5 Reasons To Buy Second-Hand in 2018

Please note: I was given a gift card to facilitate this post from Swap.com. All opinions are my own. Thank you!

 

It was around this time last year that I decided to start exclusively buying second-hand clothing. This was done for two reasons. To begin setting aside funds for several long-term family savings and to start a cash envelope for purchasing future frocks that were made in ethical and environmentally friendly ways.

While I have never been a stranger to thrifting, ending my fashion romance and officially breaking up with Urban Outfitters, American Apparel, and starting the process of buying exclusively send-hand was a harder process than I imaged it would be.

And that is because I love labels. Being the girl who exclusively wore clothes made in America or was recommended by Vogue and Redbook as the accessory of the season was an ingrained aspect of my adult identity.

Unfortunately, I am no longer in the season of life where I can justify spending $250.00 on a cashmere sweater. While my husband would never say no to lavishing me with any clothing purchase I wanted to make, my debt-free, zero-waste, minimalist sensibilities would disagree. 

Don’t get me wrong, I still believe that the cheap can run expensive. And I still invest in key pieces such as sunglasses, handbags, totes, and foundation garments. But for most other pieces, thrifting is the way to go! 

Besides, deep down I have always loved thrifting. Scouring second-hand stores looking for vintage rock concert tees that no one else in my small hometown owns!

To me, the beauty of thrifting is that you’re buying generosity. Whether purchasing charitable donations or online finds and saving, you’re saving something from going to landfill. Instead of fueling the 10.5 million tons of fast-fashion that end up in landfills each year here in the United States. 

Thrifting also makes me feel successful. By saving money on the perfect LBD, I am buying items that help me feel like a million bucks while simultaneously ending excessive consumption in my little corner of the world. And that makes me feel awesome. 

So, if you’re on the fence about sustainably-sourced clothing or just looking for new ways to save around your home in 2018, here are 5 reasons for you to buy second-hand in 2018:

1. You’ll be an eco-warrior: Essentially, buying secondhand clothing means you are wearing a pre-owned piece of clothing. Clothing that you helped keep out of landfills. Besides, many pieces of clothing can survive decades if they treated well and laundered correctly. Unfortunately, many of us tend to throw away clothes after a year or two of wearing them because they have become unfashionable or don’t fit us anymore. Thrifting clothing helps you end conspicuous consumerism while lessening the negative effects on the environment caused by fashion industry dyes, solvents, and fabric sourcing. Products that pose a threat to the water, air, and the earth. Not to mention the long-term health effects for those working with and in proximity to those chemicals. Buying used clothing is all-around good for the planet!

2. Promote worker’s rights: When we buy second-hand we can take a peaceful and intentional stand against worker exploitation in the developing world. Many brands of commercially manufactured clothes come from second-world nations, created by worker’s under paradoxical conditions, without government oversight, for piece-mill wages. That is nothing short of inhumanity. While buying second-hand clothing will not immediately better their stop their working conditions it will, however, gear fashion houses to rethink their business design. Regardless of what marketing agencies tell us, consumers dictate market trends. When consumers change their spending habits, industry and Wall Street follow. Buying secondhand starts that change today. 

3. Save Money: Buying second-hand can help you have substantial amounts of money each season. You can find tons of designer label looks at bargain basement prices, simply because they were worn a couple of times. And for those still trying to find your fashion style, buying thrift allows you to experiment with design without burning a hole in your wallet! 

4. Be Unique: Shopping secondhand can help you find clothing that’s uniquely you. Fashion repeats itself. According to experts, every two decades that cycle repeats itself. Look for items that aren’t currently on-trend but feel and look great on you! It’s only a matter of time before your uniqueness will have you looking runway ready! So before buying the same pair of ballet pumps as all your girlfriends covet, check out a secondhand shop and find a one-of-a-kind pair of kicks that are decades in the making.

5. Avoid Crowds: If you’re anything like me, you have crowds of people at big box stores and malls. Instead, heading out to your local second-hand shop allows you to browse and shop to your heart’s content without dealing with angry shoppers, long lines, or darkening the return desk counter at a store near you!

For those who would rather get their thrift on in the comfort of their own homes, there are a lot of online second shops that shouldn’t be missed! One of my favorite ways to shop second-hand online is Swap.com.

Swap.com is the fastest growing online consignment store in the United States. With over 600,000 unique items available in their ever-changing digital inventory, they offer the largest selection of pre-owned baby, kid’s, maternity, and women’s apparel and accessories online with prices often 60-90% off retail. 

On Swap.com, you can sell your unneeded items for fair-market value or swap items with other site users. But if you’re like me and just into digital thrifting, they have you covered too. 

Currently, they sell women’s, maternity, and children’s clothes, along with toys and household items. With so many great deals, Swap.com is just one of the many tools I’ll use to help me find unique, ethically-sourced, eco-friendly second-hand finds in the coming year. 

I was recently given the opportunity to try out the site and was impressed. for under $20.00 I was able to purchase three pairs of athletic pants. Perfect for walks this winter season! On these three items, I saved over $76.00! A bargain if I do say s myself! You’ve got to love a zero-waste shopping experience! 

Ready to shop yourself? Currently, swap.com is having a huge clearance sale! Use CPC40 for up to 40% off most merchandise on Swap.com on your first order! Let me know what great deals you snag. I can’t wait to find out what second-hand finds that come your way!