MY TOP TIPS FOR SECOND-HAND SHOPPING

Second-hand shopping has always been one of my all-time favourite ways to refresh (as well as recycle) my wardrobe, and I’m so excited to be allowed to treasure hunt once again now that restrictions are lifting (nicely timed with carboot season kicking off in April!).

Second-hand shopping is one of the most effective ways to fight fast fashion and privilege a wholly more sustainable way to consume. It might seem daunting to sift through racks or rummage through piles of other people’s unwanted clothes  — knowing that whatever catches your eye might not be your size — but in an age where we have so much choice, and wardrobes are so full, it's a way of flirting with fashion and picking up some versatile wardrobe staples without spending a fortune or taxing the planet. If you stick with it, and make it a “maybe I’ll find something fun” vibe rather than a “I’m not coming home empty-handed” or that slightly crazed “I NEED a fashion fix” mission, then there are many treasures to be found in charity shops, carboot sales, clothes swaps, etc. Here are a few ways to make it easier.

KEEP YOUR EYES PEELED

With so many people shopping, things can often get hidden under one another or even fall off tables and racks. Make sure you give everywhere a good look around, as you don't know what you might uncover that somebody else has missed.

DON’T IGNORE ‘IMPERFECT’ ITEMS

Items will always look better at home in your own wardrobe than in the sea of chaos that is a second-hand shop or sale. Small aesthetic things like missing buttons, creases or small holes are really easy to fix and will make the piece more unique to you when you fix it.

DON’T TRUST THE SIZE ON THE LABEL

Sizing notoriously varies across brands and eras, so it’s imperative to try things on if you can to check that they fit the way you want them to (it’s worth noting that most charity shops operate like regular shops and you can return your purchase with a receipt in a set timeframe if you can’t try in store). That said, if a piece is just a bit loose for example, you can certainly remedy that with some strategic sewing or a belt. Don’t be afraid to get creative!

DON’T BE SWAYED BY A BARGAIN

Shopping is a great mindfulness practice — staying aware and in the moment to practise conscious consumerism. In the past I’ve definitely been guilty of buying something just because it was a steal (£7.99 as opposed to £79.99!). With second-hand you can still over-consume and fall into the trap of purchasing something just for the shopper’s high that follows. Before you head to the till, go through your item(s) and think: why do you want it? Have you already got a version of it? How and when will you wear it? Will you wear it enough to justify adding it to your wardrobe? It’s especially easy to purchase similar items to ones you already have languishing at the back of your wardrobe — especially during seasonal transitions.

USE YOUR IMAGINATION

Fashion is all about self-expression, so try to be imaginative and playful in your shopping process. Nurture your creative side and use your imagination to navigate what is usually not a very curated space where everything is presented in the latest style. Sometimes I spot something straight away, sometimes it’s only on my second or third scan that I notice something. And quite often (this happens at carboots to me all the time) I’ve already disregarded something until someone picks it up and suddenly I see it in a whole new light!

CARBOOTS WERE MADE FOR HAGGLING

People often want to get rid of everything right there and then. If you like something, also make sure you check that there isn't anything else you like from the same place, as often you can get a better rate for 2 or 3 more items purchased together.

ONE IN, ONE OUT

If you love fashion and experimenting with your look and are prone to jam-packing your wardrobe, go by a “one in, one out” rule. So if you've found a new pair of old jeans, select a pair to go back to a charity shop — remember the sustainable factor comes from keeping the items moving in a cycle, bringing fresh energy to exchanges and either making some money from selling it or benefiting a charity. Hoarding might not seem wasteful but it’s taking up physical space, mental space and energetic space for you so if you purchase regularly then be sure to donate or sell regularly. It’s all part of the cycle of fashion — what worked once for you will work again for someone else. Enjoy!