Why Should I Shop Second-Hand?

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Other than the obvious sustainability benefits of shopping second hand, why else should you change your shopping habits? Let's dive into some of the benefits of following circular fashion.

• Cheaper Alternatives

Unless you've gotten stuck in the dark corner of Depop where people charge £30 for a stained t-shirt, shopping second hand tends to be a fraction of the price! Search through charity shops, vintage fairs, and Vinted for the best deals.

• Less focus on trends

When you shop second-hand, there tends to be less micro-trends featured on the shelves. Instead of seeing brand names, and popular items, it allows you to find clothes you truly like or might not usually consider to add in your wardrobe!

• Find Personal style

With there being less focus on trends, all second-hand shopping boils down to is you, the clothes, and the fit. This allows you to find items you truly love, regardless of what's trending! Finding your unique, personal style is so much more fulfilling than simply following trends. Of course, incorporate any trends you love, but find what you love first and don't just follow the media!

• Vintage finds last longer!

I personally have never felt more excited about an item when I find out it's a vintage piece. Vintage clothes tend to last longer than newer counterparts, due to the mass use of natural materials (we use mostly synthetic materials now). Due to this, older clothing looks and feels better - why not give vintage clothes a chance?

• Fun day out

Some of my favourite times with friends and family have been visiting cute little towns and villages, scouting out the charity shops/vintage fairs and having a wonderful day! Whether you travel far or stay local, it really does make for a great day out to explore surrounding areas and see different places!

• Chance to make new friends

With fun days out, comes the opportunity to meet new people! Whether it be meeting like-minded people shopping too, chatting with sellers, or simply following your favourite Depop seller on Instagram, second hand shopping can seriously expand your friendships. Getting the chance to meet and communicate with your favourite re-sellers allows for more intimate, meaningful connections - something you don't always get when buying from large corporations!

Where to look:

For charity shops - Generally, cities tend to have not so fabulous choices in charity shops. I've always found that looking for surrounding towns/villages make for better finds! I would recommend visiting places like Harrogate, Ripon, Knutstford, and York - from my personal experience I've found the most options for charity shops and the best items (and wonderful days out).

For vintage/re-sell fairs - Keep your eyes peeled on social media for the best vintage fairs - they usually hide in plain sight! A personal favourite of mine is by a company called So Retro, a fantastic vintage fair that moves around Lancashire and Greater Manchester. They have upcoming events at Ramsbottom Civic Hall on the 5th November, Irish World Heritage centre on the 19th November, and Heaton Park Tramway Depot on the 27th December. Follow their Instagram here - So Retro