I’m not an expert in much, but I do know a thing or two about preloved shopping. So much so, I called it out as my ‘starting line’ (in last Sunday’s post) on this journey of ours towards more sustainable style. Not a bad starting line at all, but with regards to shopping habits and behaviours, I could do better and that’s the intention of this little Substack. Nothing wrong with a bit of self correction once in a while!
I know I said that I’d cover how to start and maintain a wish list this week, but the mood took me on this one! I promise I’ll cover it next week. The aim of this post is to impart some of the ‘wisdom’ that I’ve gathered over the last 30 years (oh dear!) of buying second hand clothes. There is so much to cover, so take it as Part One!
Maybe you already shop preloved, maybe you dabble, or maybe it feels too daunting and time consuming. If you’re saying to yourself ‘some people seem so good at finding things - I look but can never find anything’, yep, I get that - it’s a quagmire of preloved, second hand, vintage and thrift out there. So let’s get to it, on how to wade through this with intention and with confidence.
I find sometimes it’s easier to set out ideas as ‘rules’. These don’t have to be hard and fast but I know my brain likes a succinct bullet point (nerd) and I tend to race ahead when reading text to find them. So I’ve laid out some rules, tips, bullet points, whatever you would like to refer to them, for a more assured approach to preloved shopping.
Figure out what kind of shopper you are. Do you prefer to try on clothes before buying, to touch and feel the texture, and to check things over in a shop environment? Or are you too busy or never get an opportunity to get to the shops? Yes, mums of small kids, I see you! Or are you happy to shop online as we do for so much else in our convenience-driven lives?
Find your platform. If you’re a shop girl/ guy, have a snoop around your locality for decent second hand shops. Top tip: sometimes the more salubrious areas have the best bits - I bought a Sezane blouse a few years ago in my local store for £7.99, and because it was too big, sold it online for a whopping £60 profit! If you’re happy with online shopping, see about downloading some of the better apps. There are so many amazing preloved sellers out there who operate via a website (of which I hope to include a few in Part Two), but for now, here are some app suggestions, listed in the order in which I tend to use them:
Vinted - the best in my opinion for good quality high street brands and generally good quality clothes. They seem to have recently added an authentication option on designer goods, which gets a thumbs up from me. No international shopping unfortunately.
Vestiaire Collective - the best (also in my opinion) for higher end brands and designer bags. They have always had an authentication option on designer goods, while the others platforms are only just catching up. You can buy internationally which broadens your choice massively!
Depop - I tend to use Depop as a backup to Vinted, if I can’t find what I’m after. I find that there’s more drudge on here than Vinted, possibly driven by younger sellers.
ebay - I also tend to use ebay only as a backup to Vinted and Depop. There are very few private sellers on there anymore driven by high selling fees. Very much a last resort.
Do your research. I would strongly advise against heading onto these apps with the sole aim of ‘buying something preloved so I can feel virtuous’! That purchase is likely to end up joining all the other neglected items at the back of your wardrobe and not make you feel very good. Go armed with knowledge and by that I mean:
Refer to your wish list and see what it is that you are lacking in your wardrobe and looking for. Be as specific as you can be - what style what colour, what brand and what variation on that item would you be happy with and would still fit the brief.
Research your size in your favourite brands. Don’t spread it too widely but sometimes I buy an item to try on for sizing purposes, return it unworn and then search for it preloved in the size I now know I am! You didn’t hear it here 🤫
Know your colours. Now this is a very topical point as Anna of The Wardrobe Edit posted this week about getting her colours done and is rejoicing in the clarity it has given her! I get it! I haven’t had the full works done but I did attend a styling course a few years ago, ran by the indomitable Sulky Doll, who advised me that I am a cool Celt. That fits! Red hair (more blond these days), freckles and needing a good dose of fake tan, cool is definitely where it’s at. With this knowledge in hand, I now know that I can suit brown, it just needs to be a cool taupe tone, and that when I wear green, to choose a cool sage tone. Honestly, it’s revolutionary!
So that’s Part One. As I said, there’s soooo much more to cover, so please do subscribe to stayed tuned.
I’ve been feeling inspired by autumnal tones and texture this week, be it woven totes or suede detail, for no reason other than I’m dying to style my beloved* St Agni bag at the moment and know it would fit right in with any of these outfits. *I love this expression as our youngest is named Cara Mia, which means my beloved in Italian 🥰. See below for inspiration from Angharad Jones on IG and The Jones Report on here, Helen Byrne on IG and Smyth Sisters on IG.
In keeping with this week’s topic, I thought I’d share some of the incredible preloved finds I was very lucky to stumble across recently (mostly with intent I should add). I’ve been searching for these Aeyde Olga sandals for about 2-3 years now and this week they finally found their way to me via Vinted. Patience is most definitely a virtue! Needless to say I LOVE them. Pedicure pending.
I have to confess, this next one wasn’t an entirely considered purchase, more of a ‘see it, nab it’ type buy! Oh but what a find. Last winter I shrank my Arket cable knit jumper in the wash (gutted, but my eldest has benefited as it’s about her size now!) and I have been looking to replace it since. But this week, oh my goodness, it was like all the buses came at once! I not only managed to bag a replacement one on Vinted but I also found this one from Loulou Studio, for a steal on Vestiaire! Anna describes hers as a hug in a jumper, which sounds about right. It is truly fabulous and will stay in my wardrobe for as long as it holds up. I’ve had to choose to the Arket one is up for sale here.
As for wish list pieces (not all make it that far!), the following items have caught my eye, again on a theme of autumn tones and texture.
This reminds me of the gorgeous Australian brand, Dissh, with the ribbed knit and lettuce edged cuffs. I would wear this with high-waisted wide leg jeans and an oversized jacket.
I love the structure of this bag, in contrast to the slouchiness (is that a word?) of some other woven leather bags. Very satisfying.
My husband kindly bought me these in black for my birthday and they have fitted right into my wardrobe. Love this cool taupe colour way (colours, see!). Comfy, laid back and the three stripes add interest to a simple outfit.
Next week, I WILL cover how to start and maintain a wish list, so hold me to it! Have a good week and hope to see you next weekend, Jenny x
Top tips thank you. Also loved that Anna Edit thing about colours. Lord knows what mine are! X