Secondhand Baby Clothes Make Firsthand Sense

One early morning last week, I realized my son had nothing to wear. To be sure, his laundry hamper was full, but the pile of clothes he had outgrown was growing just as quickly!

So I did the obvious: I went to a chain clothing store and bought him three shirts, three pairs of shorts, and three pairs of socks.

I ended up spending $37 and realized this is what people were talking about when they said having a kid can get expensive!

Recession-proofing parenthood requires creativity and because neither my boyfriend nor I decided upon particularly lucrative professions, I was tempted to return the clothes I bought after discovering a much cheaper--and greener--way to clothe our little guy.

• It's cheaper.

After shelling out $37 on six garnments, I visited a childrens consignment shop while on a visit to Orange County and bought 30 pieces of clothing for the same price! You could even end up making a couple of bucks, or at least breaking even, by consigning the same clothes when your little one grows out of them.

Because kids--especially babies and toddlers--grow so quickly, it seems silly to spend tons of money making sure they're donning the latest brand names and fashions. The kids aren't going to care if they're wearing designer clothes; they'd rather just play and get dirty and have fun.

• It's human-friendly.

Since clothing companies almost always outsource their labor overseas to places like Vietnam, Sri Lanka, Nicarargua, India, and Pakistan, it's important for Americans to note the price we pay--economically and socially--when we choose to purchase clothing that very well could have been made by a child for our children.

Some may argue that outsourcing this labor provides important income to families who would otherwise live in poverty, but efforts here and abroad to create localized sustainability have made great strides recently. Corporate globalization creates wealth at the top of the pyramid, but communities ultimately end up suffering.

• It's eco-friendly.

Environmentally speaking, there is nothing "green" about using energy from polluting sources such as coal and natural gas to ship newly-created clothing from thousands of miles away.

Buying used clothing is easier on the environment because there are far fewer carbon emissions involved in one person consigning clothing to a local shop and another choosing to purchase the items.

Moreover, if new garnments are created with synthetic fabrics such as polyester and rayon, chances are they're going to be harsh on a child's skin. But if you're on a budget and organic clothing isn't in your price range, the second-best bet is buying on consignment.

While there aren't any consignment shops in Rye proper that have a wide selection of baby clothes, within a short drive or bus ride are plenty of opportunities for parents to buy quality clothes without the hefty price tags.

• Yard Sales

With spring in full bloom, many people are looking to declutter. Stay on the lookout for neighborhood yard sales, where you can find great deals and even practice your haggling skills.

• Consignment Shops

Check out Vintage Kidz, a childrens consignment shop in Larchmont, or if you feel like taking a drive, Affordables offers indeed affordable kids clothes in Dobbs Ferry.

• Online

Browse the Baby/Kids section of the Westchester Craigslist for cheap deals on baby and toddler clothes and accessories. Signing up for Westchester Freecycle can also connect you to people who are looking to find a good home for their kids' outgrown clothes.