Why I Shop Second Hand

I started my second hand shopping  journey about a year ago. It hasn’t been too long, but for the past year I have been super into it, as I’ve started transforming my closet. I dabbled in thrifting multiple times in my life, but it never really stuck. I never ended up wearing the items I bought in thrift stores. I went to thrift stores, and bought stuff because it was cheap. I had no real intentions behind my purchases. This has been true for most of my purchases until recently, when I started to be more intentional with my spending and shopping habits. 

One of my favorite designers to shop second hand is Pucci

On this new fashion journey my goals are to transform my closet by focusing on buying fewer higher quality items, more mindful spending, and well thought-out purchases. I had been shopping mostly at Free People, Zara, and Aritzia, and despite spending so much money on clothes, I always felt like I didn’t have anything to wear. I had a closet full of impulsive purchases, and I never really felt that good in what I was wearing. 

I have always been into fashion, and always admired and coveted high-end designers. But, I felt like they were unattainable. Until I discovered second-hand shopping on sites like The RealReal, Fashionphile, Grailed, and Poshmark. I also started focusing on higher quality, natural fabrics (whenever possible) like wool, leather, silk, and cashmere. 

A great second hand purchase - this silk Roberto Cavalli Dress from the RealReal

Now, my go-to is second hand. When there is a piece that I know I want, like a wool blazer, or silk pants, I always check the second-hand sites first. Some of my favorite items that I own now are second hand. If I can’t find what I am looking for second hand, I go to Farfetch or Ssense (especially when they are having sales), and look at the fabric content of everything I buy. I am not perfect, and sometimes I still buy synthetic fabrics (like a vintage Jean Paul Gaultier mesh top, or swimsuits). But, I am trying my best to be more sustainable, and more conscientious of my consumption habits while embracing my absolute adoration for fashion. Here are some of my top reasons for shopping second hand.

Quality

For the same price as many of the items from Aritzia, Zara, and Free People, you can find better quality second hand items. It does take some time to search to find what you are looking for, but it is definitely worth it. Even the more expensive items are worth it in the long run because better quality items don’t need to be replaced as often. When you truly love an item, and it fits you well, you are more likely to wear it, instead of letting it sit in your closet collecting dust. It’s also so frustrating to buy something just to have it fall apart after a few washes. This has happened with so many of my Zara items. They looked great the first few times I wore them, but then as soon as I washed them once or twice, they weren’t the same anymore. 

Unique Items

I have always liked to have a unique personal style. Shopping second hand and vintage, I have found some incredible unique items that I feel like no one else has. I took the time to find these items, and it feels so rewarding to have something so unique. One of my favorite items is a Mugler blazer that I found on Grailed, from my birth year, 1988! This item has a deeper meaning and value to me, and it makes me feel incredible when I wear it. One of my favorite aesthetics is 80s Mugler, and it is something I always search for on second hand platforms.

Wearing my vintage Mugler blazer from 1988 at my 80s theme birthday party

Vintage items bring me such a good feeling, I love nostalgia! I love finding Y2K items that I feel like Carrie Bradshaw or Y2K pop girlies would wear. I was a teenager during those years, so items that remind me of that time genuinely bring me joy. For example, my vintage Cavalli straight leg jeans that I bought on Poshmark, I am absolutely obsessed with them! I wear them all of the time. 

Sustainability

Shopping second hand prolongs the life cycle of clothes, and prevents them from ending up in landfill. According to theroundup.org 92 million tons of clothes end up in landfill every year! I would also rather use my dollars to support the second hand industry over the fast fashion industry. Fast fashion is a viable option for those who have limited budgets to spend on clothes. Although you can find many affordable items second hand. However, the amount of clothing produced today is having many negative environmental repercussions. Textile and fashion waste account for 9% of annual microplastic pollution added to our oceans. 

I am still learning how to style vintage items, and still working on building better budgeting and spending habits when it comes to fashion. I am on my journey to build my dream wardrobe, where I am conscientious about all the items I purchase, and get a lot of wear out of everything I buy. Please join me on my journey as I share my love for vintage fashion, shopping second hand, finding great deals, and styling my unique finds!