First Time for Secondhand Shopping? Here’s 8 Things You Need to Know
Updated: Mar 9, 2021
Secondhand shops are on the rise and you can find them easily around the world. They may have different names, from a thrift store, vintage store, secondhand store, and an op-shop. But they are all selling second hand fashion items from clothes, accessories, bags, and shoes at affordable prices.
There are reasons why consuming secondhand fashion items becomes a trend globally. Here are some of them:
Fast fashion offers uniformity. Wherever you go, you will find the same type of clothing from different brands. Secondhand shops offer off-seasons and sometimes vintage fashion items that will make you look unique and different from the current fashion trend.
You can create your fashion statement at an affordable price when you shop secondhand. Even if you just want to buy some comfortable fashion items for daily activities like when I found a comfortable short for summertime at an op-shop.
By consuming secondhand, you are reducing the demand for new clothes directly. It looks insignificant. But if many people are doing it, it becomes significant!
Secondhand fashion items are donated from people who are no longer use those items. When you buy secondhand fashion items, you reduce fashion waste!
I’m not sure I want to put someone else’s t-shirt on my body…
Of course, the idea of wearing someone else’s clothes is daunting for most people. Hygiene is usually the first issue that people address when they are offered some options to buy secondhand items.
So, we come up with 8 things you need to know before you shop secondhand fashion items for the first-time!
What type of fashion items that you need
Going on secondhand shopping is like going on a mission. You have to know what type of fashion items that you need. You have to be sure that you won’t buy the new version of the fashion items that you bought at a secondhand shop.
Build a fashion list
Create a list of what items, colors, brands, and sizes that you are looking for.
Make sure that you will only buy the fashion items that you need.
Always check the material and washing instructions. I prefer to buy fashion items that are easy to maintain because I will be the one who takes care of them.
A brand is not everything. The most important thing is the items have the correct sizes and cutting that fits you.
Hygiene control
If you are like me, that means you have a big concern about hygiene control. We are going to buy secondhand clothes that are previously worn by other people. And we don’t know how the hygiene controls in the store.
Here’s what I do:
I never purchase underwear or sports clothing at secondhand shops.
Always wash the clothes that you buy from secondhand shops with antiseptic detergent before you wear them.
Mix and match
When I see a piece of clothing, I always imagine how I can mix it with my other clothes at home. I think that’s why I spend too much time in the changing rooms!
Making sure that you can combine the clothes that you like with your other clothes is important. Otherwise, you will probably wear the clothes once and never wear them again.
However, it takes creativity and your taste to know what to mix and match. You can try the clothes and take photos from different angles. Seeing how the clothes look on you from different angles will give you an idea of how to mix and match with your other clothes.
Wear comfortable outfit
Shopping at secondhand shops takes time. Remember, these are secondhand items! So, you have to carefully check the items, whether they have defects or not, and whether it’s the correct size or not. Sometimes size Small from this brand is different from the size Small from another brand.
It’s always good to wear a comfortable underwear shirt. So, when you try some clothes, they won’t touch your skin directly. Some people can have skin irritation because they don’t wear underwear shirts when they try secondhand clothes.
In Indonesia, most of the secondhand shops are just like an open market with rows of clothes and shoe shelves. Wearing a comfortable outfit will make your shopping time easier.
Bring your friend along
Having a friend or family on your shopping hunt has great advantages. You can discuss with them your choices, help you with the zipper, or even buy some items that you both can mix and match!
I always love bringing my friend along. We have the same size and almost the same taste. And when we get bored with some of our stuff, we can barter with each other!
Shopping at the right time
If the secondhand shops that you want to visit have some social media account like Instagram and Facebook, ask them in advance when they will have new stock. Secondhand shops have a very limited stock of fashion items in terms of sizes and colors. So, coming on the day after the new stock arrived will give you a bigger chance to find the items that you are looking for.
Shopping at the right time is also important to avoid crowded shops. I don’t like shopping with many people around me because the shop assistant will be busy, there will be queuing at the changing rooms, etc. Shopping for secondhand items takes time and patience. You don’t want to be in a rush!
TIPS: befriended with the shop assistant or the manager. If you have a good relationship with them, you might get prior information about the new stock and maybe a better offer!
It’s a treasure hunt!
Secondhand shops have many hidden treasures scattered around shops. That’s why it takes time and patience when you shop there.
If you shop at a secondhand shop with this mindset, you might not want to buy the first item that you like. Because there might be other items that you love. And it’s more fun!
There’s a first time for everything
Shopping for secondhand fashion items can be a daunting idea for you. Especially when you don’t want people to think that you are poor or not fashionable because you are shopping secondhand. But if you do some research and create a list before you go shopping secondhand, you might have a unique and long-lasting collection that might create a new trend of fashion.
You have to make sure also the fashion items that you bought from secondhand shops are items that you will wear frequently. If you don’t find what you need, don’t buy an item because you want to bring something home or you feel bad to the shop owners.
If you don’t have secondhand shops in your area, there are many online secondhand shops. Their keywords are “second-hand” or “preloved”.
Be fashionable with secondhand fashion items, be sustainably chic!
This article is a collaboration between Fatima and Rany from Slow Fashion Bali Team.
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