How To Find The Best Secondhand Clothes
Shopping secondhand has soared in popularity in the past few years. I’m a perfect example of someone who hated everything about it and now can’t get enough of it. In an attempt to live a more eco-friendly and conscious life I’ve made some big changes to how I consume fashion, one of these is starting to shop secondhand more frequently. It can be so much fun, you never know when you’re going to find something amazing, but it can also be a bit daunting. My favourite place to shop is eBay (for the range and trust in the brand) and also charity shops for the surprises you can unearth (I’ve bought 2 cashmere jumpers both for under £10 in charity shops over the years). If you’re brand new to secondhand shopping then my beginners guide to secondhand shopping is a good place to start. If you’ve mastered the basics but you’re still struggling to find THE pieces, the ones people can’t believe you found, then keep reading.
Know what you’re looking for
Going in with an open mind is key, but having a rough idea of what you’re looking for is crucial when wading through everything. What are your deal-breakers and what are your must-haves? Keeping these criteria at the front of your mind will keep you on track and filer through the rubbish. From fit, colours, buttons and details, have a good idea of what will work with your existing wardrobe and what you’re actually likely to wear.
Filter out “unbranded”
This is more eBay specific, but if you’re goal is to shop secondhand then filter out everything unbranded from the start because these are often brand new, low quality items. Better yet, take the time to actually filter through the brands that you want to look at, the ones that you usually love the style of or the ones that you admire but are a little out of your budget.
Filter for “new with tags”
New with tags means you’re basically getting a brand new item but often for a fraction of the price. There are tonnes of these items on eBay, especially given everyone’s recent clear outs, you’ve just got to search for them. Even if you only save a few pounds from the RPR it’s still a great way to get the new things but with less impact on the environment.
Set up alerts
Setting up alerts for when items are about to end or when new items that you’ll be interested in are listed helps you keep your eye on the prize and focus on what you’re really looking for. You don’t have to keep checking back every day or risk forgetting out the perfect vintage purchase all together, the handy alerts will keep you up to date with the price and how long you have to make a decision.
Keep your options open
Great, you’ve found your ideal chunky knit jumper on the first page of search results, hit save or watch and the hard work is done, right? Nearly. Chances are a lot of other people have done the exact same thing. Keep your options open and keep looking, saving as many as possible so that if one gets snapped up quickly or the bidding goes above your pre-set budget you aren’t too disappointed.
Work Out What You Can Repair
Charity shops (of thrift shops) can be treasure troves of great pieces, with cashmere jumpers just waiting to be discovered. But often the items I love can be a bit damaged or be in need of some tlc. Whether it’s simple de-bobbling, repairing a hole or stiching something up, knowing what you can realistically do yourself and what you’d need to pay someone else to make an item viable is always handy. The cashmere jumpers I mentioned both needed de-bobbling and some minor repairs but it meant I picked them up for a fraction of their retail prices!
Keep Sustainability In Mind
Secondhand is always going to be better than buying brand new, but that doesn’t mean to say it’s a get-out-of-jail free card for over-indulging. It’s not about how much you can find but the quality that you find so try to avoid snapping up everything you see. Same goes for blazers and anything else that’s considered work or outerwear. We all love a bargain but being able to shop secondhand by choice is a privelege so it’s important to respect that and be mindful of the types of items that may make a big difference in someone else’s wardrobe.
Shopping secondhand has become a real hobby over the past year or so, keeping an eye out for those perfect items I’ve been dreaming of for ages. It’s a less guilt-enducing way to shop and retraining yourself to ask ‘oh, could I get this secondhand?’ has led me to find some great things. It’s not always possible to shop secondhand and it does take time and patience, but if you’re into fashion and updating your wardrobe it’s worth investing the time while trying to balance doing your bit for the planet.