10 Smart Reasons to Shop Secondhand

Are you interested in shopping secondhand or consignment fashion but not sure if it’s something you’ll like? Or maybe you’ve been hearing a lot about pre-loved fashion and want to learn more? I'm here to give you 10 smart reasons why shopping secondhand is the best thing you can do for your wallet, your wardrobe, and your community.

By the end of this article, I guarantee you’ll be excited and eager to join our community of fashion-forward, eco-friendly, secondhand-style gurus!

1. You can find high quality items.

If you’re buying an item secondhand, there’s a good chance it’s high quality. That piece has had to pass rigorous tests in order to make it to the consignment store shelves. Not only has the item already lived a full life with its past owner, but it has now also been checked, fixed, and cleaned by the consignment store (if you’re going to a top-notch secondhand store like Current Boutique).

The items you find in fast fashion box stores are made cheaply and won’t last more than a few seasons (because they want you to continuously buy more clothing). But items that have made it all the way to a consignment shop have already proved that they can stand the test of time—which is good for the environment and for your budget.

In addition, original vintage clothing was produced to be long-lasting. Vintage designers believed in providing the highest quality to consumers because that quality was their differentiator. The same is true of modern high-quality designers. On the flip side, today’s cheap fast fashion stores care more about churning out new trends than about sustainable and quality clothing. Purchasing designer and vintage pieces is innately getting you a longer lifespan out of your clothing than buying fast fashion.

2. Designer pieces are a fraction of the original price.

Pre-loved clothing is an incredible investment. You’re getting designer pieces at a fraction of their original purchase price, essentially getting luxury for less. You can literally get high-end designer prices for more than half off in some cases! And since those pieces have proven to stand the test of time, you know you’ll get your money’s worth. Best yet, secondhand stores charge you for what the piece is actually worth in terms of quality without absurd markups. You’re paying for exactly what you’re getting.

3. The “find” is so fun and satisfying.

Shopping secondhand is like going on a treasure hunt. You never know what you’re going to find, and every day the racks and shelves are filled with new goodies to explore. If you get bored shopping at the same old box stores and boutiques and want to create your own special and curated wardrobe, then you’re probably made for the thrifting and consignment lifestyle.

Consignment stores constantly have new items to hunt through, so you’ll never be bored—even if you go shopping every week! And trust us, there’s nothing quite as rewarding and exciting as that feeling when you find the perfect piece of clothing that speaks directly to your soul!

4. You'll uncover your unique style.

Fast fashion is cookie cutter. Everyone is seeing and wearing the same H&M top or Forever 21 skirt. But searching for unique, vintage pieces from consignment stores gives you access to decades of different styles and trends to try out. You can find everything from rare designer pieces to fun-loving accessories you haven’t seen in years. You can find pieces that speak to you and your unique style, rather than being “forced” into certain modern trends from big corporations. You’ll find a more diverse array of clothing to choose from, so no one else is going to be wearing what you’re wearing! We are all about promoting self-expression at Current Boutique!

5. You can discover genuine vintage items.

Retro is trending right now. (And if you want to know why, check out our recent article about how retro is the new modern!) “Vintage” is so trendy, in fact, that a lot of large companies are creating cheap clothing in the vintage style… but those pieces are still cheap, low-quality fast fashion.

When you shop at a consignment store, you can find genuine vintage clothing from different decades, like neon animal print from the ‘80s or a baguette bag from the early 2000s. Wearing something from a different decade that’s had a full life before you is such a unique experience that really brings you back to that time and gives you a piece of experiential history—while also looking super cute in the process!  

6. Vintage, designer clothing fits and feels better.

Is there anything worse than buying a new clothing piece and it just doesn’t fit right after one wash? Fast fashion is not made to last, so you really only get a few wears out of it before the silhouette stops flattering your body and fitting well.

All the pieces you find in a top-tier consignment store have already been worn and washed, so you know that the fit you try on in the store is the fit that’s going to stay with that garment. Plus, they’re often higher-quality pieces, which means they’re made particularly with fit and feel in mind. The item you buy in a consignment store is the item that you’ll have for years to come—that’s the best kind of investment!

7. You’re supporting the community.

Most thrift stores and consignment shops are run by local, hard-working entrepreneurs, charities, or mom-and-pops working to make a living. When you buy from a shop like Current Boutique, you’re fueling someone’s dream and keeping money in your local community and economy. When you support small businesses, especially in fashion, you’re entering a community of fashionistas who believe in sustainable, quality, upcycled clothing.

Thank you for supporting my dream for a more sustainable and beautiful fashion world!

8. Secondhand clothing is more sustainable.

Did you know that fashion is the second most pollutive industry after oil? Fast fashion is literally killing our planet. From piles of textile waste to chemicals used in production to methane-gas being released during clothing decomposition, the entire fashion world is in an eco-crisis. But just buying one item used instead of new reduces your carbon footprint by 82%! Imagine what could happen if you bought all of your clothes used—what would your wardrobe feel like?!

Secondhand clothing stores stop the fashion waste in its tracks by minimizing clothing production, reducing textile waste, and keeping quality garments in circulation. When you purchase from a consignment store, you’re directly decreasing the demand for fast fashion, which has a vital impact on the way companies do business, both environmentally and socially.

Want to learn more about how secondhand clothing is the best, most sustainable, most eco-friendly form of fashion? Check out these resources!

• How Sustainable Fashion Is Changing The World
• 7 Websites to Shop Secondhand Designer Clothing
• 7 Eco Clothing Materials to Upgrade Your Wardrobe (& 3 to Avoid)

9. Experiment with Your Style and Be Unique

Many people say that they started experimenting with their style once they started buying secondhand clothes. Thrifting is an excellent way to experiment with new garments, go out of your comfort zone, and incorporate new items into your wardrobe. All that with the limited cost!

Your style is the form of your self-expression. Being unique is easy when you purchase something secondhand. The thrift shop offer clothes from different decades, brands, which enables you to upgrade your personal style whenever you want. Since those vintage pieces are no longer available, you can be sure no one else will be wearing the same outfit as you.

10. You give that piece a second chance.

One of my favorite parts about owning and running a consignment store is that every piece that comes through our doors has a story behind it. It has been loved, it has made memories, it has a history. When a customer buys that item, they are buying that story along with it while also giving that piece a renewed life—rather than sending all of that beautiful history to a landfill. Purchasing pre-loved clothing creates a tapestry of people, stories, relationships, and communities, sewn together by a love of fashion.

The community of secondhand shoppers and consignment lovers is filled with fashionistas, eco-warriors, and friends—and we’re so happy to share our love for style and sustainability with you. Welcome to the Current Boutique community!