In recent years, there has been a surge of interest in second-hand online shopping. The pandemic shook the whole thrifting market into a new way of selling. And also opened up a new, unexplored online market – making thrifting even more accessible and easy to navigate. Gone are the days when you could only shop sustainably by rummaging through piles of clothes, hoping to find a gem in the rough.
With the global move to mindful consumption, more eco-conscious fashion lovers are turning to pre-owned clothes to build their sustainable wardrobes. However, there are numerous other advantages to buying second-hand. We believe that second-hand shopping is set to be the next era of fashion consumption. And with the current trajectory of daily consumerism, it can’t come fast enough.
Here are 6 reasons why you should buy second-hand:
Selected pieces
It’s much easier to find special clothing items when they are sorted into categories and you can shop from the comfort of your own home. At Think2.eu we pick out better quality, vintage, designer and special pieces for you to find and enjoy. Find pieces that you’ll want to keep forever!
It’s eco-friendly
In a report released in 2021, the World Economic Forum identified the fashion industry as one of the world's most polluting industries, accounting for 5% of total global emissions. That's very terrifying when you consider the world's current state, with disasters like wildfires and tsunamis becoming common occurrences. So, what should you do when faced with the need to update your wardrobe? Secondhand and vintage clothing. It is the most sustainable choice out of all of them. Unless you'd prefer to be naked, of course. At Think2.eu the shopping is easy, fast and guilt free!
Every year, the fashion sector generates around 92 million tons of garbage. Whether it's business or consumer waste, there are a lot of clothes in perfect condition ending up in the landfill. Because we operate through a circular economy model, it is important for us to try and reduce the number of clothes that are not continuing their long life cycle, by being thrown out into the landfill instead of finding a second home or being donated to those in need. Humana People to People uses the profit made from selling second hand clothes to finance socially important projects in developing countries. In 2020 HPPB engaged and contributed 3 372 030 EUR to implement 70 partnership projects in 11 countries.
Second-hand dressing is budget friendly
One of the biggest advantages of second hand shopping is that you can find amazing deals for one of a kind pieces. You’ll never pay the full price for an item which is excellent when you find high-quality clothes from well-known and trusted brands that are in great shape too! It is not necessary to spend a lot of money to create a sustainable wardrobe. Even purchasing high-end and well-known brands can be more affordable if you shop at Think2.eu. Here you can find special pieces that fit your budget. Our shop is ever-changing as the items are one of a kind. We update our selection every day so, you should find something new each time you visit. If you’ve always been wanting to invest into a vintage or luxury item, but got discouraged because of the high price, you might be surprised to find great deals at Think2.eu.
Vintage and collectible pieces can be a great investment if found in good condition second-hand. Due to the rarity of these items, they are likely to increase in value in the future.
Fast fashion may entice customers with cheap clothing, but the poor quality of the garments means that you’ll need to buy new ones soon enough. Buying second-hand is a better deal, as the quality and longevity of the piece pays off over time. And you don’t have to contribute to the wasteful practices of fast fashion manufacturers.
Higher quality pieces
Second-hand clothing's potential to last is demonstrated by its very existence. For a piece to become vintage, it has to keep its shape for over 15 years. Clothing was constructed of better materials and had a greater level of craftsmanship before the introduction of fast fashion and mass-produced goods. Fortunately, you can still get this level of quality by shopping for pre-loved items. These pieces have already endured the test of time, and their quality and durability will ensure that you enjoy wearing them for many years to come. Purchasing long-lasting clothing extends the garment’s lifespan which is a great way to have a more conscious wardrobe.
By choosing long lasting second-hand clothing, you are helping to keep the waste from ending up in the landfills. 84% of clothing ends up in landfills, yet so many of these items don’t belong there. There's still a lot of life left in these gently used items. Shop on Think2.eu to help keep our planet clean and healthy while extending the life of wonderful one-of-a-kind items.
It’s the new obsession
Fashion lovers are discovering that used clothes are not only an environmentally friendly choice but also the chicest pieces that can be found. Buying second-hand can be a really satisfying way to express oneself. When wearing mass-produced clothing from retail stores, it can be difficult to stand out and express your individual style. Pre-loved and vintage clothing are frequently one-of-a-kind items that are no longer produced. This ensures that you will never wear the same clothes to a party as someone else. Second-hand clothes come with a story. That’s one of the things that makes them so enticing. It’s interesting to think about the women and men that wore the garment before: how it made them feel, what key moments of their life it witnessed and was a part of. Using clothing from different eras to mix and match is a fun approach to experiment with different styles and show off different aspects of your personality through your wardrobe choices.
Reduces fast fashion demand
Fast fashion is destined for a short life – it’s created for temporary wear, focusing on
trapping its consumers in the maze of immediate consumption, installing the fear of “not fitting in” and “becoming outdated” – thus irrelevant in the eyes of consumerism culture and the masses. It helps to encourage the cycle of consumption by making cheap apparel that can be mass produced and thrown out after one wear because it’s not trendy anymore. The effect of fast fashion is huge not only for the psyche of the individual but for the environment and its workers as well. Despite the modest price tag, fast fashion has a hidden high cost.
Fast fashion is known for its bad working conditions for its employees. Fast fashion companies are frequently accused of exploiting their workers and paying very cheap wages in order to earn a profit.
By purchasing secondhand clothing instead of fast fashion, you are helping to close the loop on the fashion industry's damaging consequences. By refusing to participate in worker exploitation, you are contributing to the creation of fairer, more equitable working conditions.
Also, the fast fashion industry’s pushed agenda of the need to stay fashionable by always buying into the newest trends is false and manipulating. George B. Sproles (1981) writes: that the central part of the fashion industry’s drive is to “propagate new trends”. Without the frequent style changes, the consumers wouldn’t feel the need to update their wardrobes, replacing the “old” clothing items that by the fashion industry are deemed unwearable and out of fashion, with the new clothes marketed to improve once life in one way or another. The whole market is built on the mission to sell more, subtly guiding its consumers through ever changing trends. The cycles never stop and the season-to-season framework demands precise monetization and understanding.
Trend cycles state that trends move in circles every 15-20 years but the time intervals are getting smaller and smaller from the influence of social media and our fast-paced lifestyles. These recurring trends are the embodiment of thinking twice – what once looked outdated can be the focal point of your wardrobe now and now you don’t need to look for these special pieces on fast fashion sites. The one-of-a-kind, forever piece could be waiting for you at Think2 online shop.
It’s clear that buying pre-loved clothes is not only better for the environment but that it’s a necessary thing to do. We don't see why anyone wouldn't want to shop more sustainably, especially when there are so many excellent benefits, including great pieces at a more affordable price! Rather than being at the mercy of trends, you can choose how you want to be perceived and what you want to say about yourself through your clothes by using secondhand apparel.