Buying only pre-worn clothes - possible?

[persephone19]

I've been inspired by my millennial brother and sister in law who always look super cool and they don't buy new clothes, for themselves or their children for environmental reasons. So I know it's possible…
Does anyone here do the same? Any tips? Is there anything you do buy new and if so, how do you determine how environmentally friendly it is?
I'm posting here rather than elsewhere because I don't want to look like a scruff bag and I like to think I could maintain a sense of style even without buying new.
Thanks x

One of the local charity shops sells kids stuff like t-shirts at 4 for £1, with the nicer things a bit dearer. I got a pretty Mini Boden dress for a £1, it needed a small repair.

I drop things off at the nearest shop, or somewhere with parking nearby.

If the shop is grateful, they are more likely to get donations.

The animal trust type shops are also good.

I find that charity shops in large affluent villages are usually a good bet. Hospices do such valuable work.

I'm usually looking for high end high street clothes and shoes or bric a brac. If I find something wonderful, all the better, and if it's not my size I pass it on. I know family members' preferences and sizes. They get them as gifts. I like shopping and I like a bargain.

Been doing this for years (mum has too).

Are we trendy, now

@MrsSkylerWhite

Been doing this for years (mum has too).

Are we trendy, now

Looks like it

I'm not sure, I think that sometimes it can be tempting to buy something that is too big/small/worn/not quite right, second-hand, just because it's there and it's the only one there of its kind in the charity shop or second hand online website. I guess if you resell or regift it, there's no environmental waste but it feels a bit pointless, whereas you can make more sure with a new item that it's exactly right before deciding to keep and then wear that new item over and over again.

@Pippapet

I understand your point ( I’ve done it for sure) but it’s possible to be as discerning about second hand clothes as it is new clothes. And let’s face it… people are largely not discerning about fast fashion. They're not there checking the seams for quality and feeling the weight of the cloth. They’re not that interested in repairing or re-fashioning clothes. Some people don’t even recycle or donate they just bin them. Influencers don’t really help… even “thrifters” are constantly buying “new” preloved items. There is not much emphasis on repeating outfits or “shopping your wardrobe” sadly.

I know what you mean Pippapet. It's partly why so far I've held off EBay, Vinted and the like - I make enough mistakes even when I can see what I'm buying and try it on.
I know a lot of people just sell on but I fear I'd end up spending my life online and at the post office, so I normally redonate my mistakes and factor them into the overall cost. So I'm a fan but I acknowledge it can encourage a 'here today, gone tomorrow' mindset unless you're very careful.

persephone19

MrsSkylerWhite
Been doing this for years (mum has too).

Are we trendy, now grin

Looks like it smile“

Fantastic!
I’m usually in jeans/leggings and t-shirts these days but in years gone by I’ve found the most incredible things for “dos” (that I rarely went too and couldn’t afford extravagant one offs). Most notably, Betty Barclay, silk two piece, trousers and jacket in a beautiful sky-blue and miraculously a pair of shoes in almost the same shade. In total £14.94.

I’m really not much into clothes, haven’t kept up with fashions for a good while but I admit to googling the shoes because they had leather soles with the name of the Italian maker embossed and were things of beauty. Shoes from the maker retailed at an average of £300 six years ago!!!

@Floisme

I know what you mean Pippapet. It's partly why so far I've held off EBay, Vinted and the like - I make enough mistakes even when I can see what I'm buying and try it on. I know a lot of people just sell on but I fear I'd end up spending my life online and at the post office, so I normally redonate my mistakes and factor them into the overall cost. So I'm a fan but I acknowledge it can encourage a 'here today, gone tomorrow' mindset unless you're very careful.

Yes, luckily I'm no shopaholic and I'm very careful about my wardrobe. It's small and nearly perfectly formed. Fairly strict one in, one out policy; and I know what shapes styles and colours suit me so I can adapt the fashions to my own style and lifestyle. I am fairly sure I can be as mindful with second hand things as I have been with new.

I would say 95% of my current wardrobe is second hand. I do buy the occasional thing new and I buy underwear new. On the rare occasion that I do buy something new I'm normally dissapointed with the item and wish I hadn't bothered.
Normally I get my clothes from charity shops or ebay. I have quite a lot of clothing at the moment so I'm currently trying not to buy anything unless I really need something which is hard.

It’s definitely possible and you can look amazing doing it! I had a colour and style analysis with House of Colour two years ago and there is a big culture of second hand shopping and clothes swapping amongst the people in the Facebook groups. Vinted, Depop, charity shops are also popular.

If you have Instagram follow thestylecounsellor, adelesustainablestylist, houseofcolourpapillion and sandyyourauthenticstylist. Even if you don’t dress like them/ want to dress like them you can pick up great tips ☺️

[quote Divebar2021]**@Pippapet

I understand your point ( I’ve done it for sure) but it’s possible to be as discerning about second hand clothes as it is new clothes. And let’s face it… people are largely not discerning about fast fashion. They're not there checking the seams for quality and feeling the weight of the cloth. They’re not that interested in repairing or re-fashioning clothes. Some people don’t even recycle or donate they just bin them. Influencers don’t really help… even “thrifters” are constantly buying “new” preloved items. There is not much emphasis on repeating outfits or “shopping your wardrobe” sadly.[/quote]
Totally agree, but unfortunately the fast fashion/wear it once crowd will likely not be the demographic for second hand clothes.

In a way, we are coming from the same angle - conscious consumerism, be it in the form of buying second hand unworn or lightly worn, or new clothes to be washed and worn again and again.

