Why I Shop Vintage and Second-Hand

Shopping vintage and second-hand isn’t just fun, it’s good for you, too! In this post, I’ll share the top 5 reasons why I shop vintage and second-hand for almost 100% of my clothing wardrobe!

I’m proud to say I shop almost entirely vintage and second-hand, and I can’t wait to tell you why! These are just my top 5 reasons, but I’m sure this list could go on and on– tell me why you shop second-hand in the comments below! Also, I want to show you that vintage and second-hand clothing can integrate easily into your wardrobe no matter where you live or work, so most of these photos are just from my Facebook/Instagram page. Vintage is not just for special occasions– it’s what I wear every day! And here’s why:

1. It’s frugal. 

I do a lot of my second-hand shopping at Goodwill and the Salvation Army. This is where I find sweaters, jeans, slacks for work, dresses, scarves, purses– just about everything.  I’ve probably never spent more than $25 (I know I spent less than that on a beautiful vintage coat from Goodwill, even) on an item of clothing at one of these stores. In fact, most of the things I purchase cost between $3-6. I get serious “sticker-shock” even entering a regular store these days. I like to live on a very frugal budget so I have the financial freedom to do other things I enjoy — not just spend all my fun money on clothes.

People might be shocked that all my professional clothing comes from Goodwill, for example. But plenty of name-brand clothing can be found in these types of stores every single day. I find things from Target, Zara, JCrew, LOFT, American Eagle, Levi, and zillions of current top brands. But the purchases cost me a fraction of the price. Which allows me to scratch my “fashion itch” to buy some new piece of clothing for a new season, for example, without breaking my budget.

2. The fast fashion industry is detrimental to the planet, and keeps workers in poverty.

Let’s be blunt: the fast fashion industry is a disaster for our planet and our people. In the United States alone, we send 13 trillion tons of our clothes to landfills each year where those clothes spend hundreds of years decomposing and leaching toxic chemicals and waste into our groundwater, and CO2 emissions into our atmosphere. We barely wear our clothes before they’re tossed out. And our planet is suffering from it.

I’ve always loved second-hand shopping, but my eyes were really opened to the horrors of the fast fashion industry by Fashion Revolution. Fashion Revolution is a public awareness initiative started in 2013 in response to the Rana Plaza factory collapse in Bangladesh which killed 1,130 people and injured 2,500 more. If you need the facts to be convinced, read their white paper, and you’ll learn all you need to know– for example, 36 million people are living in modern slavery today, working in supply chains for Western clothing brands. Which is why we must get a handle on who makes our clothes and where they’re coming from.

And don’t let yourself be convinced that things have always been this way. The fast fashion industry has grown a whopping 60% since 2011 and it’s going to keep on growing exponentially unless we change our shopping habits, and soon.

3. For the hunt.

I want to move on to keep this focused on the things I love about second-hand fashion, rather than focusing on the things I hate about fast fashion. Because honestly the reason I first got interested in second-hand shopping was not for the moralistic reasons (which are so important!) but for the thrill of it. Pouring over the racks in search of something special that no one else has — that’s what makes my heart beat fast.

If you already love to shop, why not replace the joy of shopping with the joy of thrifting? There is something so rewarding about finding something that suites your style and fits you perfectly. And when it’s second-hand or vintage, it’s even better because no one else will have an item like your special find! Wearing something one-of-a-kind makes me feel confident and stylish, and who doesn’t love that feeling?

4. The clothing has a soul.

Vintage clothing was made with so much care. People had fewer pieces in their closet and they just took better care of them. When I find something that is “true vintage,” I know that piece has had all sorts of cool adventures before it came to me. I’m just one section of its story.

This dress is one of my favorite pieces this season, for example, and it’s got these darling little stitches and seams in the shoulders and waist where someone carefully adjusted and mended it. I can tell it was loved, and I love it, too!

Or this darling little basket-bag. I bought this bag at Goodwill, admittedly, after seeing them all over the internet this summer. And hand-written on the bottom of the bag is the following inscription: “hand made by Dan Swartzentruber, Nillsville, WI. 5-18-05.” I love that! And I love that I get to continue the life of these special pieces.

5. I get to support small business (or charity).

I’ve met some amazing friends through shopping in the vintage community. I don’t take for granted how active the vintage community is in my area and how important it is to support those small businesses. I’m so grateful I get to go to flea markets, shop parties, and even get to walk in vintage fashion shows put on by my friends!

When I spend money on my clothing, I love that it’s going to support my friends who own these beautifully curated, fashionable small businesses. I’ve gained so much confidence and gathered so much inspiration from the lovely women I’ve met through our local vintage scene. And Goodwill will always be my first second-hand love — my husband and I are even featured in a commercial for our local Goodwill!

If I inspire one reader to shop vintage or second-hand after reading this post, I will be a very satisfied gal. Please let me know, do you personally shop second-hand? -Emily