Choose second-hand FIRST!
At Conscious Closet we really love investing in pre-loved clothing. In some circles it is still regarded as scary but in fashion circles it is becoming part of life. As I look in the mirror it confirms vintage may not be that scary, and definitely something to treasure!
Image courtesy of unsplash.com
Last weeks teaching at NTU started with "Pre-loved Monday" where we talked to the students about the increase in second hand shopping and the ways in which this can be achieved. We discussed clothes swaps and vintage buying and selling - something very common in student groups. What surprised me the most was Gen Z's obsession with their new purchases resale value - something placed highly on their list of whether to buy or not! This reinforced that a more circular wardrobe is becoming mainstream.
Image courtesy of thewardrobecrisis.com
As London fashion week kicks off this weekend, resale fashion queen Bay Garnett is curating and styling Oxfam's "Fashion Fighting Poverty 23" catwalk show. Where personalities will model key fashion looks taken from Oxfam's huge source of vintage pieces. What we will see is a show with items that don't have a seasonal or new collection to display. "Instead looks will be styled to suit each individual on the catwalk. This reflects the joy of finding unique, affordable clothes that work for them" Bay Garnett states. You are a woman in line with our values Ms Garnett!
We are so impressed with clients asking for our pre-loved prom dresses and ball gowns. Where we have taken items for resale that customers bring in to us - some not even worn and still with tags! They happily sit alongside our hand picked new dresses.
When shopping vintage it is always good to have an idea of what you want. Choose your market and it helps to have in mind an item you may be looking for. For example I saw Kate Moss modelling for Bottega Veneta Spring '23 show in baggy jeans, white vest and blue check shirt. Soooo simple but a look I wanted for my Spring wardrobe! So quick as a flash I whizzed down to Cow vintage store in Nottingham (full of American vintage shirts) and chose the closest blue check mens shirt which I will wash and wear with my baggy jeans and vest. Voila!
Kate Moss Bottega Veneta Spring 2023
Another tip for vintage shopping is to concentrate on the fabric. Vintage fabrics can include amazing textures, prints, colours and details - all part of finding something unique. Literally walk slowly along the rails trailing your hand across the items - until you FEEL something special!
Don't pay attention to sizes as they can be misleading. Check for quality - missing buttons, broken zips, sleeves too long - these can all be amended. Stains are a no - and steer clear.
The conscious closet of the future is more circular, with an ever rotating wardrobe. Pre-loved and vintage online sites are now popular across young budget fashion and premium designer. Resale and rental is a powerful solution to fashion waste, and as you all know Lisa and I promote this in the work we do.
Vestiaire Collective, Rokit, Asos Vintage, Farfetch, Vinted, all now catching up with the old fave eBay. Design houses and designer stores such as Selfridges and Harvey Nichols are adding resale to their offer. Mid market brands such as Cos are promoting a consumer bias resale to encourage loyalty. Cos offer "Resell" where they will repair and sell on customers old purchases, whilst offering a % off a future purchase incentive to return your no longer worn items.
Image courtesy of Oscar de la Renta
Suddenly re-sale premium product has never been so sought after either. Over the last year, Oscar de la Renta, Valentino, Gucci and more announced they would start selling their own vintage. Strategically tired of the third-party retailers that have dominated the resale business I presume. But why not? Premium watch brands have been benefitting from resale for years - we all know a Rolex piece can actually increase in value for resale.
Vintage leather bag price on application - Gucci Vault
So what is the ideal? Well as a trained designer I obviously hope new fashion sales will continue - but that you, as consumers, will choose clothes to last and ditch the fast fashion mentality. Pass on or swap pieces you no longer wear, and then of course add pre-loved finds that will enhance your wardrobe and add that little bit of vintage gold.
We always support Second Hand September here at CC - but more than ever now just putting
SECOND HAND FIRST!!
For those of you supporting a more circular economy we have our Spring 2023 Clothes Swap “Southwell Swishing” event 17th March. Join us for a great fun night with free shopping - tickets through the link on our Swap page.
Have a good Spring!
Sarah x
Feb 2023