Welcome to my in-depth blog post on the wonderful benefits of buying secondhand clothing. As fast fashion wreaks havoc on the planet, purchasing used and vintage fashion is an ethical, eco-friendly alternative. Shopping for secondhand clothes also come with various other benefits.

In this comprehensive guide, I’ll explain the 15 key advantages of shopping secondhand – from saving money to reducing waste. You’ll also find actionable tips for making clothes last longer and integrating pre-loved pieces into your wardrobe.

Whether you browse local thrift stores or online resale platforms, shopping for used garments allows you to refresh your style sustainably. Let’s dive into everything you need to know about the remarkable benefits of buying secondhand clothing!

Key Takeaways

 

What is Secondhand Clothing?

Second hand clothing refers to any previously owned apparel. This includes:

• Thrift stores – Originally donated items sold at low prices
• Consignment shops – Items sold on behalf of the owner, the store gets a percentage
• Vintage boutiques – Specialized stores selling retro clothing 20+ years old
• Online resale – Sites like ThredUp and Poshmark to buy/sell used fashion
• Garage sales – Private used good sales hosted at people’s homes

Secondhand stores offer everything from fast fashion cast-offs to luxury designers. You never know what gems you may find!

With staggering amounts of clothing ending up in landfills each year and unethical manufacturing practices prevalent worldwide, secondhand fashion offers an eco-conscious solution. Purchasing used, vintage, and thrifted apparel extends the lifecycle of quality textiles while avoiding the harmful impacts of new production.

In this detailed post, I’ll break down the 15 main benefits of buying pre-owned clothing. You’ll learn how secondhand shopping helps the environment, allows self-expression, and aligns with ethical values. I’ll also provide thrifting tips for making clothes last longer and integrating more thrifted finds into your closet.

My goal is to inspire you to view used fashion as the future of sustainable style.  So now that we know what second hand clothing is, let’s get into their why you need to use them more.

15 Benefits Of Buying Secondhand Clothing

1. Saves You Money

One of the best advantages of buying secondhand is saving bundles of cash. Thrift stores, consignment shops, and online resale platforms offer deep discounts on high-quality, pre-owned items.

Instead of paying full price for brand-new pieces, you can score designer brands, vintage wares, and barely-worn garments for a fraction of retail costs. Whether your budget is tight or you simply love snagging a good bargain, secondhand shopping allows you to refresh your wardrobe without draining your wallet.

For example, at my local thrift store, I found a gorgeous vintage cocktail dress in flawless condition for only $15. The original price was likely around $200. That’s an incredible 92% discount just by opting for secondhand! With huge savings like this, expanding your closet doesn’t have to break the bank.

Follow these tips to save money buying secondhand:

• Check thrift stores in affluent neighborhoods – they often get higher-end donated items
• Look for hole-in-the-wall thrift shops beyond big chains – they have better deals
• Search by specific brands and sizes on online resale platforms
• Follow resale sites for discount codes and sale announcements
• Buy out-of-season to get the best price – shop swimsuits in winter, and coats in summer

2. Find Unique and One-of-a-Kind Pieces

Another thing I cherish about pre-loved fashion is discovering unique garments you won’t spot on anyone else. Thrift and consignment stores are like treasure troves bursting with one-of-a-kind, vintage, and rare finds.

Unlike mainstream retailers with mass-produced stock, secondhand offers an exciting variety of uncommon pieces with history and character. By thrifting, you can curate a distinctive wardrobe that expresses your style.

Online resale platforms allow you to search for specific sizes and labels, increasing your chances of uncovering that perfect retro gem or vintage designer treasure. With dedication and luck, your next statement piece could be waiting at a secondhand shop near you!

Tips for finding unique items:

• Search thrift stores thoroughly – even in shoe and accessories sections
• Ask staff when new inventory arrives to get the first pick
• Follow regional resale sites – they have locale-specific finds
• Set saved searches on resale platforms for hard-to-find pieces
• Check Etsy for truly one-of-a-kind vintage and handmade

3. Environmentally Friendly

Shopping for pre-owned clothing is also much better for the planet compared to buying new. The fast fashion industry encourages overconsumption and quickly discarding garments, creating massive textile waste.

But buying secondhand extends the lifecycle of clothing that would otherwise get tossed after a short time. Giving used pieces new life in your closet means less waste overall.

Thrifting also dramatically reduces the resources, water, and energy used to produce new textiles and apparel. One study found pre-owned fashion decreases carbon emissions by 1,800 pounds yearly compared to buying new!

