How to Look Expensive Without The Pricetag
Intent on making 2017 your Best Year Ever? We can help with that, thanks to our 2017 Coach of the Month series. For September, Lauren Singer, the mind behind the sustainable lifestyle site Trash is for Tossers, CEO of The Simply Co., and co-owner of Brooklyn's Package Free Shop shares lessons in eco-friendliness. This week, she reveals how to get the most out of secondhand shopping.
Secondhand shopping not only affords you the ability to get high fashion pieces and specialty items at a fraction of the cost - it's also kind to the planet! With a few techniques you can have a completely badass wardrobe made up of unique, secondhand pieces. Look good, save money, and leave a small environmental footprint? Check, check, check.
Let’s get started by talking about the different types of secondhand shops, because not all secondhand shopping is created equal.
The Succession of Secondhand
Designer Consignment $$$
These are stores where people bring in clothing that they give to a store on consignment (which means they don’t get paid until their item sells). The items are typically higher in price than other secondhand options, but the curation is a lot more selective so the quality of what you find is often higher and you can get specialty luxury pieces that you might not be able to find as easily at other types of shops. Try: Second Time Around
Buy, Sell, Trade shops $$
This is the next step down from luxury designer consignment. These shops allow you to bring in clothing to sell or trade for store credit. You can find major scores in these types of stores from Rag & Bone to Wang, but it takes a bit of digging. But it is totally worth it, I got a pair of R&B patchwork denim a month ago for 20$! Try: Crossroads Trading or Buffalo Exchange
Donation Shops $
These types of stores are a lot more chaotic to navigate than the above two because they are typically much lower budget or run on a not-for-profit model and don’t have much of a curation. Think Goodwill or The Salvation Army. These stores are everywhere and depending on where you go you can find really awesome pieces that are pretty unique to the store’s location like turquoise in New Mexico and fur coats in New York. It is a lot more difficult to find something really high quality at one of these shops, but when you do, it’s magic because you’ll probably end up paying next to nothing for something amazing.
Online Secondhand $-$$$
This option is where people list their own products online and ship to you directly from their home. If I am not working, or eating I’m probably on one of these sites looking for some of my favorite brands. I love it because it is a lot less time consuming than going to a brick and mortar store like the aforementioned ones, and you can search by brand, size, and material which makes shopping really easy. Note: if you buy secondhand items online, specify that you want plastic free packaging like a USPS post consumer envelope as opposed to plastic shipping materials. The paper materials are totally reusable and recyclable and compostable. Try: Etsy, Ebay, Postmark
Tricks of the Trade
Here are some of my tried-and-true tips to maximize your experience and make sure you end up with something great!
1. Give yourself time to shop. Secondhand shopping when rushing is asking for a panic attack and a half. It’s awful and stressful and in my (e)book, it’s a total no-go.
2. Have a plan of attack. Are you looking for something in particular? How much do you want to spend? Asking yourself these questions gives you a clear intention when going into a shop where there are a lot of items. Laser focus helps you get in and out of a store with exactly what you want.
3. Stick to the colors you love. A lot of secondhand stores are organized by color, a great way to find exactly what you want is by going through the racks that match the colors of your closet.
4. Pay no attention to sizes. I own clothing in sizes that range from 0-10. A lot of the time an item is donated or sold to a secondhand store because the fit might be off. That's often because of incorrect sizing, so if you love something, try it on.
5. Trends create waste. A lot of items that are sold and donated are ones that are “trend” pieces that someone wore once, decided they didn’t want, and then sold. Good news for you, if you want to participate in a trend, you can typically find those pieces secondhand. So even if you want to shop sustainably, you can totally scoop up that pair of reclaimed denim or high neck halter that you’ve wanted to try without breaking the bank.
6. The tailor is your best friend. Sometimes secondhand items are a bit off, but just because that gorgeous $20 silk dress has a rip in it, doesn’t mean it’s worthless. For just a few dollars any local tailor can repair most clothing problems and fit your clothing exactly to you. So not only is it affordable, you can make your clothing custom.
Singer’s Sustainable Suggestions
Secondhand shopping is a great way to reduce any type of clothing waste and reuse what is already in the waste stream and you can find amazing sustainable secondhand designers as well. When I shop online or in store, I search for a couple key brands because I know their items fit me well, are made responsibly, use natural and high quality fabrics, and last a really long time.
Reformation: I steer clear of their synthetic styles, but their linen items are high quality and fit like a dream. I’m always on the lookout for them.
Veja: Their sneakers are made from natural and organic materials and are super comfortable and minimal so they go with lots of types of outfits.
Levi: Because they stand the test of time and have a take back program.
Patagonia: Their outerwear is amongst the most sustainable on the market and they offer repairs for all of their items so anytime I need camping gear or layers for the winter, I search for their products online.
Once you've found your new-to-you duds, give them a quick hand-wash. Need a great organic, vegan laundry detergent? Might I suggest The Simply Co.?
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