I guess the ultimate goal would be to buy second hand and wear it again and again but there's more chance of buying exactly what you want (in terms of perfect colour/fit/shape) with new clothes. There's also a cooling off period with new clothes ie returns if after a few days of seeing how it blends in with your wardrobe it seems like it won't be a good investment after all, whereas second hand clothes are generally harder to return (for cash, you could just donate them to the charity shop of course). But we like to ideally buy consciously and also spend consciously too.

I do like second hand clothes and have a mix of new and second hand in my wardrobe. I just try and make sure that I really love each item before I commit otherwise it's just more "stuff" going round and round...

I’d say 95% of my clothes are second hand, usual places, but this place for nice going out stuff is great.

I'm leaning towards it. I've always loved a charity shop bargain anyway but the last 18 months has really made me re-assess just how much I have got already, what I need etc. I am planning to get rid of a lot of stuff by combination of donation/selling on Vinted, Facebook marketplace etc.

I won't buy shoes (unless unworn with tags), swimwear or underwear (sorry, but just no....) but everything else I'm fine with.

but there's more chance of buying exactly what you want (in terms of perfect colour/fit/shape) with new clothes

Yes I agree. Second hand shopping for me is rummaging and finding something great. Even if I go in with an idea of what I want I may come out with 3 things i didn’t know I wanted til I saw them. Sometimes they become my favourite item and sometimes they just don’t work at all. Usually I haven’t wasted tons of cash at least. The problem is I can be as indiscriminate buying new too…. “ oooh look a pretty thing”…. I’m really trying to rein it in. I’ve decided to try and cut down my new purchases and really, really make an effort to buy in store rather than online because I’m more discerning when the item isn’t already in my house. Basically it’s a character flaw 😀

I often browse charity shops and online auctions for used clothing, but do still buy new too. I always donate unwanted clothes to homeless charities

Second hand shopping for me is rummaging and finding something great.
Same here, which is why I won't commit to only buying second hand - it's too random for that.

Also, if I'm going to be totally honest, part of the appeal is that, when it goes well, it gives me a buzz that's far better than any other shopping experience because it's laced with a heavy dose of virtuousness. That's very seductive and, if I dare say so, quite addictive too.

Yes, it's possible (not knickers of course). You can get some lovely bargains.

I would love to do more of this but feel I can't justify the price - in my local charity shop they sell bally Primark tops for a fiver. Mens clothes are always in much better shape for some reason so you don't mind paying higher prices.
When my dc were young we used to go to an excellent car boot sale and I don't think I ever paid more than 50p per item for nearly new clothes. We saved a fortune!

I would say 90% of my outer-wear is from charity shops. I am a seasoned bargain hunter! I struggle to buy new as things are so so pricey so I have to be so much stricter with choices eg how much will I wear it, will I look marvellous in it, will I feel comfortable wearing such a bold statement piece? Where as, though I still ask myself the same in charity shops, I feel I can be more experimental. And I rarely get it wrong. If I do I haven’t spent a fortune and I can usually sell on (often at a profit) on EBay anyway. I tend to stick to the same brands - I can spot Per Una a mile away!!! ❤️ There is no way I could afford these things new. This way I have a fabulous wardrobe I feel a right Bobbie-dazzler wearing and very often get compliments on 😊

Ps. We have great charity shops in our town - 2 wear most things are £1.

• 2 where!!

I really struggle, always have - probably because stuff that fits me in new shops has always been limited (curvy size 12/14) and my body type will tend to destroy things like jeans so they just won't turn up second hand!

I don't have any desperate need for new/fashionable stuff (plus having small waist big bum/thighs doesn't fit much fashion) so I buy what suits me and wear it to death! Buying new is frustrating enough that I really can't bear the concept of a charity shop trawl, although one of my nice winter coats I just happened across at a church fair (the other one is over 20 years old) so I'm not against second hand, just lack the belief I will find anything to buy (see also non second hand shopping!)

I’ve just seen the option to buy an item either new or second hand. Great idea from the website don’t you think? www.na-kd.com/en/products/organic-front-pleat-cocoon-jeans-white?dfw_tracker=30134-812190&shopping_id_click=1018-007201-0001-579&CountryCode=GBR&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaignname=UK_MB_SEA_GGL_SHP_ALL_NBR_X_X_X_a205-781-1792_c%7Bcampaignname%7D_g*%7Badgroupname%7D_k*&gclid=CjwKCAjwy7CKBhBMEiwA0Eb7aoxH7GAqHhgr3N2itxu_FTGjwflubPZl6GJHzFMbRfqVJKZMV9VABRoCWH0QAvD_BwE

While I admit I’ve made mistakes in charity shops, I’ve normally been able to recoup what I paid on eBay / Vinted. Or return the item to charity and consider it my good deed for the day

I’m much more discerning about charity shopping now. When I first moved to this town and “discovered” charity shops I went a bit mad - I got so excited about seeing higher end brands such as Whistles, Jigsaw etc in charity shops (which is unheard of where I grew up) I would buy stuff without actually considering whether I liked it, or would wear it etc. But I’m much more picky these days, partly because the novelty of finding Reiss and similar brands in charity shops has worn off and partly because our local charity shops are so expensive I can’t guarantee getting my money back on Vinted nowadays if I do make a mistake.

But having said that I’ve made plenty of mistakes buying new too, and they are far more expensive mistakes to make. I very often find myself disappointed with quality - I recently got rid of a pair of Whistles joggers that were just horrible quality, despite the hefty price tag. It would be a lot easier to accept if it was £5 from a charity shop rather than ££££ from Whistles.

Also most clothes in charity shops (except perhaps suits / occasion wear, which I don’t buy) have been through the wash at least once or twice so if they’re going to turn into rags upon washing it would have already happened