So if you want to minimize your environmental impact, purchasing used clothing is clearly the eco-conscious choice.

Tips for shopping secondhand sustainably:

• Choose natural fibers like cotton, linen, silk – avoid new synthetics
• Look for quality construction built to last – no loose threads or shoddy fabric
• Only buy pieces you absolutely love – don’t purchase just because it’s cheap
• Maintain items properly to extend lifespan – wash delicates gently, air dry, mend holes
• Donate unused items back to charity shops to keep circulating

4. Avoid Supporting Unethical Fast Fashion

Here’s another reason secondhand aligns with ethical values: it allows you to avoid supporting unethically-made fast fashion items.

Big brands promote rapidly changing trends to spur overconsumption. But their cheap inventory is often produced in unethical factories with terrible conditions and rock-bottom pay.

Opting for quality used pieces instead reduces demand for newly manufactured fast fashion involving labor exploitation. Your choices vote for positive change, so use your spending power wisely.

Tips for avoiding fast fashion:

• Learn about each brand’s manufacturing practices – buy from those paying living wages
• Research where the brand’s factories are located – aim for brands producing locally
• Look into certifications like Fairtrade, GOTS, Oeko-Tex – these indicate ethical processes
• Buy natural, biodegradable fabrics – these are better than oil-based synthetics
• Mend and care for clothes to maximize lifespan – don’t follow trends that encourage discarding

5. High Quality and Durability

Surprisingly, many secondhand pieces are better constructed and longer-lasting than new fast fashion apparel. Vintage and retro garments tend to use higher-quality materials and sturdier techniques.

Pieces from luxury brands found at consignments are also built to last thanks to premium fabrics and detailing. Compared to flimsy new fast fashion, pre-loved clothing often holds up better against wear and tear.

The durable quality allows you to add more sustainable staples to your closet. Meanwhile, thin, poorly-made new clothing wears out quickly and gets trashed faster.

Tips for assessing durability:

• Look for tight, dense weaves – no loose, mesh-like fabrics
• Check seam construction – neat, secure stitching, no loose threads
• Inspect buttons and zippers – sturdy, well-attached hardware
• Feel weight and thickness of fabric – flimsy is less durable
• Consider composition – natural fibers often last longer than synthetic
• Check for pilling, fading, and stretching – avoid pieces showing these signs of wear

6. Express Your Personal Style

One thing I adore about pre-owned fashion is how it lets me express my distinctive style. Secondhand encompasses a spectrum of aesthetics, eras, subcultures, and tastes.

This variety allows you to mix, match, and layer new and used pieces to craft unique looks showcasing your individuality. With creative styling, you can find pre-loved items that help you stand apart.

Thrifting also lets you embody styles from past decades or create ensembles inspired by favorite old films or musical eras. The possibilities are endless when you approach fashion as a chance for self-expression.

Tips for personal style:

• Take time trying on different secondhand pieces – note what brings you joy
• Style items in new ways, like pairing a flowy maxi skirt with a graphic tee
• Look for eras and aesthetics that resonate – ’60s mod, ’70s disco, ’90s grunge
• Find your fit – tailor and alter pieces to flatter your body just right
• Accessorize to make pre-loved pieces feel fresh – add scarves, jewelry, hats
• Feel empowered to express the best version of yourself through secondhand finds!

7. Experiment and Explore New Styles

Trying unfamiliar looks feels less intimidating when you’re shopping secondhand on a budget. At thrift prices, you can take fashion risks without overspending.

For example, I found a bold, colorful pantsuit at a vintage shop that was way outside my neutral, minimalist palette. But at just $20, I decided to try the playful retro style. It got tons of compliments!

Had it been a $200 department store suit, I never would’ve ventured beyond my fashion comfort zone. Pre-loved lets you flex your fearlessness.

Tips for experimenting with secondhand:

• Move beyond your go-to colors and silhouettes – try new palettes, fits, shapes
• Ask thrift staff to help select pieces you wouldn’t normally consider
• Start small by trying new styles – bright socks versus neon suit
• Try re-styling items in unexpected ways – button-up shirt as dress, scarf as skirt sash
• Look for inexpensive trendy pieces – test out that prairie dress or corset belt
• Have fun and get creative – thrifting lets you play with fashion freely

8. Reduce Your Carbon Footprint

As mentioned earlier, secondhand radically decreases the environmental impact of your fashion choices. Apparel manufacturing generates around 8-10% of global carbon emissions annually.

