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Do/would you wear second hand clothes?

(132 Posts)
readsalot Thu 01-Jul-21 12:53:45

I have lost two stone and gone down two dress sizes. I donated a lot of clothes to a couple of charity shops, but also had a look to see what they had on the rails. Not much in my size and nothing I liked. No luck in other nearby charity shops either, so I had a look on eBay. I have bought 12 items, averaging £10 each and have been really pleased at the quality. I love my clothes and usually wear them out, but the clothes I bought were all in nearly new condition. DH was horrified at first, but came round when I reminded him that I used to hire ballgowns and other formal outfits years ago and if I wasn't bothered, why was he? Does anyone else buy and wear pre-owned? I will definitely continue this way of shopping.

4allweknow Fri 02-Jul-21 13:40:54

I have trawled local charity shops for clothing and other than for children haven't found any I liked. Would add the shops cover a not too affluent area. I have also gone to charity shops located in upmarket areas and have found clothing I like. Haven't tried ebay but going to have a look now.

Maria59 Fri 02-Jul-21 13:44:06

Absolutely I started when I read an article fron a TV presenter who said she bought a lot from ebay. I buy new items with tags. As I have recently lost 3 stone when they get too big I resell them. Best bargain cashmere sweater with tags £129 new I paid £20. Best sale was a new jaeger coat I bought for £30 when it became too big sold it for £60

Leolady73 Fri 02-Jul-21 14:02:58

I rarely buy new clothes and love browsing in charity shops. I feel I am helping to save the environment by recycling, and saving lots of cash!!

foxie48 Fri 02-Jul-21 14:14:57

I'm happy to wear second hand clothes and my older daughter will even pick up things for me if she sees anything she thinks I'll like. I've got a very nice Barbour jacket and a beautiful cashmere jumper recently. We also furnished my younger daughter's first house almost entirely from Ebay. I found the whole process quite exciting and my horse box came in very useful for picking things up although we did get some strange looks parking at a local retirement village to pick up a bed (don't think anyone had died in it!)

nanna8 Fri 02-Jul-21 14:19:46

I usually don’t get clothes but I do get lots of books and pottery from the op shops . I look at the clothes but don’t see much that I like. I once bought a French handbag ( pretty rare here!) and I still have it. I always look at the craft section and have had some lovely cross stitch patterns and kits and some nice wool at very low prices, typically just $1 a ball for good wool ( never buy acrylic).

coastalgran Fri 02-Jul-21 14:48:32

I buy all of my clothes from a little charity shop that supports CHAS. They get really good quality clothes, jewellery, shoes, bags and scarves. Often it is designer labels and never even worn. I have had outfits for garden parties, weddings, cruises etc from this shop over the past 17 years. Last week I picked up a full summer wardrobe with labels such as Zara, Fat Face, John Rocha, even a Johnsons of Elgin Cashmere cardigan for £20, I've had several cashmere sweaters over the years. People always say how nice I look.

Musicgirl Fri 02-Jul-21 15:10:17

I am the original Second hand Rose. Many of my clothes are from Ebay as l am able to get the styles and brands l like for a fraction of the original price. I always look for new with or without tags or hardly worn. I have also sold a fair amount on Ebay too this year as, like others here, I have been losing weight. I donate to charity shops and buy some clothes there, if I see something l like. I have bought many books and a lot of furniture for them too, as well as bric a brac. When my children were small I have some amazing bargains for them. My best ever buy was a hand made viola, which l bought for £50. The strings alone on it would have cost more than that and it is worth at least £2,000. Second hand shopping is a ultimate in recycling and far better for the environment. One of our local charity shops even sells towels that are past their best for 20p as suitable for dogs and, after a long overdue airing cupboard clearout, l was able to donate quite a number the other day. The only things l would not buy second hand are underwear, nightwear and trousers. It is possible to sanitise lightly worn shoes and l wash things before wearing them.

CV2020 Fri 02-Jul-21 15:59:54

Definitely pre-Covid however I wouldn’t buy secondhand clothes presently.
I used to volunteer for our local hospice charity in one of their shops pre-Covid.
It’s amazing how many items donated have price tags attached and are in excellent condition.
Maybe I’ll purchase again in the future.

Seamus89 Fri 02-Jul-21 16:29:44

I do , as often as I can . Especially now that the popular middle range brands that were once made in the UK are now being made in the Far East and many of the previously wonderful quality ‘Made in Italy’ designers are now being made in big free-port factories there . I enjoy finding vintage bargains that I know will last a long time ., and I do not want to be supporting slave labour regimes .

