Today, I’ve got 8 reasons why buying second-hand clothes is the future for you. 🙂 I’m not going to lie, I think reason one is enough all on its own but I added the rest in case you still needed a bit of persuasion.
I shared a post a couple of weeks ago where I asked the question ‘Are charity shops too expensive?‘ and it got me started on all the reasons why buying second-hand clothes is the way to go. My reasons started to take over the whole post so I dialled it back and copied it over to this post as this topic really does deserve a post of its own.
I share a post every month (or at least I do when charity shops are actually open) all about the bargains I’ve bought from my local charity shops over the previous month which I’d really recommend having a look through the posts if you’re in any doubt about why buying second-hand is a good thing as I’d hope looking through all of my bargains will bring you around to my way of thinking.
1. Buying second-hand clothes saves you money
You save money when you buy second-hand clothes as the prices always reflect the fact that they’re second-hand. To me, this means that I can look for quality brands that I know and expect to pay quite a bit less than I’d pay if I was buying them new. I’m not sure that you need the other nine reasons that I’ve put together to persuade you, do you?
2. It’s so much easier to find what you want
This one could just be me but I love the fact that most charity shops seem to display their clothes in such a customer-friendly way. They have dresses, tops, bottoms, coats and often knitwear all in their own displays and more often. than not they’re in size order which just makes it so easy. The small charity shop near me isn’t as easy to find what you’re after as they display by colours which looks so pretty that I can forgive them for the extra effort I have to put in. 😂
3. You won’t walk into a room and find someone else wearing the same clothes
The clothes you’ll find in a charity shop are usually going to be at least one season old so you’re going to get something that bit different to what other people are wearing. Miss Frugal used to like shopping on eBay and in charity shops for her clothes for the sole reason that she liked to be different and didn’t want to follow the trend. She looked for styles that none of her friends would wear so buying second-hand was the best way for her to shop.
4. You’re extending the life of an item
From a good for the world perspective, this probably should have been right up there at the top! It’s an obvious one but when you’re buying something second-hand, you’re giving it a whole new lease of life by adding it to your wardrobe.
This jumper for example, it’s an M&S lovely soft knitted jumper that’s was already a couple of years old (at least) when I bought it last Autumn for £3.99. It’s such a classic style that I know I’ll have it for a good few years too and even if I do get rid of it, I’ll re-donate it if it’s still in a good enough condition.
5. Buying second hand reduces the demand for ‘fast fashion’
If you’re wondering what ‘Fast Fashion’ means, this is the best definition that I’ve come across:
Fast fashion is ‘fast’ in a number of senses: the rate of production is fast; the customer’s decision to purchase is fast; delivery is fast; and garments are worn fast, usually only a few times before being discarded. It is a model that is entirely unsustainable. Ethical Consumer
The more you buy second-hand, the less demand there is for fast fashion and the less demand there is, the more companies will think before mass-producing clothing lines that will end up in landfill within a short period of time.
6. Second-hand clothes last longer
This is a bit of a sweeping statement but I do think it applies to the majority of things you’ll buy in a charity shop. The clothes you’ll see in a charity shop will more often than not have been worn, washed, folded and hung up a good few times before you consider purchasing them. If they’re going to shrink or lose their shape then they’ll probably have already done that and if they’re going to bobble or fade then that would have happened by now. You can have a good look over them and if they’re in good condition then the chances are they’ll stay that way if you take care of them.
7. You’re donating to charity
When you’re buying second-hand in a charity shop then you get that warm fluffy feeling because you’re donating to a charity to directly help someone in need with the happy buzz you get from finding a bargain and treating yourself to something new.
8. You can lead the trend and not follow it
Charity shops are amazing for vintage finds so find something individual that you love and make everyone else want to follow you and find themselves a vintage purchase of their own.
Anything I’ve missed?
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