With rising costs across the spectrum, many of us are becoming more aware of how much we spend each year on clothing. And rather than turning to fast fashion, where products are manufactured cheaply and last for a limited time frame, we’re looking more at purchasing quality, timeless pieces for less.
How do we do that? We buy second-hand clothes.
These days there’s no stigma attached to purchasing pre-loved items and there are a multitude of websites, apps, thrift shops and second-hand stores where you can discover your own individual look for less. The great news is, not only are you saving money – you’re also helping to support worthy causes and the environment too!
Why Buy Secondhand Clothing
For a number of reasons. These can range from making greater savings on unique fashion items or designer goods, reducing your carbon footprint, to minimizing waste and preserving the environment. In my list below, I’ll highlight some of the benefits of purchasing pre-loved items so you can jump on board with the idea if you’re not already convinced!
#1 It Helps the Circular Economy
Over 92 million tons of textile waste each year is produced by fast fashion brands. Hard to believe, but true. Their business model functions as part of the “linear” economy, where consumers wear and discard items relatively quickly. This results in unwanted clothes being dumped into landfill sites, thus contributing to a lot of environmental waste.
The difference with secondhand clothing is that it operates within the “circular economy”. This means that items are shared between friends, recycled, or resold to consumers via websites or thrift shops.
Websites such as Poshmark, eBay, Thrift+ and ThredUP are prime examples of how the circular economy works, with high quality second hand items for sale on the sites every day.
#2 It Can Save You Money
One of the great misconceptions about buying second hand clothing is that the garments being sold are threadbare, dirty, or ruined. But in most cases, this couldn’t be further from the truth.
If you’ve been eyeing a new jacket from a specific brand for a while but your budget won’t quite stretch, check out the second hand websites and stores near you. Often, you’ll find identical or similar items to the one you’ve been searching for, plus, many of these items haven’t even been worn.
Many clothing items are almost-new – some still have price tags on, or they’ve been worn once and have simply sat in the closet ever since. There are some great bargains to be had, and discounts can reach up to 70% off the original retail price if you shop around.
#3 You Can Help to Support Charities in Your Community
A great way to support local charities without donating money is to buy second hand items from them. You can purchase pre-loved clothing or give them garments you no longer need or wear.
As long as clothing is clean and in good condition, many charity shops will take them off your hands. Some have arrangements with companies that recycle textiles too, this is another way for them to raise additional funds for their organization.
So, whether the clothing is sold on to a third party or to a recycling agent, you know it’s not going to landfill, and local communities are benefiting. It’s a win-win.
#4 It’s Easier to Find One-of-a-Kind Pieces
Charity shops, markets and thrift stores are great places to find one-of-a-kind fashion items. You can create your own timeless look with a fusion of vintage and modern pieces curating a style unique to you while paying less.
These types of stores are also brimming with fun accessories, ranging from brooches, scarves and purses to enhance your outfit.
Whether you’re channeling a 1960s vibe, want to dress like pop icons of the 1980s, or prefer something more current and on-trend, second hand shops are a blank canvas for fashionistas.
#5 It Lowers the Demand for Fast Fashion
Fast fashion brands are some of the most polluting industries on our planet. They produce up to 10% of the planet’s carbon emissions and this is due to rise exponentially by 2030 if the same pace continues.
Retailers such as Primark, Zara and Shein promote new designs in their stores every couple of weeks. This encourages consumers to keep buying more for less. But a lot of these clothes are poorly made and don’t last very long, which is why they often end up in landfill.
The good news is, as we become more conscious about our spending, a “slow fashion” trend is beginning to emerge. This is restructuring how we purchase clothing and for what purpose. It’s evaluating what we want versus what we actually need. And we’re investing in quality, classic vintage fashion items that don’t go out of trend.
#6 It’s Better for the Environment
When you buy clothing second hand, believe it or not, you’re actually helping to preserve the environment.
Firstly, waste is being reduced as you’re giving a garment a second home. You’re also helping to lower the usage of raw materials and chemicals, energy and water sources, all utilized to manufacture new clothes.
UNEP – the United Nations Environment Program states that 20% of waste water comes from fabric dyes and treatments used on clothing. And, to make a single pair of jeans it takes over 3,700 liters of water. When you consider how many new pairs of jeans are purchased around the world each year, this can really add up.
Every time you purchase preloved clothing from a website, charity shop or thrift store, this figure reduces. And if you buy locally, you’re also cutting down on transport and logistics, minimizing carbon emissions.
As more of us become aware of the environmental impacts of fashion and turn to second hand clothes, we should see a slowdown in manufacturing and that can only be a good thing.
#7 You Can View All Brands in One Place
One of the things I love about shopping for pre-loved clothing is the fact you can view a multitude of brands all in one place.
If you’re shopping for secondhand clothes bargains online, thanks to advanced algorithms, you can often search by size, brand, color, and even specific style. This helps you find what you’re looking for quicker and cuts down on screen time!
Many thrift and charity shops also make it easy to look for items in your own size, and some are arranged by brands too. A lot of these second-hand stores replace stock with another design once sold too, giving you different options to choose from regularly.
#8 It Makes Designer Clothing More Affordable
Style-conscious fashionistas are heading to influencer websites to buy second hand designer clothes online. If your budget won’t stretch to hefty Gucci, Prada, or Dior price tags, you can check out these websites instead.
