7 Reasons Why You Need To Start Buying Second Hand Clothes

More and more people (myself included) are waking up to the huge impacts fast fashion has on the environment. I've been educating myself and have slowly been making lifestyle changes to ensure we live a little more sustainably. Although I don't feel we can ever be 100% sustainable, I fully believe that every little helps. Today I'm going to be delving a little more into shopping for second hand clothes. For me it's been a really easy swap & I think it can for you too.

7 Benefits Of Buying Second Hand Clothes

1. Buying Second Hand Clothes Saves Money

A massive benefit of buying second hand is that it could save you a pretty penny. You're certain to pick up a bargain shopping via charity shops or online second hand retailers.

It's important to remember that just because second hand clothes are cheaper, it in no way means they're bad quality. Usually people sell or donate clothes to make space. The fact they're selling has no correlation with a garments quality.

I've managed to pick up a number of clothing items for a fraction of their retail price. I've found occasion wear to be particularly affordable. You know those fancy frocks you buy for a wedding, but only actually wear once. I bought a French Connection dress on Vinted that's still available to buy in shops at £180. Little old me picked it up for £15, saving myself £165 from the RRP.

2. Promotes Sustainable Fashion

Buying second hand clothes plays a big part in fighting fast fashion. Being sustainable with your fashion choices means being a little slower and more ethical with your garment choices. It means wearing second hand clothes, buying from small businesses and choosing garments made from eco-friendly materials.

3. You're Extending A Garments Life Span

By buying second hand clothes you're keeping garments in circulation and expanding their life span. Shopping second hand is not just good for you, but for the environment too.

The fast fashion industry is extremely wasteful. I'm sure we're all aware of that. Over £14,000,000 worth of clothes are thrown away into landfill each year in the UK. Many people (myself included) admit to wearing an item a handful of times before throwing it away. It's such a shame.

Buying second hand is such a simple way to keep clothes in circulation.

4. You're Dighting The Demand For Fast Fashion

By shopping second hand you're putting middle fingers up and saying no thank you to fast fashion. As time goes by there's still a demand for fast fashion (I don't think this is going to go away any time soon) but there's also a huge movement favouring shopping second hand.

I'm sure we're all aware of how shoddy the fast fashion industry is. Brands such as PLT are known to pay their factory workers £3.50 an hour which is less than half of the national minimum wage. It's how they can sell their items so cheaply and it's abhorrent.

5. Trash VS Treasure

One persons trash is another persons treasure. I've found this to be particularly beneficial from a sellers point of view.

I've had a big clear out of clothes just recently, listing what feels like 101 different items onto my Vinted account. They're items which I no longer love or no longer fit quite right. But they're perfectly good clothes and they most definitely deserve a second lease of life. It's incredibly easy to sell on Vinted, if you've got pieces you no longer wear but think would be another persons treasure, I'd definitely recommend.

My 'trash' is someone else's treasure and I love that I'm able to bring joy to someone else's wardrobe through second hand clothes. Clearing out my wardrobe and selling clothes on Vinted is a win, win for all parties.

6. It's Actually Really Easy To Shop For Second Hand Clothes

I previously thought that shopping for used clothing items was really difficult. It's actually much easier than you think.

There are a number of apps and second hand websites available making shopping for second hand clothes easier and easier. If you're shopping online you can filter garments in a number of ways. You can separate sizes, colours, styles even the quality. What I once thought was really difficult has now become the easiest thing in the world... And second nature when updating my wardrobe.

Even shopping second hand in charity shops, can be really easy. You'll tend to find that the rails are divided into sizes making finding what fits really easy. They also tend to group colours and clothing items which is great.

7. Second Hand Clothing Can Last Longer

This might sound untrue, but just think of the potential age of garments you find in a charity store. Even from a sellers point of view, thinking about the clothes I've listed online, some of the clothes are years old, but still in fantastic quality.

It's also worth thinking about clothes ordered through fast fashion websites. I don't know about you, but there's been so many times I've opened up a parcel only to be disappointed with what I'd received. The quality of fast fashion clothing is renowned for being really shoddy.

Why Second-Hand Clothes Are More Relevant Than Ever

Buying second-hand isn’t just a budget choice. It’s a sustainable lifestyle decision that’s gaining mainstream attention. Second-hand shopping reduces waste, promotes recycling, and supports smaller local or online retailers. Many people also find that pre-loved pieces offer unique styles that stand out from high-street trends. Across fashion forums, social media, and consumer surveys, second-hand shopping continues to grow in popularity, making this advice relevant well beyond any single year.

