October 5, 2021 How to Shop Secondhand Clothing
If you’re new to the sustainable fashion movement: welcome! You’ve made a conscious decision to change your fashion-loving habits in a way that’s more gentle on the environment. The planet (and your wallet!) thank you. In return, we’d like to share with you our best tips for how to shop secondhand clothing.
Let’s start with the basics: you’re now shopping for high-quality, gently used pieces for your closet. Where you shop will be up to you, but the most common places to find great secondhand clothing are thrift stores (where clothes were donated), buy-sell-trade retailers (where clothes were bought in and curated), estate sales, flea markets, and online auction marketplaces like eBay.
There are really just 3 rules to follow that will make secondhand shopping a snap. Keep them in mind, and you’ll be a pro in no time!
1. Hunt for Your Favorite Brands
Start with what you know: your favorite fashion labels. Hunt for them on the racks and delight in the price savings you’ll find. Expect to pay only a third of the original retail price.
2. Look for Quality Materials
For brands you don’t recognize, the quality of the materials is what you’ll focus on. Look for long-lasting pieces that can handle many wears and many seasons. We’re talking about leather, silk, wool, and linen.
3. Invest in Designer Pieces
It can take years to find a capsule of secondhand designer pieces, but it’s so worth it when you have your hands on a little black Chanel dress, Louis Vuitton duffle, and Hermes scarf. These are pieces that will add a bit of flair to your wardrobe for a lifetime, and the type of pieces you’ll hand down one day to that younger fashionista in your life.
Look at that, just 3 easy ways to get started when shopping for secondhand clothes. One last thing: follow your favorite secondhand stores to keep an eye on what’s hitting their sales floors. For example, check out our main Instagram feed here.
