5 Reasons Why You Should Buy Secondhand
“Clothes could have more meaning and longevity if we think less about owning the latest or cheapest thing and develop more of a relationship with the things we wear.”
Elizabeth L. Cline, Overdressed: The Shockingly High Cost of Cheap Fashion
Did you know that:
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an average of 70 pounds of clothing and shoes are thrown away per person every year?1
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nearly 100 percent of textiles and clothing are recyclable?2
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every second, one truckload full of textiles is landfilled or burned?3
Buying secondhand and vintage clothes is an easy and surprisingly satisfying action you can take in being more sustainable. Our wardrobes can not only feel and look good but also do good on a global scale.
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Environment: I was shocked to learn that the clothing and textile industry is the second largest polluter in the world. The production of a t-shirt requires water waste and greenhouse gas emissions. Buying a used t-shirt reduces environmental impact.
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Resistance: Your purchase choices count! Small, individual actions grow into bigger movements. Promoting secondhand and vintage shops will hopefully decrease the demand for fast fashion, forcing the industry to make some severe changes.
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Personal connection: Vintage items have a story. A secondhand garment that fits your size and style is a thrilling find. It is not just about being fashionable but creating an intentional and thoughtful style that matches your values. Cheaply sewn and mass-produced clothes lack that intentional connection and are therefore more easy to dispose of.
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Creative Style: Buying secondhand and vintage items are the easiest way for a creative wardrobe. I believe that our styles should reflect our inner creative being and this is almost never accomplished by imitating and copying someone else. It is about finding your own creativity and the colors, shapes, and silhouettes that make you come alive. It is therefore easier to find your unique style by collecting unique items from secondhand shops.
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Save money: The last but not the least reason for buying your clothes secondhand is money. Usually, you can get an item much cheaper used than new. (Except vintage and antique clothing that are sometimes priced higher.)
Given all the benefits of buying secondhand and vintage clothes, I rarely go retail shopping anymore. For me, clothes are not just shallow visual representations of my style. The clothes that I choose to wear reflect my values, too.
References:
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https://edgexpo.com/fashion-industry-waste-statistics/
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https://www.thebalancesmb.com/textile-recycling-facts-and-figures-2878122
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https://www.ellenmacarthurfoundation.org/news/one-garbage-truck-of-textiles-wasted-every-second-report-creates-vision-for-change