MSE Forum poll: Have you ever bought any of your clothes second hand?

MSE_JC

Whether it's high street charity shops or websites like eBay and Vinted, there are plenty of second hand bargains to be had if you're looking to save cash on clothes (and do your bit for the environment at the same time).

Have you ever bought a pre-loved item of clothing?

MyRealNameToo

I dont like the term "pre-loved" but yes have bought secondhand clothes. 

There are some brands I like but disagree with their sticker price, even in the sales. Lightly used secondhand tend to be much better prices. 

Similar to shrinkflation there are some brands/products that are just not made to the same quality as they used to be. Levis Jeans these days are mainly 10oz fabric, going up to 12oz if you're lucky. In the 1980s they were 14-16oz as standard so not as comfortable off the rack but look, feel and age so much better after a few weeks of wearing them. 

Unfortunately buying 80s Levis isnt about saving money, in good condition they arent that much less but its more about getting better value 

ButterCheese

I used to buy expensive brands used off ebay - they work out about the same as new Primark clothes but look and last a bit better.  you still have to be weary though; some look like they have been washed 5000 times and look very "used" and washed out.  But at cheaper prices you can sometimes afford to take a chance; use them for old/DIY clothes if they're bad, but if they're good enough to wear as best then it's a good way to save

PipneyJane

At least 50% of my wardrobe comes from charity shops, including several suits.  

The golden rules are to:

1. Inspect closely for wear and stains.  If the zip is broken, but you can replace it and it's cheap enough, then it's your choice to buy it.  
2. If something is damaged but you can fix it, negotiate.
3. Try everything on before your buy it.  The sizing of women's clothes is a joke.  Even within the same label, you'll get two skirts that are totally different sizes.

My best buy is a sheepskin jacket, which was listed at £30 but had a broken zip and needed a clean. Once I pointed out the broken zip, etc, they lowered the price to £12.  I bought a replacement zip for £6, spent an hour with my quick-un-pick and my sewing machine doing the necessary, then paid £25 to get it professionally cleaned.  (The dry-cleaners were very impressed with my sewing.  They offered me work.)

- Pip

Misslayed

My niece hasn’t bought any new clothes except underwear since she was 15. She’s 32! 

kimwp

I try to buy everything second hand except socks/underwear and shoes and waterproofs, it's much better for the environment. Leggings and jeans, I have found quite difficult to get, so often end up being new.

I didn't used to do this, so some things I have which I bought new eg woolly hat, I don't know if I'd buy one second hand. No reason why - it's the same lack of logic as not wanting to buy a second hand mattress, while being ok with sleeping on hotel mattresses, which are likely to have seen worse.

ShinyStarlight1

I relied on secondhand clothes from charity shops for many years. Now I am more financially secure, I buy from new but very rarely, and always donate them to charity if I no longer want them.

ropreyd

I am a firm favourite of Vinted. I buy and sell my old clothes on there, ranging from everything from designer to high street items.

Aside from this I do regularly donate clothes to charity and I tend to buy the odd thing from there too, but I'm more likely to donate in bulk every so often and sell my more valuable items online.

itsthelittlethings

I buy almost all my clothes second hand. I went through a big Vinted phase but a lot of the clothes on there are brand new, even with tags so it’s not really that good for the planet. I have loads of clothes and am making an effort to just shop in charity shops now. Although that reminds me that there were a couple of gorgeous jackets on Vinted last week…

itsthelittlethings

Also if you are London based I highly recommend Traid. They have various branches across the city.

twopenny

We have lost all our clothes shops but have 6 charity shops 
I have Liberty, Phase eight, Ralph Lauren etc all for under £10. Some were new too.

I miss looking at new clothes but even the county town 25miles away we only have 2 clothes stores left.