Last year, I set a goal to only buy second-hand for a year. Honestly? I wasn’t entirely convinced I could hold on. I’ve banned myself from shopping before, but never for as long as a year. I spent the first few months of 2023 not shopping at all. But then I started getting into the world of second hand shopping. Seriously – I can’t believe how much I learned about consumption, my personal style, and even myself in a year of not buying anything new.
christina cleveland
Cristina creates interior designs that balance your style, comfort, and functionality so your home supports your lifestyle. With a background in digital publishing, she also created the online series Homeschool to make quality home design accessible to all budgets.
I used to think that buying secondhand was not as fun as buying new. After all, I am human and can adapt to the thrill of novelty that excites many of us. However, after a year of honing my second-hand shopping skills, I’ve come to love the creativity the practice requires. It’s a skill that allows me to showcase my design abilities and love of curation.
Are you ready to enter the world of secondhand shopping? Ahead, learn about the key lessons I learned from second-hand shopping, and all the opportunities for fun and creativity I gleaned along the way.
1. Most impulses are fleeting.
Shopping is easier than ever. Just swipe and click and your package will be delivered right to your door. My commitment to thrift shopping gives me pause. If I get the urge to buy a new pair of boots, I have to find them first. Finding items may require a few trips to a consignment store or some time browsing on eBay. I find that most of the time, I forget about them after a day or two. If I continue my search with passion, then I know it’s not just a fling.
There’s a rabbit hole on the Internet dedicated to second-hand shopping. From watching videos and reading advice, I learned that this is a muscle that is built through practice. Many avid thrifters visit their local store several times a week. You may feel overwhelmed the first time, but over time you start to get an idea of the pieces, prints, fabrics, or types of pieces you like to look at that are worth your time. (And which ones aren’t.) Eventually, you can quickly browse the store and develop an intuition for gemstones.
During the course of my challenge, I discovered many new ways to shop secondhand outside of thrift stores that might immediately come to mind. You can buy directly from sellers in apps like Poshmark and Depop, or follow vintage shops on eBay, Etsy, and Instagram. There are also vintage and consignment shops, as well as meetups for ladies who want to swap second-hand clothes.
You have tons of options, and even if you don’t do the challenge like I did, it’s worth adding a few of these to your daily shopping. The reality of the modern world is that many of the clothes on offer have already been worn once – just for the photo op! This is especially true for Instagram stores.
4. What you want in the store may already be on sale secondhand.
Last year I bought a new bridesmaid dress at a bridal boutique but then found the same dress online so I returned the new dress and bought the used one. The effect is perfect! I’ve learned that when I do fall in love with something new, I can quickly search for the item online. Most of the time, it is already sold second hand online. You can find just about anything on the apps and websites I mentioned above, including designer and boutique brands. On eBay, you can also set up saved searches so that if someone lists what you’re looking for, you’ll receive an email, saving you some trouble.
5. Creativity thrives
The overwhelming response I hear from people who practice capsule wardrobes is that they are initially worried that they will feel restricted. In fact, when they were forced to get creative, they were able to create more looks they liked. The same goes for second-hand shopping. When I shop for new clothes, I find myself recreating popular outfits I’ve seen on Pinterest or Instagram, sometimes even buying the exact same ones. When I buy second hand, I get away from preset trends and think more creatively about how I want to represent myself.
6. You can find what’s trending, and it’s even better
The designs now on the catwalks and in stores are largely based on silhouettes designed in the 1970s or 1990s. If you walk into Goodwill today, you can actually find original designs from high-end designers from the 70s and 90s. (Bonus: They look cooler and are cheaper!) Yes, it may take a few trips to Goodwill to find the perfect oversized blazer or culottes, but when you find them, it’s more satisfying than clicking to buy Post an Instagram post and buy that blazer you saw someone else wearing. Where’s the fun in this?
