Think Thrifting is Sustainable? // not when you shop second-hand with a fast fashion mindset...

[@anzib3271]

Here in Finland many second hand and thrift stores have made the decision not to accept clothes from Temu, Shein, and the likes. I think that this is a good decision that I respect.

[@SonderDAzeX]

I think this is great, however what do the people tryna to donate end up doing with those clothes since they cant donate it?

[@anzib3271]

@@SonderDAzeX I don't know, probably just throw them in the trash which is a bad thing. But at least the thrift stores give some kind of signal with this decision.

[@kayo5291]

@@anzib3271 I don't think that is constructive at all. Young girls are going to keep buying and discarding lots of cheap clothes, and disapproval from the Goodwill is not going to stop them.

[@Sievet]

In Poland those 'brands' are still in thrift stores, but I honestly do not mind. They are all new, people bought it, tried it on and discarded. I have the opportunity to try it on before I make a decision. Sure, it might be poor quality, but I have some actually nice fitting things with shein tags for over a year now in my closed, being worn and not falling apart at all.

[@raraavis7782]

​@@kayo5291 I don't think it's supposed to be 'educational', so to speak. They simply can't sell the stuff in the amounts it's being donated. But they still have to deal with the headache of sorting, pricing, storing and ultimately discarding of it. They are businesses, in the end and they need to make a profit. No point in accepting donations, that just fill up the aisles, but can't be sold or sold at a profit (figuring in rent and labor costs and such).

[@chrisc3571]

Lately I have been buying local thrifted, vintage fabric and paying a local seamstress to create my clothes. It's slow, because I only buy fabric that catches my heart, and then I wait for the clothing idea for that fabric, and then she sews it for me. It's much cheaper than retail, keeps old fabric out of the landfill, supports a nonprofit and a small business, and gives me clothes from my own brain - not some fast fashion chain. Between that and learning to crochet this year, I am my own trend😂

[@lindilindi]

That sounds amazing. 😍

[@etheplant]

tha'ts awesome!

[@terrie3957]

I started buying their fabric too and learning to make my own dresses because its waaay cheaper than anything anyone will sell you thats supposed to be a "dress". Its been time consuming and complex but after a year i now don't have to worry nearly as much about affording clothes as I used to because i know how to make what i need when i need it without the searching in stores and online that leads to impulse buying only to have a hundred problems with the thing I bought and need another one endlessly searching for the perfect thing

[@pompom8030]

Woah, that's amazing ❤ I couldn't afford it atm, but definitely a great idea and something to keep in mind for later.

[@Gittemary]

Okay you’re officially the biggest slow fashion badass, you dropped this 👑

[@christinehottinger5791]

I think thrifting often inculcates and rewards a slower consumption mindset. BECAUSE we feel the thrill of that treasure in the racks, we also care for it with more consideration, and keep it around longer. I don't think it's 100%, but I have definitely noticed myself treasuring that special thrift, and seen it in friends. I also feel like the high consumption pattern is still more attributable to the consumer culture at large than thrifting itself.

[@ruskistus]

I didn’t quite comprehend how much I was shopping second hand clothing with this fast fashion mindset until this year. I started a challenge, where I could only buy 5 clothing items a year. At first it felt impossible, because I used to buy that same five items in one month. Now almost 10 months in, I have only bought two things new and gotten the rest 3 items second hand. And not to lie -I have received a couple of hand me downs from friends&family. My total amount of new or second hand new clothing for this year is 7. It’s a little over 5 items but I’d still call it a good score! And I would absolutely recommend everyone to try this challenge 😄

[@Gittemary]

I would still call that a win! Another report, I mentioned it in the last fashion-related video, showed that if everyone stuck to 5 new pieces of clothes every year we could reach out climate goals (didn’t count 2nd and swaps) 💚💚

[@TheRealSueDenim]

Wow well done, I'm going to try this. Thank you

[@briana9168]

Progress over perfection!

[@barbb1672]

Well done! I am trying to get there, too

[@maireadheffernan9943]

@@ruskistus well done, I don't think I would have the will power to be that disciplined.

[@staceycullen392]

Thankyou for this! I have recently forced myself to unfollow a couple of youtubers that have the constant "thrift haul" and then immediate "closet cleanout" video structure. It took so long for me to realise that supporting those videos is still supporting overconsumption. Thrifting and then donating it back defeats the whole point! Especially as such a low percentage actually makes it back to the store. We still need to love what we bring it into our homes, whether it's secondhand or not!

[@cassandraknight8804]

I love giving the cheap items that haven’t worked for me away to family or friends who want them. …or even a free community center, where I can get free clothing also ❤

[@Shetooktothewoods]

I’ve been doing the same. I just can’t stand the haul-cleanout cycle anymore, regardless of where the haul comes from, but I especially detest the “let’s make a whole new [season] wardrobe at the thrift store” vibe. Do some people need to actually create a whole new wardrobe because of drastic body changes that happened since the last time that season went around? Of course. I haven’t run into any of those videos, though.

[@luluvaldy9985]

I found it very interesting what you said about the fact that most of what we donate or take to second hand shops ends up in landfill. I follow some slow fashion influencers, especially American and Canadian, who talk a lot about decluttering or the 'one in one out' system, and they don't seem to understand the fact that decluttering only leads to more pollution and more consumption. I hope you can talk more about this topic or point me to other videos in which you address the issue

[@Gittemary]

The “one in one out” is really the opposite of conscious consumption in my opinion 🥲 I recommend the video on the second hand hierarchy that I did, it’s really eye opening, and linked in the description 👀

[@theresabu3000]

Decluttering definitely contributes to more waste. If you don't replace it, it doesn't lead to more consumption though. You have to be mindful about what you buy - that it is necessary and will last long. Not always easy as companies are mostly making products now, that easily break down and can't be/ don't make sense to be repaired. If you are in a position to spend more money on higher quality, then do it. Spend money on jeans without elastics, shoes that are not only plastic,... You get a feel for real quality soon, though it will be like finding a needle in a haystack 🙈🤗 It starts with clothes, shoes, backpacks, household appliances, electronics, furniture...

[@Wandering.Homebody]

I also have also been following sth like,roughly speaking,a "5 out, 1 in" approach, but 99% of my riddings and purchases have been on vinted.

[@Wandering.Homebody]

This year however I think I only bought one new dress in total (on vinted),and sold maybe 30-40 dresses. Now my wardrobe is suuuuper manageable again.

[@epilz1978]

I totally agree with you. Thank you so much! You are confirming what I have always kind of assumed. Overconsumption is not better just because it's thrifted overconsumption.

[@CampingforCool41]

It’s still undeniably better than buying new.

[@epilz1978]

That for sure 🙂

[@Gittemary]

@@CampingforCool41I also say that in the video, but as the report suggests buying pre loved can’t stand alone, doing other things like maintaining clothes, air drying them and rewearing (aka buying less) is really where we make the biggest impact - but when we do need something, second hand is the best option ✨

[@Gittemary]

Any overconsumption keeps the wheel turning 🥲

[@kayo5291]

Well... If there is addiction involved, like a hoarding issue, sure, that's troubling. But otherwise, I would say that thrifted overconsumption actually beats the other kind by a long shot!

