging in a bargain bin.

Professional preloved sellers (us again) take time to get clear photos and include sizing, composition and many more details to help you get a feel for the item so you know what to expect.

The Club Preloved is a great resource for finding sellers dedicated to giving new life to old things. Check it out on Instagram, and browse the brilliant sellers directory here.
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Don’t just buy preloved sell or donate your old pieces too
It can be hard to let go of your kids' clothing, hoping that they’ll want them for their own children or just feel sad to say goodbye to certain ages and stages as they grow.

But keep a few of the more special or sentimental pieces, and liberate yourself by selling the rest. Explore consignment services, pop it on an app yourself or donate it to your local baby bank or charity shop.

Donate, don't dump
Miss the charity shop or clothing bank pile with anything that has a rip, stain or any other defect. Some charity shops sell clothing like this as 'rags' for textile recycling but, honestly, that's just offshoring the problem.
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Get creative with your discard pile
Have you got a growing pile of single baby socks? Turn them into scented pouches for your clothing drawers: fill with rice and dried lavender, tie with an elastic band, add ribbon if you fancy, and keep moths at bay.

Stained T-shirts or sweaters can be cut into squares or strips for crafts, or rags for dusting or cleaning up spills.

Anything truly unsalvageable and made from natural fibres such as cotton, linen, silk and wool can be put into your compost. Remember reduce, reuse and repurpose come before recycling.
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Learn the language
You'll see some abbreviations and terms used a lot: BNWT means Brand New with Tags, GUC and EUC are Good/Excellent Used Condition. NIL is Next in Line, and you'll usually see it in the comments on Instagram listings.

'Deadstock' is unsold stock that's never been used. It could be a piece of vintage still with its original label on, or clothing made from unused or surplus materials - Studio Koter is a brand we love that does great things with deadstock fabrics.

'Playwear' is perfect for nursery clothes that you don’t care about coming home stained with lunch, paint, play dough and mud. And a good way to sell off those items that wouldn't make the cut in a charity shop.
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Bag a bundle
If you’re after basics like leggings, tees or babygrows, or even school uniform, try searching for bundles on apps like Facebook Marketplace, local WhatsApp groups, Olio or Vinted.

They're such a cost-effective way to stock up for active little wardrobes and take the pressure off buying everything new and in perfect condition. 
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Flip the seasons
For outerwear, browse marketplaces at the end of winter when people are clearing out cupboards, you’ll often find barely-worn coats and boots at a fraction of the price.

In reverse, October is a great time to stock up on sandals, swimwear and lightweight clothes to stash for the next year.
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Stay in the loop
Sign up to newsletters or Instagram notifications for your favourite sellers so you don’t miss out on new stock, we share our latest preloved drop on Instagram and in our Kinder Crew monthly newsletter (sign up at the bottom of the page).

Other faves for preloved kidswear: Stanley Stores, One More Time in Circulation, May I Have Preloved, Be Diddy, Sesame Store, Lyttle Stor.
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High Street brands are hit and miss
Luckily our standards are high, so when we pick preloved from brands such as Zara, Gap, Boden, The Little White Company, Arket, Little Bird and Cos we only choose the best pieces.
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Don’t be afraid to gift preloved
We’re always so happy when people choose a gift from our preloved rail, especially for a new baby gift. The amount of clothes you need in the early stages is astonishing, and knowing they’re low impact is one less thing to worry about. 
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It’s not just about the kids
There are so many incredible online preloved businesses for grown-ups as well. We love The Club Preloved and our friends at Friday Vintage Club and Peony Vintage, plus the lovely Preloved & Reloved, Kiss Kiss Retro, Stae Store and Lindsey Isla Studio — all hosting regular drops filled with one-of-a-kind treasures. 

Elizabeth of A Circular Story creates the most amazing one-off shirts and jackets out of reclaimed textiles. Join her newsletter to find out when a new collection will go live - but be prepared, her monthly drops sell out fast.

Adorned by Palm Works is an incredible collection of preloved and vintage pieces which have been customised with delicate shells, pearls and crystals.
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Host a swap shop
You could do this with friends, playgroup or even your school. Ask everyone to bring along a few pieces that are outgrown or just go unworn and trade them. It’s fun, free, and everyone leaves with something “new."

These are great to host in the run up to Halloween, Christmas nativity plays or jumper days and World Book Day as well.
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Set an upcycling challenge
This September, pick one piece from your child’s wardrobe to refresh together.

Tie-dye it, add patches, or sew on badges - kids love creating something unique, and it’s a fun way to show them the value of reusing and recycling. It's a great activity for a playdate or birthday party too!
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At Kinder Collective we pride ourselves on sourcing practically perfect preloved for children newborn to nine years old. Take a look here, where you can browse by age or clothing type.