Second Hand September is a whole month that promotes donating, reusing, rewearing and restyling your clothes during September – and beyond!

During this time you’re encouraged to explore slow fashion, sustainable fashion and ethical fashion, shop and donate second hand and help create a fairer world.

I believe that as a society we over consume and are focused on materialistic items. Therefore having a month of “conscious” shopping not only saves you money and the environment but it can also reshape your thinking about what fast fashion is and what your actual drive behind shopping is.

According to my research 92 million tonnes of clothing end up in landfill! Although we can’t avoid this totally, we can all do better as a community to reduce waste and bring that number down by millions. All from just skipping the high street shops and heading to charity shops.

I have always loved fashion and like to buy pieces that add to my capsule wardrobe, there isn’t a particular item I search for, as I usually go by fabric and fit when I’m looking for something new.  Though I always shop in charity shops, this month I have made a conscious effort not only to shop second hand but also wear second hand. I found it a lot easier to do than I first thought. 

My top purchase in Second Hand September from The Nightingale charity shops were a £4 Zara top and £5 Adidas gym leggings. An unthinkable amount if I had gone straight to Zara and Adidas to buy these items.

A FEW OF MY SECOND HAND SEPTEMBER OUTFITS

Shopping second hand can help you to save but also pick up some individual pieces, even vintage items! The great thing about charity shops is that you are not shopping a trend. Everything that comes in is different and what people also fail to realise is there are brand new items with tags donated. Second hand doesn’t always mean worn and worn out. Think about it, how many items do you have in your wardrobe unworn with labels?

I have thoroughly enjoyed shopping my wardrobe this month and saved myself a considerable amount of money on pre-loved items. I would say that 80% of my clothes shopping is from the charity shop and I will definitely continue to shop second hand for the benefit of my wardrobe, purse and the environment.

Article by Narinda – Baker Street Shop Manager