Get Dressed: 5 Reasons to Choose Second-hand
In the last few years, we have seen an explosion in interest in second-hand clothing. Our pandemic habit of online thrifting is turning into a permanent lifestyle revolution. With the shift to mindful consumerism taking over the globe, more and more eco-conscious fashion lovers are turning to pre-owned clothing to build sustainable wardrobes. But second-hand clothing has lots of other benefits, as well. We think that second-hand shopping is poised to be the new paradigm in how we consume fashion. And with the state of the earth, it can’t come soon enough.
So how do we love second-hand clothing? Let us count the ways.
Second-hand dressing is eco friendly
Despite all the sequins and lace, did you know that the fashion industry has a dirty little secret? The World Economic Forum put out a report in 2021 that cites the fashion industry as one of the world’s most polluting industries, with 5% of all global emissions. That’s pretty scary when you think about the crisis that the world is in today with catastrophes like wildfires and tsunamis becoming common occurrences. So what’s a fashion lover to do when faced with the need for an updated wardrobe? Pre-loved clothing. Without a doubt, second-hand clothing is the most eco-friendly way to shop for fashion. Well, unless you’d rather go naked, that is.
Second-hand clothing comes with all sorts of benefits but the biggest is that there is no production waste tied up in the purchase of used clothes. This means raw resources like cotton or silk and tons of water stay in the ground where it belongs. It also means plenty of pesticides from non-organically produced textiles don’t leach into our waterways and soil. Second-hand clothing already had its carbon impact when it was first produced so buying pre-loved is one of the simplest ways to curb carbon emissions. The best way to spread out the emissions from a single pair of jeans is to wear them as long as possible, then sell or upcycle them when you are finished.
The fashion industry creates a lot of waste: over 92 million tons every year. Whether it's commercial or consumer waste, that’s a lot of clothes that still have value, ending up in the landfill. Can you imagine the sad image of perfectly good wedding dresses, only worn once, in a heap of trash? We can change this by shopping second-hand to extend clothing’s lifespan, and protect the future of our planet.
Dressing second-hand is durable
Second-hand clothing, by its very existence, demonstrates its ability to last. Clothes made over 15 years ago are referred to as vintage, so these are pieces that have lasted for decades already, and will continue to do so. That’s because, as your grandfather will tell you, things were made better back in the day. Before the rise of fast fashion and mass-produced goods, clothes were largely made from better materials and had a higher level of craftsmanship. Luckily, you can still get this high level of quality by shopping for second-hand clothing. These pieces have already stood the test of time and thanks to the quality and durability, they will continue to provide wearing pleasure to you for years.
Buying durable clothes increases a garment’s lifespan which is a great way to have more sustainable dresses and clothing. Rather than wearing a piece and tossing it after only a season or two when it starts to show signs of wear, choose durable clothes that will be like-new for years. It’s an environmental alternative to shopping for fashion. Plus, you get to keep that cute outfit that you love for more years.
By choosing long lasting second-hand clothing, you are helping to keep waste out of landfills. 84% of clothing ends up in landfills, but so many of those pieces don’t deserve to be there. These gently used pieces still have a lot of life left in them. Shop on Vestiaire to extend the lifespan of amazing fashion, and help keep our planet clean and healthy.
Second-hand dressing is budget friendly
Shopping for pre-loved clothing has one big benefit that will appeal to everyone. That is because second-hand clothing is a more affordable option than shopping for new clothes. Everyone loves a great deal, so for fashion lovers looking to extend their wardrobe budget, look no further than Vestiaire Collective’s selection of pre-loved fashion. With over three million items, and more listed every day, you have access to a wide variety of fashion, curated from around the world, at budget-friendly prices.
Building a sustainable wardrobe doesn’t have to cost a lot of money. Even buying luxury and top-name designer brands can be within your budget when you shop pre-loved. If you’ve been lusting after a Louis Vuitton bag or eyeing a Hermès scarf but thought it was way out of reach for your budget, you might be surprised at the deals you can find on Vestiaire.
Vintage and collectible items, like a little black dress from Dior or a Supreme collaboration jacket can be an excellent investment if found pre-loved. Since these pieces are rare , a second-hand collectible item will likely increase its value in the future.
Fast fashion can tempt consumers with low prices but its dark secret is that the poor quality of the clothes means you will soon need to pull out your wallet again. As an alternative to the wasteful practices of fast fashion manufacturers, you can buy a second-hand piece that will be a better deal over time.
