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Let's face it - kitting your kids out is an expensive endeavour. Luckily, Luxembourg has several secondhand outlets at your disposal.
Whether the cost of living crisis is squeezing your budget, or if you have children who simply grow like weeds and you can't keep up - secondhand shopping might be the answer for you! Back in the olden times (or as we used to call them, the 90s), finding secondhand items in Luxembourg was akin to searching for a needle in a haystack, but these days, the Grand Duchy does a roaring trade in used clothing or toys.
And what's more, by shopping secondhand you'll be doing your bit for the environment, as the clothing industry is among the world's largest polluters. Cheap and climate-friendly - what's not to love?
Here are some of our favourite places to hunt down a bargain!
Stores (online and in person)
Secondhand4kids Kasecha shop, Ettelbruck
The Secondhand4kids store in Ettelbruck is open Monday to Friday, but the shop also puts selected items online for easier browsing. It's worth keeping an eye on their social media pages as they sometimes do flash sales with clothing for €1 a piece. As well as clothes, the shop also stocks accessories, toys, maternity wear and more.
This store is run by the non-profit CIGL Differdange, an initiative seeking to boost the local labour market and to support jobseekers through fixed-term positions and additional training. If the Butzebuttik's philanthropic origins weren't enough, it's stocked with heaps of children's clothing up to the age of 12, as well as a range of toys, books, and baby accessories such as car seats and strollers. The shop also welcomes donations on-site, provided the items are in good condition.
Ligue HMC Secondhand Shop Capellen
This charity shop, run by non-profit Ligue HMC, an organisation which supports people with mental and cerebral disabilities, offers a range of clothing and equipment for children up to the age of 12. The items are carefully sorted and checked for quality. The store also sells a selection of toys and books.
Spanish clothing chain Zara has a dedicated pre-owned section on its website and also ships to Luxembourg. Although the items are not the cheapest, it's a great way to shop Zara Baby and Zara Kids on a budget without necessarily battling your way through the sales!
Online platform Vinted is quickly gathering momentum in Luxembourg when it comes to buying and selling pre-owned pieces. The only thing you need to keep an eye on are delivery partners - as Luxembourg is linked to several other EU countries, such as France, the Netherlands, Belgium, Italy and Spain, postage could add up. However, sellers often offer bundles, particularly for kids' clothes. Happy browsing!
Markets and special sales
© Photo by Artem Beliaikin on Unsplash
Fraentreff, a charitable women's association based in Roeser, runs two annual secondhand clothing fairs, offering high-quality items at reasonable prices, as well as special pre-sale access for baby clothes. The fairs have been going since 1999 and regularly raise thousands of euros for a number of family-oriented or women-supporting charities. At the time of writing, the dates for the next fair have not been released, although it usually takes place in the autumn with a focus on autumn-winter clothing. The spring/summer fair is usually held in March.
Berbourg secondhand sale for kids
The municipality of Manternach runs frequent secondhand sales of children's clothing, covering ages 0-15. Visitors can also find bargains for toys, books, games, bikes, prams and buggies. The next sale is on Sunday 21 April 2024.
This community organisation in Rambrouch organises two secondhand sales a year, collecting items suitable for children aged up to 16.
Mersch secondhand clothing sales
Kleederstuff Mersch holds regular secondhand clothing sales at the local medical centre, with several taking place every month. Although these are not specifically geared towards children, they do have kids' items, and also accept donations. The next dates are 18 and 25 April, and 2, 16 and 23 May.