Fabric comparison
Muslin is muslin, whether it's brand new or handed down from an older sibling. It's cotton woven in a loose, open weave, and that weave is what makes it breathable and quick-drying no matter how many times it's been through the wash. The real differences between new and hand-me-down muslin come down to wear, softness and what's left of the fabric's life, not the fibre itself.
By Vanessa & Bob, Epic in Bali · Updated 10 September 2026
| New muslin clothes | Hand-me-down muslin clothes | |
|---|---|---|
| Fibre and construction | New muslin clothes are cotton woven in the same open, loose weave as any muslin. Epic's pieces are double-layer, pre-washed so they arrive soft, and sewn with flat seams that haven't yet seen a single wash or wear. | Hand-me-down muslin clothes are woven the same way. The seams and any fastenings have already been through however many washes and wears the first child put them through, so the construction reflects that history, good or bad. |
| Breathability | The open weave lets air move through the fabric from the very first wear, which is the main reason parents choose muslin in the first place. | The same open weave still lets air through. If a seam has been mended or a patch of fabric has thinned from repeated washing, airflow in that spot can change slightly. |
| Weight and feel | Epic's muslin arrives pre-washed, so it's soft against the skin from day one, though it will keep softening with every wash after that. | A hand-me-down has usually been through more washes than a brand-new piece, and muslin gets softer with every wash. That extra history often makes it feel even gentler than something fresh off the shelf. |
| Hot-weather performance | The loose weave keeps the fabric light and quick-drying in warm, humid weather, exactly the conditions muslin is suited for. | Hot-weather performance carries over from the first child to the second: the weave still breathes and still dries quickly, since that property comes from the weave itself, not from how new the garment is. |
| Durability | A new piece has its full life ahead: no stains, no snags, though muslin creases easily and that's normal, not a flaw. | A hand-me-down has already proven it can survive a wash-and-wear routine, but how much life is left depends on the first child: watch for thinning fabric or a stretched cuff before passing it on. |
| Best for | Families who want to pick their own sizes and colors, are dressing a first child, or want every piece to start out completely unworn. | Families with a loved piece already on hand who don't mind visible wear or creasing and want to skip buying a full new wardrobe for the next child. |
Choose New muslin clothes if you want every piece to start its own life, in the sizes and colors you pick, with no wear or marks from another child.
Choose Hand-me-down muslin clothes if you already have a piece worth passing on and don't mind the softness and creasing that comes with a garment that's been washed and worn before.