Those bags of outgrown clothes stuffed under your bed? We'll take them. Here's everything you need to know.
If you're a Canberra parent or carer, chances are you've got at least one garbage bag (or three) of kids' clothes you keep meaning to do something with. Too good for the bin. Too much effort for a marketplace listing. Just… sitting there.
That's exactly why we created our Buy-Back program at The Little Capsule Co — a simple, no-fuss way to give your little one's outgrown clothes a second life, and put something back in your pocket (well, your store credit) while you're at it.
Here's how it works.
What Is TLCco's Buy-Back Program?
We're not an op shop. We're a curated, circular fashion store — which means every piece that lands on our racks has been appraised for quality, brand, and condition. When you bring your items in, we assess them properly and make you a real offer.
If we accept your items, you receive store credit you can spend on clothing, shoes, accessories, toys and books in the TLCco store — online or in-person. And if we don't accept certain pieces? They don't go to waste. Anything we can't take goes straight to Canberra Circle of Women, where they're redistributed to families in need locally and overseas.
Nothing ends up in landfill. Every piece has a next chapter.
What Can I Bring In?
We accept gently worn and brand-new-with-tags kids' and baby clothing — but here's the thing: we change what we're accepting each month based on seasonal demand and what our shelves actually need.
That means it's always worth checking our current appraisal list before you come in (find it on our website or Instagram). Some months we're after winter warmers; other months we need summer staples or specific brands. Keeping it seasonal means the items that come through are things Canberra families actually want to buy — which means better offers for you.
A note on fast fashion
We're a curated boutique, not an op shop — and that means we don't accept fast fashion brands through the buy-back program. This includes Kmart, Best & Less, Big W, Shein, Temu, and similar. It's not a judgment on those clothes — plenty of us have bought them! It's simply that they don't hold the resale value our economy is built around.
That said, if you've got fast fashion pieces in good condition that you'd like to pass on, you're still welcome to bring them in as a donation. We'll make sure they find a home through Canberra Circle of Women, where they go to families who really need them.
We focus on boutique, Australian-loved, and quality everyday labels. Think Ziggy Lou, Jamie Kay, Quincy Mae, Bonds, and similar. Check our Brands We Carry page for a feel for what we love and always check our current monthly appraisal guidelines before you visit.
Quick checklist before you come:
- Items are clean, undamaged, and free from stains or excessive wear
- You've checked our current monthly accepted list
- Your items are boutique or quality labels (not fast fashion)
- You've got no more than 50 items (more on that below)
Step-by-Step: How to Use the Buy-Back Program
We've made this as easy as possible — a lot of our mums do the drop-off between school run and coffee. Here's what to expect:
1. Pack Your Bag (Max 50 Items)
Start by going through your little one's wardrobe and pulling together anything that no longer fits. Keep it to 50 items maximum per visit — this keeps the process fair and manageable for everyone and means we can assess your pieces properly.
Don't stress about packing them perfectly. Just pop them in a bag.
2. Come Into the Store & Decant at the Appraisal Station
When you arrive at our Pearce store, head straight to the appraisal station out the front. Decant your items from your bag into one of our appraisal bags — you'll find everything you need right there.
3. Bring It to the Register
Once your bag is ready, bring it to the register and our team will pop it into the system for you. That's it on your end — you're done!
4. We'll Assess Your Items (Up to One Week)
Our team will work through your bag and assess each piece — checking brand, condition, and whether it fits what we're currently taking. This process can take up to one week, so sit tight. We promise we're being thorough because we want to give you the best offer we can.
5. You'll Receive an Email With Your Offer
Once we've assessed your items, you'll receive an email with your offer. This will outline what we're accepting and how much store credit we're offering you for those pieces.
You can accept or decline — no pressure either way.
6. Accepted? Your Credit Is Ready to Use
If you accept, your store credit is added within 48 hours and ready to spend — in-store or online. Hello, fresh wardrobe refresh.
7. Declined? Just Collect Your Items Within 7 Days
If you'd rather not accept the offer, no worries at all. We just ask that you collect your items within 7 days of receiving your email so we can keep things moving smoothly in-store.
Why Canberra Families Love It
We hear it all the time — parents and carers come in with a bag of clothes they weren't sure what to do with and leave with store credit they didn't expect. A few things that make a real difference:
It's genuinely simple. No listing, no photographing, no strangers messaging you at 11pm asking for more photos. You drop it off, we do the work, you get an email.
You choose how you use your credit. Spend it in-store or online — either way, those outgrown clothes turn into something new for your little one.
Nothing is wasted. Quality pieces we can't take go to Canberra Circle of Women. Fast fashion donations do the same. You leave knowing those clothes are doing something good.
It's flexible. Accept the offer, decline it, come back next month with a different bag — there's no obligation and no pressure.
It funds something bigger. Every sale from the items you bring in helps us reach our goal of donating $5,000 to preterm birth prevention research this year. So those little zip-up onesies? They're doing more than you'd think.
A Note on What We Accept
Because we curate carefully, we're selective — and that's actually what makes the store so lovely to shop in. It's what means the items we sell hold their value for the next family.
We focus on boutique, quality, and Australian-loved labels. Fast fashion brands — Kmart, Best & Less, Big W, Shein, Temu, and similar — aren't accepted through the buy-back program because they don't hold resale value in our economy. But if you've got pieces from those brands in great condition, please still bring them in as a donation. They'll go straight to families who need them through Canberra Circle of Women.
We update our accepted brands and categories monthly, so always check before you come in. Head to our Brands We Carry page for inspiration and check our current Appraisal Guidelines for exactly what we're taking right now.
If you're not sure whether your items are a fit, just flick us a message — we're genuinely happy to help.
Ready to Drop In?
Find us at Shop 24, Building 1, Collett Place, Pearce — open Monday to Friday and the first Saturday of every month. Check our website or Instagram for current appraisal hours and this month's accepted items list before you visit.
Got a question? Reach out at hello@thelittlecapsuleco.com.au or slide into our DMs.
We can't wait to see what you bring in. 💛
The Little Capsule Co (TLCco) is a mum-founded social enterprise based in Pearce, Canberra. We sell new and gently worn children's clothing, support local families through Canberra Circle of Women, and fundraise for preterm birth prevention research. Circular fashion, made with heart.