Second-Hand Price, First Class Style

The second-hand clothing market is booming here's our guide to this great money-saver -

- CLAIRE SAUL

Why Second-Hand? 

Preloved clothes have always appealed to the thrifty amongst us - who doesn't love a bargain? But with the spiralling cost of living hitting hard, saving money is more pertinent than ever.

Second-hand prices also offer a chance to experiment with a new style or colour without hitting the purse too hard, to buy clothes for a limited-wear occasion without too much investment, or even offer us a brand that we couldn't normally afford.

The quality of designer label workmanship and materials may mean those items withstand wear and tear in a way that mass-market clothes may not.

There's a significant environmental angle, too. The clothing industry, and particularly fast fashion, is causing havoc to our planet.

For example, at least half of the fast fashion returned to retailers is either burned or sent straight to landfill, the clothes remaining unworn. Although responsible fashion retailers are now taking steps towards sustainability and durability, more needs to be done. Reducing the need for new clothes, by repurposing existing ones, is a good start.