[@maireadheffernan9943]

I mainly buy new, but i have skirts, dresses, coats and shoes for 10 plus years. I wear most of my clothes till they wear out and not worth mending. I frequently get my good real leather shoes re heeled and occasionally re soled. I also crochet a lot of my winter woolies.

[@PlantPerson58]

When buying clothes, new or secondhand, I look for excellent quality and a classic design that won’t go out of style. That increases the chances I’ll have the piece for a long period of time. I also ask, no matter what I’m buying, “Do I need this?” (As opposed to just wanting it.) Most of the time the answer is no and I walk away. Great conversation to have. Thanks, Gittemary.

[@trekkie-cat]

I usually just buy what I like and is comfortable.

[@carly6107]

I agree. I think there’s a much larger conversation to be had, talking about nuances of all the different parts of thrifting-where are you buying from, what sort of area do you live in, etc. I’ve landed at not being worried about the volume from a consumerism standpoint, but instead, committing to each item that I buy for the rest of its life (I’m not going to sell, donate, or throw away). When I’m done with clothes, they become rags, quilts, or pillow stuffing. This naturally limits my shopping, since I know the amount of fabric I have stored in my closet, and encourages quality-since I’m thinking about a future project with the fabric, I don’t want to buy something that will wear out or fall apart aggressively.

[@anuraelle1948]

I'm doing this too! So great to see others w this mindset

[@Gittemary]

I think that is a brilliant mindset, it automatically reduces consumption (at least if one often buys clothes and resells them quickly again)

[@LillianCenteno-u3r]

Beyond sustainability, second-hand shopping for the most part is economical. This past week, I thrifted a new sweater with tags for $12.49. A bit high for a second hand store, but it's a 70 F/ 21C - a Saks Fifth Avenue brand. When would you ever find me in that store? NEVER! The sweater was on sale for $69.99, but was originally $194. Someone bought the sweater on sale, then did not like it. So off to the second-hand it goes. Pretty wasteful, but not for me. I got a beautiful cocoa colored cable sweater new with tags for less than $20. This is why I go thrifting. 😉

[@Gittemary]

The steals I have found in thrift stores over the years, immaculate 🤌 today I do have to remind myself twice that just because it’s a rare find doesn’t mean I need it though, otherwise I would live like a hoarder 😂

[@TheRealSueDenim]

@@Gittemary Ha ha... well, I do live a bit like a hoarder in this respect. This is one reason why I need to quit my thrift store shopping 'hobby'. I've been trying to declutter for years and years and years but keep recluttering and second hand clothes are my Kryptonite .. I'm having a No Buy month this month and maybe I'll continue it for longer if it helps. Thanks for this video!

[@Justlookin1986]

I am not a fashionista in anyway, but because I am plus size I find it harder to find clothes in this secondhand store for myself so I felt really guilty about this, but I’ve always picked out pieces that would last me over 10 years.They get rotated and washed by hand so they last longer. This was helpful to me at least so thank you. I have tried to lower my waist in every other way so this was the one of two things I needed to find a solution.

[@Gittemary]

I hear many people struggle with this ❤️ the truth is reducing consumption to what’s necessary, taking good care of your clothes, like repairing and not tumble drying has a massive positive impact - doing that is very effective in reducing emissions ✨

[@kathrynkrueger118]

I really appreciate this perspective, especially because I have used thrifting and online thrifting platforms like Depop to experiment with my closet. It never really crossed my mind that I could still be supporting a fast fashion mentality because the stakes seemed low, and I could just re-donate a piece if I didn’t like it anymore. I saw a stat recently that individuals add like 60 new items to their closet every year, and I realized that I do the same thing but I just thrift my clothes instead. I have re-donated a lot of what I have purchased, so I never fixed the hyper-consumerist mentality. Making sure you love and wear what you own and purchase really is so much more sustainable. More intentional thrifts saves money too.

[@Gittemary]

I can sooo relate to the shift in my mindset, I get why experimenting of thrifted clothes can be tempting (and one can also still do that more intentionally) but buying to keep permanently is the way forward 💚🫶

[@barbb1672]

I have been doing exactly the same! 90% of my wardrobe is second hand or from sustainable brands, but I am still buying at least 50 items a year, that’s very far from the recommended 5 pieces. And to make it even worse, I am actually very happy with my wardrobe, I don’t need anything else. It’s mainly impulse buys. I am working really hard now on changing this.

[@eor27]

It's so ironic, whenever I watch one of your videos the add that always plays afterwards is for Temu. I DO NOT WANT TO SHOP LIKE A BILLIONAIRE. On the topic of the video though, I have been thinking similarly recently. I have started going to clothing swaps and at the last one I went to I got a really cool pair of jeans. I love them and they fit and everything but they are very different to what I usually wear and they don't really go with anything in my wardrobe. I know there is no way I would have bought them in a shop but because they were free it felt like less of a commitment or something.

[@Gittemary]

Always with the temu ad, the bane of my existence 🥲💀

[@lidljackson2503]

And we also don't want billionaires to shop like billionaires...

[@cwicseolformask]

If it helps soften the vileness of it, at least that ad impression is taking a tiny bit of money from them for absolutely no hope of return in shopping dollars from you. Since companies pay for a certain number of ad impressions, it did directly cost them something.

[@teresa009]

All my childchood I wore only hand-me-downs (chariety clothes from Western European countries from church and things my sisters grown out off) and trifted clothes. In my college years and early adulthood (2004-2013) I had overconsuption phase (first time in my life I could afford "branded" clothes. What is very funny for me right then any shop in shopping centre (even like H&M seemed louxurious). As I growned up and noticed e.g. my mothers shirt from 60-ties are still in good condition and clothes I bought in fast fashion last short time I slowly went into concious consumerism and later minimalism (not extreme). I noticed I don't need so much stuff and with clothing I put one simple rule thah changed everything: limit of maximum 12 new items of clothing per year (including underwear and socks). If items are bought second hand or trifted its better. That makes my shoping so easy! The risk of buying sth unnecessary is so low right now.

[@jed86515]

I love the idea of limiting the number of clothes into your space in 1 year, I will have to try that. brilliant idea.

[@TheRealSueDenim]

I like the idea of 12 items! Someone earlier said 5 items but maybe that is not including underwear and socks. I'm definitely gonna try limiting - just need to figure out how many :D

[@teresa009]

it depends what you have (for instance I realized I don't have to buy autumn/winter shoes or coats for the next 10 years: 6 pair of shoes and 8 jackets is more than enough and how fast you things go beyond "werable" state. Repairing (especially painting leather shoes yourself with special paint for leather what is easier than paining your nails) and cost €3-4 is a game changer. Worn out leather shoes can be refreshed this way and used almost until you have holes in shoe sole.

[@thefinefrugalline3232]

Tak for de gode argumenter som jeg vil have i baghovedet næste gang jeg skal købe tøj :-)

[@annettepearce1690]

I don’t really shop second hand clothes. Apart from special formal wear (weddings etc) we wear new clothes until they are too shabby to wear out. Then the tag gets cut off or “de-commissioned “ and instead of hanging in the wardrobe, it’s folded into drawer for wearing around the yard. After being very loved, really old and stained, it’s cut up for rags - removing buttons/zips to re-use. We don’t own a dryer so things last longer.

