Introduction
“Are the clothes I bought last month already too tight?” “Did the nursery school just ask for 3 more sets of spare clothes?” Do these worries sound familiar?
Children’s clothes are outgrown at a dizzying pace. If you buy everything at full price, the expenses can really add up.
Japan has a high-quality second-hand clothing market and a strong online shopping culture. I will introduce techniques to use these to cut your clothing costs by more than half.
1. The Fun of Treasure Hunting: “BOOKOFF & HARD OFF Group”
These are major recycle shops. Depending on the store, they handle not only children’s clothes but also adult clothing and toys.
Where to Buy:
Physical Stores (BOOKOFF SUPER BAZAAR, OFF HOUSE, 2nd STREET)
& Online (OFF Mall)
Pros:
- Overwhelmingly cheap: T-shirts for 300-500 yen, often cheaper than Nishimatsuya.
- You can check the feel of the fabric and check for stains with your own eyes.
Cons:
- The cheapest items are mainly in physical stores. Online shopping offers fewer bargains.
- Inventory varies greatly depending on the store.
2. Best for Bulk Buying: “Mercari“
Japan’s largest flea market app where you can buy directly from individual sellers. You can buy used clothes at very low prices.
Where to Buy:
Online
Pros:
- Huge variety of genres. You can find items worn only occasionally, such as formal wear, ski wear, Hakama, and dresses.
When you look at Mercari, you will be surprised by the sheer number of listings. It is also recommended to sell clothes your child has outgrown to fund new purchases.
If you are interested in selling clothes, please refer to the following article.
Rainy
If you register now using the invitation code “WMVTTS“, you will receive 1000 points to use for shopping!
Cons:
- You need to choose carefully because the condition is judged by the seller’s standards.
- Shipping times vary. Sellers indicate an estimated shipping time on the product page, but the actual timing depends on the individual, so it may not be suitable for urgent purchases.
3. Best for Quality: “ZOZOUSED”
A brand-name used clothing store operated by the major fashion e-commerce site ZOZOTOWN. New items are added daily.
Where to Buy:
Online
Pros:
- Cheap brand items: You can get coveted brands like Petit Bateau, Familiar, and The North Face at low prices.
- Condition Ranking: Conditions are clearly ranked, such as “S (Like New)” or “A (No signs of use),” so it’s hard to fail even when buying online. Rank A is comparable to new.
- Cheap shipping (250 yen). Also, shipping may be discounted during occasional campaigns.
- With clothes arriving daily, there is a huge selection.
Cons:
- Since they mainly handle branded clothes, it is relatively expensive for those who do not care about brands.
- Since there are many members, good deals tend to sell out quickly.
4. Great Point Rewards: “Rakuten Ichiba”
One of Japan’s largest online shopping sites. Campaigns and sales are held frequently, allowing you to buy cheap if you use them wisely.
Where to Buy:
Online
Pros:
- By using sales and points, you can often buy new items cheaper than in physical stores.
- You can purchase cute brand clothes sold exclusively online.
Cons:
- For small purchases, the shipping cost may be higher than the product itself.
- The brands available are limited.
Summary: My Smart Shopping List
Here is how I personally split my shopping between these routes:
Muddy play clothes for nursery: OFF HOUSE, Mercari
Seasonal items, formal wear: Mercari
Weekend outing clothes: ZOZOUSED
Underwear, socks: Rakuten Sale
Please check out each site and store to find the best deals!
