Conscious Clothing – How Shopping Second-Hand Can Help You AND Earth

Whether you're scouring Vinted for a specific item or mooching around charity shops hoping to update your wardrobe, shopping second-hand is a sure-fire way to help yourself and the planet.

It’s almost September, and that means the days are getting shorter and the temperature is starting to get cooler. I, for one, am rather excited for Autumn; cosy jumpers, creamy hot chocolate, and long walks through rusty coloured leaves all fill me with joy! But the colder weather means that, despite the scorching bank holiday weekend we’ve just had, I’m already thinking about my winter wardrobe.

I must admit, trawling through forgotten boxes and the deep, dark Narnia at the back of my wardrobe for thick cardigans, un-ripped jeans, and chunky boots doesn’t sound like the most fun I could be having. Plus, with plenty of shops constantly bringing out new trends, it’s hard not to want to buy an entirely new wardrobe for the colder months! However, buying new clothes is not only expensive, but is also really bad for the environment. It is estimated that around 140 million pounds worth of clothing goes into landfill each year in the UK – that is such a huge negative impact on the environment and something we could all help to change!

But there is another way of getting that brand-new (to you!) winter wardrobe without the negative implications on the environment - shopping second-hand. Did you know it takes approximately 1,800 gallons of water to make one pair of jeans? By prolonging the life span of clothing and not buying into fast fashion, you can still get that ‘new-clothes’ feeling with none of the guilt!

What is fast fashion?

If you’re a little unsure of what fast fashion is, don’t worry, you’re not alone. It is defined as cheap and low quality clothing that is rapidly produced and is cycled in and out of the market quickly to meet new trends. Basically, this means any clothing with a fast turnaround in response to the most popular styles in fashion at the time. The problem with this is that any clothing brands that contribute to fast fashion encourage people to constantly buy more clothes to follow trends and throw old clothes away, and any clothes that don’t get sold go straight to the landfill.

How to start shopping second-hand

Boycotting fast-fashion and shopping second-hand doesn’t mean you have to forego the latest trends, however. Vinted, for example, is a fab place to shop if you want brand names more sustainably. Plus, it’s a great platform for selling all your old clothes you don’t wear anymore, which is better for the environment and you can even make a bit of money from it. Charity shops are also a great place to find some hidden treasures that are still high-street worthy, be it the perfect midi-skirt or a cheeky date-night outfit, and you can walk away knowing that while helping the planet, your money is going to great charities too.

Another place to pick up some great second-hand garments is at car boot sales. A favourite, very British – and truly underrated, might I add – pastime of mine is getting up early and checking out the local boot sales. Alongside clothes, you can expect to find loads of second-hand books, records, and tons of little items that you wouldn’t necessarily find in a high-street shop, and half the time didn't even know you wanted! Plus, by shopping at car boots, you know your money is helping out families rather than going into big brands, contributing to the waste, water usage, and carbon emissions that are so badly affecting our planet.

Second Hand September

If you’re still unsure about shopping second-hand, why you should do it, or want to find out more about how it can help the environment, head over to Oxfam! They have introduced a new campaign called ‘Second Hand September’, which encourages people to say no to buying new clothes for the entire month. Every week, 11 million items of clothing end up in landfill, so we must try and be more sustainable when it comes to style and start shopping second-hand. By visiting the Oxfam website and pledging to ‘say no to new clothes for 30 days’, you will contribute to the Earth's well-being and even save a few pounds. Plus, if you shop at charity shops like Oxfam, you’ll fund life-saving charities, too.

If you sign up for Second Hand September, you will receive loads of shopping tips, tricks, and inspo to help you make not only September but hopefully the rest of your second-hand shopping days easier – and with only days to go, it’s the perfect reason to start.

It’s a great campaign, and I’ll definitely be signing up! If anyone wants to join me, the link is here. Don’t forget to use the hashtag #SecondHandSeptember so people can see all your awesome new second-hand clothes when you post about them on Instagram!

[I am in no way affiliated with Oxfam or their campaign, anything not hyperlinked is my own words, and I am sharing the Second Hand September campaign simply because I think others should hear about it]