It's taken me a while to get into shopping second hand. I grew up wearing a lot of second hand clothes because that's what my parents could afford and it was easily accessible to us. Over the years my family grew in disposable income and as a teenager I had a good amount of pocket money to spend on clothes. For a long time I loved buying new as it was a novelty for me. I also embraced blending in. I tried not to look different but wore what everyone else was wearing - what was in fashion at the time.

I am so glad I have changed! I care a lot less what others think of me and my wardrobe. I mostly dress for comfort and ease but also enjoy different styles, fun colours and patterns. I have developed my own taste and a style that works for me.

This is one of the key necessities for most second hand shopping. You’ll waste less of your time when browsing if you know what you like, what suits you and what you are most likely to wear.

Second Hand Shopping Tips

• Browse rails with your size to save disappointment if you find something you love not in your size.

• That being said check sizes as they are not always labeled or sorted accurately. Also check for shrinkage or stretching of fabrics.

• Decide on what you need to complete / complement your existing wardrobe before you go to make it easier to spot what you are looking for. It also helps you not to be distracted by items that are never going to work for you.

• Get to know the charity shops near you, or on your weekly routes, so you can pop in and browse when you have some spare time. This saves the frustration of only waiting till you are desperate for a pair of trousers and then not finding any.

• Charity shops are happy with returns. Just keep the receipt. Feel free to try on at home. You can even keep an eye out for items you think friends and family would like.

• Check the garment or item thoroughly for any damage. Double check seams and hems. Make sure zips and other fastenings work. Some issues you may be able and willing to fix but if not then leave it in the shop.

• Shop online. There are many second hand online stores with built-in filtering options to find the specific brand, style, size etc. that you are looking for.

When I find something I normally ask myself:

“Do I love this?”

“Will l be sad and regret it if I don’t get it?”

Only if the answer is yes do I go ahead and get the item. Some things may be cheaper to buy in a charity shop but the aim should be to add unique and/or usable pieces to your wardrobe - not to amass unused clothes.

There are some specific things, like underwear for example, that you may only be able to buy new and not preloved. I will be sharing on how to find more sustainable brands for these, and other items, next time!