6 Local Moms Share Their Favorite Places to Thrift for Kids
If you need a good recommendation on where to pick up the best pre-loved kids stuff (and donate your own), look no further. These local experts have you covered.
This post is part of our “Ask An Expert” series, which features locals with a niche expertise. What’s your niche expertise? Email me at kaylakaplowitz@substack.com with your idea!
NOTE: I don’t accept any advertising, which makes The Plan entirely reader-supported. A $5/m membership to The Plan gets unlocks the paywall to every Ask an Expert post and gives you access to The Plan calendar.
I host women’s clothing swaps, which means I get to meet thrifty locals who know all the places to score great pre-loved things around town and online.
Hardly anyone recommends Poshmark or Mercari anymore. Every time I log on, I feel defeated by the crushing weight of choice overload. A few months ago, a friend told me about a second-hand browser extension called Beni, which is great if you know what you’re looking for. Same goes for Gem, a curated resale site for savvy shoppers.
On the local level, I’ve found some great kids clothes at Teddy’s Closet in Katonah (like an Isabel Garretón dress for my youngest 😍), and I scored a cute kids play-dress at The Community Shop of CCNW next door. Last Fall, my girls and I braved the crowds at the Minks to Sinks Tag Sale in Wilton, which was insane. But I’m by no means a thrifting expert.
JUMP TO: The Plan’s unofficial list of kids’ resale shops & donation centers
For this week’s post, I asked some much thriftier moms to reveal their go-to resale sources for unique and high-quality clothes, toys & gear for kids. Here they are, in no particular order.
Rebecca Bahmani, Somers
“I love dressing my kids in stylish, sustainable, and affordable outfits,” says Rebecca Bahmani, a mom of two in Somers who founded Prelove You, a platform revolutionizing how parents shop for their children by promoting circular fashion. Here are her go-to sources for pre-loved gems:
Parachute Brooklyn »
“This shop is a treasure trove for curated kids’ clothing!” says Bahmani. “They offer great pieces, and if you follow them on Instagram, you can snag the best finds by being quick to respond.” She says the website is packed with goodies, too. “It’s one of my favorite places for finding unique, well-loved clothing for kids.”
Noihsaf Kiddos »
Bahmani says this peer-to-peer platform for pre-loved clothing is “so much more than just shopping. I’ve scored some incredible pieces for my kids here and even made meaningful connections with other moms!” Building community + sustainable fashion = music to my ears.
“Network with fellow moms!”
Hear hear. One of the first mom friends I made in town (hi, V!) is constantly giving us great hand-me-downs. As my youngest outgrows them, I pass it on to my neighbor’s kid. It’s like Sisterhood of The Traveling Zara Pants over here.
Bahmani is a huge advocate of this notion, with a twist. “Make it a point to connect with moms whose kids’ style you admire,” she says. “Don’t be afraid to approach someone and ask if they’d consider selling their children’s outgrown clothing.”
She told me she once connected with a mom in Manhattan Beach, CA who dresses her twins in the most fabulous outfits. “We initially connected through Noihsaf Kiddos and discovered we even have mutual friends (thank you, Jewish geography!). Now, not only do my kids wear her twins’ clothes, but many of those pieces also end up on Prelove You!”
As a gift to The Plan readers, Bahmani has offered a code for your first month free at Prelove You. Just enter ThePlanxPLY at checkout. »
Jennifer Sunderman, Ridgefield
Jennifer Sunderman’s twin daughters and 6yo son are some of the best-dressed kids in Ridgefield. (I’m serious!) So when I saw her Instagram PSA about an amazing thrifting haul, I had to pick her brain about how she does it. Here’s what she told me:
Consign Envy (23 Catoonah St, Ridgefield) »
I confessed to Jenn that I’ve actually never stepped foot in this place. I pass it all the time and have never once gone in. (It’s right across from the Ridgefield Volunteer Fire Department). Two weeks ago, she changed my mind.
“It’s not at all assuming! They’re very welcoming,” she said. “The space is small, but intentional. Clean, well-organized and very manageable.”
She said their end of season sales are EPIC. “Right now, two tag colors are 50/75% off! If you can store next year's sizes in your basement or closet, you are set.”
Ridgefield Thrift Shop (21B Governor St, Ridgefield) »
Sunderman loves this Ridgefield staple for 5 reasons:
Their mission of supporting local non-profits by recycling, re-purposing, and reselling generously donated goods. “Plus, they award hefty scholarships every year, too. AMAZING!”
The volunteers “are lovely,” she says. “They stage items beautifully and with care. I love looking at all the vintage housewares and imagining who loved them before.”
Wide assortment of kids stuff. Sunderman says her kids love to explore the toy/game area while she peruses the clothing racks. She said they once scored Corolle baby dolls for $2 each (they’re $40-$100 retail). This year, she let her kids Christmas shop for each other and friends here and had so much fun.
The range of brands is impressive. “I found a pair of new-with-tags Burton snowboard pants for my nephew and paid just $10,” she told me.
Teens/adult activewear section. “It’s fantastic. I almost always spot Lululemon, Athleta, North Face, Patagonia or Columbia on the racks.”
Online auctions. If you’re looking for high-end jewelry/collectibles, Sunderman says sign up ahead of time. Expect Swarovski, fine gold/silver jewelry, and collectible dolls like American Girl.
Of course, she warns that it is a thrift shop, so you’re not always going to get lucky. “Some trips I have a bag full and others I leave empty-handed,” she says.
The Buy Nothing Project, Ridgefield »
Sunderman swears by the micro-local gift economy. “This group is phenomenal,” she says. “My kids and I gifted many of our well-loved toys within this group ahead of the holidays. And I was gifted a few new items to place under our tree from other members of the group.”
If you’re not in Ridgefield, search for a local Buy Nothing Group in your town. It’s the perfect way to de-clutter, especially if the idea of reselling your clothes, toys or housewares is too overwhelming.
(Below the paywall, paid supporters can find the full list of thrifty recommendations, including a complete rundown of all the local places to donate kids clothes. If you want to try out a Premium subscription for $5/mo—which gives you access to The Plan calendar and supports my work as a curator—click here to unlock a 14-day trial. You can try it and then cancel anytime if it's not for you.)