The fashion industry has often been criticized for its lack of environmental awareness. However, one way to purchase clothes more sustainably is by second-hand shopping.
In the past, I thought I wouldn’t be able to find items suited to my style in a charity shop. Nevertheless, I have reconsidered! I now regularly donate and often find myself looking at various clothes on display. Although there are around 11,200 charity shops in the UK, it is worth mentioning you should try to shop locally. Otherwise, this can lead to the gentrification of prices in low-income areas.
Maya Quinn (a volunteer at her local charity shop in Wimbledon), describes it as “such a friendly environment”, which allows you to shop “sustainably and ethically as well as finding interesting, unique clothes”. They are helping the environment by collecting and reselling old clothing, which may have otherwise contributed to landfill. Moreover, in the UK they make around £295m per year, which goes towards worthy charities. These clothes are not new, so you may also be able to find some vintage pieces, for a fraction of the cost. This means you should wash them before wearing!
In conclusion, it’s a yes from me! Buying from Charity shops means you are recycling and contributing to a charitable cause and you may find a variety of interesting pieces for your wardrobe. Additionally, it’s still important that we have stores creating clothing. Without these shops, there would eventually be nothing to donate! As a society, we must find a balance.