Just one new cotton shirt creates over 5 pounds of emissions – equal to driving 10 miles. But when you purchase used clothing, you avoid all those new manufacturing emissions, shrinking your wardrobe’s carbon footprint.

Tips for lowering your fashion carbon footprint:

• Consider sustainability when buying any new pieces – opt for eco-friendly brands
• Wash clothes less often, and in cold water cycles – this conserves energy
• Air dry when possible to avoid electric or gas dryer emissions
• Take excellent care of clothes – proper storage and mending extend lifespan
• Donate or resell unwanted pieces – keeping them circulating avoids waste
• Look for recycled, organic, biodegradable fabrics when you buy new

9. Decrease Water Usage

Textile production places massive demands on global freshwater. Worldwide, over 200 tons of water makes just one ton of fabric. And dyeing processes use billions of gallons yearly.

When you choose secondhand instead, you slash the water footprint of your clothing. Your used purchases help conserve this precious resource.

Tips for reducing fashion’s water usage:

• Consider where your clothes are manufactured – aim for garments made in water-rich regions
• Choose eco-conscious brands using water-conserving dyeing methods like AirDye technology
• Wash full loads of laundry in cold water cycles – hot water uses 5-10 more gallons per load
• Spot clean stains when possible rather than full soaks and washes
• Look for Oeko-Tex certification – this indicates water-saving standards were used in production
• Shop vintage and natural fiber fabrics – these require less processing and dyeing water

10. Avoid Microplastics

Here’s another eco-reason to buy used: it helps decrease microplastic pollution. Most clothes now contain synthetic fibers like polyester and nylon.

When washed, these fabrics shed thousands of tiny plastic microfibers. These contaminate oceans and waterways damaging marine life.

However, choosing secondhand reduces demand for new synthetic textile manufacturing. This keeps more microplastic-shedding apparel from even entering the waste stream.

Tips for avoiding microplastics:

• Shop natural fabrics – cotton, linen, silk don’t release plastic microfibers
• Use a GuppyFriend or Cora Ball when washing synthetics – these catch microfibers
• Hand wash delicates using a wash bag – stops fibers from being released
• Look for biodegradable synthetic fabrics like Tencel and Amni Soul Eco
• Write companies requesting they use recycled synthetics like Repreve – this avoids new plastic
• Support laws regulating microplastic filtration from wash machines to protect ecosystems

11. Reduce Chemical Pollution

Manufacturing, processing, and dyeing virgin fabrics use countless hazardous chemicals – many toxic. Lead, mercury, arsenic, phthalates, and more are common.

When you buy pre-owned, you avoid all the dangerous chemical pollution generated by producing new clothing. Less virgin production means less exposure to toxins.

Tips for avoiding fashion’s chemical pollution:

• Shop organic cotton, hemp, linen – these are grown without pesticides or toxic dyes
• Look for GOTS, Oeko-Tex, or Bluesign certifications – these limit chemical use
• Choose natural dyes like low-impact turmeric, saffron, indigo dye
• Support brands using greener chemistry to reduce toxicity
• Contact lawmakers to advocate for stronger chemical regulations and oversight
• Speak with your dollars – buy from eco-conscious labels doing it right

12. Support Local Economies

Secondhand shopping also boosts local economies. Many thrift stores, vintage boutiques, and consignments are small, community-focused businesses.

When you shop secondhand instead of chains, your dollars go back into the local economy supporting neighborhood jobs. Donating used pieces back helps inventory keep circulating.

Tips for community-conscious secondhand shopping:

• Seek out locally-owned resale, vintage, and consignment shops
• Regularly visit and chat with staff at your neighborhood thrift stores
• Bring donations to community charity shops during intake hours
• Volunteer if possible – this supports their operations
• Spread the word by telling friends about beloved local secondhand spots
• Suggest partnerships between shops and local schools or organizations

13. The Thrill of the Hunt

Another reason I love thrifting is the exciting treasure hunt! Unlike predictable department store racks, you never know what surprising gems you’ll uncover.

Will you spot rare vintage Chanel behind the coats? Could those funky platform shoes be your new favorite statement piece? The thrill of the hunt for unexpected pre-owned treasures makes thrifting such an adventure!

Secondhand shopping awakens that primal human desire for discovery. And there’s no better rush than finding a one-of-a-kind holy grail you never expected!