Dressing secondhand is stylish
Legions of Fashion Activists are discovering that second-hand clothes are not only an environmentally-friendly option but incredibly stylish, too. In fact, if internet searches for pre-owned clothing are any indication, second-clothes are some of the most fashionable items around. After all, pre-loved picks from Vestiaire cover the spectrum of luxury fashion labels from Vivienne Westwood dresses to coveted handbags from recent Telfar collections.
Buying second-hand can be a very rewarding form of self-expression. It can be hard to stand out from the crowd, and reflect your personal style, when wearing mass produced clothes from retail stores. Pre-loved and vintage clothes are often one-of-a-kind pieces that aren’t made anymore. This guarantees that you will never show up to a party wearing the same outfit as someone else. For your fashion-forward Instagram pics, second-hand clothes make for a unique vibe that no one else can copy. Shopping pre-loved style gives you the freedom to choose from among your favourite brand name designers, or opt for an undiscovered label that is a hidden gem.
Second-hand clothes afford you the opportunity to get creative because you can play with styles that you might not have tried out before, with guilt-free shopping. Whether you want a perfect vintage dress from the ‘40s, an outrageous get-up from the ‘80s, or a very in-style designer piece from this year’s collections, Vestiaire Collective has you covered.
Pre-loved clothes come with a story. Especially when you choose items from a previous decade you are wearing a precious heirloom. You can imagine the women or men who wore it before you, imagine their lives and what it must have been like to live during their era. Mixing and matching from different eras is a fun way to explore different styles and to develop different facets of your personality through your wardrobe choices.
Dressing second-hand reduces fast fashion
Clothes are becoming cheaper. But that’s not a good thing. Yves Sain Laurent said, “Fashion fades, style is eternal.” And fade is exactly what fast fashion is designed to do. By creating trendy clothing that can be mass produced but quickly goes out of style, the fast fashion powers perpetuate a cycle of consumption. But this cycle has harmful effects to both consumers, the workforce, and the planet. These pieces are designed to be worn briefly and promptly disposed of. Even though this type of clothing has a low number on the price tag, it has a hidden high cost.
These clothes are poor quality, so they need to be replaced often, which ends up costing the consumer much more in the long run. Even worse, fast fashion has been notorious for poor working conditions for its labourers. In order to make a profit, fast fashion companies are often said to exploit their workers and pay very low wages.
Luckily, there is a better way.
By shopping second-hand clothing instead of fast fashion, you are closing the loop on the detrimental consequences of the fashion world. You are helping to create fairer, more equitable working conditions by refusing to participate in the exploitation of workers. You are saying ‘No’ to vast amounts of water being wasted, and tons of chemicals being pumped into our communities. By reducing the demand for fast fashion, you are making a difference across the board.
Fast fashion has only existed since the ‘80s, so to say there is no other way to wear stylish clothing is simply untrue. By sourcing clothes through pre-loved sites like Vestiaire Collective you are making an ethical choice for the planet and for people.
It’s pretty safe to say that not only is pre-loved clothing a better way to shop for the future of the planet, it’s a necessary choice. And with so many amazing benefits, including great styles at a more affordable price, we don’t see why anyone wouldn’t jump on board! With second-hand clothing, rather than being at the mercy of trends, you have the power to decide how you want to be seen, whether that’s wearing dresses for men or your grandpa’s vintage trench coat.
The UN Framework Convention for Climate Change predicts emission from textile manufacturing to rise 60% in the next ten years if we don’t change our habits immediately. We all know the environmental consequences of fast fashion, so this is a pretty scary statistic.
For Fashion Activists who want to close the loop on waste, and create a regenerative model of fashion, pre-loved clothing is the answer. Instead of buying a lot of cheaply made and trendy items which will have a short shelf life, buy clothing with quality and intention. It will translate to garment longevity which translates to less waste. It’s all about being purposeful and mindful with how we spend our money.
It’s going to take all of us to put a halt in the rapid rise of fast fashion, and all its ensuing consequences. It’s time to encourage our friends and family to join in the movement against unethical clothing and manufacturing practices. We don’t have much time to change the face of fashion, but with more and more Fashion Activists everyday pledging to shop pre-loved instead of new, we have hope in a bright and beautiful future for everyone.