[@skrittle555]

I subscribed and I just wanna say YES! I wish more people would talk about this. There are a lot of thrifting "influencers" who still buy and discard HUNDREDS of items per year and it just isn't as sustainable as they like to pretend that it is. Thrifting is not inherently better for the planet if you're still discarding the same amount of clothing every year. We need to get out of this habit of mindlessly and endlessly consuming in general, both new and secondhand. The most sustainable thing you can do is just stop buying ish and appreciate what you already have.

[@nyagogo]

There is an idea in the book Zen and the Art of Saving the Planet by Thich Nhat Hahn that I think applies here that is in order to save the planet, we must save/heal ourselves. Everyone suffers something. Is our healing/coping strategy actually helping us? Are we really dealing with ourselves or just putting it off with this action? I’ve always liked how you question our motivations behind our actions. I feel that concept needs repeating as it’s so easy to either forget or put off because it’s painful. When speaking in terms of emotions, we all have to touch our hurts to help them heal. All of this, mind you, is easier said than done. Still necessary for multiple reasons.

[@user-vy7bn1dr5t]

For me everything changed when I've started sewing clothes for myself. It changed my mindestens from "this is cute, let's try it, I have no idea if I need it" to "let's think about what I need and try to create/thrift it". I just get so bummed out when I put a lot of work into something and it never gets worn...

[@catherineleslie-faye4302]

I buy secondhand and modify those garments to fit my body and style, then I wear those garment until they fall apart... at which point they become pillow stuffing. Anything I get a the goodwill bins has to be cleaned and repaired before wearing so I've no problem with upcycling them.

[@LostLuigiLassie]

This is probably the hardest hill humanity is going to have to climb, because it's not a simple swap out of "Do X instead of Y and it's much better for the planet". It requires thoughtful restructuring of people's entire lifestyles, and toward Less convenience at that. That's a hard ask for most western people I'd imagine. But the more we all talk about it, the more it becomes a normal way of thinking. And there are still loads of people out there who need to hear it and will have ears open enough to listen - so thank you again for making these videos!

[@SilSolo]

It took me a bit of a journey to get here but for me it’s about figuring out a style that I can realistically stick to, learning what colors work best on me. And then there’s material and make. Keep a high bar for quality standards thrifted or new. If I do find something that checks all of the boxes then it’s a treasure. Otherwise I won’t consider and that results in very few purchases. Very sad that two of my thrifted designer dresses died (worn out with holes) this year.

[@cwicseolformask]

Honestly I would question that narrative of less convenience. Most people I know who use all the “convenient” services like meal delivery and “keep what you want” clothing boxes also have inconveniences like having to decide where their food will come from twice because the first delivery was canceled or struggling about whether a new top suits them enough to pay top dollar for it. Some of them also face inconveniences like trying to get extensions on overdue bills because they are shopping beyond their means. Batch cooking is predictable and inexpensive; finding a stylish, well-made top just once gets you out of YEARS of shopping (if you let it.) People assume consuming less is very inconvenient, but coffee at home is $0.40, made just the way I like it with ingredients I approve, and ready in three minutes, compared to a ten minute drive and two minutes checking out (if pre-ordered) for $7 plus gas. What is in common here is that our ideas about what constitutes work are very classist - we don’t think focused decisionmaking (the main task of shopping) or orders of labor towards other people (as in consuming services) count as work, because they are a position of great privilege. But they are work, and annoying work at that, which tends to wear people out and make them short-tempered. Doing less of that on a day to day basis - and functionally being paid to avoid it! - are the absolute height of convenience, and it’s high time we said so.

[@LostLuigiLassie]

@@cwicseolformask Oh I totally agree with all of this. I find it horribly inconvenient to have to work all those extra days just to pay for all the extra crap I don't need or can make it better myself. It's just a really uncomfortable sell for most people who are used to consuming rather than *Doing*. It feels like an insurmountable amount of mental effort for sure.

[@cwicseolformask]

@@LostLuigiLassie It's rare to make plain the relationship between working hours and the cost of things (though a pet issue of mine) - I'm in the US, so for many low earners there's little opportunity to trade working hours for more free time as the minimum wage is in much of the country just enough to survive with no additions to savings (and we almost lack a social safety net) - but I'm surprised not to hear it almost at all from those with more generous wages, the thought of buying time never occurs to most, and is a complete taboo to discuss if you do negotiate it, because employers don't want others getting ideas. I'm glad it's a thought somewhere - so much of our waste is directly related to willingness to overwork, via exhaustion and time poverty leading to outsourcing anywhere, and via policy subscription to the belief that a third of daylight hours isn't enough work to have earned a living in some jurisdictions. We're so much more productive than prior generations across almost all industries, but the real benefits of that only accrue to a narrow stripe of humanity and the rest are told to be satisfied with cheap clothes.

[@bethfioritto]

Thanks for this. I had a similar realization about my shopping; I realized that having a capsule wardrobe and a very limited list of what pieces I need and work for me helps keep me focused in the thrift store. However I will say I've been moving away from thrifting because of the sheer volume of fast fashion in the stores; I don't have the time at this stage of my life to be going often enough and have the time to sift through all that low quality stuff to find pieces that will work.

[@mkim4091]

Thank you for bringing up such a thought provoking topic. We need more of these conversations.

[@wakefulwitch]

I totally agree. I've been guilty of buying those clothes that were amazing if I was a different person. I also see friends thrifting super often and also needing to declutter often. This year I've not gone thrifting since February! Mainly because I have been on the edge of broke this year at different times. One of them she also identifies her style for home, maximalist, like I think I've heard you call your home style. Doing good by speaking out against the fash fashion, trend cycle mindset❤

[@ninzmadz-sc5kk]

Using what I already have and rotating my clothes as well as tracking it helped me a lot in falling in love with my wardrobe all over again and let me be mindful of what I am consuming. Thank you for this lovely reminder for everyone!💕

[@LittleRedTeaCake]

I am dealing with a shopping compulsion, as I use it as a coping mechanism and I thought I was doing better because I switched to secondhand, but I realized that it was also very unhealthy. I have been working really hard on being mindful and choosing things I know will fit in with my wardrobe and needs. I used to go to the thrift store at least twice a week and walked out with something. I maybe go twice a month now, I have a list and if it’s not on the list, it doesn’t come home.

[@aimeejo1366]

I’m on this journey myself right now! I’m thankful to say almost everything I purchase is secondhand now, BUT I definitely still overbuy. Trying to establish some new guidelines for myself to reduce my overall consumption!

