Second-hand school uniform is a sensible buy for the plain, hard-wearing pieces children outgrow fastest: grey or black trousers and skirts, white polo shirts and shirts, plain jumpers and cardigans, PE kit and coats. Check the size on the label and a couple of measurements, look closely at knees, cuffs and collars, and make sure any logo matches your child's school. When your own child outgrows uniform, remove the name labels, wash it and sell it on to another family.
Uniform gets a lot of wear, but children often grow out of it well before it wears out. Here is how to make the most of it, whether you are buying or selling.
Which pieces are worth buying second-hand
Plain items
Many schools ask for plain pieces that are not tied to one school:
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- grey, black or navy trousers and skirts
- white or pale blue shirts and blouses
- plain polo shirts
- plain jumpers and cardigans in the school's shade
- pinafores and summer dresses
- PE shorts, joggers and T-shirts
These are the easiest to buy second-hand, because they suit any school with the same dress code.
Logo items
Blazers, jumpers and ties with a school badge only suit pupils at that school. They can still be a great buy, often for less than new, but check the logo carefully against your school's current design. Schools sometimes update their badges.
Coats and bags
Plain coats and school bags in neutral shades are good second-hand buys and see heavy use. Check zips, straps and seams.
What to check before you buy
- The size on the label, plus measurements in cm. Children of the same age vary a lot, and brands size differently. For trousers, ask for the waist and inside leg; for jumpers and blazers, pit to pit and sleeve length.
- Knees of trousers, for thinning or holes.
- Cuffs and collars of shirts and jumpers, for fraying and marks.
- Bobbling on jumpers and cardigans.
- Hems. A hem that has been let down may show a line where the old fold was.
- Elastic in waistbands, still firm.
- Shade. Greys and navys can differ between brands, so check the photos in daylight.
On Rewear, tap Message the seller on the listing to ask for any measurement that is missing. Our guide to measuring clothes for buying online shows how to take your child's measurements.
Buying ahead
Buying the next size up second-hand, before your child needs it, spreads the cost and means you are not caught out by a sudden growth spurt. Keep a note of your child's current measurements so you can compare listings quickly.
Selling outgrown uniform
Remove name labels
This matters for privacy. Remove sewn-in labels carefully with a seam ripper, and cover or remove iron-on labels. Check the inside of collars, waistbands and bags. Never show your child's name in a photo.
Wash and check
Wash every piece and check it in daylight. Mend small things, such as a loose button or a dropped hem, before you list. Remove bobbles from jumpers with a fabric shaver.
Photograph flat
Photograph uniform flat or on a hanger, never on your child. Include the size label and any wear, such as thinning at the knees. Our guide on how to photograph clothes to sell has more tips.
Describe it clearly
- the type of piece and the shade
- the size on the label, and measurements in cm laid flat
- whether it is plain or has a logo, and the school's name only if it is on the badge
- the condition, honestly
Our guide to selling kids' clothes covers sizing and bundles in more detail.
Sell in sets
Several shirts or polo shirts in the same size often sell better together. Listing pieces in the same size at the same time also helps, since a buyer can buy several pieces from one seller as a bundle on Rewear, with postage charged once.
When to list uniform
Demand for uniform tends to be highest in the run-up to a new school year, in summer, and again when children start a new school or have a growth spurt mid-year. Plain pieces sell all year round. If your child has just outgrown something, list it while it is still the right season for it.
Posting uniform
Most uniform is light. A couple of shirts or a pair of trousers usually fits a medium parcel, folded tightly in a mailing bag. Weigh the packed parcel before you choose the size. Our guide to posting clothes cheaply explains Rewear's parcel sizes.
On Rewear, listing is free and there is no selling fee. The buyer pays for delivery and you print the prepaid label from the app.
The short version
Buy plain uniform second-hand and check logo pieces against your school's badge. Ask for measurements, check knees, cuffs and collars, and buy the next size ahead. When you sell, remove name labels, wash and mend, photograph flat without your child, and list sizes together.
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