Hey friends, we’ve talked about the impact of second-hand fashion before and how this is a real step towards a more circular fashion system.
When we buy pre-loved clothes, we're giving them a second chance at life. This means they don't end up in landfills, which is fantastic for our planet. As we already know, fast fashion is one of the most polluting industries in the world, responsible for 10% of the global annual emissions, so embracing second-hand fashion and knowing where to shop encourages us to value quality over quantity and supports a more sustainable way of consuming fashion.
This week, we did a little bit of research for you and put together the best IRL and URL places you can get your second-hand fashion, whether this is designer or not.
IRL second-hand shops
London is known for its variety of thrift shops where you can find hidden gems to add to your collection. Below are some stores that we think are worth checking out:
- Princess May Car Boot Sale, Dalston: This classic British jumble sale is known for its hidden treasures. Clothes from different people's wardrobes and stories are up for grabs, so you are sure to find something unique.
- RSPCA, Stoke Newington: This small charity shop is run by knowledgeable ladies who have a passion for their job. You will always find something you love here.
- Dress For Less, Islington: The beautifully curated collection of secondhand clothing at this shop is sure to tempt you. From Ganni to Burberry trench coats, you will find it all here.
- Charity shops, St John's Wood: Start at the top of St John's Wood High Street and work your way down, stopping at every charity shop along the way. You will find hidden gems like vintage YSL cashmere and box-fresh Le Creuset.
- Seconda Mano, Angel: This hidden gem is a little hard to find but filled with secondhand and sample designer clothes, from Galliano, Gucci to Paul Smith.
- Beyond Retro, Soho: This classic thrift shop is known for its goldmine of unique pieces waiting to be discovered. The West End branch is a must-visit for those on the hunt for something special.
- One of a Kind, Notting Hill: A west London institution that offers rare vintage designer pieces. You can find great 90s Versace and Chanel items here. Though the major pieces can be a bit costly, there are bargains to be found as well.
- Duke's Cupboard, Soho: Best known for secondhand designer vintage clothing. The shop has an American theme, with a large collection of dead-stock, Palace, Supreme, Stussy, and rare band tees.
- Blue 17 Vintage, Holloway: This shop offers a great selection of vintage clothing from the 1930s to the 90s, as well as accessories and jewellery.
- The Reloved Club: This platform is a community resale fashion platform. They host a few pop-up events a year around London and allow their community to buy and sell there!
URL second-hand shops
Second-hand shopping is not just for us physical thrifters though, a whole host of resale sites has popped up in recent years, making it easier than ever to make a more sustainable purchase. Here’s a few we recommend shopping from:
- eBay: A favourite among fashion editors, eBay's authenticity guarantee for sneakers, handbags, and watches provides shoppers with added confidence.
- Hardly Ever Worn It (HEWI): This site specialises in pre-owned designer pieces that are waiting to find new homes.
- Vestiaire Collective: With 25,000 pieces added daily, this is Europe's largest resale site for luxury fashion. Search for your favourite brands or specific pieces to avoid being overwhelmed with choices.
- Farfetch Pre-Owned: This site has been integrating resale onto its platform since 2010, allowing shoppers to enjoy the same luxury experience whether shopping for new or pre-owned items.
- Depop: Gen Z's favourite resale site is full of Y2K gems, from baby tees to Prada cheetah-print boots.
- Sellier: If you're looking for pre-loved designer bags from luxury brands like Chanel, Dior, Louis Vuitton, and Hermès, Sellier is your go-to.
- Retold: This site's collection spans from Burberry trench coats and '90s Max Mara, making it perfect for those with a more minimalist aesthetic.
- Lampoo: This site features brands like The Row, Khaite, and Nanushka, making it ideal for building a capsule wardrobe, all second-hand, of course.
- Rites: Resale and rental platform Rites promotes circular fashion, featuring high-end and contemporary brands to suit every style.
- 1stDibs: For those looking for fashion history pieces, 1stDibs is the go-to site. It's particularly popular among vintage dealers and collectors.
- Untagged: On this platform, you can either buy or sell (or do both) second-hand and vintage clothing, without the hassle of commissions.
Of course, don’t forget we have our own section of second-hand and vintage pieces on our website too. So, while it’s great for you to shop from these big sites, it’s also great to support independent sellers like us if you’re looking for your next statement piece!
We’d love to hear your suggestions, so just leave a comment if you have a favourite shop or site we haven’t mentioned above 🙂
Love,
Cherchez La Femme team X
[All images sourced on canva.com
Info sourced on vogue.co.uk and timeout.com]