[@Blue-pb7kz]

I feel like an argument could be made on the normalisation of overconsumption at a large scale, just like some people say that wearing faux fur or thriftted real fur normalizes wearing real fur. But at an individual level, beyond the carbon footprint of shipping things (which is already reduced by the massive use of drop off/pickup points, at least in metropolitan areas), I have a hard time seeing how buying second hand increases my carbon footprint. Is the argument that the person i buy the item from now has money to put into buying new items? Is one of our goals not a circular economy where things get passed around to who has the best use for the thing/need it more for that time? There are so many clothes in circulation we could stop buying new altogether and still have enough stuff to clothe ourselves for decades if not more, and changing sizes and lifestyles means that were going to have to exchange items? And if mending and hang drying clothes has the biggest impact but you do those things already, thrifting doesn't become unimportant? For example, i like wearing *fast fashion brand* tshirts. They do not last long and get holes easily. I buy them second hand and mend them, so that their lifespan is much longer than they would be than in the average consumer's hands. But I buy them knowing they'll last a couple years at best. I'm consuming with a throw away mindset, then, right? At some point holes will appear faster than i can fix because all the fabric is worn down. But somehow I still feel like this is the least wasteful option? If i didn't buy that shirt, someone else would throw it away all the sooner? Should I instead buy new and long lasting tshirts? Idk i think it's interesting to challenge commonly accepted knowledge, like that thrifting is universally good, but not controversy for controversy's sake, and I'm having a hard time seeing why trifting is bad beyond the fact that it exists in a culture where people buy lots of new things.

[@racheljames9187]

I agree. I think overfilled thrift stores are a symptom of a society that vastly overconsumes... if we consumed less as a society, there just wouldn't be as much clothing to buy second hand, and many of us low waste people would actually have to buy brand new clothing. But since the issue of clothing abundance already exists, how is keeping an item in my cupboard having a worse impact than sending it to landfill? A lot of my purchases are "fill a bag for $5" from a tip shop... from there, they are bagged up for use as industrial rags... sometimes they are brand new, there is just too much and it doesn't sell... I really can't see how rescuing a quality item at the very end of it's life, when it's destruction is imminent, is a bad thing - I actually buy bags of them to give them away and keep them circulating and out of landfill. I can see the issue more when it comes to Depop because of all of the shipping emissions and higher cash exchange - but I think that the burden of responsibility is misplaced if it is up to low waste people not to buy from others so they learn not to overconsume. The fact is that people's style and size changes, so where garments are made well and last many years a mechanism for their exchange or alteration needs to exist. Happy to be challenged on that. There's a difference between supporting the second hand market and supporting the generation of new garments. I'd be stoked if everyone decided they loved their clothes and wanted to keep them for their full life, and the thrift stores in my area closed. Oversupplied thrift stores are the symptom, not the problem.

[@qt2shooz]

I am still figuring this out, but if you are mending it and wearing it until it gives out, that's not a fast-fashion thrift store mindset. If you are just wearing something once or a few times and replacing your wardrobe often, new or thrifted, that's a fast fashion mindset. Also, buying bags of items for charitable giving doesn't seem like fast fashion. I think you two are being responsible.

[@Foundlilly11]

The point is thrifting is not worse than new, the point is that also thrifting has a carbon footprint. If you treat thrifting as some people shop fast fashion, that it could be just as polluting. Like, if I buy a bunch of trends second hand and the trend fades...I want to sell it...I just repeat the cycle of consumption and wastefull discarding

[@aubreejobizzarro1208]

Thrifting is an interesting debate because as you said people’s life styles and bodies will change, so it becomes difficult to say “buy forever clothing and only that”. I’ve had to contend with this fact this year since I’ve transitioned into a professional career that requires professional clothing. I bought that clothing new from “fast fashion” brands with the intent of keeping them forever. They’re classic cuts and colors in a size I see myself being stable at throughout the life of the garment. The issue with fast fashion is that it relies on trends to get repeat customers- shopping fast fashion without the “fast” part is the intersection between economical (I can not afford to have a seamstress make a suit for me but one day I would love to be able to do that), and ethical (it lessens the demand on inhumane working conditions in the garment industry). Could I have bought something second hand? Yes, but without guarantee it would be in those classic cuts and colors BECAUSE people KEEP those things! It’s the excess that people give away or don’t want anymore. I also am guilty of hoarding my old clothing to either turn into something new or sell it for someone else to use it better (I had a pair of shorts I casually bought on sale only to find they did not fit and I could not return them. I learned my lesson!)

[@KadriSalu]

I agree that one doesn't need that many clothes or to change the wardrobe so often but I'm struggling to understand how not buying them from the thrift stores helps the environment if the stores still ship their extra/leftover stock to 3rd world countries, etc. 🤔

[@Gittemary]

Watch my video on the second hand hierarchy, it’s linked in the description - the fact that we ship all our unwanted clothes to countries in Africa has nothing to do with sustainability, on the contrary 😞🥲

[@theresaanndiaz3179]

I remember our parish priest saying, " desire enters through the eyes". When I worked in retail, a truism was that no one really was " just looking" and our job was to find the thing that they were looking for. All this to say, don't go into the store, don't click on that link, unless you really need something. Instead of going shopping because you are bored, maybe find someplace else to go. Where I live many museums have free entry on Saturday for locals.

[@TheRealSueDenim]

Yes, finding a different hobby rather than shopping .. it's a pretty sad hobby really. I don't think many of us will reach the end of our lives and think 'how I wish I'd spent more time shopping'...

[@barbb1672]

That‘s social media for me. I have everything I need. If it weren’t for things I see on social media, the need to buy something would arise just a few times a year for me, when I really identify a gap in my wardrobe. However, when I am on social media, I see things I would like to buy and subsequently look for in (second hand) online stores almost daily. I have now learned to not actually buy the stuff I look at, but it’s a constant mental effort that I wouldn’t have, if I could stay away from Instagram.

[@theresaanndiaz3179]

I utilize Pinterest for helping me decide if I really want a new item. I "pin" it to a board, and let it sit. Often, I find that I really didn't want it. I also put things in my cart at online retailers but don't hit buy or move them to a wish list to see if I really need them. The best, of course, is to not even look but it is difficult in this day and age.

[@racheljames9187]

Not sure that I am fully on board here, although I can see the point... just think the detail needs more discussion :) Once upon a time I had literally a hundred thrifted shirts in my wardrobe... I transferred my overconsumption from normal stores to thrift stores, and at thrift stores my dollar went a lot further! These days I buy far fewer second hand clothing pieces (I have a soft limit of 12 pieces per year, with the exception of fill a bag for $5 discount items from my tip shop, which are end of life before they're destroyed by becoming rags). Actually the thing that changed my thinking wasn't really the environmental cost of thrifting, but the fact that having an overfilled wardrobe for me means that I value my items less and they bring me less joy. A crammed wardrobe isn't a positive thing for me. Colour sorting my wardrobe really helps in saying no to certain second hand clothing pieces - I can easily see what I like, I know if a new piece is a copy of something I already have, and the gaps are easier to see (which are very rare... I am currently looking for a button up long sleeve shirt in a very rare and particular shade of green, it's been months and I've never found it).

[@yellowzora]

Keep looking for that shirt, I recently found a hooded knitted cardigan in the exact colour I wanted - been looking for one like it for about 4 years. It might take a while, but you will find it :D

[@racheljames9187]

@@yellowzora I will :) It is sortof nice having a "unicorn piece" - something that is hard to find, means the thrill of the chase goes on for longer! The challenge is not settling for something not quite right, rather than hanging out for the perfect thing!

