'I save hundreds by shopping second-hand - these are the clothes I look out for'
19.02.2023 - 10:35
/ manchestereveningnews.co.uk
Shopping sustainably has skyrocketed in popularity in recent years. Second-hand is the new brand-new – especially when it comes to fashion.
A change in attitude combined with the cost of living crisis means pre-loved goods are more popular than ever, and with sites like Vinted Depop, eBay and Facebook Marketplace easily accessible, it’s easy to see why.
New research by second-hand marketplace Depop found that despite the ongoing cost of living crisis, 44 per cent of 18 to 35 year olds in the UK are buying more second-hand clothing now than they did last year – saving up to 25 per cent per item.
One of those shoppers is Lucy Waldron, who decided to learn more about sustainable fashion in 2020.
READ MORE: 'Changing one shopping habit has saved me £1,000 a year'
The more she read about the fashion industry, the more she wanted to reduce her carbon footprint. By switching to buying only second-hand, not only was Lucy helping the environment – she was also saving money in the process.
The 27-year-old, who works as a culture and talent executive at a digital marketing agency, said: “Over the years, I've saved £200 to £300 by shopping sustainably,” she said.
“The changes feel less dramatic but I definitely find I can get a lot more for my money and still be getting very good quality/barely worn pre-loved clothing. I’ve never been under any impression that the way we shop is sustainable or ethical and for years have really tried to avoid notoriously unethical companies such as Primark and Shein.”
Lucy, who lives in Leeds, says her go-to pre-loved sites when clothes hunting are Vinted and Depop but she likes a rummage through the charity shops too.
She says she always looks out for good quality and stable items so they