Anna Maria Richards
Buying new clothes all of the time will not only cost you a small fortune but it’s also not very good for the planet. Fast fashion and the overconsumption of clothing has a devastating impact on the amount of waste we produce each year. As a consumer, it’s important to do what you can to reduce your carbon footprint and your impact on the environment. Choosing to buy second hand, or pre-loved clothes is one of the best things that you can do to become a more ethical consumer. What’s more, you will also save money and your wardrobe options will be more unique than if you buy solely from the high street stores.
Nowadays, there are countless places that you can go to buy second-hand clothing. Whether you want to buy online or in person, there are a variety of places where you can shop to reduce your impact on the environment. While shopping in op shops, vintage clothing stores or at markets can be a great way to find some fantastic bargains, you need to commit time to search through all of the items in-store to find those gems you are after.
On the other hand, with online platforms like eBay, you can search for exactly what you are looking for and even filter by price, colour and size to save you time and help you find the best bargains quickly, all while earning Qantas points for shopping. Whether you choose to shop for pre-loved clothing online or in-person, making the move to more sustainable consumer practices is the right move for the planet and your wallet.
Let’s take a look at some pieces that are popular with second-hand shoppers.
Outfits For Special Events
If you’re attending a wedding, going to a big birthday party or you are making an appearance at a special event, you will naturally want to look your best. However, buying a brand new fancy gown for the occasion can be expensive and in many cases, you might never wear it again. Instead of spending a small fortune on an item of clothing that you may not wear again in the future, consider buying second-hand. There are countless beautiful dresses and fancy outfits out there that have only been worn by their previous owner once or twice, and they will be a fraction of the cost of buying something brand new.
Maternity Clothes
As you might imagine, most Mums-to-be only wear their maternity clothes for a few months and most never wear them again. Maternity clothes are specialist items and can be expensive to buy. However, when you are only going to be wearing them for a few months, it can be difficult to justify the cost. Instead of forking out for brand new maternity clothes, try shopping for pre-loved items online or in-store. Not only will you save yourself some money but you can also find unique pieces that not every mum-to-be will have.
Different Denims
Good quality denim shirts, jeans and jackets are staples in just about everyone’s wardrobe. Stylish and durable, denim will never go out of fashion and these pieces are typically built to last, especially when they are well-made. By buying second-hand denim, you can always be sure that you are buying quality clothing that will stand the test of time both in terms of quality and fashion. Whether you’re in between sizes, trying to save some money, you want designer jeans at a fraction of the normal cost or you simply want to find something a little different to what everyone else is buying, choosing to buy second hand is always a great choice.
Leather Pieces
Cattle farming is one of the biggest contributors to global warming and buying more brand new leather goods only adds to the problem. On the other hand, leather goods are built to last so buying countless pleather pieces and discarding them as they fall apart over time is not good for the environment either. Leather clothing like boots, shoes, jackets and bags can also be expensive so opting for pre-loved clothing is a much more eco-conscious choice. Choosing second-hand leather goods also you to still rock your favourite leather pieces while spending a lot less money and avoiding supporting the over-farming of cattle around the world. Old leather products are always a better choice than new, fresh leather pieces.
Shop For Second Hand Pieces To Benefit The Planet And Your Wallet
Bargain hunting in second-hand stores or online for second-hand pieces is a great way to expand your wardrobe without breaking the bank. In addition, by buying fewer new pieces of clothing and opting for pre-loved pieces more often, you can help to reduce the number of clothes that end up in landfills and that contribute to the growing waste issue. By buying the right pieces, you can ensure that you look great, the planet is protected and your wallet doesn’t empty out as quickly.
