Second hand clothes are becoming increasingly attractive in fashion
October 7th, 2009
We lot here at Secret sales HQ love our designer clothes - that goes without saying. But just because our tastes are relatively high-end, does not mean that we don’t like nabbing the odd bargain or two.
While some of my colleagues here enjoy a stroll down the high street at the weekend, I personally am a more make and mend vintage kind of girl. Next to attending fashion shows in Paris and drinking cocktails in my favourite London haunts, I love nothing more than rummaging through the second-hand thrift stores and vintage shops on Carnaby Street.
There’s nothing wrong with mixing and matching high-end labels with nameless designs, in fact in fashion, it’s encouraged.
Makeandmendit.com shares this sentiment with me and the rest of the fashion world. The organisation’s co-founder Clare O’Brien commented: "The big stigma has been lifted from the whole area of second-hand clothing, so a lot more people are happy to wear second-hand clothes these days."
She added that there are not only some fantastic bargains to be had, but there are some fantastic fashion finds to be discovered too. "Whether [that means] hand-me-downs from family members or friends, or whether it is buying stuff from eBay, or charity shops, or second-hand clothes exchanges," she explained.
I once found a fabulous Diorhandbag in a charity shop that I still use all the time - and it only cost me £15! And just last week, I managed to nab a gorgeous floral Roberto Cavalli dress for under £50, which I have already mixed and matched with the Miu Miu heels I got from Secret Sales last season.
Are you a fan of second hand clothes?
£51 
£17.00
£125 £50.00
I’m quite surprised at the close mindedness towards vintage and second hand clothing that is on display.
Firstly to pick up on a couple of points from the previous poster. Men like vintage just as much as women, unless you perhaps only happen to shop in JD sport - in which case, the age of a garment isn’t your biggest problem.
Secondly, the argument for Chanel vs vintage Chanel is also pretty flawed. If you take Chloe as a prime example. Whilst Paulo Melim Andersson was creative director in the mid 2000’s, vintage Chloe and items from the Phoebe Philo period essentially were preferred simply because the new Chloe stuff wasn’t all that good.
Newer does not always equal better. Look at the catwalk - retro and vintage style clothing is back. Simple really. Style isn’t about brand names, cost or age… it’s about taste.
I dont agree with you DI. Pete, I am with you on this. Vintage sucks. Vintage Chanel or a new Chanel. I know what I would buy. Guys tend not to buy vintage. Its more for you cheap girls
Peter, you are suggesting you can only take pride in appearance if you buy new clothes? This is a ridiculous and close minded comment! You are suggesting that new clothes from Primark hold more merit than vintage Chanel?! It’s all about having a little bit of creativity…
i would never buy second hand clothes. i take pride in what i wear and i would never feel comfortable in wearing someone else’s unwanted wardrobe. i dont see the attraction and i never will. but hey thats just me.
Yay for vintage! I’m so happy that the ‘icky’ factor is gone from second hand items….and not just for clothes, but other things as well. Call it vintage, second hand, antique, used…thanks to the fashion industry for championing this change.