Donna Malena Save the planet with retro and vintage style
Did you know that the fashion industry produces a staggering 80 billion items each year and many of them thrown away? The age of fast fashion has made clothing cheaper, but the quality is poorer and cheap garments don’t last as long.
As a result, 350,000 tonnes of clothes end up in landfill each year according to clothing waste charity TRAID – that’s an estimated £140 million worth of clothes,
No wonder TRAID also reveals that clothing production has roughly doubled in the 15 years to 2017 and that, on average, each person in the UK throws away 4.7kg of clothing a year in their waste bins.
Swap fast fashion for sustainable style
We all love a bargain, but it’s better for the planet to invest in top-quality clothes made from sustainable materials. However, what if you don’t like the styles available or can’t afford eco alternatives? Shop second-hand!
There’s nothing like the thrill of finding a unique pre-loved piece and you know no one will turn up to the office or party in the same outfit.
These days, you don’t even have to spend hours rifling the racks in charity and retro shops, because there’s a plethora of vintage stores on the internet. Here’s a rundown of some of the best places to buy second hand online
Etsy
“350,000 tonnes of clothes end up in landfill each year… that’s an estimated £140 million worth of clothes.”
Online marketplace Etsy is full of original and wonderful handmade and vintage finds. Numerous sellers specialise in second-hand clothes, including the funky RetroSistaz and chic AgeOfVintageUK.
Beyond Retro
Vintage clothing chain Beyond Retro’s London stores are a treasure trove of wonderful second-hand dresses and one-off finds. They also have stores in Brighton and Sweden and you can buy from their extensive online store too.
Ebay
Bikes, books, boomerangs… you can buy just about anything second-hand on eBay these days, including clothing. Whether you’re looking for a glam frock or cosy sweater, you’re sure to find a bargain here.
Oxfam Online
Oxfam have been selling second-hand clothes to help people in need for more than 50 years and in that time they’ve gone from one shop to 650 stores nationwide. They also have a website that is jam-packed with second-hand jackets, partywear, jumpers, jeans and more.
Thrift Plus
Thrift Plus make sustainable fashion more accessible with their website, which sells clothes by top-end and high-street brands, such as DKNY, All Saints and Monsoon. There’s also a boutique range, which features second-hand designer clothes by the likes of Alexander McQueen, Marc Jacobs and Diane von Furstenberg.
Asos Marketplace
The Asos Marketplace is made up of more than 900 second-hand boutiques. With that many sellers all on one site, you’ll find a wide range of second-hand styles, from sparkly party gowns and cute retro dresses to laid-back sportswear and 90s grunge. We love Old But Gold Vintage, Elsie & Fred and Garage.
Got a question? Get in touch at helloplanetetica@gmail.com
