"Buy less. Choose well. Make it last. Quality not quantity. Evrybody's buying too many clothes." Vivienne Westwood.
London Fashion Week has just turned 40 and last week kicked off with shows of second hand clothing - ‘A monumental moment for circular fashion’: vintage clothes conquer London- The Guardian .
Have you brought any new clothes this month ? Oxfam hopes not as it is currently in the middle of it's
6th year of Second Hand September , the campaign to encourage people to shop more sustainably, donate, reuse, recycle, restyle, and consider the impact of their fashion choices on the planet.
According the Green Alliance 2024 report, as much as 40% of manufactured clothing is never sold or worn. 73% of waste clothing is sent directly to landfills. The clothing industry is responsible for 5-10% of all global emissions and 20% of water pollution.
As more people in the UK are buying second-hand clothes there is a greater awareness of the impact of fast fashion on the environment and a rise of second-hand clothing retailers.
Cat Deeley is the face of the campaign this year - is "Second hand absolutely does not mean second best !'
I see Cat is on Tik Tok with the clickbait of Want a peek inside Cat Deeley's Wardrobe ? Yes , but my advice is don't bother clicking on this one, it doesn't deliver. Disappointingly it is just Cat talking about her wardrobe. It would have been great to actually see her the clothes and accessories from inside her wardrobe .
Why I buy second hand clothing
The quality is better than equivalently priced new garments.
It is better for the environment.
I can find my favourite labels at sale prices 52 weeks of the year.
Natural fibers like cotton, wool, and silk. New sweaters are often polyester/reconstituted materials, and shirts and t-shirts are viscose/polyester. Preloved clothing stores have an abundance of garments made in natural fibers.
A chance to find unique and one-off garments.
Less likely to see someone else in the same outfit.
I can buy garments or accessories that I might have missed the opportunity to buy the first time around.
Designer Labels at knockdown prices.
10 Simple Steps from experts to get started
If you have no idea where to begin this is the guide for you .
Fashion Fashion - at what cost ?
Islington Council has produced a great guide about the impact of fast fashion and what you can do about it
Buying Preloved
With sites like Vinted and E-Bay it is now easier than ever to switch to buying preloved clothing on line .
But there are pit falls .
Check this guide on making second hand purchases on line work for you and your wardrobe
Oxfam Second Hand September - find out more and get free postage on all purchases now .
Endless Runway - Oxfam at London Fashion Week to see what Cat and others wore and Tik Tok - no account required to view.
Vogue Best places to buy secondhand clothes on line in the UK
Last week, I was given back a green twin set that I owned in the early 1990s, which I had passed on to my mother. Wearing it again has felt like reuniting with an old friend.
I regret giving away many of my clothes, but wardrobe space has been a constant issue throughout my life, and I am sure yours too. At least nowadays we are all more aware, and the clothes we can no longer keep have a better chance of being reworn and not thrown into a landfill.
Until next week.
Cheerio and thank you for reading x x x
Comments