Shopping for baby - Hand-me-downs & Pre-loved

Shopping for baby - Hand-me-downs & Pre-loved

some of my buys from Fara

When I was pregnant my sister was generous enough to pass on a huge pile of baby gros, vests and booties that my nephew had worn when he was a baby (he is now a lively, but very sweet 2 year old). One or two of the pieces, I had bought for him myself, when I went on a trip to New York shortly after my sister had found out she was pregnant. 

Every time I put Coco in one of these items, it thrills me! I just can't help thinking of the stories of when my friend and I had gone looking for baby clothes for our nephews on a hot day in manhattan (sounds sophisticated, it really wasn't), stories of time spent with my nephew in these clothes when he was only little here in London and now new memories with Coco in them. Yes, they're just clothes, but then again, they're not just clothes when they have a bit of history to them.

Vintage for Me

I had this beautiful green dress that fit like a glove and got me compliments every time I wore it. When people asked where I got it from, and I got this a lot, they were surprised to hear it was from a vintage store in Brussels - it had previously been owned and worn by someone else. I personally have no problems with second-hand clothes, but I know some people do.

 I am also quite partial to charity-shop shopping. I have picked up some amazing gems from them, although I think I took it a bit more seriously when I was student in University and broke but still wanted to be trendy - it was a struggle. I have kept some of those and they're ten years old now (in terms of how long I've had them) but you wouldn't know it except I told you. That's another thing I find with vintage pieces, they tend to stand the test of time. The workmanship that went into the tailoring was of a superior quality to what we have today on say, the high street. Even the top end of the high street - like Reiss, Whistles and the like.

Babies and Vintage

Babies are a different ball game though. Before Coco was born, I wasn't sure about my opinion on her wearing previously owned clothes and shoes. The ones that my nephew owned aside, because I think thats totally different, I am more meaning clothes/shoes that you do not know the history of. I could not decide if I cared about it enough to have an opinion on it. I think it was just not something I had room to think about when there was heartburn, labour, postpartum body to 'worry' about.

Kids Products at Fara 

I bought brand new clothes, she got quite a lot, again brand new, from friends and family and that was that. Until last week when I walked into a Fara (charity shop on a high street and money is for a cause*) and wow, everything was calling my name. Granted, it's a charity shop in a nice neighbourhood (don't ask me to define nice), but everything there was well organised by and split into male and female, outer room dedicated to clothes, inner room dedicated to toys, prams (they looked only fairly used and were going for £100/£150, when I know that the actual retail price or even re-sale cost on Ebay is closer to £500+), books and toys. It was clean and bright, had a nice back garden you could see into. It was not your stereotypical 'charity shop', which you may think of as a bit smelly, and untidy. Long story short, I walked away with a few items. 

Prices at Fara

Now, I don't think every item was a bargain, the staff are very aware of what is branded or designer and will mark things up slightly higher so that actually the prices you end up paying are similar to high street shop prices, but some items were cheaper too. I got a lovely sun hat for £2, and two weeks ago I bought one at Trotters for about £12. The Fara one is actually nicer and looks brand new, so I would have happily paid more for it. In general, there's no better place to feel like oops, I spent more than I initially thought I would, than at a charity shop, because it all goes towards a good cause. It's a win win situation!

I put the clothes in the wash so I can't share more pictures, but once they are dry, I'll put them up. Thats the one thing I do - wash before I wear. I also have a limit, I would never buy bikinis, underwear or anything like that from a charity shop, especially not for a child, though they do sell them. But thats my personal limit, everyone has their's, right? Just thinking about the items makes me smile. Kids clothes put a big smile on my face, especially summer clothes, I am super partial to rompers/playsuits in particular, Coco has about four now - lined up for when the weather cooperates and gets warm.

How do you feel about your child wearing clothes from a charity shop? Are you quite 'precious' about   it?

Happy Days ahead.

x

*Fara website explains that the money goes to disadvantaged children and young people in Romania.

Shopping for baby - Hand-me-downs & Pre-loved