I love the idea of supporting businesses that are giving their employees comfortable work conditions while producing beautiful garments but, as I’m sure many of you have noticed, the prices are often a bit steep. Second hand has been a great apparel purchasing alternative for me. Although the pieces were often originally produced and sold by main stream clothing brands that likely offer unlivable wages and poor working conditions to their employees, I feel better about giving my business to consignment shops that are helping communities recycle and reuse clothing. I guess if I buy an Old Navy sweater from a consignment store I don’t feel like I am supporting Old Navy’s business; I feel like I am supporting a consignment shop.

Below are 5 of my favorite reasons to shop second hand.

1. I already mentioned this one, but, its easier on the wallet. What can I say, this is an important one.
2. I honestly still like the style of mainstream clothing. Ethical and sustainable clothing brands have come a long way in the last couple of years in creating pieces that are still on trend (wasn’t necessarily always this way) but honestly there are still staple pieces from mainstream brands that I get a lot of use out of. Finding them second hand is really quite easy.
3. Second hand stores are so good for the community! They make it possible for so many members of the community to purchase goods at a more affordable price and that is something that I truly love supporting.
4. Shopping secondhand is more eco friendly than buying new sustainably and ethically made pieces in my opinion. It takes more energy and resources every time a new article of clothing is made. Reusing already made goods is simply getting more use out of already used up energy and resources; and, quite possibly, keeping more items out of landfills. Don’t get me wrong I splurge for new ethically and sustainably made items every once in a while and love supporting these companies, but, shopping second hand does have this added benefit.
5. It’s grounding and I feel good about my purchases when I shop second hand, because of the reasons that I mentioned above. Buying new clothes at the mall used to make me feel good too, but only for superficial reasons – not because I felt like I was supporting an important movement or supporting my local community.

What are your favorite reasons to shop second hand?

Thanks for reading ♦