Quick Tips For Second Hand Clothes Shopping

• Check quality and fabric before buying
• Mix pre-loved pieces with current wardrobe staples
• Explore online marketplaces for hidden gems
• Don’t underestimate charity shops — they often have unique finds
• Experiment with accessories to elevate second-hand outfits
• Wash and care for clothes to extend longevity

I've made some big changes recently when it comes to updating mine and the children's wardrobes. Shopping for second hand clothes has become second nature for me now & Vinted is always my first port of call. I'm not saying you need to be 100% on it all the time when it comes to sustainably. I'm far from it myself. But even the little changes can make a big difference.

With years of experience curating wardrobes, reviewing fashion trends, and exploring sustainable options, these tips focus on making second-hand shopping stylish, practical, and eco-friendly.

Is It Safe To Buy Second Hand Clothes?

If you've never bought second hand clothes before, you might be wondering whether it's actually safe. After all, you're buying something that someone else has worn, and when you're scrolling through Vinted or browsing a charity shop, you don't always know exactly where that item has been.

The good news is that buying second hand clothes is generally perfectly safe, as long as you use a little common sense and take the same sort of precautions you would when buying any pre-owned item.

Always Wash Second Hand Clothes Before Wearing Them

This is probably the most obvious piece of advice, but it's worth mentioning. Wash second hand clothes before wearing them, particularly if you've bought them from an online marketplace or charity shop. You don't know how the previous owner stored or handled the clothes, so giving them a good wash means you can start wearing them feeling fresh and comfortable. I tend to wash anything I've bought second hand before it goes into my wardrobe anyway. It's no different to buying something new and washing it before wearing it for the first time. Obviously, check the care label first and make sure you're washing the item in a way that's suitable for the fabric.

Check The Condition Carefully

One of the biggest things to look out for when buying second hand clothes is the condition of the item. If you're shopping in a charity shop, have a good look over the garment before buying it. Check for things like stains, holes, loose stitching, missing buttons, broken zips and excessive bobbling. When buying second hand clothes online, it's a little more difficult because you're relying on photographs and the seller's description. This is where I find platforms such as Vinted really useful because you can usually see photographs of the actual item rather than a stock photograph. If something isn't clear from the pictures, don't be afraid to ask the seller. It's much better to ask about a mark or damaged zip before buying than discover it when the parcel arrives.

Be Sensible About What You Buy

There are some things I would be more cautious about buying second hand than others. For example, I'm perfectly happy buying second hand dresses, coats, jumpers, jeans and children's clothes, but I'd personally be much more selective when it comes to items that are worn particularly close to the skin. You can also use your common sense when it comes to things like swimwear and underwear. If you wouldn't feel comfortable buying it second hand, you don't have to. There are plenty of other types of clothing where buying pre-loved makes much more sense.

Is It Safe To Buy Clothes From Vinted?

I've bought clothes from Vinted and think it's a great way to find second hand clothes online, particularly if you're looking for a particular brand or style. As with any online marketplace, though, it's worth checking the seller's reviews and looking carefully at the photographs and description before buying. I also wouldn't buy something simply because it's incredibly cheap if there isn't enough information about its condition. One of the things I love about buying second hand is that you can often find really good quality clothes from brands you wouldn't necessarily pay full price for. I've found some absolute bargains over the years, including clothes that still have plenty of life left in them.

What About Charity Shop Clothes?

The same applies when buying clothes from charity shops. Give everything a quick check before you buy it and wash it before wearing it. I actually think one of the best things about charity shopping is that you can properly see and feel the clothes before handing over your money. You can check the fabric, look for damage and decide whether something is genuinely worth buying rather than being tempted by a photograph online. And because charity shops often have such a huge variety of clothes, you can sometimes find really good quality pieces for a fraction of what they would have cost new.

Buying Second Hand Clothes Is Usually Very Low Risk

For me, the benefits of buying second hand clothes far outweigh any worries about whether it's safe. You're giving an existing item of clothing another lease of life, you can save a considerable amount of money and you may even find better quality pieces than you would have bought brand new. Just remember the basics: check the condition, buy from reputable sellers where possible, wash clothes before wearing them and use your common sense. Once you get used to buying second hand, it really doesn't feel unusual at all. In fact, you might find yourself wondering why you ever paid full price for so many clothes in the first place!

If you're interested in making other more sustainable changes you might be interested in the following:

• Making the switch to sustainable period pants.
• Reusable products for new parents.
• Introducing reusable sanitary pads.