WHY SHOPPING SECOND HAND IS THE BEST THING IN THE WORLD
Our top reasons why shopping secondhand is the best thing ever:
It is affordable
When you shop at thrift stores, yard sales, small online businesses (A.K.A us!) your money stretches much further than shopping at regular retail stores. On average used products are 50% cheaper so you end up saving much more for other important necessities… organic chocolate anyone?
Well hello quality
Unfortunately today so many large scale organisations and fashion labels from all over the globe are producing clothing to be made in hundreds and thousands, in mass production or used for fast fashion and seriously lacking longevity.
Clothing back in the 1900’s or even later was produced to last, fabrics were usually hand sourced and the quality control was well… seriously controlled! Vintage clothing survives enough to make it through its first (or 2nd or 3rd..) wearer and is still in decent enough condition to make it into your fingertips for another lifetime of love and care. So there’s a good chance your secondhand treasure is pretty hardy don’t you think?
Its green!
Re-wearing clothes reduces waste and pollution. Every garment purchased second-hand means one less new one produced, which is important because regardless of material, the production of clothing is costly to the environment. Buying second-hand clothes are also less likely to end up in landfill. Large amounts of man-made goods are routinely thrown away, majority because of poor quality or within the fashion industry, the hottest new trend is over and its onto the next, therefore re-using gives a longer life spam, cuts down demands in production and consumerism and the amount of items going into landfill is less.
That little bit of quirk
When you find that unique funky item of clothing you can’t stop staring at or thinking about, whether it be on the shelf or online… and you know you’re sucked in and there's no going back… Yep we know the feeling! But there’s no need to feel guilty because we can guarantee you will be the only one in a million miles to own that exact item and by shopping vintage you will be the only one in that room wearing what you’ve got on and all eyes will be on you. Shopping recycled clothing adds that little bit of extra ‘special’ into your everyday get up routine.
Clothing got soul
Have you ever thought about where vintage clothing comes from? Most secondhand and vintage clothing is sourced from every tiny peep hole and corner around the world. Ops shops, flea markets, local markets, garage sales.. (we could go on!) but every item has been created, bought, worn, lived, died, then reborn to be fit for another life time with someone else. Coming back a little bit different, with a little bit more character and with a little bit more added value. Its all about the process, the love for the hunt, knowing you are the only one or very few with what you have found and that secret love affair with flaunting it to the rest of the world.
Charity and local community love
Many thrift stores & op shops directly support charity. In Australia one of the most renowned stores is the Salvation Army, an organisation which provides services to the unemployed, homeless, people in unsafe environments and those suffering from mental illness. In a global sense, for example Indonesia, clothing is sourced from large scale flea markets providing money for families and women struggling in poverty. So if you have old clothes lying around the house that you are about to throw in the rubbish bin, then think again and go to your nearest op shop to help those in need. Our clothing is hand sourced locally as well as internationally and we strive on putting our money where it most desperately needs it. So by you choosing to shop recycled vintage clothing or supporting small scale businesses, you know where your money is going, you know the hard work that goes into the product and the people behind it, you have the chance to shop local or shop ethically and you know it is helping the environment. That’s a whole lotta' good doing if you ask me.
Image 1962, PHOTO: LUIS MARDEN/GETTY IMAGES.
So! Yes we love everything about recycled vintage clothing, we are addicted to finding little forgotten gems, pieces that need a little bit of love that we can then pass onto to someone else. We love hand sourcing each and every item, creating styles and looks that people don’t even know they want yet. We want to create a relationship with you and your clothes so you can feel confident and unique every single day because well, life's too short!
Much love.
TNM Team x