Secondhand September

When we think about fashion, it’s easy to get caught up in trends, new collections, and the idea of always needing “something fresh.” But behind the glossy shop windows and endless online scroll lies a sobering truth: the fashion industry is one of the world’s biggest polluters, consuming enormous amounts of water, energy, and resources, all while creating mountains of textile waste.

So what do we do? After all, we all need clothes to wear. The good news is, there is a more mindful, sustainable way to dress ourselves, and this is where initiatives like Secondhand September come in.

Secondhand September was created in 2019 by Oxfam, a charity founded in Great Britain. Their goal with Secondhand September was to take a month typically associated with fashion week, and reframe it for people, encouraging them to shop secondhand as a more sustainable option throughout the month of September.

While the idea behind Secondhand September is to pledge to only shop secondhand throughout the month, I do think there are a couple of important things to acknowledge here. First, as with our stitching, let's not let perfectionism get in the way of progress. And second, as conscious consumers, we should be mindful that we can still over-shop when we're buying secondhand - after all, the most sustainable garment is the one hanging in your closet!

Why secondhand?

There are so many reasons to shop secondhand first, and the environmental impact we talked about above is not the least of these. Aside from the sustainability of the choice, sourcing our garments secondhand often means that we can find clothing of higher quality than the fast fashion that is produced today. It can take some digging, as our secondhand shops tend to also be flooded with cheap, mass-produced clothing, but I like to get in touch with the mindfulness side of my creativity and take my time to peruse the shops.

There is also something special about rescuing an item and making it your own, whether that's through styling or a bit of upcycling. I personally love finding damaged items that I can mend and make my own with sashiko-inspired slow stitching, but there are plenty of quality garments out there that don't need any work to be beautiful. Although, there is something to be said for the connection we make with our clothing when we spend time fixing it!

^{My Zero and Zen jacket, made from purchased ripped jeans}

I will often even shop for supplies for crafting and textile arts secondhand, as you can find some beautiful fabrics, and it feels like the stakes are lower to create with these items because they've been rescued.

And of course, there is the joy of the hunt. When you never know what treasures your local thrift shop holds, it's that much more exciting to sift through the pieces. Sure, there will be some H&M and Shein, but there may also be vintage dresses, silk scarves, antique linens... You truly never know what you'll find!

Tips for Taking Part

Shopping secondhand is more accessible now than it's ever been. While it was once just small, brick-and-mortar shops, typically run by low-income families, where you could do your secondhand shopping, there are now a plethora of both in-person and online secondhand stores. The mindset around thrifting has shifted, as well, with people realizing that it's not just about saving money (though there's nothing wrong with that!), but also about using what we have, saving our resources, and being as easy on the planet as we can be.

Here are a few practical tips to help you make the most of Secondhand September:

1. Set up a clothing swap with friends where everyone brings clothes they no longer love, and everyone leaves with something new.
2. Find your local thrift store and check it out!
3. Search Facebook for local Buy Nothing groups where you can post your unloved garments, and find treasures that others are no longer loving.
4. Mend, repurpose, or re-style some clothing you already own in a new way.
5. Keep a wish list of new items you want so you can keep an eye out for them whilst thrifting!

Shopping secondhand can be a great way to improve your wardrobe with minimal impact on the planet, while also giving you a chance to be creative in styling, repurposing, and upcycling. Cruising the shops can be a fun way to practice mindfulness and being present, while also ticking off your shopping list. And there's nothing more satisfying than finally finding that special treasure you've been looking for!

If you need help getting started with upcycling your secondhand finds, you can find my Sashiko Essentials guide here, or you can follow along with this blog post to learn to mend with the koshi-zashi stitch here!

I hope that you'll give secondhand a chance for the rest of September, and perhaps beyond - after all, sustainability is a mindset we can carry with us all year round.