Now #underconsumption core is trending on TikTok, are you trying to buy less stuff? If so, try asking yourself these seven questions before you click add to bag to decide if you really do 'need' it!
as a size 22, finding items I want 2nd hand is still hard. Often because that item didn't exist in the shops anyway. I now sew my own dresses and tops, with occasional 2nd hand buys, particularly trousers and jackets.
I totally agree, it is a real problem for the secondhand market isn't and something we need to keep flagging and searching for solutions for. Thanks so much for commenting 🙏
It's difficult isn't it. I agree, the secondhand market absolutely amplifies the lack of size availability in the mainstream fashion industry which is a real problem if we want more people to buy more of their clothes secondhand for sustainability reasons in the future. I know some secondhand businesses are looking at upcycling and alterations to resolve this - but it is a real problem. Thanks for flagging it!
Also, I try to prolong the life of the items I own while keeping a future wishlist in my head. e.g. when I find a sustainable brand of sunglasses, I keep it in mind for rhe future in case I would need a new pair ( the ones I own just literary got broken when on holidays and I fixed then w9th some glue to avoid buying a random pair).
That's such a good idea! I keep a wishlist too of things I need and I take note of brands I like in case i need something in the future. Are you going to treat yourself to the new sunglasses?
Not sure when, I don't want to rush with the decision as I have not found any brand I would be excited about (in terms of materials they use and their sustainability efforts). I am hoping for some serendipity when browsing second hand stores.
I agree with all the above, I'm trying to ask myself same questions. If I were to add something, over years I understood what colour palette suits me and I like to see myself in it. This also helps me to limit choices as well as more freely mix and match the items I own as they tend to go well together.
That's a good point. I guess that's what I was trying to say with asking yourself does it go with what I already own? I think wardrobe nirvana is a cupboard full of clothes that mix and match in endless combinations easily - what do you think?
I also have made big strides into reducing how much I buy, my aim is similar to yours. I find just looking for things on Vinted to sometimes sate my need for a dopamine fix. I’ve also found shppping my own wardrobe is nicer the more thought I put into what is in it. When it’s full of “this will do” it doesn’t always feel great being forced to keep wearing it!
I’d love to find a decent solution to recycling fabrics though. I resell and donate everything with reasonable life left, I’m talking about worn out underwear etc but I can’t find any solution in Cornwall where we live.
I agree - we do need much better recycling solutions don't we for things that can't be worn again. I'm going to do some research and see what I can pull together. Thanks so much for commenting on the post 🙏
That's an interesting point and I'm wondering if refashioning can help the secondhand market surmount the issues around limited availability across sizes? What do you think?
Absolutely. Shopping plus size preloved is easier online. In shops it’s just depressing; I gave up.
Inspired by upcycling video’s I went looking in thrift shops for bog shirts to downsize. Well, there weren’t many men’s or plus size shirts to start with. Then I realized I am ‘too’ tall and, well, big so that downsizing is an idiot idea for me. My revenge: I thrift ‘small’ clothes and I upsize them or use them als raw material for sewing.
While the idea of buying secondhand doesn’t phase me, I am yet to take that step and I really don’t know why I haven’t. Possibly because I am unsure of the best platform rather than the actual clothing item? Likewise selling. I lost a significant amount of weight and have in the past donated clothing to charity but I am beginning to wonder how much actually made the ‘shop floor’ (ashamed that there have been a large number of unworn, tagged items) when I received the statement of sales from the charity concerned. I have heard horror stories around Vinted and would prefer to use a service that would take the hassle out of reselling however I live outside of London and the brands - while not fast fashion - wouldn’t fall within Vestiaire (?) either. Really need some help!
as a size 22, finding items I want 2nd hand is still hard. Often because that item didn't exist in the shops anyway. I now sew my own dresses and tops, with occasional 2nd hand buys, particularly trousers and jackets.
I’ll second that as a plus size clothes wearer. It’s very difficult finding things in my size secondhand
I totally agree, it is a real problem for the secondhand market isn't and something we need to keep flagging and searching for solutions for. Thanks so much for commenting 🙏
It's difficult isn't it. I agree, the secondhand market absolutely amplifies the lack of size availability in the mainstream fashion industry which is a real problem if we want more people to buy more of their clothes secondhand for sustainability reasons in the future. I know some secondhand businesses are looking at upcycling and alterations to resolve this - but it is a real problem. Thanks for flagging it!
Agreed a central reference point for how to deal with worn out garments including underwear, bras and shoes, boots etc would be super useful!
Happy to take that on... but it might take a while to gather the info!
Also, I try to prolong the life of the items I own while keeping a future wishlist in my head. e.g. when I find a sustainable brand of sunglasses, I keep it in mind for rhe future in case I would need a new pair ( the ones I own just literary got broken when on holidays and I fixed then w9th some glue to avoid buying a random pair).
That's such a good idea! I keep a wishlist too of things I need and I take note of brands I like in case i need something in the future. Are you going to treat yourself to the new sunglasses?
Not sure when, I don't want to rush with the decision as I have not found any brand I would be excited about (in terms of materials they use and their sustainability efforts). I am hoping for some serendipity when browsing second hand stores.
I agree with all the above, I'm trying to ask myself same questions. If I were to add something, over years I understood what colour palette suits me and I like to see myself in it. This also helps me to limit choices as well as more freely mix and match the items I own as they tend to go well together.
That's a good point. I guess that's what I was trying to say with asking yourself does it go with what I already own? I think wardrobe nirvana is a cupboard full of clothes that mix and match in endless combinations easily - what do you think?
I also have made big strides into reducing how much I buy, my aim is similar to yours. I find just looking for things on Vinted to sometimes sate my need for a dopamine fix. I’ve also found shppping my own wardrobe is nicer the more thought I put into what is in it. When it’s full of “this will do” it doesn’t always feel great being forced to keep wearing it!
I’d love to find a decent solution to recycling fabrics though. I resell and donate everything with reasonable life left, I’m talking about worn out underwear etc but I can’t find any solution in Cornwall where we live.
I agree - we do need much better recycling solutions don't we for things that can't be worn again. I'm going to do some research and see what I can pull together. Thanks so much for commenting on the post 🙏
Yes Gemma, all the above. Please also include how to repair and refashion. Linda
That's an interesting point and I'm wondering if refashioning can help the secondhand market surmount the issues around limited availability across sizes? What do you think?
Absolutely. Shopping plus size preloved is easier online. In shops it’s just depressing; I gave up.
Inspired by upcycling video’s I went looking in thrift shops for bog shirts to downsize. Well, there weren’t many men’s or plus size shirts to start with. Then I realized I am ‘too’ tall and, well, big so that downsizing is an idiot idea for me. My revenge: I thrift ‘small’ clothes and I upsize them or use them als raw material for sewing.
Yes. Knowing how to ‘grow’ a garment can be part of refashioning skills
While the idea of buying secondhand doesn’t phase me, I am yet to take that step and I really don’t know why I haven’t. Possibly because I am unsure of the best platform rather than the actual clothing item? Likewise selling. I lost a significant amount of weight and have in the past donated clothing to charity but I am beginning to wonder how much actually made the ‘shop floor’ (ashamed that there have been a large number of unworn, tagged items) when I received the statement of sales from the charity concerned. I have heard horror stories around Vinted and would prefer to use a service that would take the hassle out of reselling however I live outside of London and the brands - while not fast fashion - wouldn’t fall within Vestiaire (?) either. Really need some help!