[@karenstough8708]

This is so true!

[@_daughterofthesun_]

This video was so timely, I really needed to hear this message! I've definitely bought a lot of things secondhand that I've regretted and then ended up selling on, and I've decided to really be more mindful of what I buy so that this happens less frequently. I've been buying only secondhand for 5 years now, but yesterday I happened to be wearing an outfit made up of old fast fashion pieces I've had for years, and I wondered if that wasn't more sustainable than buying secondhand items I wore once or twice (or never!) and then re-sold. Buying first-hand makes it easier to ensure that the item I buy actually fits me, is my style, etc, and I have the option of returning if I realise it's not right once I get home (my local secondhand shops don't offer refunds, and platforms like Depop and Vinted of course don't allow returns) I wouldn't feel right going back to buying from fast fashion chains, but I'm realising it might be ok to buy from smaller local brands that may not be 100% perfect, but would ensure I bought something I would wear for years to come. This topic is definitely nuanced, and I'm so glad to see it being discussed! Thank you for making this video :)

[@sandramaki7819]

Like I always say, overconsumption is overconsumption. We need to have a mindset of buying only what we really need. Great video Gittemarie! ❤❤❤

[@upgrade101]

This Secondhand September - since 90% of my wardrobe is secondhand - I decided to do a no-buy instead. My awareness of my overconsumption hit me in the new year when I did No Buy January then the 75 Hard Style Challenge followed by lil' declutter. Why was I buying so many things I wasn't in love with or didn't serve a purpose? Because it was cheaper? Because it was low risk? Because of the thrill of the hunt? Because I was bored or because it's my hobby or pastime? An amalgamation of all the above? Whatever the reasons, I knew I needed to take a break, evaluate and reenter the space as a conscious consumer 🤦🏾‍♀️ which is hilarious as I thought I already was one!

[@ktnguyen4412]

I think no buys need to become trendier tbh bc it adds a level of novelty and challenge to be anti capitalist and anti consumerist which is so much more sustainable

[@upgrade101]

@@ktnguyen4412 I do wish fashionista influencers did more 'styling what I have' and 'using what I have to style _such and such_ trend' instead of constantly buying new [crap]. It's one of my biggest bugbear's.

[@athenapantazes]

Due to specific allergies, I’ve had to start learning how to make all of my clothes instead of buying specialty clothes. I’ve cut up my clothes and made them work for me. It’s laborious, but it has also showed just how much goes into making garments more than I already thought.

[@persephone213]

I love how real and honest this is. 💚 Eco-minimalism for the win!

[@zerowastehomestead2518]

Very good video, I'm still running a local non profit thrift store and a lot of people just buy anything because it is cheaper. Later we get it redonated to us to sell again. Buying second hand is still the way to go but again it should be when you actually need something.

[@searching4stars250]

I didn't really think of the topic of thrifting this way. Thank you for helping me to see it in a different direction. I need to use this change in mindset while thrifting.

[@yellowzora]

Thank you for making this video, I'm sure it will have a lot of impact. Luckily I changed my view on fast fashion when I stopped working in fast fashion and A: wasn't required to buy new clothes all the time per company policy, B: realised how expensive good clothing was, C: had to have a few major clear outs of my wardrobe as there was just too much in it D: regretting getting rid of some things that I would have liked later on but didn't really think about in that moment. Minimalism was high on trend, I tried my best and it made me incredibly unhappy. Neutral colours are not my thing, I need flounce and character in my clothes. But during that time, I managed to reprogam my neural pathways and over the last few years have gotten super picky with what clothes I buy. These days I volunteer in a charity shop, and whenever a truly good piece comes in it gets a good consideration. But I try to limit myself to really only 3 to 4 pieces a year, and I've also started learning to sew my own stuff. Slowly, but getting there. I hope most of my wardrobe gives me another few decades of wear, as I would hate for most of my clothes to fall apart, I love them so much. Thank you for making us think :D

[@vickyjansen3544]

I battle with my low waste and frugality. I'm listening to you while doing a food audit.

[@TimeTravelReads]

I've been doing a mixture of used and new shopping for years. I take fairly good care of my clothes. I hang them up to dry instead of putting them in the dryer. I try to make them last for as long as possible. I don't have a constant flow in and out, except for what is too small or worn out. I hope that's not too bad.

[@meruchan1521]

Uh oh, as a thrifter, the video title is scaring me! But I'm always open to learning how to do better!

[@Gittemary]

That’s the spirit 🫶✨

[@Laurasaurus5]

These are some good points and helpful for my compulsive shopping patterns and thrift store fomo I'm trying to work on. I want to add a reminder that actually wearing your "not so perfect" pieces helps them start to break-in and conform to fit your body better and feel more comfortable.

[@foxtanii9056]

I absolutely agree with everything you say and this has been on my mind all the time.

[@judith6133]

I love you! I hate thrifting. I don`t have a local thrift shop, so I have to drive about 20 min to an absolut overcroweded place and I have problems to find what I need. Yes, need. I have limited space in my closet. One in, one out is the only way to go. I buy my cloth new and wear them to death. They might have not the best quality or last very long, but I buy what fits and I really like and wear.

[@PeggyEscobar-v8j]

It makes more sense to buy new locally if you truly need an item, than burn more energy to shop thrifted. This is not a religion. We need to focus on what reduces our consumption, like you are doing.

[@ktnguyen4412]

I think this sentiment of wearing your clothes needs to be more normalized and think a way to make your lifestyle with clothing even more sustainable is to upcycle or sell your old garments so that it guarantees it a longer lifespan

[@judith6133]

@@ktnguyen4412 When I am done with my stuff, there is nothing to sell left. My newest clothes are the ones I wear outside the house, than I have some for my regular, not so dirty housework and the oldest are for the garden or painting. And since I had to visit some funerals this year, I have an extra set for this. You could call it an uniform. Unfortunately I am not good at upcycling fabric. I made some makeup pads out of old towels, if that counts? Other things I failed.

[@gabriellabetarrini3176]

And this is why I tend to minimalism more than to maximalism 😊💛🌱

[@ericasantos1842]

fantastic video!!! I think another part of the solution to slowing down the rate of consumption is slowing down the process of acquiring. One can do this by buying local (not by mail), by walking to thrift stores (not driving to all the hidden rural shops just to specifically thrift), walking also limits the amount you can bring home (compared to a trunk load by car). By slowing down our process of acquiring helps us be more mindful of what we are acquiring and reduces the carbon footprint of acquiring.