Reliked.com is a website used by social media influencers to sell their freebies from designer brands. These items include everything from clothing and bags to brand-name shoes and cosmetics. Most of the time these items have only been worn once for an Instagram story before being packed away in a suitcase or closet.
Always ahead of designer fashion trends, the Kardashian sisters recently opened their own pre-loved clothing site called Kardashian Kloset. And although prices aren’t cheap (at all) – if you’re seeking a one-off piece, it’s worth taking a look.
You can also find lots of designer and vintage clothing in thrift and charity shops. A key here is the neighborhood. If you’re browsing a thrift shop in say, Manhattan, Beverly Hills, or any upscale area, you may find a higher percentage of designer clothing items in-store for less.
#9 Buying Second Hand is Better for Your Health
Health is not usually a consideration when thinking about purchasing clothes. However, unbeknown to many, dozens of chemicals are used in the manufacturing of new clothing items.
This is particularly true of items that have been dyed, like denim jeans, stain-resistant or wrinkle-free shirts and waterproof clothing.
The presence of these chemicals next to your skin can be an issue if they’ve been used in high quantities. This is why buying second hand clothing is beneficial.
Most items have already been worn and washed or professionally cleaned. Look for sustainable fashion items crafted from organic materials such as cotton or wool – focusing on natural, unbleached, or undyed fabrics wherever possible.
#10 There’s Less Packaging
There are certain brands out there that generate millions of dollars of plastic waste packaging every year. This has harmful effects on the oceans, land and crops and wildlife.
When you purchase vintage clothing in a charity shop or at a market stall, there’s very little or no packaging involved. You can also take your own recycled bag with you to pack and carry purchases home in.
There’s no plastic wrapping or bulky cardboard boxes, and no tape or glue – thus, helping to reduce waste and costs. Think of the positive changes we could make for the planet if we all purchased clothes second hand!
Where to go Secondhand Shopping
Where you will shop for your secondhand items is going to depend on where you live, and what’s available to you, but hopefully the following list will help give you ideas.
Online Thrift Stores
I’ve written a whole article about the best online stores for shopping for secondhand fashion – read it here. My favorite online options include Poshmark, Vinted, and Vestiaire Collective, but there are many others available.
Facebook Groups and Marketplace
Shop local by heading to Facebook and searching for a buy/sell group near you. Or simply try the “Marketplace” tab. If you have a particular sustainable brand you love, there are often dedicated groups for trading these on FB too.
Physical Charity Stores and Thrift Stores
Sometimes the best way to shop for secondhand clothing is to head to your nearest charity store or thrift shop. While the range is going to be a bit more hit & miss in these local businesses – you never know what treasures you’ll unearth among the racks. And you’ll benefit from being able to try before you buy!
Garage Sales
Ok, so this one is a bit of a wild card. But if you’re in the market for a unique piece of clothing – garage sales, car boot sales, or flea markets are all brimming with vintage goods and hidden gems. And you can expect to pay a fraction of the price that you might see online.
What to look for when shopping for Preloved Fashion
Although it can be tempting to get carried away when purchasing vintage pieces, it’s important not to impulse buy. This is more about investing in high-quality clothing that lasts longer, while paying less and not contributing to environmental and labor issues.
If you’re thinking about purchasing clothing second hand, here are a few tips:
Check the Quality/Condition
If you’re not planning on doing any crafting or sewing, always check the quality and condition of the product before you purchase.
Websites such as eBay have a section where sellers can show whether an item is “New Without Tags” which could mean worn once or tried on, or “Used” meaning in good/decent condition, or well-worn in a few cases.
It’s often easier to check in charity shops and markets as you can physically see the product and examine it over before parting with any cash.
Brand Names & Sizing
One of the main issues with second-hand shopping for clothes online is the sizing. How do you know if the item is going to fit?
A good guideline is if you’ve purchased from the brand before and own a couple of their pieces already. That way, if the top or dress you have your eye on is manufactured by the same company, it’s likely that the sizing will be similar.
You can also double check with the company’s own brand website to see their size guide.
Is the Pricing Fair?
On second hand clothing fashion websites, private sellers often increase prices to make a profit. There’s nothing wrong with that, everyone has to make a living. But you should always check if you’re getting a good deal.
Some private sellers buy discontinued, returned or defect stock items from high street brands then try to sell them on for double to the consumer. Always make sure the price you’re paying is fair and check around for comparisons.
Returns Policy
If you’re purchasing preloved clothing on online platforms, always check the sellers returns policy. If you’re trying to save money by purchasing ethically, you should ensure that if the item doesn’t fit, or there’s a defect that wasn’t highlighted in the description, that you can still return it for a full refund.
Feedback Rating
Always check the sellers recent feedback and reviews, particularly if buying online. If it’s less than desirable, and there are handfuls of complaints, it’s probably wise to shop elsewhere.
Cost of Shipping
If shopping for secondhand clothes online, remember to factor shipping costs into the purchase price. That’s the beauty of buying in second hand stores – there are no delivery costs and there’s no bulky packaging to contend with.
I hope you found this guide helpful. It shows how investing in preloved clothing can benefit your community, the environment, and in the long term your own pocket too. But perhaps the biggest benefit of buying second hand clothing is that it helps to slow down the fast fashion industry, which will ultimately have a positive effect on our planet.