As the leaves start to turn and the air becomes crisp, many of us also start thinking about the upcoming seasonal wardrobe shuffle. But before you rush to fill your shopping cart with brand-new autumn essentials, let’s pause and think about Second Hand September – an initiative started by OXFAM that encourages us to embrace preloved fashion and rethink our shopping habits for the sake of the environment.
Fast Fashion and its Alarming Environmental Impact
The fashion industry is one of the most polluting industries in the world. To put it in perspective, 92 million tonnes of textile waste are generated globally each year, most of which ends up in landfill. Fast fashion is responsible for 10% of global carbon emissions and consumes more energy than the aviation and shipping industries combined.
Here at Speed, our team members have long been on this journey, turning to second hand shopping not just as a way to express personal style, but as a way to consciously contribute to the solution. Check out the second hand bargains from our team in the pictures.
Lydia shares how second hand shopping has revolutionised her wardrobe and outlook:
“I’ve always had environmental concerns, especially after learning there are enough clothes to clothe six generations. So, I turned to second hand shopping. It’s opened up my wardrobe in ways I never expected, and finding a bargain feels even better when you know it’s doing something good for the environment. I’ve even got some friends into it, and now we all buy pre-loved clothes, as well as selling items we no longer use. My best buy has to be my wedding dress – it was missing a button, and was a sample so I got it for a third of the price! Pre-loved doesn’t mean second best. I’ll always try and start with second hand before buying new.”
Joss at shows that second hand can go beyond fashion and into furniture:
“I bought a beautiful 1960’s Stag Minstrel dresser from Ebay back in 2014, which had been painted baby pink(!) by its previous owner. I quickly rectified that with a shabby chic look (don’t judge, it was in style at the time) and also fitted some rather bling drawer handles to give it some sparkle! I’ve moved house with this dresser at least four times since – I can’t part with it. I love that it has passed through several hands over the years and had pride of place in many people’s homes until it ended up in mine, and that each of us put our own mark on it (still not over the baby pink though, eesh!).”
Where to Shop for Second Hand Clothes
If you’re ready to take on the Second Hand September challenge (or just dip your toes into the preloved world), here are some great places to start:
Final Thoughts
Second Hand September isn’t about giving up fashion – it’s about making thoughtful choices that benefit both the environment and your budget. Whether it’s clothing or furniture, preloved items can become new favourites while helping reduce waste.
Happy thrifting!
Image source: Oxfam