Posted On Aug 16, 2022,

I used to have trouble shopping second-hand because I was stuck in a belief that it was strange to wear someone else's clothes and, more prominently - that if I didn't have new styles, I wouldn't fit in. Maybe you were like me OR are still thinking this... But who taught us that? With some reflection, it seems like these ideas have to come from somewhere like major marketing within the fast fashion industry. We are told through campaigns that we consistently need more trendy items and that this consumption is normal because individual pieces are cheap. But it's come to light that this is not sustainable for our wallets, closets, environment and human life.

So enters a new perspective and awareness on shopping secondhand. A choice that we are able to make towards purchasing clothing that's been produced and no longer worn by the original owner. This style of clothing can come in a variety of forms - consignment, vintage, thrift, hand-me-downs, and swapping clothes with friends. Based on Fashion Revolution mag, it provides an opportunity to "recreate your favorite looks for a fraction of the price by buying from local charity shops. This keeps perfectly good clothes out of the landfill and supports charitable causes too. Win-win!" And win-win it is — shopping secondhand can do so much for our wardrobes and wallets. So here are four reasons shopping secondhand just makes sense!

Second Hand Myths—

MYTH: THE CLOTHES ARE UNWEARABLE

"Second hand clothes are dirty, worn-out or not on trend"

• Places that readily take donations of clothing or purchase consignment from you have various policies to ensure that the second hand clothing is wearable. No rips, stains, holes, etc. So when you shop at these stores, the items are sure to be clean and in good condition.
• Although second hand clothing can be from a few seasons back, these are items that can be repaired and reworked with your current closet. After all, fashion is a cycle and always recurring so everything will one day be back in style. But ultimately if you love to wear something, don't let trends deter you!

MYTH: IT DOESN'T MAKE A DIFFERENCE

"You're not making a difference since a fast fashion brand made your second hand clothing."

• This is one point that is often misunderstood. How the switch from shopping fast fashion brands to second hand shopping makes a difference is because the garment or item has already been produced and is in circulation. Someone already created the fabric, garment, and sale, therefore it's not preventable for that specific item to be produced. Purchasing an item already in circulation helps prevent this garment, accessory, shoe, home good, etc. end up in landfill — which is the last place we want fashion to be!
• Another point, from Fashion Revolution, is that choosing to shop "second hand also loosens the grip of advertising and corporations on shaping our style and identity, and can reconnect us to the joy of wearing clothes and passing them on."

“Shopping second hand gives clothing new life. ”

Why Shop Second Hand— 

For when you're shopping on a budget

Shopping ethical fashion brands can be more expensive than what you're used to because of our consumer habits. Ethical fashion is all about investment pieces in our wardrobe — meaning these are core styles we're purchasing with the intention of wearing for years to come. Shopping second hand will then allow you to purchase cheaper styles that you might want last minute or those pieces that are more colorful and unique compared to your investment styles.

It's a chance to prevent waste

If we didn't have the option to second hand, most of the clothing (and accessories, home goods, etc) we see out in consignment, thrift or vintage would be collecting dust in our homes or end up in a land fill. Therefore shopping second hand gives clothing new life, no matter which fast fashion brands might have created the garment originally. The item is already in circulation and therefore needs to be cared for.

"Globally 20% of textiles are recycled, meaning the other 80% are lost to landfill or incineration.” - Alden Wicker, Fashion Revolution

It's a simple way to repurpose items for new life

When we wear an item that has already been produced, we are giving it a new life. Wearing second hand clothing has had a stigma for different generations or cultures, but it's finally coming back in full swing for the realization that this part of the industry is a good thing. When we are mindful about choosing used over new, when possible, we can create new habits and small ripples in an industry that is over producing. And in the long run, repurposing these items will help us slowly diminish waste in our own life.

You're reinventing clothing in your own way

We live in a culture obsessed with image and style and that's not going away any time soon. But we do have the opportunity to impact the minds of the next generation — towards more care of personal style and impact on the world and less about which new thing they have to buy to “fit in”. If we start habits now in reusing, rewearing and recycling clothing, changes will trickle down.

Shopping second hand also allows us to use our own style to send this message that we care about those who make our clothing, the quality production of the things we wear (we want our clothes to last for years) and how the environment is being affected by waste in our landfills.

What’s Next—

OUR PURCHASES MATTER

To reinstate a main theme here - our purchases for second hand shopping extend the life of our clothes which then prevents waste. If someone else has given up on an item, it's our chance to bring it back to life in our own way! And with that purchase, we are choosing not necessarily to support the fast fashion brand that created the garment, but a message that we want slower consumption and style.

IT'S OUR WARDROBE

Buying second hand is a way to practice sustainability in the fashion industry. It's a choice that can shrink our fashion footprint and in a small way help our environmental impact. If we slowly create a priority to shop investment pieces with ethical fashion and choose consignment over new, we'll be putting clothes back into circulation that can be worn again. 

WE ARE RESPONSIBLE

We have a choice to shop second hand, but we also get to reflect on our wardrobe and continue to restyle and love the pieces we already own. That means rewearing outfits (yes, rewear your clothes a million times!), repairing buttons or holes, and re-loving items we thought we'd toss away.

"Being responsible about the clothes we buy also extends to being responsible about what we do with clothes we no longer want." - Leigh Mcalea, Traid

Original Article: Why We Should Shop Secondhand