Buying and choosing second-hand is something I am very passionate about. It doesn’t necessarily have to be clothes, it can be literally anything. One of my favourite things to buy second-hand are books -> I sometimes don’t walk out of a charity shop without one. Choosing second-hand isn’t just about buying, it can also be about selling. Instead of throwing your clothes in the bin, or maybe your phone, you can sell them or give them to somewhere that will use it. I think there are places that will take your old phone or computer and use the parts that still work. Then the unreusable parts are recycled. Since I mention second-hand products a lot, today I’m going to be sharing 8 reasons why you should choose second-hand.
You save money
One of the best things about shopping second-hand is how cheap it is. Often second-hand clothes are just as good as new ones. I think the best deal I have secured is a daisy jumpsuit for £4 which was still in the original shop costing £25.99! I was very happy with that. You can get so many expensive items for a very cheap price. A risk of this is that you buy lots of items and that results in you spending more money. I try to stick to a particular price for each product and I never go above it, unless I really love it. For example, I don’t buy a top, skirt or pair of shorts that are more expensive than £5. It seems a bit harsh, but that’s how you know you have the best things and are still saving money.
Related post: How being eco-friendly can save you money
It’s more eco-friendly
It’s no secret that fast fashion is terrible for the planet. I think that more people are becoming aware of the issue, but maybe they don’t understand what to do. I have written a couple of posts on fast fashion, with my favourite being 9 ways to reduce your fast fashion consumption. By choosing second-hand you are giving an item a new lease of life and being eco-friendly is all about reusing rather than only using once.
You have a more unique style
There are so many gems in charity shops or online second-hand shops! Lots of people will have donated so you can browse loads of different styles. It’s likely that you will never see the same thing twice. I wouldn’t say I have a particular style, I pick out which clothing items I like the look of.
You are giving back
Most second-hand shops are charity shops or give some of their profits to charity. Let me introduce an online charity shop. BuyCharity is an online charity shopping platform. There is a range of charity shops from across the UK that you will be giving back to. You can search through each charity or buy looking through the different product categories. They have lots of lovely items on their website, such as preloved dresses. Check out this gorgeous dress I received from BuyCharity:
The price was £9 so all items are really affordable.
(My mirror is dirty, not the dress).
It promotes sustainability
Sometimes when we wear something nice, someone might compliment us. They might ask us where we bought it from. Instead of saying Primark or H&M which are fast-fashion producers, you get to say a charity shop! It influences other people to shop at second-hand places, especially if you tell them how cheap it is! If everyone decided to choose second-hand, the demand to make new products would dramatically reduce. So many resources are wasted, such as water, cotton etc. which we could use for something else.
It’s fun
Who doesn’t love shopping knowing that they are giving back and being eco-friendly? I can’t think of anyone! Going charity shopping is one of my favourite hobbies. I love browsing through the books, looking at board games and the kitchen stuff. I saw this adorable cat wax melt burner which I really wish I had picked up! I’ve never seen a cat wax melt burner before which really was a gem and something unique. Instead of hitting the big brand bookshops, how about looking in your local charity shop? Book prices tend to range between 50p and £2 → super cheap!
It’s more ethical
By saying not purchasing items from unethical shops, you are saying no to unethical practices. In a lot of shops, the people who make the clothes aren’t being paid a fair price. By not paying the seamstress or product maker enough money, the price of the item can be lowered and people are more likely to buy it. However, just because something is expensive doesn’t mean that the making process has been ethical. It’s so much better to choose second-hand.
It reduces waste
Did you know that 350,000 tonnes of used but wearable clothes go to landfills in the UK every year? That’s around £140 million (Clothes Aid). That’s 350,000 tonnes of clothing that should be on our bodies but is gathering dust and polluting the country. It’s a terrible yet unsurprising statistic. Clothing gets thrown out. Why is clothing thrown out when it’s wearable? It’s a waste of the earth’s resources and people’s hard work. By choosing second-hand, you are showing that second-hand clothes are not second-best, they should be everyone’s first choice.
