Pre-loved kids’ clothes are both eco- and budget-friendly, but for many moms, it’s easier to shop online than scour a secondhand store. What’s more, well-made kids’ clothes can retail for almost as much as adult garments — a hefty investment given how quickly little ones outgrow them.
So how can fashion-forward, budget-conscious parents find quality kids’ clothes? Bellingham resident Victoria Snyder, owner of Instagram business Victoria’s Thrifted closet (@victorias_thrifted_closet_), found her answer on social media.
As online thrifting grows in popularity, it’s possible for moms to build full-fledged businesses by reselling children’s garments. Independent resellers have faced criticism for potentially inflating prices or creating scarcity in thrift stores; however, its proponents see it as a way to provide shoppers easier access to quality secondhand goods.
Reselling can be done through sites like Poshmark and the kid-specific Hand Me Up, but social media platforms allow sellers even greater control. Snyder’s business model revolves around reselling thrift store finds at a slight markup, and she operates her entire storefront through Instagram.
“I do women’s and children’s clothing, but I found that for the most part, I have more of a passion for kids’ clothing,” she said.
Snyder started Victoria’s Thrifted Closet while searching for a renewed sense of identity as a stay-at-home mom. Working at a consignment store in college trained her to identify unique, well-made or brand-name secondhand goods. Upon noticing Bellingham’s relative lack of options for children’s apparel, she realized this skill could come in handy.
“It is great to give a second life to things that might just go to a landfill,” Snyder said. “I think that’s just the reality of kids’ clothing: You have a baby … and people inundate you with all these wonderful things, and your kid can only wear so many things.”
Snyder sources all her merchandise from local thrift stores. She then sells her finds through Instagram posts and livestreams, often styling items together to demonstrate how to mix and match them. To claim an item, customers need only comment “sold.”
“I try to have some basic closet staples that can go with everything,” Snyder said. “But I also like finding really unique pieces.”
According to ThredUp’s annual report, secondhand clothing is an increasingly profitable niche: Resale grew 15 times faster than the global retail sector in 2023. What’s more, 63% of resold clothes were purchased online through platforms like Poshmark, Depop and of course Instagram.
Instagram is arguably the most direct way to connect with customers, and Snyder said she sees a wide range of local resellers on the platform — though not all of them are licensed businesses. Victoria’s Thrifted Closet, however, has a tax ID as of this February. Another reseller, Barbi Delooff, takes a similar approach: Shop Jolie Collective (@shopjoliecollective) is also a licensed business specializing in kids’ and women’s clothing.
Delooff said her tasks with Shop Jolie Collective are “sprinkled into her normal week as a mom.” Much of her merchandise comes from thrift stores, though she also sells customers’ clothing on consignment. Delooff does two sales a week — one via Instagram Live, the other via Instagram stories — and fits around her other responsibilities.
Delooff and her husband also run Van Vino Winery, and she understands the difficulty of fitting shopping trips around demanding schedules. As such, her main priority is to “give moms the freedom to sit at home and shop.”
“I think it’s hard for people to go and buy trendy, nice things at a regular price,” she said. “I’m able to thrift and resell that to people at maybe 30 percent of what it normally would cost, and that for people is so appealing.”
Despite these perks, online resellers have faced their fair share of criticism. They’ve been accused of contributing to rising thrift store prices, or a lack of options for low-income shoppers who can’t afford the markup.
But Delooff said Shop Jolie Collective is too small to make a tangible impact on thrift stores, and she avoids reselling clothing from consignment shops in Lynden, where she’s located. Moreover, she said her business offers a service, not just a product.
“My service is benefiting moms that don’t have the time and energy to drag their kids to thrift stores. I’m purchasing the item and reselling it; they’re still getting it at a good price and they’re not having to go out of the house,” Delooff said. “I guess that’s my argument for it … I’m not thrifting enough to make an impact on people.”
Delooff said she receives an overwhelmingly positive response from customers. Despite having just 1,500 followers, Shop Jolie Collective draws an average of 60 viewers to each live event, and Delooff’s local pickup option allows her to connect face-to-face with like-minded moms.
Snyder expressed a similar sentiment, noting that while her shop is still gaining momentum, “every week is more and more encouraging.” Roughly half of her customers are from out of town, but still consistently patronize her business.
Both Snyder and Delooff said the Bellingham resale community is a supportive, welcoming space. Children’s clothes are just one niche within a larger market; in Bellingham alone, it’s common to find Instagram accounts selling everything from Gen-Z-approved trends to vintage goods. For her part, Snyder said she doesn’t just resell second-hand clothes — she wears them, too.
“Half my wardrobe I’ve bought from other women that do it locally,” Snyder said. “It’s a fun way to try new styles and do it for a discounted price. And oftentimes you’re getting really high quality, nice brands and things that you can hold on to for a long time — and maybe even pass down to another person as a memento.”
A previous version of this story misstated Victoria Snyder’s location in Whatcom County. This story was updated to reflect this change on Monday, April 22 at 3 p.m. Cascadia Daily News regrets the error.
Cocoa Laney is CDN’s lifestyle editor; reach her at cocoalaney@cascadiadaily.com; 360-922-3090 ext. 128.
