5 Back-to-School Clothing Items You Should Never Buy New

Back-to-school season is here, and many families are bracing for bigger shopping bills than in years past.

That may be why nearly 1 in 5 Canadian parents of kids in K-12/college BTS shopping this year (18%) say they plan to get back-to-school items, like classroom supplies or clothing second-hand, according to a NerdWallet Canada survey conducted by The Harris Poll in July 2025.

Opting for new-to-you clothes can be a great way to bring back-to-school expenses back down to earth — all while demonstrating your eco-consciousness.

“As consumers are increasingly thinking secondhand first, the retail industry is adopting powerful new pathways for resale. From the integration of social commerce and innovative AI applications to the establishment of trade organizations and interfacing with government and policymakers – it’s clear why resale is seeing accelerated growth,”, James Reinhart, CEO of online consignment brand ThredUp said in the company’s 2025 report.

Whether you’re shopping secondhand to save money or the environment (or both), here’s what you should be looking for and where to find it:

The best items to buy second-hand

1. Denim

Denim is one of the most popular items to buy second-hand because it’s a wardrobe staple that can be dressed up or down. Pre-worn denim, in particular, is desirable because it’s often softer and more flexible than brand new.

2. Jackets and outerwear

Since Canada experiences so many temperature changes, it’s common to need different types of coats or jackets throughout the school year. Many outerwear products, such as wool coats or leather jackets, are made to last, so they’ll likely have a long life ahead of them, even if pre-worn. Don’t be afraid to stock up on multiple pieces, if it fits into your budget, for layering according to the weather.

3. Sports equipment

Stores like Play it Again Sports typically offer a good selection of used sports apparel and equipment. Gear is sold as-is, but has generally been evaluated and found to be in good working condition. That being said, experts do advise against thrifting some sports gear. A used helmet may have had a hard impact already and therefore won’t be as protective when it comes time for your child to use it, for example.

4. Bags and accessories

Accessories are an easy way to upgrade any outfit and make it unique to your style. Gently used purses, backpacks, belts, sunglasses, hats and jewelry can all be found at thrift and consignment stores. Sometimes you can even find vintage items or designer names for a fraction of the cost.

5. Formal wear

Suits and gowns can be pricey, even though they’re rarely worn more than once. Just think of prom; how many people actually get more than one wear from their prom dress? That’s why you can often find gently used formal wear at an amazing price.

Where to buy second-hand clothing and gear

When it comes to second-hand shopping, most people immediately think of thrift shops. While some individuals love going from store to store and scanning through the racks to see what they can find, not everyone has that same level of patience — especially if they have young kids in tow.

If you don’t want to treasure hunt in different thrift stores, try these options instead:

Facebook Marketplace

Facebook Marketplace is the e-commerce arm of Facebook. While it does require users to have a Facebook account, it’s free to use, and you’re able to shop both locally and country-wide. People sell pretty much everything on the platform, from used clothing to household items and electronics, making it a great place to look for deals.

eBay

The website eBay has been around since the 90s and is consequently one of the most recognized platforms for buying and selling items online. It can be a great place to find designer or vintage items, like accessories. And, if you're nervous about purchasing second-hand items online, it's worth knowing that eBay prides itself on security, even offering money-back guarantees to buyers.

Poshmark

One of the most popular second-hand online shops in Canada is Poshmark. The platform is home to a variety of items; however, it’s best known for clothes. It’s a great place to find name-brand items for a fraction of the price. You can even find a lot of clothing that has never been worn, which are labelled as NWT or “new with tags.”

thredUP

The resale site thredUP is another great place to find deals on clothing and accessories. There are separate departments on the platform for kids and juniors, so you can shop based on the age of your children. You can also shop by popular brands like Adidas, Carter’s, Disney, Zara, Nike, Old Navy and The North Face.

Buy Nothing and swap groups

You may be able to find a local swap group in your area (try buynothingproject.org to start) or you can even create one of your own. Get together with a group of friends and trade clothing and accessories. If you have some items you are looking to get rid of, offer them first to friends and ask that they do the same for you.

Survey Methodology

​​This survey was conducted online by The Harris Poll on behalf of NerdWallet from July 22-25, 2025 among 1,020 Canadian adults ages 18 and older, among whom 279 are parents of kids in K-12/college. The sampling precision of Harris online polls is measured by using a Bayesian credible interval. For this survey, the sample data is accurate to within +/- 3.8 percentage points using a 95% confidence level. This credible interval will be wider among subsets of the surveyed population of interest. For further information on the survey, please contact CAN-Press@nerdwallet.com.