Is Pre-Loved Maternity and Baby Clothing Right for You?

Of all the things to think about when planning a pregnancy, whether to opt for second hand maternity wear and baby clothing might not be at the top of your list.

However, how you dress yourself and your expectant child are decisions that will become part of your parenting journey regardless. So, whether the thought has crossed your mind, or you haven't even considered it yet, here are a few things to help you decide if pre-loved clothing is the way for you!

Maternity Clothing

For some, becoming pregnant and anticipating the changing of your body - and wardrobe - is an unbelievably exciting and novel time. For others, it's utterly daunting.  You may be daydreaming about how you'll look with a big baby bump, along with all the different ways in which you'll dress it, or you could be dreading the fact that you'll soon have to give up your favourite pair of jeans. Whichever side of the fence you are, the important thing to remember is that your pregnancy won't last forever. This fact helps bring the longevity (or lack thereof) of your maternity wardrobe into perspective, especially if you still need office workwear. 

Baby Clothing

If you've ever experienced shopping for a baby, you'll have learnt pretty quickly that their clothing is sized according to months. Months! That's how quickly they go - and grow - through outfits. If you haven't ever gone shopping for baby clothing, then consider why your parents may have dressed you in your sibling's or cousin's 'hand-me-downs'. Once you realise that your child will only physically be able to wear their adorable little outfits for what feels like a blink of an eye, you'll likely view pre-loved baby clothing as a totally viable option.

Here are 5 reasons to consider building pre-loved wardrobes for you and your baby...

It's Nearly New Anyway

When you consider how short the pregnancy phase is, as well as how briefly your baby will wear the outfits in each size bracket before moving up, you can also begin to consider that buying second-hand clothing within both these categories is practically like buying new! The lifespan of a pair of maternity dungarees from one mom-to-be is, in reality, quite short compared to a favourite pair of jeans. Only worn for a couple months, the dungarees will likely be in near-perfect condition and has much longevity left in it. The same absolutely applies to baby dungarees - or smarter working outfits that may only be worn once or twice a week for a few months.

It's Practical 

And by practical, we're talking about space-saving. Consider how much more practical it would be to cycle through pre-loved maternity and baby clothes (buying and re-selling), rather than having multiple piles of clothes that no longer fit you and your baby taking up precious storage space and gathering dust. Don't forget you can always keep your favourite pieces as keepsakes or for the next time around - if that's in your plans.

It's Economical

Setting up an entire new wardrobe for yourself and preparing for the arrival of a baby can put a serious dent in anyone's wallet. Excited expectant parents will undoubtedly be bombarded with ads and mailings for new clothing options, gadgets and all sorts of 'must haves'. Buying gently worn maternity and baby clothing - not to mention other baby paraphernalia - can be a great way for you to save hundreds, even thousands of pounds, and afford you the opportunity to invest the money elsewhere or save it till later. Don't forget this is just the beginning - babies keep growing and needing new clothes!

It's Green

The buying and selling of pre-loved clothing is one of the single most effective answers to fast fashion, mass production, and ultimately the damaging effects that this has on our planet. Not only is this way of shopping more affordable, it's also more sustainable and responsible. For this reason alone, the vintage shopping and second-hand store market has become increasingly more popular and upholds the demand and appreciation of well-made, long-lasting clothing. 

At the end of the day- It's Up to You

The best part about making these kinds of decisions is the fact that it's entirely up to you to decide what's right for you and your child. When it comes to deciding whether pre-loved maternity and baby clothing is for you, it doesn't have to be an either/or decision. Maybe you decide that certain items you'd prefer to buy brand new, and others you don't mind buying second-hand. Maybe you decide on half and half. Maybe you decide second-hand isn't for you at all, but you'd be happy to resell once you and your baby have moved on from certain items. Like all things in parenthood - it's a personal choice and the only thing that matters is that you're comfortable with it.