What to Look for in Used Girls Clothes

Whether you are shopping for a young lady after a growth spurt or just buying girls clothes and shoes for back to school, used girls clothing is a good way to save money. Many sellers list high quality girls clothing for sale on auction sites, like eBay, and some retail chains even buy and resell used kids clothing for parents on a budget. These clothing stores sometimes have their own clothing websites to market used girls clothes to a wider customer base. There are a few basic things to look for in girls clothing. The fit, measurements, and appropriate size are all needed to get clothing that a young lady wants to wear and will feel comfortable in. Finding these things out isn't difficult; it just requires a little research. It may be necessary to try on a few pairs of shirts and pants in different size ranges at the store to get a good idea of the correct one to buy. In addition, getting the correct measurements to look up on a sizing chart is invaluable.

A Good Fit
Manufacturers produce girls clothing in a number of different fits. This refers to the cut and pattern of the clothing, and whether it is form fitting or loose on the body. Not all girls are the same size and shape. It may be of benefit to look for used girls clothing in these different fit categories to improve the overall appearance and comfort of clothing when worn.

Plus
Girls plus size clothing is any clothing above the standard 4 to 10 size range for girls. Sizes above this range are considered plus sized and include extra fabric to allow for freedom of movement and extra ease. Some plus sized brands also include elastic waistbands and fabric with a small amount of spandex for extra give.

Regular
This is the standard in girls clothing fits. It is somewhere between the slim and relaxed clothing fits. It works for most body types, and may include a little extra fabric compared to slim fit shirts and pants. Clothing without a fit designation after the size is usually considered a regular fit.

Slim
Slim fit pants and shirts are close-fitting with less room in the cut of the clothing. Some girls will prefer to wear slim clothing as part of a fashion statement. Other girls will find slim fit clothes to be more comfortable for their body type, if they are naturally slim.

Tall
Manufacturers also produce some lines of jeans and pants for taller girls. These clothes will have an extra few inches of length in the pants to provide extra comfort for girls who have had a growth spurt.

Relaxed
Relaxed fit pants and shirts have extra fabric and are not very form fitting, but they aren't considered plus size. Rather than being close to the body, relaxed fit clothes drape on the body, but are still tight at the waist and shoulders. Girls may prefer to wear relaxed clothes as part of a fashion statement or as a comfort choice to provide a little extra room for movement.

The Correct Measurements for Girl's Clothing
Taking the following measurements is important to finding the correct size on a standard sizing chart. Clothing manufacturers all use their own sizing preferences to make clothing; a standardized chart is helpful in finding a good place to start. Sizes in girls clothing often correlates to the girl's age. For example, a size 4 is usually worn by a four-year-old, and a size 6 by a 6-year-old. Be sure to take these measurements before shopping to get a good idea of what to start looking for in used girls clothing.

Chest
To get an appropriate chest measurement, ask the young lady to stand straight with her arms at her sides. Wrap the tape measure around the upper part of the chest just underneath the armpits. Pull the tape snug and record the measurement in inches

Waist
To take a waist measurement, ask the young lady to remain standing straight with her legs together. Wrap the tape measure around the natural waistline, which is usually about one inch beneath the navel. Pull the tape snug without making it tight. Record the inches measurement.

Hip
Take this measurement with the young lady still standing straight with legs together. Wrap the measuring tape around the widest part of the hip. Pull the tape snug, but not tight, and record the measurement in inches.

Height
Measure the height with measuring tape from the top of the back of the head down to the bottom of the foot. Have the young lady remain standing straight while this is done. Record the measurement in inches.

Back to Waist
Measure the length of the back from where the neck meets the torso down the back to the center of the waist. Have the young lady remain standing straight while this measurement is taken. Record the length in inches.

Sleeve
Have the young lady stand with one arm bent at the elbow in a ninety-degree angle. Measure from the top of the shoulder down across the bent arm to the wrist bone. Record the measurement in inches.

Buying Used Girls Clothes
You can buy used girls clothes on eBay by clicking on Fashion, then clicking on Kids & Baby, and then selecting one of the preferred clothing types in the navigation menu under "Girls (4+)." For example, you can select "Dresses" and see results for girls dresses size four and up. Here, you can use the navigation menu to further narrow down the selection by size, brand, condition, color, material, sleeve length, and more. Just scroll down the menu until you see a filter you want to apply and click on your preference underneath. The site will automatically filter the results for you.

Use the Search Engine
You can also use the search engine on the home page of eBay to start searching for specific kinds of girls clothes immediately. Enter a search term, such as "girls belts" into the search engine bar, then select the preferred category from the drop down menu, and then click the "Search" button. The eBay search engine will look through all the listings in that category and return only those that match the search term. The broader the category you choose, the more options the site has to search through for matching listings.