Tips On Buying Secondhand Clothing

What:  

"Vintage." "Recycled." "Loosely worn." These terms are all ways of describing second hand clothing. Tough economic times and a growing concern for the environment has encouraged people to shop secondhand or donate used clothing. Secondhand clothing can be found in various thrift shops, consignment stores, garage sales and on the internet with auction websites such as eBay. Today, many used clothing that are in good condition are waiting in stores for someone to notice them. 

For the budget-conscious and the environment conscious, shopping secondhand clothes can be fun and challenging -- you never know what surprises you'll find!  You might not find anything in your size that you like, but if you get lucky, you may find an item that's absolutely perfect for you, or better, a real treasure!   In fact, a friend of mine purchased what she thought was a cute little purse at a garage sale for $15. Little did she know that it was a designer brand whose purses usually go for several thousand dollars a piece and the appraised value of her secondhand treasure was close to a thousand dollars!

Why:

Secondhand is cheaper, less likely to shrink, and eco-friendly. By buying secondhand clothing, you give used clothing a second life and keep it kept out of the landfills. In this day and age of environmentally friendly options, buying secondhand is a great idea and can be especially beneficial for families on a budget. Some charities can run secondhand clothing stores and make money from the sale of the clothes to help others. Buying secondhand clothing also gives you an opportunity to discover great clothes for a very low price, not to mention there are different styles and sizes for everyone! You'll get to enjoy the thrill of the hunt, find unique items that no one else will have and help reduce textile waste in landfills.

How:

• Check out garage sales, thrift stores, and consignment shops for secondhand clothing and other everyday items. Yard sales are great for finding cheap used clothes and you can haggle the price.

• When you're sifting through thrift shops, look for labels that you know and trust. The prices may be a little higher especially if the garment was well-cared-for, but the quality and reputation of the manufacturer guarantee a longer wearing.

• High-end clothing for both adults and children is sometimes donated to secondhand stores. You can check out stores near upscale neighborhoods for new donations.

• Make sure to thoroughly check all of the items. Ensure that all seams are tight and secure, especially around the collar, armpits, buttons and zippers. Check for moth holes, loose stitches and stretched-out necks, armholes and waistbands.

• Don't waste time in piles and piles of clothing -- it's time consuming and can be frustrating. Pick stores that organize clothing well enough for you to quickly and easily find what you need.

• Bring clothing that is too worn, ripped or stained to be sold or donated to recycling centers.

TIP: Make sure you wash all your newly-bought secondhand clothing before wearing them. When buying toys, you must disinfect before giving them your kids. Blankets, sheets, towels need to be washed thoroughly as well.

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Nearly New Clothing

Are you a fashion enthusiast? How many times have you wanted a designer outfit and become disappointed at the price tag? Well, the good news now is that you can get a designer outfit at less than 50 pounds! Armani trousers, vintage suede jackets or a Prada gown need not burn a hole in your pocket, if you buy them second-hand.

There is nothing unfashionable in buying designer wear that has been pre-owned or used. There are several charity shops, vintage boutiques and consignment shops these days that are storing huge quantities of pre-owned or fashion cast- off garments, usually called second-hand clothes/ recycled clothing/vintage and like-new clothes.

These alterative shopping destinations are becoming very popular as they will offer you great clothes, a lot of variety and the best deals in terms of prices, so much so that people, who might think you have bought designer wear from swanky malls or boutiques, will gape at the prices. At these charity shops or vintage boutiques, you can find things from basic tees to cocktail gowns or designer suits, many of which have not been worn at all, are stylish and inexpensive as a buy.

You will actually be giving something to the environment by purchasing used clothes, recycling them. Instead of buying new clothes and letting old clothes headed for textile discards in landfills, where they just increase soil pollution. So, if you buy second hand clothes, you are helping preserve natural resources to manufacture more clothes.

However, you must know where to shop for pre-used clothes. It will generally depend on your tastes, your budget and your individual requirements. When you are looking to buy casual clothes in cheap designer clothing of clothing, the best places to check out are the large charity shops and chains where you will find a huge range of classic and contemporary clothes.

There are usually men's, women's and children's clothes available at charity stores and you might be lucky enough to find the right accessories with it, in fairly good condition. The prices will range from low to moderate and you will need to bargain f you are purchasing from garage sales and flea markets.

However, if you are searching for designer labels in pre-used clothing, then you should try consignment shops that are like fashion warehouses, where seconds or rejected or slightly defective designer wear is stored and sold at throwaway prices.

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