Tips for an exciting thrift hunt:

• Arrive early – long lines form on 99-cent sale days
• Bring a reusable bag to keep hands free while browsing
• Wear easy-on-and-off shoes – makes trying things on simpler
• Head straight for the sections you love most – jewelry, handbags, etc.
• Dig deep – look under racks and in bins for buried treasures
• Open your mind to possibilities – be willing to uncover your new favorite item
• Trust your instinct – if something calls to you, try it on or hold it
• Enjoy the experience – have fun and the findings will follow

14. Ethical and Sustainable

Overall, pre-owned fashion aligns with eco-conscious, ethical values. Secondhand shopping says you care about people and the planet.

You can build a phenomenal wardrobe without supporting wastefulness, pollution, exploitation, and harmful manufacturing. Opting for used clothing is good for your conscience and the earth.

Tips for shopping secondhand ethically:

• Pass judgment on companies, not individuals – be kind to other thrift shoppers
• Leave items in better condition than you found them
• Volunteer time to causes important to you – environmental groups, justice organizations
• Do thorough research on brands and manufacturers to make informed choices
• Kindly educate others on issues when possible – be a force for good
• Thoughtfully build community around collective values – sustainability, fairness

15. Save Clothing from Landfills

Finally, buying pre-worn garments keeps perfectly good clothes circulating instead of tossing them out after a short life. Shockingly, fashion makes up 5-10% of all U.S. landfill waste – around 13 million tons yearly!

When you shop used, quality textiles avoid the landfill. Secondhand shopping gives items already in existence extended life in your closet.

Tips for reducing fashion’s landfill waste:

• Consider if you truly have room for a new item before buying – avoid clutter
• Store off-season clothing properly to prevent damage – protects longevity
• Mend, repair, or alter items when possible – save them from landfills
• Host clothing swaps to circulate used pieces among friends
• Use rags made from old clothes – like t-shirt rags for dusting
• Recycle and upcycle whatever pieces cannot be saved – turn old jeans into placemats

Now that we’ve covered the 15 main benefits, here are some additional tips for integrating secondhand shopping into your life.

Ways to Make Clothes Last

Here are tips to extend the lifespan of your secondhand finds:

Care and Maintenance

• Hand or gentle machine wash in cold water
• Line dry rather than machine dry – avoids shrinkage
• Use garment bags for delicates – prevents snags
• Spot clean stains quickly – prevents set-in marks
• Iron on proper heat settings for each fabric
• Store properly folded or hung in a clean, dry space
• Mend holes, re-stitch seams, replace buttons as needed

Upcycling and Repurposing

• Turn old t-shirts into rag rugs
• Make a dress into a skirt or top
• Reuse fabric to make face masks, headbands, scrunchies
• Create quilts from damaged garments
• Craft tote bags from pants legs or shirts
• Design pillows using clothing scraps
• Cut sweatshirts into crop tops
• Make statement patches and iron onto jackets

Shopping Secondhand

• Seek quality pieces built to last
• Curate classics and versatile staples – shirts, jeans, coats
• Look for natural fibers when possible – cotton, silk, linen
• Choose timeless over trendy to maximize the use
• Assess condition to ensure good wear left
• Mix in new sustainably-made items
• Limit purchases to necessities

Choosing Quality Over Quantity

• Build a highly curated used wardrobe with standout gems
• Ensure everything flatters and sparks joy
• Avoid buying for hypothetical situations
• Prevent the buildup of unused pieces
• Donate what you don’t absolutely love
• Focus on owning less but better

Supporting Ethical & Sustainable Brands

• Research companies thoroughly
• Opt for certified fair trade, organic, eco-conscious brands
• Buy from local and small responsible businesses when possible
• Vote for transparency and fair labor practices with your dollars
• Consider sustainable business models – renting, resale, recycled materials
• Contact brands asking them to improve standards and ethics

The above tips will help you care for, prolong, and thoughtfully integrate secondhand finds into your wardrobe while supporting people and the planet. Remember to shop mindfully and intentionally.

Final Remarks on Buying Secondhand Clothing

I hope this detailed guide showed you all the amazing benefits – for yourself, the community, and the planet – of buying pre-owned fashion.

Thrifting allows us to express ourselves through style while being kind to the earth. When we purchase used clothing, we know the origins align with our values.

Let’s keep perfectly good garments circulating and out of landfills. The future of sustainable style depends on mindful consumption – and secondhand offers so many rewards.

Now I’d love to hear from you in the comments: What excites you most about secondhand fashion? Are there any tips you’d add?

FAQs on Buying Secondhand Clothing