You’ve probably heard that secondhand shopping is good for the planet and that choosing charity shops supports… well, charities. But good deeds aside, if we’re completely honest, at the back of most shoppers’ minds is one simple question: ‘What’s in it for me?’
So for those who need a little more persuasion, here are four ways that going secondhand will benefit you, the shopper…
1 Getting waaaay more bang for your buck
Whether you’re visiting a carboot or a vintage boutique, you can find some fantastic bargains secondhand. Yes, some rarer vintage pieces may cost more because of their age but in most cases, clothes, shoes and accessories cost a lot less the second time around.
The beautiful thing is that this also applies to pieces which would have cost a bomb originally. Whether you’re hunting for high street clothes or designer, the full spectrum is represented in thrift shops, at a fraction of the usual price.
2 Feeling good for doing good
Technically, this one’s more about ‘giving back’ rather than ‘what’s in it for you’ but you can’t deny that satisfying feeling of knowing you’ve done a good deed.
By shopping second hand, you’re choosing to support the re-use of clothes, rather than the fast fashion industry. Some beautiful pieces will find a new home, rather than ending up in a landfill and (as we’ve mentioned) if you go charity shopping, you’re helping people (or animals!) in need as well.
3 The fun of the hunt
I like to think of secondhand shopping as a treasure hunt. Undoubtedly, there is quite a range of goods to be pawed through and to be frank, it ain’t all pretty. However, a little perseverance soon pays off and there’s a real thrill in finding something amazing with such a tiddly price tag.
4 Creating a unique look
Since shifting the majority of my clothes shopping to secondhand, I’ve started to feel like the various high street offerings are a bit ‘samey’. Moving with the current fashion trends is all very well, but if you happen to look great in a style from last year, you’re out of luck.
Meanwhile, thrift and vintage shops carry clothing from across the decades so you can find not only the current trends but older items which stand out from the crowd and suit your look. In fact, a lot of ‘new’ styles are actually re-runs of fashions from years ago, so thrifting is a chance to pick up authentic bardot dresses, dungarees and tapered jeans (delete where applicable) from ‘back in the day’.
I could go on, but if you’ve made it this far you get the idea; hunting down secondhand bargains is good for the planet, great for your wallet and it’s a lot of fun too!
Keep an eye out for my next article, on where to find the best thrifty treasures online.
Instagram: @hannasthriftyfinds
