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No Broken Hearts Over High-Quality Secondhand Style for Moms

Secondhand style is the perfect fit for busy moms in search of high-quality style that won’t break the bank and also won’t break your heart when it’s covered in the crumbs of life. 

Post shared in partnership with thredUP

All “style” rules aside, some days (especially those when I’m home with my boys) call for leggings and secondhand sweaters. We play outside, experiment in the kitchen, color together, and cuddle up with several fun books. By day’s end, we are covered in remnants of our day: dirt from playing soccer in the yard, flour from baking birthday cupcakes, and chalk from coloring on the driveway. I really don’t want to stress about my clothes at the expense of getting down on the ground to play with my boys.

As most moms know, leggings make it so much more comfortable to run around with my kids. I’m not fussing with pants or pulling down a shirt. I can work up a little sweat without a sweat.

Wearing secondhand clothes, I get high-quality brands for a much lower price; I don’t have to pay a fortune for nice, stylish clothes. If I get a stain or small mark on something, which is nearly inevitable home with young kids all day, I haven’t ruined a really expensive piece (and I’m not relying on disposable fast fashion).

I’m definitely a fan of dressing up at times and feeling good in my clothes. I want pieces that are flattering and stylish. But when I’m home with my boys, I also want something that is comfortable and suitable for focusing on spending quality time with them (not leaving me to worry about whether or not I’m messing up my expensive clothes).

For some moms, the right jeans and a cute top work perfectly for a day hanging out with their kids. But for me, it just doesn’t work (maybe I’m a baby). Throughout the day, though, I get noses (that aren’t mine) wiped on my pants, I sit outside in the grass or on the driveway watching T and J score the game winning goal in Game 7 of the Stanley Cup, and I have evidence of just about everything we ate somewhere on my clothes by the end of the day.

Having a small collection of comfortable and versatile, but not frumpy(!) clothes to wear when I’m hanging out with my kids is just one more way I can focus on spending time with them instead of the billion other distractions that fight so hard to get in the way.

This past weekend, M said “If you don’t have to take a shower at the end of a weekend day, you’ve done something wrong.” While I’m sure there are reasonable exceptions to the rule, I think it’s a pretty good rule of thumb. On the weekends, we should be outside, or getting sweaty, or getting dirty, or doing something that ultimately requires we clean ourselves up at the end of day. It’s a sign the day was full of good fun and enjoyment, and I don’t want fear of ruining expensive clothes to get in the way of any of that.

Buying secondhand (or getting these hand-me-down leggings from my sister – even better!) has proven a really fantastic way to find unique clothes that are just right for my lifestyle, have minimal environmental and social impact, and don’t break the bank.

Do you buy secondhand clothes? If not, what’s the hurdle? Maybe one of these posts can help jump start your journey turning other people’s trash into your treasure.

Secrets to Scoring the Best Secondhand Style from thredUP

6 Tips to Find the Right Fit When Shopping Secondhand Online

Single Best Secret for Scoring Secondhand Gems

Are You Game for Secondhand White Jeans?

Shirt ~ T Alexander Wange (c/o thredUP) | Pants ~ Beyond Yoga (from my sister) | Shoes – Bucketfeet

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10 Comments

  1. Hi Jen! Great post. Our family lives in second hand clothes!
    Also, thank you for hosting the link up. I love the Green theme and look forward to checking out some other posts.

  2. I fell in love with secondhand clothing stores years ago and never looked back. I could not believe how lucky I was to find amazing designer suits, dresses and coats to wear to work for a mere fraction of the cost because someone had outgrown them or just did not want them anymore. I found expensive jeans for $5 and lots of terrific tops. Thank you for sharing this wonderful post with us at the Happy Healthy Green and Natural Party!

    1. I couldn’t agree more. I can’t imagine now not including it as part of completing my wardrobe. 🙂

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