Why Preloved Should be Your go to For Kids’ Occasionwear

With the wedding and prom season fast approaching, many of us are on the look out for affordable options for children’s smart clothes. These are not the sort of clothes we dress our kids in every day but special items we put them in to make feel-good memories. I’m talking about fancy party dresses, formal shirts and trousers, bowties and waistcoats, glittery shoes.

Now more than ever we’re budget-conscious, which means balancing the desire to choose something special against cost and practicality. It’s hard to justify the mark-up on occasionwear when in reality it’s only going to be worn once, and sometimes just for a matter of hours. Mind you, kids will be kids and that’s still plenty of time for them to make a mess of their clothes! The last thing you want at an event is to be worrying over their outfit trying to keep it pristine instead of enjoying yourself. So what’s the solution?

Formal clothing hire and dress rental is well established in the adult market, but for childrenswear rental is still in it’s relative infancy. Is it possible to find party clothes for kids at a price that doesn’t make you too precious over them? Yes!

There is a thriving market in second-hand and preloved occasionwear for kids. Online marketplaces and apps offer a huge selection of preloved party clothes at a fraction of the price. There are also dedicated reseller businesses that offer kids’ clothes – like Worn In Wardrobe, an Edinburgh-based preloved children’s clothing shop. Their online store has a specific collection for smart clothes and they resell everything from flower girl dresses to kids’ suits. Take a look at their occasionwear collection here.

Buying preloved just makes sense when it comes to kids’ smart clothes. Less initial outlay and less worry on the day.

With second-hand, outfits may of course have signs of previous wear. I’ve yet to meet a kid whose day was dampened by a small mark on their top though. Imperfections should all be declared and clearly shown before you buy so you know exactly what you’re getting. My top tip is not to be afraid to ask sellers or companies for more details or photos before you make a purchase if you want more detail.