I've taken some time to research and reflect on the Sustainable September topic that is so prominent in the media this year. The charity that has stood out to me the most is Oxfam, and their "Second Hand September" campaign which they have launched and I know many of you will be supporting it.
#SecondHandSeptember is designed to get people not only buying second hand items from places such as Oxfam, but also to think twice about the volume that we are purchasing.
"Throwaway fashion is putting increasing pressure on our planet and its people – it’s unsustainable. Every week 13 million items of clothing ends up in UK landfill. And did you know it would take 13 years for one person to drink the water needed to make one cotton t-shirt and a pair of jeans? Choosing to shop second hand can help" - Oxfam
Pretty much sums it up really. The scale of the fast fashion industry is growing bigger and bigger and I believe we need to do all we can to protect our planet but ensuring it doesn't grow any further.
This may seem patronising coming from a fashion blogger, however my aim and priority has always been to share my fashion and style ideas, and inspire people, not to encourage throw away fashion.
During my Autumn edit this year I mentioned that I have been focussing on items to help build more of a capsule wardrobe from pieces I already have and that I won't be buying into too many of the "trends". Obviously I love to highlight the different trends that are around during the seasons, that's what I enjoy, but there are always a few that make you think twice as to whether they will be here to stay. This may sound obvious but isn't always to a lot of people that feel pressured to conform - I won't ever buy anything I don't like. But most importantly to me is I feel it is our duty to reduce the throwaway fashion purchases. It's so easy to fall into the trap, we've all been there and love a bargain. But we need to think twice before we buy, I have always followed fashion, and enjoy it so much, but I also hate waste.
So my aim is to join Oxfam on their Second Hand September pledge and to only shop second hand for the month. This stops landfill waste, and by supporting charities such as Oxfam, the money will be used to help those that need it most.
Second hand shopping is not new to me but something that I've not really highlighted. I'm lucky enough to live in a very affluent town where the charity shops are full of lovely pieces that people have been generous enough to donate. I visit regularly with my little boy too to look for toys and games, he gets so excited that it's like a treasure trove and always manages to find something of course! You need some patience to have a rummage around, and to go first thing in the morning when the stock has been replenished. But it's so worth it.
I find there is something so satisfying about buying things second hand. I always love the thought that one day when I get to finally buy my first Chanel handbag, I will get a second hand one. To give it a new life. A bag that has already had a life before me, I'm a hopeless romantic so it would clearly be a bag from the 1950's once owned by a gorgeous Parisienne spending her days walking along the Seine. Oh take me there!
As well as the obvious charity shops, there are some fantastic second hand sites and apps which specialise in all sorts!
Depop
This is one of the most popular second hand selling sites for clothes. Super simple to use and search for items.
Vestiare
This is THE second hand site for designer goods. I have used this 3 or 4 times now and the service is amazing. After you buy something, the seller sends the item to Vestiare's office where the item goes through quality control. They will check firstly that the item is genuine and also that it is in the quality that has been advertised. Sometimes they may stop an item getting to you, or will reduce the price if it's not in as good condition as described. This gives you great peace of mind on high value purchases.
Ebloggers
This site sells second hand clothes from celebrities and bloggers. You can search items by seller and by product type which makes it very easy to navigate. Stock is updated frequently too.
eBay
And keeping it old school, good old eBay is always a winner. If you know what you're looking for, set up alerts. The best thing I ever did was sign up to a snipe tool (I use Gixen), it takes all the pressure off and saves you heaps.
So, as well as curbing the spends for the month, I will showcase a range of my outfits from items at the back of my wardrobe! I shall still highlight things of interest, but perhaps we can all use the month to think twice about our purchases.
A x