Buying a new piece of clothing is an experience most people love (especially us girls.) But it’s often 
an expensive venture and it’s not uncommon to end up with an item that is only worn once or twice, or falls apart after just a few washes.
When shopping for maternity clothing or even tops and pants that are more giving to allow us greater comfort whilst we deal with our post-baby shape, consider second hand clothing.
Second hand shopping may not sound as glossily romantic as buying straight from the fashion rack, but it’s got more going for it than you may think.
1. Quality
If you buy new, cheap clothing, it may disintegrate or fade after just a few washes or wears. Second hand clothing, on the other hand, has already been tested.
Pre-loved clothing has been worn, washed and dried repeatedly – and if it’s still sitting on the rack attracting your eye, chances are it’s stood the test of time and will continue doing so for awhile.
Even if a button is missing or a zip broken, these things can easily be fixed if you have a few spare minutes.
2. Retro and Vintage
Why spend hundreds of dollars on a new look that’s just come back around from the 70s?
Second hand stores stock plenty of original items – often kept in storage for years and finally donated by people who doubt they’ll ever wear their poodle skirts or bellbottoms again.
Some stores are devoted entirely to vintage and retro items – at a fraction of the cost you’ll be paying for new replicas.
Occasionally you can pick up an item that is quite valuable and you may even be able to resell.
3. Low Prices
Many second hand and pre-loved clothing stores offer a range of clothing, all within the same price range. If the shop assistants aren’t aware of a good brand, chances are you can pick up an expensive item for just a few dollars.
Some high end second hand stores do charge more for items, but after visiting a few you can usually figure out which ones have the best bargains that you can regularly frequent.
4. New Items – Cheap!
You’ve done it yourself – purchased a dress or suit for a special occasion then never worn it again, leaving it to hang in the cupboard for years before you decide to give it away.
Often you’ll find items that are almost brand new in second hand stores – often for a fraction of the cost. There are several reasons why new or almost new clothes end up in thrift shops:
- Special occasion – items such as wedding dresses or cocktail party outfits are often only used on one or two occasions.
- Deceased estate – when a person dies, relatives often much prefer to donate the person’s clothing to charity, rather than sort it or wear it themselves.
- Wrong size – if a person buys an item then discovers that it doesn’t fit, they may not always have the opportunity to take it back to the store – instead they may donate the item for resale.
Where to Buy Secondhand and Preloved Clothing
Online:
- Facebay – Facebook sale pages and groups.
- eBay – People resell used clothing, often in large batches.
Shops:
- Privately run stores.
- Charity run stores.
Don’t overlook the opportunities that preloved clothing can give especially when you are in-between sizes and are short on money. Second hand clothing is a great option.
1 comment
Thanks for this post. I’ve been a thrift/consignment store clothing shopper almost exclusively for the past few years, but I’ve fallen off the wagon and bought some cheap shirts at Target, etc. out of convenience. This is a great reminder to me to get back to it! Another great reason to buy second-hand that is important to me is that it’s more eco- and human-rights friendly. The clothing industry does a real number on the planet, and in many cases is exploitative of workers…the whole “sweatshop” thing is still a very real problem. If you’re buying used clothes, you’re reducing your impact while saving yourself money. It’s a win-win!