There is a lot of stigma around hand-me-downs, and I know a lot of people that curl their top lip up at the idea of them, but I’m not sure why. Especially, when it comes to kids clothes. Babies and children grow so quickly that things usually only fit for one season, so it seems a waste to see all your hard earned cash being spent on clothes that may only get worn a few times. I personally think of hand-me-downs as little treasure chests, you never know what’s inside that bag!
I’ll never say no to something for nothing and as my Dad always says ‘you don’t get rich by spending money’ so why wouldn’t you take some clothes if someone is offering? Having said that, I make sure Roman doesn’t look like he lives in hand-me-downs and choose clothes that are at least from this decade. I know they’re not for everyone, so if you aren’t rolling your eyes in disgust, then read on…
First off, know the rules. Make sure you know whether you need to give the clothes back, or if they’re yours for keeps. If they’re yours to keep, then you’ve got free reign to re-design them, so let your imagination go wild! If you do need to give them back, are you still able to make some modifications? If they do need to be given back, I believe it’s the owner’s responsibility to know which things are theirs. Get them to initial the tags or write up a list of the items. I tend to remember which things are mine and which things I’ve been given by particular people, but not everyone may remember. If you’re the one passing on hand-me-downs, I think it’s best to assume you’ll never get them back, that way you can’t be disappointed. If you have some treasured items, keep them in the back of your cupboard.
So now you’ve got some clothes, what do you do with them all. They’ve usually been stuffed in a bag for a while and always look a little sad and wrinkled up when they first come out. It’s not really fair for the clothes because I think this always makes them look a little worse than they are. Stains can appear over time, so chuck it all in the wash and don’t immediately dismiss anything with a few marks on it. Once it has all been laundered, you can now go through it with a fine toothed comb.
(I’ve de-fluffed the right half of this jumper by shaving it with a disposable razor. Good as new!)
If anything is too small, put it in a pile. Also make a pile for anything you don’t like and know you wont use. No one says you have to like it all. Make another pile for anything that is still stained and needs further treating/soaking. And another pile for items that need a little mending, alterations or tidying, such as de-fluffing. And lastly, make a pile for the items that look great and are ready to go straight into the cupboard.
Because Roman is taller than average, I have turned a lot of pants that aren’t long enough into shorts. Also, tops seem to be more slim fitting these days, so I have taken a lot of tops in along the side seams. Pyjama onesies with sad looking feet can easily be made footless, and because they’re usually knits you don’t always need to hem them, just cut the feet off. Long sleeve tops that have very sad looking cuffs can be made into t-shirts and the list of quick alterations goes on…
Roman is all set for this coming Winter with my latest acquisition of hand-me-downs. Perfect timing as the cold weather seems to be here to stay. And he is in love with his little Spiderman Slippers I picked up for $2 at the Op-Shop. These are the first shoes he’s actually kept on his feet, so it was $2 very well spent.
What are your thoughts on hand-me-downs?
Anonymous says
For babies, as in less than 1yo or before they become active, I totally agree. We had tonnes of clothes that got given to us which never got worn at all (wrong size/season mainly) so they’re essentially brand-new, why wouldn’t you offer them to someone – or be grateful to receive them?
thingsforboys says
So true, I still have a few items that have the tags on waiting to be worn.
Erin says
Hand-me-downs are great! I also like to go to consignment sales for my little guys clothes. You can get so much for a little bit of nothing, and sometimes you even find brand new items! 🙂
Erin
takingtimetocreate.blogspot.com
Amy Ha says
We love hand-me-downs, or to use the fancy new term: preloved clothes. Op shops, kids market, eBay. Some clothes are still so new, or washed but unworn. It costs too much buying new clothes for babies who’ll be wearing them once or twice before moving up to the next size.
Great blog and Thanks for the tip on using razors to shave of fluff!
Play Eat Grow says
I love hand me downs. That way I don’t have to worry if my little man falls down and scuffs the knee. I didn’t spend that much anyway. And I’ve always been more of a quantity over quality kinda girl, so hand me downs give me lots of bang for my buck.
– Christina
banglabou (Mei) says
I prefer hand me downs. Of course they save money, as people have mentioned. Also, when my children were little and got hand me downs from their cousins, I loved knowing that the clothing they had on was once worn by someone they love.
With all the talk about saving the Earth and reduce-reuse-recycle, I am always surprised when people look down at second hand outfits. What a great way to reuse an item instead of drawing on the Earth’s resources to make all new clothing for every person on the planet!
English mum says
I love hand me downs, and it’s a rare day when my little one isn’t wearing at least one item that’s a hand me down (actually, maybe it’s a rare day when he’s wearing something new!!).
phillsphiberandpheltperfectionshttp://www.etsy.com/shop/tecsjack says
great tips, especially shaving ‘fluffy’ jumpers….I’ll go straight to the wardrobe!!! Thanks
Claudia Bettencourt says
Hi Abby, in my circle of friends we pass around clothes and baby items (blankets, chairs, etc), like crazy!!! Yes, times are hard but I do believe we would do it anyway even if things were ok or even great. It’s so nice to share, specially because you are sharing memories along with those clothes… In my experience, most baby clothes are left “brand new” even after a few weeks of use and we all know how babies grow fast on the first months (and years). So, when a friend announces she is expecting, she will likely be getting many “offers” that will save her a lot of money. Money that can be used to buy vaccines that are not on the Public Health System (for example) , in Portugal, we have to buy 2 like this, that cost us around 80 euros per shot (5 total)…and even if you don’t have to pay for anything, well, enjoy that money, for a special party, a photo shoot, the baby’s saving account, whatever…what is important is to recycle, on a final basis, we are protecting Mother Earth from waste and that is also really positive!
thingsforboys says
sounds like you are one smart group of ladies! Very good way to save money and help the environment. Wow! Your immunisations are expensive. We are lucky to have free ones.