A Growing Movement: What is Second Hand September?
It’s the first day of the month and with it comes a new challenge: Second Hand September.
What is Second Hand September?
Second hand September is a campaign created by Oxfam to prompt people to shop only pre-loved clothes for the whole month of September.
While the challenge itself is simply buying second hand clothes, Oxfam’s ultimate goal is to grow awareness about the environmental toll of fashion.
The waste and pollution generated by the fashion industry is a growing concern. It’s a major contributor to water pollution, greenhouse emissions, plastic pollution, forced labor, and modern slavery. ¹⁻²
The pollution and violation of civil rights is the driving force for movements like Second Hand September, Project 333, Fashion Revolution, among others.
Sustainable Fashion: A Growing Trend
Sustainable fashion is far from being “the latest trend”. As consumers become more aware of the dirty deeds of fast fashion, second-hand and vintage clothing sales are growing. Fast.
Vintage and second-hand clothes are the fastest growing category on eBay. The stigma behind used clothes is slowly dying. A study showed that 64% of women were willing to shop for pre-loved clothing in 2019, compared to only 45% in 2016.
And these numbers keep on growing.
In the last three years, the pre-used market has been growing 21 times faster than the retail market. Charity shops in the UK have quadrupled their sales in the last 20 years— from £133m to £732m. ³
How to be a Conscious Consumer
“My desire for expression should not cause someone else’s oppression” - Mikaela Loach
If you are hopping on the sustainable fashion train for the month of September (and beyond), learning to be a smarter consumer is key. These are a few things I do before shopping for clothes— and anything in general:
Don’t Shop For The Sake of Shopping
Second Hand September is not about going out on a shopping spree and buying a bunch of things you don’t need. Far from it. Taking a look at your shopping habits is the first step to true change.
Instead, learn about your own closet and take some time to sort it out. How many jeans and t-shirts do you have? How many leggings and work-out outfits? What about shoes and accessories?
Do you truly need more than what you already have? If you do, shop away. But if you’re buying something you’re set to only wear once, put it back. You don’t need single-use items. Shop with intention.
Do Research on Your Favorite Brands
This is probably one of the most important steps to be a conscious consumer. Learn about the practices of the places you shop at. Especially if the items are new. The fashion industry has terrible practices, like burning unsold items, trafficking and slavering people, and polluting our planet. ⁴
When you shop for new cheap clothing, you’re most likely supporting these practices.
Before shopping, go to your favorite brand’s website and check if they address sustainability in their page. Check who made your clothes and where. Check if they’re part of the California Transparency in Supply Chains Act.
Can’t find anything? You should probably ditch them.
Kiss Fast-Fashion Goodbye
I’m sorry, but avoiding fast fashion is a must in becoming a conscious consumer. Why? Their history speaks volumes. From micro-plastics to landfills overflowing with clothes, fast-fashion has a dirty record.
You might find “eco-clothing” and other claims by big fast fashion companies like H&M, but the truth is, their clothes might be cheap to you, but they cost a lot to others. H&M is known to use child labor in their clothing manufactures. ⁵⁻⁶
Cheap and low-quality clothing brands prompt you to buy more. This has caused a huge amount of unnecessary waste. In the UK, every week there are 13 million clothing items sent to landfill. Every single week. ⁷
Invest in quality clothing. You don’t need new clothes every week, and you certainly don’t need to buy from fast-fashion giants. Learn more about fast fashion’s crimes to our planet + people here.
Ask Yourself This Important Question Before Shopping
Before shopping simply ask yourself this question: “Do I really need this?”. A small question with a big impact on our planet and in your wallet.
Not sure if you need it or not? Check out Project 333 for the ultimate tips for a minimalistic + sustainable closet.
Places to Shop at During Second Hand September
Are you ready to take the pledge this Second Hand September? Great. If you haven’t bought pre-used clothing before, you’ll love these options.
There are many places to buy second hand clothes. It’s not a growing trend for nothing. The truth is, buying pre-loved clothing is fun. It allows you to unlock your inner fashionista and truly discover your style— not just the latest fad.
Here are some of my favorite second-hand clothing stores (online and in-person), plus a few vintage stores from my neighborhood in NYC:
Buffalo Exchange
Obvious but worth mentioning. It’s my favorite store to find hidden gems. Although some browsing is necessary, some of my favorite pieces of clothing are from this store, and it’s super affordable.
Shop here.
Oxfam
The founder’s of Second Hand September are actually a charity shop. You can shop for all your pre-used needs on their website. They have a huge selection— from jewelry to bridal gowns. They also do amazing work for the future of our planet, so make sure you support them.
Shop here.
Etsy
That’s right. Etsy has a huge selection of not only second-hand clothes, but also upcycled fashion (which is a personal fave!). Ranging from all types of prices and clothing, Etsy is definitely the place to shop and support local businesses.
Shop here.
eBay
A great place to find specific items at a great price. Believe it or not, eBay has lots of luxury vintage items and used brand-name clothes. Note: Always double check that your items are second-hand and request a plastic-free shipping.
Shop here.
REI
For outdoorsy people like me, REI is set to be your new go-to. They offer all sorts of second-hand outdoor clothing and camping gear. They also sell new items, so make sure to visit their “used & good” store.
Shop here.
These are my favorite vintage stores in Greenpoint + Williamsburg:
Awoke Vintage
Their clothes have a 70’s/80’s feel full of bright colors that I’m crazy about. I browse their clothes often, since I walk by all the time. They’re open right now with the option to shop outside. They have clothing racks + a great selection of accessories on the sidewalk for safety.
Learn more + shop here.
L Train Vintage
With a huge selection, this vintage store is a hidden gem. They have stores all along the L Train in Brooklyn and Manhattan. And people travel from all over to shop there.
Their selection is truly one of a kind with quality being a priority. If you’re looking for stylish and unique vintage clothes, this is the place.
Learn more here.
Walk The West Vintage
A place to shop for high-quality vintage clothing and a go-to fashion destination in Greenpoint. Walk The West has unique styles with lots of neutral colors and must-haves.
Sadly, their Brooklyn location is closing due to the pandemic, but you can still shop at their online store. They announced their plans to relocate the store in Hudson, NY soon.
Learn more + shop here.
Take The Pledge!
Ready to commit to a sustainable wardrobe? Learn how to take the pledge to join Second Hand September here. Don’t forget to spread the word and grow awareness by sharing your efforts in your social media accounts with the hashtag #secondhandseptember
Sources
https://compareethics.com/slavery-isnt-over-especially-in-the-fashion-industry/
https://www.positive.news/archive/drop-the-shop-could-you-buy-only-secondhand-clothes-in-september/
https://qz.com/763384/hm-reportedly-used-garment-factories-that-worked-teens-for-12-hour-shifts/
https://www.careeraddict.com/10-companies-that-still-use-child-labor