Any parent will tell you kids go through a ton of clothes. If that adorable new outfit isn’t outgrown in a month, it will be ripped, stained, or destroyed in a creative way only your child can manage.
The constant cycle of clearing out your child’s closet to make room for new clothes is not only expensive, but it also contributes to our country’s problem with textile waste. Did you know that only 15% of clothes are recycled or donated in the United States? Or that more than 10.5 million tons of clothing ends up in landfills each year?
The good news is there’s an eco-friendly solution: used children’s clothing. The even better news is that online consignment shops make it easier than ever before to buy or sell used kids clothes.
Forget eBay, Craigslist, and Facebook buy/sell/trade groups. We’ve chosen places that carefully curate their selection, so you won’t have to sift through thousands of listings to find quality clothes. Selling through children’s consignment also makes it much easier for buyers to find your clothes, meaning you’ll clear your closet and get paid that much faster.
Here are five of our favorite places to buy and sell secondhand kids clothes — each with its own unique twist:
1. Used Children’s Clothing With A Community: Kidizen
At Kidizen, you’ll find an online marketplace with a social aspect. In addition to buying and selling kids clothes online, you can follow sellers, comment on outfits, and favorite things you love.
How it works: It’s a free app that provides a storefront and community for parents to run their own business. The seller is responsible for listing and shipping the items, and the app does take a cut of the selling price. Kidizen offers protections for both buyers and sellers to offer a secure marketplace.
What you’ll find: You’ll find clothes and shoes from a variety of brands. Since it’s kind of like an online garage sale, there are no brand restrictions. Everything must be in usable condition, but it can have some minor flaws, as long as they’re accurately listed.
Available sizes: You'll find clothes in all sizes for infants, toddlers, boys, and girls.
Related: How To Inspire Your Kids To Go Green (Without Bumming Them Out)
2. Kids Resale For A Cause: Schoola
You can feel good about buying used kids clothes at Schoola. The company donates up to 40% of the proceeds to schools or charities like the Malala Fund, VH1 Save The Music Foundation, or Girls on the Run.
How it works: You donate your gently used clothes to Schoola, choose a school or charity, and the company sells your items. When you buy something, a portion of all sales goes back to fund education.
What you’ll find: Schoola specializes in selling name-brand clothing in like-new condition. You’ll find higher-end items that typically sell for more than $30 in stores.
Available sizes: Schoola carries clothes for boys and girls, infant through juniors. You’ll also find maternity clothes here.
3. Children’s Consignment Offering Everything: Swap.Com
Swap.com is just like the consignment shops you know and love, except online. You’ll find more than just clothes here — the company sells everything from used baby gear and decorations for your child’s room to toys and sporting goods.
How it works: To sell items on Swap.com, the company provides a box for you to ship your items. Once your box arrive, a staff member assess the items and decides whether to accept them. Once an item sells, you get the money, minus the fees. If any of your items are rejected, you can choose to have them returned, or they’ll go ahead and donate them.
What you’ll find: Just about everything you need for your kids to fit any budget. Swap.com doesn’t have any brand name requirements, but it says items must sell for at least $5 new.
Available sizes: All sizes, from babies to adults. Swap.com also buys and sells maternity clothes.
Related: 4 Sustainable Living Ideas For Kids Who Love Mother Earth
4. Fashion-Forward, Used Kids Clothes: ThredUp
ThredUp has a reputation for being a great place for women to find fashion-forward clothes for deep discounts. But did you know the company also sells stylish threads for kids?
How it works: Just like a brick-and-mortar consignment shop. They’ll send you a bag to send in your items, they inspect and accept, and they cut you a check. For items that might take longer to sell, the company offers a consignment option, where you’ll get paid when it sells.
What you’ll find: Like-new, stylish clothes, shoes, and accessories from name brands. Clothes here are generally in-season, or close to it.
Available sizes: You’ll find all sizes for boys and girls, from infants to teens. ThredUp also sells maternity clothes.
5. One-Stop Shop For Kids Clothes Online: Loteda
Loteda specializes in offering a whole wardrobe of secondhand kids clothes in one package. Everything is listed in lots, so you can get a full outfit or seasonal wardrobe for one price.
How it works: Everything on the site is sold in curated, multi-piece sets according to size. The company is currently not accepting new lots.
What you’ll find: A variety of clothes from top brands in like-new condition.
Available sizes: This site specializes in clothes for smaller children. You’ll find clothes for newborns, infants, toddlers, and up to size 5 for boys and girls.
While we love these five places, we know this list of great online consignment shops could go on forever. Share your favorite secondhand shops in the comments, and tell us about the best items you’ve found.
Shayla Brooks is a San Diego-based journalist who loves breaking news, social media, and her cat Zelda.
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