[@celinefuchs4095]

Thank you for the video, I definitely agree with what you said, and have recognized it in myself several times, particularly in thrifting something that maybe isn’t the perfect fit but is interesting or close enough that I decide to get it. I try to keep long-term at the forefront of my mind when shopping (it’s how I was raised, always thinking “Will I wear this for a long time?” and I’m very grateful for that) but have definitely slipped up when finding more unique thrift finds that I don’t need but because they’re secondhand and affordable, I let myself get them. Sometimes it’s worked out and become the sort of garment I’ve always wanted but could never dream of getting, but sometimes I have been left with something that I want to love, but either the size or fit is just off or, like you said, if I were a different person maybe I would love it lol. (Sounds strange to say but the feeling is real.) I do have a question: I recently thrifted a leather jacket (my first ever leather item, I’ve been on the hunt for a secondhand leather jacket for many months now). How do you recommend cleaning it? I always prefer cleaning secondhand items before using them, but leather is an arena I have zero experience in. I’ve searched articles online and found ideas, but wanted to ask here as well. I found a cleaner’s that can do leather but it’s a little expensive 😅

[@ktnguyen4412]

I'VE BEEN THINKING ABOUT IT FRRR overconsumption is the problem and I frequently see people thrift and then donate at an alarming rate and it's Not much better it's also why I've been hesitant to consume content from thrifted fashion influencers bc it encourages this and idk how to escape the consumerism based content when basically everything is an ad nowadays

[@lauracanna2201]

I wish fast-fashion didn't exist but as you said it's on us consumers, to change mentality ❤ I'm definitely a clothes hoarder, although now mainly, nearly totally second-hand. I dispose of clothes that don't fit anymore buy selling on Vinted or donanting to a local charity that apparently doesn’t send to landfill, what can't be sold, but to factories that reuse materials (hoping that what I was told it's true😅)

[@aleks2805]

I've definitely caught myself being a little bit too excited about Vinted when I started using it, and buying a thing or two that I really did not need (or that didn't end up fitting me like I hoped it would). It is definitely important to constantly rethink how we consume, even (or perhaps especially) when we already put some effort into being ethical and sustainable.

[@ssllylawrence618]

Buy what you need or what you love. That way, you'll keep it and continue to wear it.

[@tgvbho]

thank you very much, I was wondering about my shopping habits about it too, always buying second hand, and feeding it back into the system, and doing it all over again felt a lot like overconsumption.

[@7drunkenmermaids431]

I remember looking at Thread up ans thinking of the scene feom Monsters Inc. with all the moving around of the doors in a huge warehouse, then sending them all over the world. I remember thinking, how is this model not almost just as impactful as fast fashion. Good points, all. And a lot to consider. We must be more mindful. ❤

[@qiaramcneill]

I 100% agree with using what you have. I decided I wanted to buy some items second hand and so the first thing I did was go through my closet and see it there was anything I actually needed before going to thrift. When I thought I needed 10 items, turned out I only needed 2 ❤ #consciousconsumption

[@mishti06]

I found your channel by chance and really enjoyed watching this discussion as I thrift shop (or as we call it here in Australia 'op shop') on a regular basis. BUT....I dont do it for 'fashion', I use it as a fabric resource. I sew specific items from preloved clothing. I actually wish they would sell the stuff they discard to crafters like me because we can still use it as a substrate for craft but they won't...i sense there is financial benefit for them to throw it away. Thrift stores in Australia have become very overpriced, which is sad, but I do hope that by what I'm making that I'm giving these items a longer life and it does save even a bit from going into landfill. I hope. I have noticed a steep decline in quality fashion to now where even thrift stores are filled with super aweful fabrics used by shein, zara etc. Thank you for a great video😊

[@virsocarr95]

I am really happy with my second hand treasures. My wool cardigans, my corderoy trousers. I take care of them, repair them if need it and i wear them a lot . I don't have a lot of clothes and i try to use everything that i own. But sometimes i don't leave the home in a while and i use the same outfits over and over 😅

[@amikrenzel5788]

I think that a huge driving factor is that people try to dress to keep up with trends. In reality clothes need to be practical first. Dressing for personal style as well as our individual lifestyles is so much better than just being seen in a trendy outfit.

[@contempl8ive]

I’ve often wondered what the carbon footprint of a thrifted item actually is, and compared to a new item. Friends and I have clothing swaps and I’ve been to a few community swaps too.also, I’ve started keeping track of the number of wears each garment I own gets. I’m aiming for 100.😊

[@naftherainbownerd]

I wrote an article on this back in 2021. Replacing fast fashion with thrifting without shifting your mindset with consumption is a slippery slope and doesn't contribute to the greater good. When thinking of sustainability and people oriented values, buying what you actually need and leaving the rest for people who might get better use of it is very important. And as a fat person, i genuinely do believe that a slim person trying to fit an "oversized aesthetic" is less important than a fat person actually getting to purchase a good piece of clothing, especially when good, fashionable clothing in plus sizes are rarely available in thrift stores (at least where i live)

[@TheQueenillaPod]

Thanks for sharing that truth!!!😮

[@qarakoz6632]

I used to live very minimalist until I started shopping second hand... It's very easy to fall into the trap of overconsumption when the stuff you buy is cheaper but still feels sustainable. I assume most of the points you make in this video apply to all kind of consumption, not only to clothes and fashion.

[@carolineschlunke]

This is brillant🙏 great reminder for us out there buying second hand

[@raraavis7782]

Yeah, thrifting 'for fun' is definitely something I'm guilty off. Thanks for reminding me, to be more mindful of this.

[@etheplant]

Thanks as always for an insightful video! When I first got into thrifting I was for sure going about it in a fast fashion way. I hadn't really bought into the craze with actual fast fashion before but since it was second hand it suddenly felt okay to but lots clothes to experiment with style and such that i only kind of liked. and with a lot of it i ended up donating it without really wearing it. overall i have a difficult time finding clothes that actually fit/ work for me and for now i have kind of given up up on it all. so now i try to buy quality items that will last me from brand that seems Less Bad and mending what i have (with the occasional, rare good thrift find) I'm also going to try and take up sowing this fall to hopefully be able to thrift clothes/fabrcis and make what im need myself. overall, my goal is just to settle and feel happy with what i have :)

[@charmingdeva]

I have adopted a more minimalist mindset and try to only buy what I need, it also has to be good quality, I have also started repairing my clothes again.

[@deborahkristensen9344]

I never go into thrift stores, even though we have several around us. The reason is that I don't want to be tempted to buy something that I don't need. I already have too much in my house and don't need any more!

[@kayo5291]

We won't ask where all the stuff in your house came from 🙂 My house is full of stuff that came with the house. It can happen.

[@ecoustineau3893]

This argument is very similar to the appeal to futility standpoint used against vegans and vegetarians. It depends on an ideal of consumption (buy once, wear it forever) which does not reflects current purchasing culture. This may encourage people to return to detrimental consumer habits if they think secondhand is pointless.

[@Andrea-ok9px]

Such an important concept to share. Thank you.

[@jayeelizabeth7083]

Maybe a hot take - even buying fast fashion brands second hand is supporting the brand. Ie. If I buy a shein dress from Vinted, that person I have bought from may likely go ahead and spend the money I gave them on more shein items. If you have something already, don’t buy more of that item until that item is no longer in working order, even then try to fix the item before disposing of it /recycling it.

