Secondhand September and beyond

The new month welcomes us to another round of #SecondhandSeptember, an initiative by Oxfam, a non profit organization, which is a 30-day pledge to say NO to NEW. Every fashion enthusiast would be well aware that the month of September is associated with Fashion Week and the new season shopping for Autumn. With an aim towards increasing awareness of the throwaway culture and its consequences, Oxfam once again urges people to say no to new clothes and to try second-hand clothing for a span of 30 days.

Attaining sustainability comes with practicing 5 Rs: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Reinvent and Repair. Knowing well our fashion choices have a lasting impact on the community as well as the environment, saying yes to secondhand should not be restricted to the month of September alone. This could be a great practice to incorporate in our sustainable journey.

If you haven’t yet considered second-hand shopping, here’s 7 reasons why you should get on board:

1. You’re saving money 

As we explore our options in building an ethical wardrobe, you will most probably discover that the pricing for slow fashion clothing is expensive, making it inconvenient for many. However, there are ways to shop sustainably on a budget, and purchasing second-hand clothing is an affordable choice.

2. You extend a garment’s life cycle 

On an average, 60% of what we buy ends up in landfills. Buying second hand is a great way to reuse and repurpose old clothing.

3. You create a greener environmental impact 

The cotton required for a pair of jeans needs approximately 1800 gallons of water. This is the estimate for a single pair alone! Research by WRAP suggests that extending the average life of clothes by only 3 months can lead to a 5-10% reduction in their carbon, water as well as waste footprints.

4. You’re reducing the demand for fast fashion 

The second-hand market helps discourage wastage of more resources as well as unethical labour practices, thereby reducing demand for fast fashion.

5. You can relive old trends by going vintage 

With the right knowledge and skills, you can create a fashionable closet by thrifting alone. Knowing fashion repeats itself, second-hand shopping can be a great way to find one in a kind, vintage pieces that will make their way back in trend.

6. You help a cause 

Second hand clothing is more than just a fashion statement. Not only do you support local thrift stores, your proceeds are also donated to charitable causes in select thrift stores and NGOs. In this way, you help people in need while you shop.

7. You’re doing the right thing! 

By engaging in second-hand shopping, you’re contributing towards making the linear use-and-throw system into a circular, more sustainable one. By changing our habits to make more sustainable choices, buying pre-loved clothing is the right step towards becoming the change makers we wish to be. Supporting such a practice helps you raise awareness about the environmental challenges of the fashion industry and encourages people to make the right choice too.

According to Greenpeace, clothing consumption will rise to 63% by 2030 while we would wear what we own 40% less than we did 10 years ago. Secondhand September inspires us to go beyond these 30 days and inculcate sustainable fashion habits for a more conscious living. Along with this, it is important that we remain mindful of what we need and avoid indulging in compulsive shopping. A sustainable wardrobe is minimal too. Other than shopping, you can take better care of what you already own, donate what you want to get rid of and upcycle what you don’t want to let go of.

So let’s go #SecondhandSeptember & beyond!

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