In 2018, I bought a little suede-bound book from a charity shop in Southwold. It was entitled, ‘The Longfellow Birthday Book’, published circa 1910 and used (ordinarily) to record the birthdays of your friends and loved ones. This one, unbeknownst to me at the time, was actually used by a midwife, Nurse Seaman, between 1919 - 1931 to record all the births of babies she had delivered throughout her career. After a little research, I went on to speak to relatives of the babies listed in the book, hear stories about them and learn about their lives. It has become one of my most prized possessions.
Buying second-hand then, is not only essential for the health of our planet, but it actually has an enormous impact on our personal lives as well. Let’s explore how shopping sustainably and buying second hand can have a positive effect on our planet and our minds.
How can buying second hand have an impact on the planet?
Lowering our carbon footprint. “New Oxfam research reveals that if all UK adults bought half of their next wardrobe second-hand instead of new, it could prevent an estimated 12.5 billion kilograms of carbon dioxide emissions entering the atmosphere.”
Reducing waste. The fashion industry alone is responsible for “92 million tonnes of textiles waste every year” according to Earth.org. By shopping second hand we can dramatically reduce that number.
Supporting local communities. Many secondhand and charity shops are run by local organisations who are raising money for the community. Your purchases in these types of retail environments will be directly impacting the lives of those supported by the charity.
Shifting consumer behaviour. By promotion secondhand shopping as a way of life, we are encouraging others to take a more sustainable approach to buying. This may help to eliminate the buy-use-dispose cycle that is so prevalent in modern society.
We all love to look and feel good, but should it come at the cost of our future?
How can buying second hand have an impact on our personal lives?
Probably most obviously, shopping second hand has an enormous impact on our finances! By seeking out high-quality materials such as cotton, cashmere, wool and vintage denim we can add longevity to our wardrobes without worrying about the price tag.
A dedication to secondhand shopping allows us to be more mindful of the items we bring into our home. This in turn may inspire us to declutter on a regular basis - keeping our homes (and our minds) clear.
Gratitude. Shopping sustainably lets us really think about the things we already own, creating space for that feeling of gratitude that fast fashion just doesn’t have time for.
Disengaging from ‘trends’. It’s easy to become swept up in what’s fashionable and lose our sense of self and style. By shopping on the secondhand market we can disengage from what is considered fashionable and instead be true to ourselves! We were made to be unique, not to follow the crowd.
Sustainable fashion is a journey of intention, and we are here for it. Are you?
Join us at our pre-loved pop-up market on Sunday 23rd March for an eclectic and lively event where you can find some pre-loved treasures amongst a whole host of unique and affordable items. Get FREE tickets here or if you’d like to sell, apply for a stall here. We will be supporting The King’s Lynn Men’s Shed through the sale of tea, coffee and homemade cakes. We would love to see you there!
