?I love that dress on you!? said my younger daughter, as her friend modelled a preloved frock at a kids? clothing exchange we hosted in a park. ?It brings out the blue in your eyes.?
I smiled, thoroughly enjoying the fact that she sounded like a mini-me?and that dozens of fashion items that otherwise would have been cast aside were going directly into the hands of kids who would love them.
Hosting kids? clothing exchanges is one of the many ways I avoid buying my kids new clothes while having fun and teaching them about the social and environmental costs of the fashion industry.
Here?s a complete list of all the new items I?ve purchased for my kids, currently ages 8 and 11, in their lifetimes:

Mandatory band and sports uniforms
Socks and underwear (although I get them secondhand, too) A few irresistible items from local, ethical designers
One winter coat when I couldn?t find a used one on time. (I splurged on a Patagonia because of their ethical practices.)

It?s actually pretty easy to avoid buying kids new clothes if you know the tricks of the trade. And doing so will reduce your fashion footprint, save you money and teach your little one some lifelong lessons.
The case for cancelling new clothes
Fashion can be fun, but it can also hurt people, animals and the planet. And when kids find out how, they may no longer want the latest looks from the mall anyway.
Most of our clothes are made in developing countries where people often work long hours for low pay in terrible co...