[@Luotos]

I think the media and us ourselves should focus more on promoting just buying less. I'm really worried about the intense rise and dominance of apps like v1nted (blurred spelling on purpose), whose only purpose seems to be to justify fast fashion like shopping sprees and hauls, and increase carbon emissions, since the clothes are often shipped across countries. :/

[@aubreejobizzarro1208]

As a casual dumpster diver- same rules apply. You gotta frequently check out the spots, and also know what you NEED. I think covid totally changed how I shop. I don’t like browsing thrift stores for more than an hour now, I go in with very specific needs and if I don’t find it I leave.

[@judithrussell9162]

I did go through a period of thinking that I had to buy secondhand, even though I live in a very small town and the options are poor. Some of the items I wore to death but others I did not love at all so rarely wore. (And rarely redonated for some reason). Now I do a mix of buying a very small number of good quality, sustainable pieces with thrifted ordinary pieces. These I wear until they either don't fit or they fall to pieces which means I can wear what I love for a ridiculously long time before turning them into cleaning rags and finally biodegradable rubbish. And I've stopped feeling guilty all the time.

[@EmmaRing-o7k]

Quite an eye opener. Thank you.

[@Domsfun]

I live in Australia op shops are very expensive. Wealthy people are shopping at op shops that were once cheap for those who couldn’t afford clothes. It’s now cheaper to buy new. Problem is it last only a few months. So then you have to buy more. For myself I wear a size 20AU (metabolic issues) it’s rare to find 2nd hand clothes in that size. They are either brought cheap and fall apart after a few wears (not just unsustainable for resources and planet but also for the hip pocket.) or you pay a fortune and wear it out. I have a bit of a mix of all 3 due to availability and affordability. Long term the new more expensive items not always but usually last much longer. These are the ones you will find 2nd. hand not always in the best condition. You also need to buy for fit length and shape. More so when your plus size. Nothing worse than In your size crotch hanging at the knees despite being 5’11” 180cm! Or half mast on limbs and body but that’s my experience in general trying to buy clothes for as long as I can remember. I do a system of good clothes very good clothes clothes that make you feel good and I don’t give a damn if they get wrecked clothes. The last are usually getting close for the rags pile ( currently nearly my whole winter wardrobe). After a period of time of continuous wear for the other categories if I haven’t warn it in a year and it’s in good condition it will go to charity op shop or 2nd hand. We all make mistakes when buying clothes. The difference is what we choose to do with it. And if you’re wondering what size is the most wasteful and most plentiful it’s usually size 8-12 with 16+au size being harder to get. Size 18+ is rare to find. It’s also hard finding quality in these sizes. The thing I find most annoying is getting natural fibres and cottons in those sizes they stop at size 16. I have sensitive skin and autism and I tear the crap (deeply) out of my skin from itch and feeling like it’s on fire with ants. Tags just feel like a spider. What the hell happened to natural breathable fibres and soft tags? We live in a bloody hot climate for Fs sake!

[@ktnguyen4412]

I'm gonna be honest i think i do have a problem with secondhand local marketplaces like fb marketplace bc in my mind it's so much better but it's not necessarily clothes that i buy but I'd love a video on the impact of these marketplaces because to me it seems alright but i haven't done much research and i feel better giving back to my community/neighbors and giving life to old furniture and home goods etc.

[@deepbluetree]

This so true and yet so hard. The it's zero carbon feels is real. I also had a friend tell me that sneakers worn for a year are used up and need to be replaced? Researching I find this qouted so many places but why?? Why do you need knew sneakers every year? What breaks? Idk. Just another overconsumption thing maybe

[@dani.paterson]

I have been listening to the somewhat new spill the sustainabili-tea podcast and they recently did an episode collab with Oxfam where they claimed none of their donated clothes go to landfill. Some of it is recycled through recyling partners, which we all know is not ideal but better than landfill/dumping. But yeah? I dont know how accurate that is, or if some research would debunk, but if this is true?? I would defo be inclined to gravitate more towards shopping in oxfam stores when I am thrifting/charity shopping. Hope their are other thrifts/charities doing similar work!!

[@dani.paterson]

Also this video was sooo needed. Grateful my favourite KZbinr is talking about this despite their personal love for thrifting. This is one of my biggest climate actions for the year, beating the consumerrrr in me.

[@charlotl]

This aligns with conclusions I came to a couple of years ago, when I was a fee years into my sustainability journey- the issue I'm currently having is that my weight is fluctuating enormously, and though reshaping is possible, seam allowances don't always allow letting out to fit me. I feel guilty buying a few secondhand items that fit my new body when I have a wardrobe of clothes that I adore, but that are too small :(

[@MariaNordlund]

Recently learnt about a thrift store in Finland where you book a place to sell/week that banned ultra fast fashion. Do you have that in DK? That people running thrift stores try to show there’s no place for garments that won’t last in them. Another question, how about socks? I feel that when socks and undies start to fall apart they shred more micro plastic, and even if mending them would be an option when the fibres fall apart they will shred and break more in every wash. Also, items that are tricky to find second hand. Been taking out socks of rotation and wondering if I should repair, replace or make do with less.

[@keziah-o1h]

I haven’t looked very far into this because I’ve just started toying with the idea but I think knitting one’s own socks/buying someone else’s handmade socks might be a good alternative? I personally mend my socks until the sensory issues catch up to me and then I keep them in a box to look back on my mending progress but I got a few pairs of wool socks (not handmade but very comfy) last year and they’ve worn surprisingly well and I think with the right techniques and a few mends here and there they’ll last a good long time! I also occasionally find wool socks at the thrift store, so that could be another option as well!

[@MariaNordlund]

@@keziah-o1h I’ e made quite some knitted socks (more would ve extra so I stopped and mend the ones I have). But, most sock yarnsare not fully wool and the 100% wool yarns might not hold in use.

[@keziah-o1h]

@@MariaNordlund Yup- I'm not sure what blend exactly the socks are made of but they're defiantly not 100% wool, I misspoke there!

[@MariaNordlund]

@@keziah-o1h I Googled a bit and apparently there are 100% cotton socks on the market. That might be a thing to look into, just afraid they’d go floppy around ankles after some washes. But if the knit is good it might work…

[@neokonline_]

Its really hard going thrifting and not buying things too quickly. I still want to go and find things to keep and wear forever, but when there you're still bombarded with lots of clothes that are cheap and just 'kinda nice'. Its a struggle. I try to focus on a small list of things that I really want to look for, which doesn't really work for thrifting because its so random what you find but at least I'm not buying... For getting rid of my clothes I now almost always donate it to clothing swaps instead. I often don't even get an item back from the swap just because I don't want more 😅Throwing clothes in the secondhand bin just feels like I'm throwing it on a pile, somewhere on Earth, but with a swap I know it at least goes directly to someone else who wants it and without shipping.

[@neurospicyrainbow]

I have been watching videos on clothing consumption during ww1 and 2, and a lot was rationed. This is probably a backlash from that now that there are no more “restrictions.” We need to find a happy medium!!!

[@lucille-1708]

what hurts me is seeing shein etc in thrift shops here (in switzerland) selling for more than they were sold originally (think 5-8CHF which is close to €). like no i won't buy shitty clothes made of shitty fabric for 3 times the original price

[@liislet]

You didn’t explain how this is even possible. What are you even saying the impact is? If I buy something from a thrift store, wear it to a party, then donate it back to that thrift store, how did that create waste??? A new item was not created. As it happens, I shop fairly rarely (don’t enjoy it) but still

[@kayo5291]

Exactly! You sound as confused as I am.