Related post: How to have a sustainable wardrobe
Do you choose second-hand?
Best wishes, Cx
I love shopping at the theft store! I love that it is environmentally friendly and that I am saving at the same time!
~Michelle
https://michellescrazybusylife.net
Me too x
I love second hand, especially books like you mentioned. We do a lot of antique shopping which is about as second hand as you can get. The family also passes around clothing to ensure full use and when our clothes have reached their “useful life” my daughter uses then to make custom barbie clothes.
Aw, I love that!
I love this blogpost! I’m always looking for ways to help out when I can. I’m loving these reasons why we should go second hand. Thank you so much for sharing lovely Xo
Elle – ellegracedeveson.com
Thank you x
Great post.
I love a charity shop bargain but can’t always get out to shop. This is the perfect solution. Will check out the site.
Definitely 🙂 x
I love shopping second hand at the moment. I’ve managed to kit out both kids and husband for Christmas this year with jumpers etc xx
Aw amazing! x
These are incredible (and shocking) facts. Fast fashion is a problem so this looks like a possible way forward.
I agree
These are some great reasons why you should buy second hand. Christmas generates so much rubbish and unwanted gifts which is something I never really thought of before. Thank you for sharing.
Lauren – bournemouthgirl
Definitely x
Fab post, love shopping second hand too, especially for books (although my bookshelves might disagree…). Thanks for the link to the online charity shop, really great to know about.
Haha, I feel you! x
I love shopping second hand too! I feel so much better when I buy from the charity shops than from mass market stores. I love that I can find fun, unique items of clothing that others won’t have too. That dress you got is super cute! 🙂
Me too, thank you! x
I make a lot of my clothes but absolutely love second-hand shops for knitted bits or books – they’re always at a great price!
Aw that’s amazing x
You’ve got some great reasons for shopping second-hand in this post! I’ll admit, I don’t do it enough. Part of that is because the thrift shops where I live have always been pretty terrible, but the other reason is mostly because I haven’t put the effort into it. I need to work on that!
It is definitely hard when there aren’t any near by x
I love charity shop clothes shopping. I had a few fantastic ones near me when I was at uni that I bought a lot of items from. The ones near my hometown aren’t as great so my purchases are less frequent but I always browse before opting to buy new. Second hand books are something I buy a lot of too. Great reasons listed here!
Thank you x
I love this post! I also love how affordable second hand really is!
Me too x
I love the joy of finding something unique! Such a great post xx
Violethollow.com
Thank you x
I am big on buying second hand so, when I want something for myself or know what I want to gift to the people in my life, my first stop are places like Ebay. For handmade items, it is hard to buy them second hand so I try instead to support local sellers and small businesses where each item is made with care and love.
Thanks for sharing your reasons for supporting the movement to buy second hand; the dress is beautiful!
I’m the same 🙂 x
I could definitely buy second hand depending on the item😃
Really need to work on shopping more se on hand next year when I need things, I have planned some places to check out next year with my sister and can’t wait! Such great reasons to thrift more x
Amazing x
I loooove shopping second-hand. Growing up, I always went to garage sales with my mom and now I shop a lot at thrift stores. I mostly shop for clothes and books second-hand, but I’ve found some other awesome things too. Thanks for sharing this post!
Aw that’s lovely!
Great and thorough post! I’ve always shopped second hand for books, they’re much more affordable, as well as furniture. You can create a more unique living space that way, it makes you feel like you aren’t adding more stuff to the environment.
I definitely agree!
I have been to a charity shop with a friend. She got some awesome outfits at fair prices. I had bought some second hand furnitures. They lasted long to serve my purpose. Dumping of clothing in landfills must end. Recycling is possible.
That sounds great, I agree
Love how you’re sharing this, there definitely are so many benefits – I definitely need to go to more second hand shops!
Thank you 🙂