Second-hand kids' winter coats: what to check before you buy

When you buy a second-hand winter coat for a child, check the size with room to grow, the zip and fastenings, the hood, the cuffs and the fill, and look for wear at the elbows, hems and pockets. Ask the seller for the chest, length and sleeve in cm, and compare them with a coat that fits your child now. Children often outgrow a coat before they wear it out, so second-hand coats often have plenty of wear left in them.

A warm, waterproof coat is one of the most expensive things children need each winter. Here is how to buy a good one second-hand.

Get the size right

Size by age, check by measurement

Kids' coats are labelled by age, such as 5 to 6 years or 7 to 8 years, but sizes vary a lot between makers. Measurements are more reliable.

Measure a coat that fits your child now, laid flat: chest from armpit to armpit, length from the base of the collar to the hem, and sleeve from the shoulder seam to the cuff.
Ask the seller for the same measurements. On Rewear, tap Message the seller on the listing. Measurements are optional, so not every listing has them.
Compare. A few centimetres more in the chest and sleeve gives growing room and space for a jumper underneath.

Growing room without swamping them

Buying a size up can make a coat last two winters, but too big is a problem too. Sleeves that cover the hands get wet and dirty, and a very long coat can get in the way when playing. Look for cuffs that can be folded or adjusted, and check the coat will still be comfortable to move in.

Our guide to how a winter coat should fit explains the basics for adults, and the same principles apply.

Warmth and weather

Waterproof or water-resistant

Check the label or listing.

Waterproof coats keep out heavy rain. Look for taped seams on the inside.
Water-resistant coats cope with a shower but may soak through in a downpour.

On a used coat, ask whether it still keeps rain out. Waterproof coatings can wear over time, though some can be refreshed with a reproofing wash, following the care label.

Fill

Down is very warm for its weight. Check the fill is even, with no flat or empty patches.
Synthetic fill is often easier to wash and dries faster, which helps with muddy children.
Fleece-lined coats are warm and comfortable for milder days.

Our guide to washing a down jacket explains how to restore a flattened down coat.

What to check on a second-hand kids' coat

The zip. It should run smoothly from bottom to top, with no missing teeth. Check that the bottom of the zip engages easily, since children often do it up themselves.
Poppers and hook-and-loop tabs, which should close firmly.
The hood. Is it attached securely, or detachable with poppers that all work? A hood that comes off easily if caught can be a good thing.
Cords and toggles. Many parents prefer coats without long cords or drawstrings around the hood and neck on younger children. If there are any, check they are short and secure, or remove them.
Cuffs, for fraying or stretched elastic.
Elbows and knees on longer coats, for wear and holes.
Pockets, for holes in the linings.
The lining, for tears and marks.
Reflective details, if you want them for dark school mornings, and whether they are still intact.
Name labels, which may need unpicking or covering. Our guide to second-hand school uniform explains how.

Ask for the right photos

Ask the seller for:

The front and back, laid flat, in daylight.
Close-ups of the cuffs, elbows and hem.
The inside, including the lining and the care label.
The zip, done up and open.

If a coat arrives and is not as described, message the seller through the app and open a problem report on the order within 14 days of delivery. Our Terms explain how it works.

Looking after it

Follow the care label. Many kids' coats can be machine washed on a gentle cycle.
Close every zip and fastening before washing.
Dry it fully before it goes back on the peg, especially down coats.
Brush off dried mud before washing, rather than scrubbing wet mud in.

Selling an outgrown coat

Coats are one of the most useful things to pass on, and autumn, as the weather turns, is a good time to list them.

Wash it and check all the fastenings.
Photograph it in daylight, laid flat, front and back, without your child in the shot.
Give the age on the label and the measurements in cm.
Mention any wear honestly, such as a faded patch or a small mark.

Our guide to selling kids' clothes covers photos, sizes and bundles in more detail.

The short version

Measure a coat that fits now and compare it with the listing, leaving a little growing room. Check the zip, hood, cuffs, fill and waterproofing, ask for daylight photos and wash it before it is worn. Sell it on once it is outgrown.

Find your next piece

Second-hand clothing from sellers across the UK, with measurements in cm where sellers add them and buyer protection at checkout.

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