CBBL Fri 02-Jul-21 16:34:34

Yes, I have bought from Charity shops for years! In common with other posters, I buy new undies. I donate clothes and any other unwanted or unused items as well.
Surely this is much more sustainable than "fast fashion" ?

Lilyflower Fri 02-Jul-21 17:27:47

I’d have no objection to wearing good second hand clothes but can never find anything to fit me. (Small and short size eight). One exception was when a I needed a dress urgently for a funeral and I found a lovely black East lace dress for a tenner in a local charity shop.

rowanflower0 Fri 02-Jul-21 17:55:20

I always but my Jaques Vert clothes on eBay - often only been worn once, to a wedding or christening. And I'm a size 20.
How did you loose so much weight and drop two dress sizes?

Nanna58 Fri 02-Jul-21 18:41:23

Always buy ‘ pre loved’Do a regular charity shop sweep of every one in my High st( 7!) Work out what I need/want then put in a search in EBay, ie John Lewis blazer , Joules boots etc . That way I can afford brands I wouldn’t be otherwise able to. Hard to judge your own style, but a friend of mine who scorns these methods admits I look no less smart that her! ?

PaperMonster Fri 02-Jul-21 18:55:24

I used to buy vintage clothes as a teenager and in my 20s from particular vintage shops and now I’m in my 50s I still buy second hand from either EBay or charity shops.

kjmpde Fri 02-Jul-21 19:39:09

I recently bought a brand new cotton blouse (tags still attached) from a charity shop for the grand sum of £1. For some strange reason you appear to get more natural fabrics in charity shops

nexus63 Fri 02-Jul-21 20:21:06

i only wear jogging trousers as i have psoriasis down both legs so can't shave and hate wearing a skirt, i buy underwear new but all my tops come from charity shops, some shoes and jackets, i worked in the salvation army shop and loved seeing all the new donations, i would rather people re-cycled clothes than them going to landfill. how many times have we all bought clothes and shoes then decided that they are not for me.

keriku Fri 02-Jul-21 21:13:15

I have had some lovely stuff from charity shops over the years. Generally they have been brand new. I bought an amazing hat for £20 for a posh wedding - that may sound a lot but it was worth about £200.

sazz1 Sat 03-Jul-21 10:40:26

Yes most of my clothes are from charity shops or eBay. I aways wash it as soon as I get it home. If it doesn't fit then I donate it back or sell on via eBay. Started when I went on a cruise with a disabled lady I was a PA for. Got a whole posh wardrobe including evening dresses, dress and jacket silk tops etc for just over £100. Sold it all after the job ended and got most of my money back. I love the fact you can afford so much more buying second hand.

effalump Sat 03-Jul-21 12:21:12

Yes 98% of my wardrobe is charity shop gear but then I'm not really into fashion. I buy items that look like they've not been worn much and that are comfortable. For example, I buy jeans and trousers and linen shirts, etc. A lot of my things are probably well over 15 years old.

jaybee66 Sat 03-Jul-21 12:50:24

Yes definitely.

essjay Sat 03-Jul-21 13:00:39

i dont buy many clothes but the charity shop is my first port of call. the only things i buy new are underwear and nightwear.

oodles Sat 03-Jul-21 13:29:18

Buying second hand means I can afford good quality clothing. In the past I've. Bught new when on sale. But they have not worn well, and jumpers have bobbled. At least with second hand you know that it hasn't bobbled and what the fabric feels like
I don't like the smell of. Other people's washing detergent or conditioner, but washing sorts that

MawBe Sat 03-Jul-21 13:30:07

I can remember getting some amazing bargains in the past in charity shops in the “smarter” areas- Stockbridge in Edinburgh was one and Ludlow in Shropshire!
The environmental benefits are only now being recognised and I am impressed how my daughters’ generation who don’t need to shop in them, nevertheless have no hang ups about eg children’s “pocket money”toys

MerylStreep Sat 03-Jul-21 13:56:20

How much do you and friends and family pass around to each other.
This week seems to have been particularly busy on that front.
Next door neighbour gave me a per una summer suit. She gave my granddaughter a short denim jacket and a ‘shorty’ black one.
I gave my friend a Jasper Conran tweed jacket and my granddaughter a pair of pink skinny jeans.

Daisend1 Sat 03-Jul-21 14:18:41

I would never say never to buying second hand if there was something I wanted but way out of my pocket when new.