There’s one thing that’s guaranteed with kids and that’s that they grow fast! One minute they’re snoozing in your arms and the next they’re beating you in a swimming race...
While we all love our kids to look cute, the problem with forking out a fortune for an outfit is that they only wear it a handful of times. Given the fact that during term time they’re in school five days a week, you’re only left with the weekends to put them in something trendy. On top of that the seasons seem to come and go at a rate of knots. One day you’re convinced that snow boots are an essential purchase and the next, you’ve realised that what you actually need is sandals…
So, what’s the answer? Why not consider doing some second-hand shopping? If you do your research thoroughly you can save money and you might just find some hidden gems. Now that’s my kind of treasure hunt!
Here are some places to shop for second-hand clothes.
Charity Shop
When you think about buying second-hand clothes, charity shops are the first thing that springs to mind. Many of them have been thoroughly modernised and are a great place to pick up garments that are on trend at a fraction of the price that they’d originally have sold for. Some of the best include the 21 Irish Cancer Society Charity Shops which are located throughout Ireland; Jack and Jill Charity Boutiques which also have their own Facebook pages so you can keep an eye on what’s new instore; and Oxfam shops which sell a multitude of items including preloved clothes.
Thriftify.ie
If you prefer to do your shopping from the comfort of your own home, then check out Thriftify.ie who, according to their website, are on a mission "to change how, and why, the world shops". They work with over 98% of Ireland’s charity retailers to list their best bargains and then send out your order in compostable packaging. You can choose from filters including charity location, size and condition, and you can shop knowing that you’re supporting both good causes and the environment.
Facebook isn’t just for mindless scrolling; Facebook groups are now incredibly popular and you can even utilise them to do your second-hand shopping. Search for local "Freecycle" or "Buy and Sell" groups and you might just bag yourself a bargain. Remember to search within the group for the items you’re looking for, so you don’t have to waste time seeing things that aren’t of interest.
And don’t forget to donate your own items too! Whether you choose to offload your unwanted outfits to a clothes bank, a charity shop or to a recycling box in a high street store, you can feel satisfied that you’re helping the planet and extending the life of your much-loved garments. And if they’re valuable then why not sell them on? The extra euros in your pocket certainly wouldn’t go amiss!
