When the pandemic pushed me, like many others, almost exclusively to online shopping, discovering Toronto’s online preloved kids’ clothing businesses felt like a major pandemic-win. Operated by local parents who are on a mission to extend the life of kids’ clothes while saving families money, these six shops might fall in the same category, but I quickly learned that each one brings something unique to the mix. Whether you’re looking for higher-end brands, one-stop shopping for the whole family, or good return for your preloved goods, this guide will help you find the best one for your needs.
Best for: Inclusive shopping + Community-minded Initiative
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LODE is committed to dressing you and your kiddos in comfortable-but-cute, gender-inclusive finds from go-to clothing brands like Zara, H&M, Gap, and mini mioche, while making our community a better place. They’ve become known for their stock of new books celebrating diversity, and initiatives like their clothing drive, which provided 124 families in need with new clothes at the start of the school year.
They carry newborn to adult sizes, and some great footwear finds like Aigle, Natives and Prada. Stock is replenished daily and most products are priced under $15. There is a no-minimum free local delivery zone in the east end from Jarvis over to Victoria Park, and free shipping is available for orders over $60, otherwise it’s a $12 flat fee. Selling your used items to them is quick and easy—drop off at Queen and Logan and you’ll receive 30% of the resale value right away by e-transfer on items they are able to sell. Any items they can’t take can be picked up or will be donated to 519 and New Circles Community Centre.
Best for: One-stop shopping for busy families
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Owned by a parent-teacher duo, what sets this shop apart is their Seasonal Bundle Subscription, which ships a new capsule of clothing to your door before the start of each season. Each box is curated based on your little one’s style preferences and the service starts at $64.99 for a standard box (with an option to upgrade to premium brands), and includes shipping.
Those who prefer to shop à la carte can still buy individual pieces, shopping brands like Mexx, Tommy Hilfiger, Gap Kids, Great Urban Brand Name, The Children’s Place and Jacadi, choosing from categories like School Uniforms, Made in Canada, and Organic & Eco Textiles. Sizing goes from Preemie to Teen, but hot tip: the teen section includes adult sizes! Most items fall under $15 and delivery is free in the West end. East Enders and North Toronto shoppers who aren’t in a rush can take advantage of free monthly drop-offs, otherwise shipping is complimentary on orders over $75.
Psst: Signing up for the newsletter grants you 15% off monthly, and first dibs on new arrivals.
Best for: Steals on higher-end brands
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If you want to dress your little one like a million bucks while on a mat leave budget, this shop is your go-to. Stocked with sweet finds in children’s sizes 0-8 from European brands like 1+ in the family, Burberry, Marie-Chantal and Petit Bateau, Canadian designers like mini mioche, and staples like Baby Gap, and H&M, the majority of items are priced under $20, with some exceptions on higher end brands. Free local delivery applies to orders over $30 within the borders of Islington and Warden, the Lake and St Clair Ave East (up to Eglinton in the West), with free no minimum delivery or porch pick-up in Oakwood/Hillcrest Village and Brockton Village/Dufferin Grove.
While Wildlings prefers to stock mid to high-end brands (they’ll pay 30-40% of their sell price on brands like mini mioche), they do purchase brands like Carter’s or Joe Fresh at 10-20% of the sell price, as part of their commitment to reducing clothing waste. There is a 20-item minimum to sell to them and opting to receive a store credit in exchange for your preloved items gets you a 20% bonus.
Best for: Overall selection + social conscience
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With so much stock they needed a warehouse, Beeja May is the largest of the online preloved shops on this list, so I was pleasantly surprised to learn that in addition to donating clothes they don’t sell, Beeja May has pledged to donate a monthly dollar amount to various organizations helping Canadian families in need. If customers wish to contribute to this initiative, Beeja May will add $0.30 to every dollar donated.
Here you’ll find sizes from newborn to tween, in addition to maternity and nursing items, and pre-loved parenting and children’s books. Most items are priced under $15, and you’ll find brands like Gap, Indigo Baby, OshKosh, Gymboree, Hatley, and Disney. A neat addition is the zero-waste section of the shop, featuring new products like Earth Love cleaning tablets, reusable nursing pads, and beeswax wraps. Shipping is free for orders over $50, or $8.99 flat rate if you don’t meet the minimum.
PS: Definitely take advantage of their Rewards Program!
Best for: Vintage overalls and hand-knit sweaters
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If you were born in the 80’s and 90’s, you will get a serious hit of nostalgia flipping through the pages of this shop, which exclusively carries vintage children’s fashion in sizes from newborn up to 12. Kids+Corduroy is your go-to for Converse sneakers, classic Disney, Levis, and OshKosh overalls, and sweaters knit by other people’s grandmas. Most items live in the $20-36 range, and shipping in Canada is a $10 flat rate, or free for orders over $100.
Bonus: aside from being unique and timeless pieces, vintage clothing is typically more durable than today’s fast fashion and made with better materials, closer to home in Canada or the USA.
Best for: Sweet finds on a budget + value for your kids’ outgrown clothes
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Have outgrown clothing, shoes, books or toys to sell? Kit Preloved pays 25-35% of resale value on preemie to size 8 items they are able to sell, offering an additional 20% if you accept your payout as store credit, which could stretch a long way considering the majority of their items are priced under $10.
In addition to brands like MEC, Calikids, Gap, Carter’s, Joe Fresh and H&M, you’re also likely to find a selection of brand-new-with-tags items like January Baby rashguard swimsuits, thanks to a partnership with another local business selling their deadstock. Roncesvalles and Parkdale residents enjoy free no-minimum delivery, and delivery is free across Toronto from Jane to Main on orders over $20.
Tagged under: Toronto,shopping
Category: shopping