[@liislet]

"I've always thought the clothes are already in the waste stream so the impact is 0." Agree, not maybe 0 but pretty dang close. "the thing is when we shop secondhand with a fast fashion mindset, it *completely* neutralizes the positive impact" Completely?! How in the world does that make sense? I've watched this part four times and I don't get it. Gittemary, this feels like a clickbait video and you choosing to promote this nonsensical narrative absolutely contributes to the attitudes we hear all the time. People see a headline like this and justify their new purchases with "thrift shopping isn't even better." Ironically the number one thing that the article you cited valued was extending the use-span of each garment that currently exists by 50-75%. You know what does that? Thrift shopping (not necessarily thrift donating as you pointed out). In the real world we live in, thrift stores are overwhelmed with clothing. Buy whatever you want from thrift stores, wash and dry responsibly, and extend that garment's life. On the other hand, depop etc. where you're giving money to someone who has purchased it maybe new, that you should be careful with and only buy what/when you need.

[@anaalves3658]

Well that was a bummer 😕 I have been trying to only buy second hand for several years now. I have used it to try out new styles, which I have enjoyed and I have kept wearing, but I agree with you, we need to stop overconsumption, whether that be new or used goods. I broke the zipper on a winter coat over a year ago and I was looking for a second hand one to replace it. Instead I took it to a seamstress and I am having the zipper replaced, it's a long jacket, so it's costing 27€ to get it fixed. I could probably have replaced it for the same price. I think that sometimes the time and effort and expense it takes to get fixing something is just not worth it for some people.

[@jennyhorner]

I’m not sure I quite agree, or perhaps this only applies if your video influences everyone’s behaviour. The current reality is some people only buy new high quality clothes, some people only buy new fast fashion, some people buy secondhand. People have different reasons for getting rid of clothes eg they change size or need money. If I buy a good quality dress from Vinted in the style I know suits me, and wear it until it has holes in, it has prevented a good dress rotting in landfill and prevented me buying something new and all the co2 associated with that. Postage of a small parcel within a country would be minimal impact compared to that. This only works if the people open to buying secondhand do.

[@jennyhorner]

I’ve been thinking though that selling on Vinted would be better than giving to charity shops as then you know that it is wanted and not ending up in landfill.

[@nadinewagstaff9854]

This is how we lived in the past we had only a few things and we ware items until they fell apart we sewed our items until they fell apart we had nothing like today fashion this was with everything we owned even a car table chairs today it’s to much people have to have up to date everything the past was the cleanest sorry even the hospitals

[@paulam4301]

Nothing compares with the thrift shops in DK. ❤

[@irenero8932]

I don't have the same idea. Even if you don't use it It Will not end up in Atacama desert, and you don't create new waste

[@racheljames9187]

Get where you're coming from... I don't entirely agree with this either (would probably have taken an hour to do a video I did fully agree with, with all of the nuance in this area added in!). But the idea that by buying second-hand we're 'not creating new waste' is often incorrect. Shipping creates waste. The running of a thrift store creates waste (so just making garments available second hand has a footprint). Transport creates lots of emissions (in shipping items, getting them to thrift stores, collecting them from thrift stores). I do agree with the idea in this video that we need to purchase mindfully and not see the second hand market as an easy out for our purchasing decisions.

[@irenero8932]

@@racheljames9187 new stuff creates that waste as well, even the food you eat. For her It could be easy because she goes to a thrifstore and finds everything she needs, but people like me needs that shipping to find a second hand option. And after the effort made you hear that it is worst? In Spain we call this rizar el rizo. A perfect option doesn't exist and in my opinion this video is just going to make people do less.

[@houseasyouseeit]

Yes any over consumption is still over consumption. It hurts the wallet and the environment. It’s getting harder to find good quality products at my local thrift store though. The hard part is not shifting into the cheap clothes when they are so plentiful. The hard part is waiting for that good solid piece. It requires a lot of patience. Worth it though.

[@eavinkel8313]

another thing I think is scary about sites like Vinted is that now we as consumers have the opputinity to buy 2nd hand clothing from other countries. Theres no filter that will only show you clothing from Denmark etc.

[@cwicseolformask]

I liked that Mercari gave the option to shop only local (in the US, at least) - but now they have started pushing people in the US to buy directly from Japan (presumably because of the relative strength of the US dollar against the yen right now) which is such a nightmare in terms of shipping emissions. I’m about done with them as a platform over that.

[@PeggyEscobar-v8j]

Buying thrifted can be a step towards less consumption for someone who is over consuming, as long as they keep thinking about your actions and moves toward using less.

[@rooskramer99]

I need your advice: so my mom buys a shit ton of clothes, I have had many a conversation with her about the impact, but it doesnt really land. Now when she discards of clothes I feel responsible for reselling and rewearing as many of them as i can but ultimately, they are not my style and make me feel torn about discarding them anyways. How do I open up this cycle?

[@yellowzora]

I found that some people will only listen when they are ready to hear. It's not your responsibility to change your mum's behaviour, you can only make decisions for yourself. Model the best sustainable life you find useful without being pushy, don't judge her for her choices but allow her to see how happy you are with your lifestyle. It might not work, but after some time she might initiate conversation with you herself. It's hard, but if you try and push her into something she is not reaady for she is much more likely to close herself off completely to your opinions. Good luck!

[@cwicseolformask]

It’s good of you to be thinking about it. As the other commenter mentioned she won’t change until she is ready to, but offering your knowledge without judgement may help that point come sooner. You could also compliment her on older things she still wears to encourage her to cultivate a more static sense of style. For the new clothes she’s still discarding, could you search among your friends and see if they are anyone else’s style? Better they go locally for free than anything else as it reduces transport waste. Bringing them to a clothing swap event might also help you receive things that don’t feel wrong for you.

[@stephanied5629]

the other issue is that if we are essentially hording thrift store items, then people who may have purchased thrift instead of new now don't have that particular item available. So it indirectly could increase new purchase demand.

[@flonotflow]

Yes! Hoarding can happen with thrift shopping just like regular retail. We need to buy less in general. I've been very sad at my recent trips to thrift stores, so much garbage clothing now. 😢

[@seufznerv2234]

It is about asking yourself do I need or do I want it

[@moriel1626]

In the end consuming less is still the most sustainable:)

[@visibleghost1]

I feel like it needs to be emphasized that there's a difference between voting with your money through not buying new clothing (which is great!), and consuming sustainably. Just because an item was bought second hand doesn't mean you are free of responsibility over it and what happens after you're done with it. I find it to be really difficult to get rid of old things responsibly and sustainably. It's so easy to buy second hand and a lot harder to get rid of things that honestly nobody wants. This realization has led to me reducing my second hand purchases because I only buy things I am sure I want, need and will use.

[@CarolinaFlorezCoaching]

Especially where these online, second-hand shops have some users that I suspect are consistently buying new and reselling in order to sustain their small business.