The 5 Mistakes Everyone Makes Secondhand Shopping
As a seasoned secondhand shopper, with over three decades of thrifting under my belt, I’m confident I make astute decisions when shopping for preloved fashion. It wasn’t always the case, though. Below, are the top five mistakes I used to make (a lot), when searching for my next sustainable thril
1. Not Reading The Label
It’s important to check the fabrication labels, normally on the inside seam of a garment. Not only will it show the item’s material composition but care instructions as well, handy intel you’ll need if you want to care for your thrifted garments properly. I always make a point of looking at the inside label as soon as I see an item I like in a charity shop or vintage market. I enjoy wearing clothing made from 100% cotton, linen, wool, cashmere or silk, rather than items made from polyester blends (the clothes don’t tend to wear as well, too). Don’t be fooled by labels which say the item is made from 100% Cashmink or Cashmillon either. That’s polyester in another form and has nothing to do with the super soft wool with a similar name. When you make checking the label a habit, you’ll soon develop a greater understanding of the materials you respond positively to and it’s that connection to the clothing you are wearing and caring for, you want to foster.
2. Caring About Size
The most common response I get from people when I say I buy all my clothes preloved is, ‘oh I love charity shopping but there’s nothing in my size in the shops near me.’ As someone who is a UK18/20, I appreciate the frustration behind the sentiment but challenge the point that’s being made, because I know from experience that it pays to not limit yourself by numbers when shopping this way. The right item for you is the one that fits. Whatever the label says inside. Thinking this way has lead me to find some excellent pieces in the mens section of charity shops; mens’ jackets are a particular passion of mine, from Giorgio Armani blazers to Donna Karen tuxedos. I also try on everything I like the look of, as I have to see how the item looks on me before I can make a final decision. I realise now that I prefer high neck stretch tops, coats or jackets with raglan sleeves, batwing sleeve blouses, and high waist pleated skirts. I avoid anything with a drop waist, or with low slung hips (the 00s denim trend is staying firmly in my rear view mirror, thank you very much). And, the items I buy are in a variety of sizes. If, shopping online I contact the seller and ask for specific measurements and then measure them against a similar style item in my wardrobe. If the numbers match, I’m fairly certain, the piece will fit. It takes a little extra time shopping this way but the choice you make available to yourself is endless.
3. Not Using All The Senses
I’m a completist when it comes to secondhand hand shopping. If I’m on a high street filled with charity shops, I will go into every single one. If I’m at a vintage fair, each stall will be visited by me. I do not leave any stone unturned and if you want to shop successfully this way, you’ve go to do the same. Never be put off by the look and feel of a charity shop. The ones with packed rails, baskets overflowing with belts and racks of odd bric-a-brac can be where you strike it lucky. I like to enter a store and quickly walk around the entire perimeter, letting my eyes settle on colours the interest me and my hands reaching out to squeeze fabric that appeals. Next, I zero in on key categories, shoes, scarves, belts and, menswear. Always in the same order. I like looking for interesting details that make me want to take a second look. I make sure I haven’t missed any boxes or baskets shoved under rails or placed high on top of shelves, too. It’s all about making sure you have checked over every section of the shop before you move onto the next one. It’s this thrifting routine which has lead my to find beautiful Windsmoor coats, Jaeger silk blouses, Stephen Collins statement belts, and YSL scarves in shops where other customers complain that there is ‘nothing there’.
4. Say Hi!
The great joys of shopping this way are the people you meet along the way. The charity shop managers, online resellers and vintage store owners. I love talking ‘shop’ with all of them. It’s lead to interesting conversations, exciting opportunities and top quality thrifting intel. Walking into a charity shop I make a point of saying hello to the person behind the till. It sets a connection between myself, the person and the space we’re both in. As someone who managed a charity shop for three years, I always appreciated it when a customer did that rather than ignoring me, before barking across the rails, ‘do you have any parkas in a 42″chest?’ Plus, in my experience the more you chat with the people running the show, the better shopping experience you have, as they tend to be receptive to any questions you have and they might even go into the stock room to check. I’m on first name terms with the manager of the All Aboard charity shop nearest my home. I love our conversations about the secondhand world, and through our chats I now know when the new stock comes in from the other shops (Thursday) and he knows that I love a silk scarf and 00s Prada handbags.
5. It’s Not Perfect
It sounds obvious but it needs to be said: everything you buy secondhand is used. It has had a life before it came into your wardrobe. There will be signs of wear and tear. Perhaps the odd stain. It isn’t an issue. Check the item closely before you buy. Take note of any areas that might need attention. Consider if you can handle the mending or know a business who can do it for you. There are lots of new businesses cropping up that cater to this need.