My first secondhand outfit was also the first item of clothing that I ever wore. I was a newborn, and my Mum brought me home in a secondhand baby grow that the Hospital gave her. My pre-loved wardrobe began long before my understanding of sustainability. It came out of necessity for my Mum in order for her to be able to afford to dress her baby.
I write this a week before my due date. I’m 39 weeks pregnant and fortunate enough to choose whether my baby will be dressed in new clothes or pre-loved. I’m fully aware of how fortunate enough I am to be in this position. But, the second hand has played a huge part in the baby’s wardrobe so far, due to it being a far more eco-friendly and wallet-friendly choice. I have discovered so many beautiful treasures in charity shops, sourced gorgeous finds on Facebook Marketplace and received incredible pieces as hand-me-downs from friends. Choosing the pre-loved way is certainly the more sustainable way.
And as I anxiously wait for the 7 or more so day countdown until I meet our baby, I’ve spent a lot of time pondering how I will share my love for secondhand with our child. My Mum was the reason I started Secondhand Styling. She taught me absolutely everything I know about sourcing pre-loved; unfortunately, she won’t be there to pass on her wisdom to her grandchild after passing away 5 months ago to Pancreatic Cancer.
In all honesty, I have managed grief surprisingly okay, since my focus has been on my pregnancy and this business. But now, as I wind down, I find myself taking long moments of pause and not really knowing what or how I am going to pass on the life lessons and values that my Mum installed in me. She inspired me to strive to be a better version of myself constantly. I don’t know how I will ever be able to do what Mama Norris did, teach the lessons she shared or inspire my child the way she did when I looked up at her.
I know that I have the tools and insight ready to pass on in some way if my child is ready to listen. But more importantly, I am prepared to listen and relearn what my child and their generation have to teach me. I’m excited about the growth of secondhand space and how that will evolve over the next few decades.
For now, I know I’m going to have a lot to learn as a new Mum buying and styling secondhand for my baby and me. My style changed over the last 9 months of growing a bump- I refused to spend stupid amounts of money on “Maternity” labeled goods when I knew I could make do with items that could be re-styled post-baby. And now, moving forwards, my needs from fashion will also change as I adapt to clothes that will fit into my new routine. But a priority will always be to choose clothes that give me that “feel good factor” and not waste money.
Even though my Mum won’t be here for the journey, she will be watching my thrifty ways from above. Everything she taught me about quality, style, cost and fashion will be shared with you all on my new journey.
Secondhand fashion has always been there for me through break ups, downs and new starts, and it helped me reinvent myself at a time when money was always a challenge. Now more than ever, we could all do with some tips on preparing for second acts in our lives and new roles without breaking the bank. So as I navigate this new chapter of motherhood and pre-loved fashion with a baby, I hope my tips, tricks and ideas can help you uncover a new path for yourself in the wardrobe of pre-loved style.
