Buying second-hand clothes has become a trend in recent years. It may seem strange to wear clothes that have already been worn by someone else, but the reasons why we do so speak louder. Second-hand stores are not a new concept, as we can find them all over the world. There are also many websites and applications that offer all types of second-hand options, from more affordable clothes to branded clothes.
Alongside all this, vintage is in fashion and perhaps here to stay. If a few years ago our grandmothers' shirts, blazers and bags didn't captivate us, today we are the ones who take the initiative to go to their closet and “steal” the oldest pieces we can find. On the other hand, issues related to sustainability also end up taking precedence over others. By buying pieces that have already been used, we reduce our ecological footprint.
The value of the parts
One of the big reasons why we fall in love with older clothes is related to the value of the pieces themselves. Many women are concerned about the quality of the clothes they buy and, although there are many accessible stores with interesting pieces, the durability of the products ends up being a negative factor. Fortunately, cheap doesn't always come at an expensive price and this is also one of the reasons why buying second-hand clothes has become the way to go. We look for old, quality pieces that are still in usable condition. The best part: most of these clothes are unique and exclusive pieces that no one else will have.
Originality, sustainability and quality at affordable prices seem like enough reasons to buy clothes that once belonged to someone else. Increasingly, stores and spaces are opening up to make our lives easier when looking for original pieces in excellent condition, but second-hand.
We leave you some suggestions for physical or online stores where you can do this.
Think twice before throwing old clothes in the trash.
Do not throw your clothes in the normal trash. Most of our pieces consist of non-biodegradable synthetic fibers and will simply accumulate in landfill. There are other options:
- Try to mend or redesign your pieces, as sometimes, with a little imagination, clothes that you considered damaged end up deserving a second chance;
- Offer the clothes you no longer wear to your friends, family or charities;
- Place them in a textile container, so that the fabrics can be recycled.