I deck out my kids in designer gear like Molly-Mae Hague but NEVER pay full price – other mums judge me
WHEN Molly-Mae Hague showed off baby Bambi’s designer wardrobe, the former Love Islander was accused of being insensitive to the cost-of-living crisis.
The mum of one posed in front of the stylish clobber, which featured a £300 pair of Gucci shoes, in February when Bambi was just a few weeks old.
While many of her fans could only dream of affording such luxury, mum-of-four Gemma Eskendari, an NHS data analyst from Newcastle upon Tyne, has similar designer collections for her kids, but has spent a fraction of the cost.
Gemma, 41, says: “Just like Molly-Mae I always buy my kids designer clothes but my trick is I get it all secondhand, from apps like Vinted and eBay. I’m proof that anyone can deck out their little darlings in designer gear, while saving thousands of pounds.”
Gemma, who has Beau, nine, twins Arlo and Luca, six, and daughter Alba, 18 months, with joiner husband Paul, 41, adds: “I’ve always had expensive taste. My favourite brands as a teen were Pinko and Armani.
“When I did my GCSEs, I struck a deal with Mum that she’d give me £25 for every A I got, which spurred me on to work harder as I really wanted a pair of £125 jeans.
“I got 4 As and I think she was so happy that her bribe worked, she paid the full £125! It made me feel like I stood out.
“I thought it was embarrassing to be seen in used clothing so I’d spend a fortune on pricey outfits.
“Now that I’m older, I realise how savvy it is to shop second-hand.”
And many people agree — Vinted has got eight million users in the UK, and nearly one in five of us have used Depop.
When Beau was born, Gemma was really keen to dress him in high-end outfits, but couldn’t afford them. She says: “I had to shop at stores such as Primark, and while they are fantastically priced, the quality of the goods annoys me.
“Designer outfits are better made, so I’ve always believed in paying out a bit more money, for the longevity.”
When daughter Alba was born in 2021, Gemma looked at ways to buy designer gear more cheaply
She says: “I came across incredible secondhand sites where mums were selling off old designer kids’ clobber on the cheap.”
“The first designer purchase I made was a pair of Gucci shoes for Alba, which were £12, instead of £225, from Depop.
“They were in immaculate condition, obviously real. They fitted her so well, they were beautiful. I was thrilled.
“I just couldn’t believe what an incredible bargain I’d found and it gave me a buzz. “Some mums did ask me why I’d spend so much on clothes the kids would grow out of but I had justification — the price was pennies.
“Once the kids have grown out of stuff, I try to sell it on. But I’m strict.
“I wouldn’t spend more on Vinted for a designer item than I would for a full-price high-street item.
“The beauty of it is that I get incredible brands for less than most people spend at Next and Gap.
“I got Luca a pair of unworn Nike Jordan trainers for just £22, when they usually sell for £120.
“We also bought a Chloe dress for £10 and a matching bonnet for £2 on Depop, compared to the £180 it costs as a brand new set.”
While £12 for an outfit is comparable to dresses at Asda and H&M, Gemma insists she gets better quality from her pre-loved items as she feels they are so much better made.
She spends around half an hour every couple of days scouring websites and she’s happy to spot a few bargains for herself.
She says, “I got Saint Laurent trainers from Depop for £50 that retail for £550. I also splashed out a bit when I found a Givenchy Antigona mini leather tote for £240, which seems a lot, but it’s on sale for almost £1,400 so how could I resist?”
But for Gemma, shopping designer kidswear has also been a way to avoid the conveyor belt of identikit outfits on the high street.
“Beau definitely stands out at school, but that’s because I don’t dress him in the usual dinosaur, cartoony patterns,” she says.
Gemma accepts some of the school mums judge her decisions. She says: “They tell me, ‘There’s no way I’d pay for designer goods!’, which is funny because I’m actually spending less than they do. Other people can be snobby and have a go at me for shopping second-hand. But I have the last laugh.
“I can almost break even with a lot of clothes if I’m able to resell.
“For instance, I sold a Chloe dress I got for £12, for £10 when Alba got too big for it. That means an overall spend of £2 on a £168 dress.
When it comes to high- street stores, Gemma’s still happy to go in and browse, though she has a big favourite. “TK Maxx is incredible,” she says.
Gemma’s best buys
- Bonpoint coat for Alba from Hush Luxe, £30, RRP £203
- Burberry jumper for Beau, from Depop, £22, RRP £240
- Chloe Coat for Alba from Hush Luxe, £35, RRP £285
- Ralph Lauren bundle of 3 outfits for Alba, from Vinted, £22, RRP Total £238
- Burberry romper for Alba from Depop, £13, RRP £140
GEMMA'S TOP TIPS
SELLING: Perfect snaps are key, take them in daylight against a plain background; always be honest, don’t overlook any flaws in your description; iron and display clothes as if they are in a shop.
BUYING: Check for a picture of the soles when buying shoes to indicate wear and tear levels; don’t deal with sellers who have poor ratings, there’s a reason; be wary if there are only a couple of pics of an item.