10 Reasons Why Buying Second-Hand Clothes is Better For You and the Planet
As more and more people are waking up to the severe environmental impacts of the fast fashion industry, people around the world are searching for more sustainable ways to shop. This has led to a huge (and very well deserved!) surge in popularity for second-hand clothes – and we are absolutely here for it!
Buying second-hand fashion has so many benefits that ripple far beyond your own wardrobe. Not only does it provide the opportunity for you to find unique items, experiment with your personal style and discover absolute bargains, it also promotes a more sustainable and circular future for the fashion industry. A pretty good combination, right?
So, whether you are looking for ways to buy more sustainably or are looking to add some individuality to your wardrobe, here are our top 10 reasons why buying second hand clothes is better for both you and the planet:
1. Buying Second-Hand Clothes Keeps Items in Circulation
First things first, buying second-hand clothes helps to keep them in circulation for much longer. This means it’s not just good for you, it’s also better for the planet.
The fashion industry is extremely wasteful and according to WRAP, an estimated £140 million worth of clothes are sent to landfill each year in the UK alone. What’s worse is that many people in the UK have admitted to throwing away perfectly good clothes after just a few wears.
We can all play a part when it comes to promoting a more sustainable fashion industry, and one of the best ways to keep clothes out of landfill and reduce their impact is to keep them in circulation for longer. In fact, keeping clothes in use for just an extra 9 months can reduce their carbon, water and waste footprint by 20-30%.
Buying second-hand clothes is a super simple and effective way to extend their active lifespan, keep them in circulation and out of landfill. It’s a win-win!
2. It Saves You Money
Buying clothes second-hand costs way less than buying new all the time. Over time, this can lead to a considerable amount of savings.
It’s important to remember that just because second-hand clothes are cheaper, it doesn’t mean they are bad quality – most of the time, it’s actually the opposite. Shopping second-hand clothes often present the opportunity to find high-quality clothes without the premium price tag. Plus, clothes being worn to death and then sold on is a total misconception of second-hand clothes shopping.
The reality is, many people only wear fast fashion items a handful of times before they are ready to let go of them and get something new. This means that second-hand fashion stores like us here at Re-Fashion often list items that are as good as new. Some even still have the tags on them!
3. You can discover unique items that you’ll love
One of the best things about shopping for second-hand clothes is the opportunities it provides to discover unique items that no one else has. Part of the fun is in the hunt, searching through one-of-a-kind items until you find the perfect one for you.
Whether it’s a vintage coat or a shirt from a few seasons back, buying pre-loved fashion will help you add a unique twist to your wardrobe rather than having hangers filled with the same fast fashion items that everyone else is wearing.
4. Buying second-hand clothes can support good causes
Can you think of anything better than finding your favourite clothes for cheaper while supporting causes you care about at the same time? We promise it’s not too good to be true!
At Re-Fashion, we have made it easier than ever to refresh your wardrobe and support good causes at the same time. Every time we sell an item of clothing, a proportion of the sale goes to supporting environmental organizations. This means that you can feel good knowing your purchase is not only keeping a garment in circulation but supporting a great cause at the same time.
5. Shopping second-hand helps to promote a circular fashion industry
Have you ever heard of circular fashion? Throughout this post, we have talked a lot about how second-hand fashion keeps items in circulation for longer. That’s exactly what circular fashion is all about.
Currently, fast fashion operates on a take-make-waste model that results in a truckload of textiles going to waste every single second. Instead, circular fashion promotes the idea of keeping things in circulation for as long as possible and disposing of them responsibly at the end of use, either by composting or recycling them into new items (whenever it is possible to do so!).
Despite the fact that not many clothes are currently designed with the principles of circular fashion in mind, supporting the second-hand fashion industry is a great way to keep clothes in circulation for as long as possible.
6. Finding second-hand clothes can be more fun
Shopping for second-hand fashion can be so much more exciting than buying new!
Whether you are searching online, in a thrift store, or charity shop, you never know what hidden gems you could find. On the other hand, fast fashion brands tend to follow the same seasonal trends and styles, which can result in a lot of repetition and very little opportunity for individuality.
If you are completely new to shopping for second-hand fashion, then you can look forward to the thrill of finding unique clothes that you love for a fraction of the price. With Re-Fashion, browsing through second-hand clothes is super easy with the ability to search, sort and filter through the thousands of items available.
Plus, you might even find clothes that you could never have dreamed of along the way to add some fresh new looks to your wardrobe.
7. It is better for the environment than buying new
Not many people are aware of the impact that their clothes have on the environment. The sad truth is, the fast fashion industry is extremely resource-intensive and is often identified as one of the most polluting industries in the world.
Fabrics such as polyester and nylon are created from petroleum, and according to the Council of Fashion Designers of America, over 346 million barrels of oil are used each year to produce them. Cotton is another material that requires a vast amount of natural resources to produce. A highly water-intensive crop, some studies suggest that it takes approximately 2,700 litres of water to produce just one cotton t-shirt.
Choosing to buy second-hand fashion not only reduces the number of clothes that end up in landfills, but it also means you are doing your part to reduce the pressure for new fabrics and clothes created by the fashion industry.
When more people vote with their wallets by supporting alternatives to fast fashion, this will go a long way to lowering the demand for natural resources within the fashion industry in the long run.
8. Shopping for second-hand clothes is easier than ever
In recent years, shopping for second-hand clothes has become increasingly popular. As a result, it has become easier than ever before to find clothes that you love for less!
Online second-hand stores such as Re-Fashion make it simple for you to browse thousands of items without spending hours rooting through consignment or charity shops. Thanks to our speedy shipping options, the items you love will be with you in just a matter of days. If they don’t quite work for you – that’s no problem at all. You can send anything back for free for a no-quibble refund; it’s really that simple.
9. It can help you to develop your own personal style
One of the best things about shopping for second-hand clothes is its ability to help you develop your personal style!
When you browse second-hand fashion, you are way more likely to try different styles spanning years of trends that otherwise you may never have been aware of. This gives you the opportunity to be creative with your fashion choices and reimagine styles and combinations that you may not have tried in the past.
For those of you that are feeling extra creative, second-hand clothes can provide a great basis for upcycling projects to bring your own fashion creations to life.
10. Buying second-hand clothes make you feel good
Although finding new clothes that fit you well and make you feel good can be a great feeling, knowing you are making a better choice by the environment and creating a positive impact at the same time makes buying second-hand clothes feel even better!
Awareness of the environmental and social downfalls of the fashion industry has grown significantly in recent years. As a result, many people now feel guilty after buying new fast fashion. Thankfully, when you opt-in for buying clothes second-hand as an alternative to buying new you can alleviate these unpleasant feelings of guilt and anxiety completely.
Are you ready to experience the many benefits of second-hand fashion for yourself?
We really hope these 10 reasons have inspired you to give second-hand fashion a try. There is no doubt in our minds that when you try it once, you will be hooked – just like we were!
Knowing that you are making a better choice for not only your personal style and your bank balance but the planet as well truly makes second-hand clothes shopping an incomparable experience when searching for new pieces to add to your wardrobe.
Trust us – you’ll feel so much better in your new outfits knowing that you are supporting a more ethical and sustainable future for the fashion industry!