With the economy unraveling like a cheap jersey, (sorry, that’s a terrible pun) terms like “recessionista“ and “slow fashion” are popping up all over the place. Every world event seems to spark off it’s share of jargon, but this batch is really resonating with me.
I’ve been an op-shopper since high school: when I was studying it was for economic reasons, since I started working it’s been for environmental and ethical reasons, plus the thrill of the chase! Seriously, if I had $20 to spend on an item of clothing I’d 100% prefer to buy a gently-used, good quality, designer item that will last and last; than a new, cheap chain-store Tshirt that won’t survive the first wash! My dollar goes 100 times further, and I sleep peacefuly because I’m shopping sustainably.
Not to mention the fact that every dollar we spend on imported instead of locally made stuff is another nail in the coffin of our economy. Buying NZ made is ideal but it ain’t cheap, because the price tends to reflect the real cost of producing the item – we have various pesky laws about wages, working conditions, product safety, etc that other countries don’t bother with, but it’s definitely smart if we don’t want to join the 3rd world.
The recession is affecting different people to different extents, but whether you get creative with your wardrobe for environmental, ethical or financial reasons: anyone that manages to dress well without exploiting people, ruining the economy or feeding the landfill with cheap junk that only lasts three washes is ok with me!
My tips from 15 years of op-shopping are:
- ONLY buy quality: Look for good brands, go 100% wool, silk, cotton. Lots of secondhand shops have a designer rack, it’s a good place to start but lots of great stuff can end up in the ordinary racks too.
- Don’t waste your cash on chain-store junk: even at op-shop prices, it’s still junk and you will end up looking like you got last pick from the rag bag.
- Go often and don’t expect to find Trelise Cooper or Workshop Denim every time! You will find it sometimes, but you’ll also have days where you find nothing at all. Dedication pays off though.
- Don’t even think about buying anything if the colour doesn’t suit you, it’s the wrong size or doesn’t fit properly, and definitely not if it’s damaged, faded or stained. Just walk away. (Unless it’s a once in a lifetime find, you have the sewing skills to sort it out and you actually have the time to do it)
- Optional: Lots of people choke on paying more than a few bucks for secondhand clothing. To me, a new poly-cotton Tshirt from a cheap fashion store (without mentioning any names) costs about $25. With that in mind, I’m definitely happy to pay $25 for something designer, in excellent condition that I know would have cost a lot more new. (Assuming it fits well , is my colour, etc etc) And especially if it’s Merino or silk or something fabulous. Up to you.
And here’s an inspirational roundup of ‘recessionistas’, turning the economic downturn into an opportunity to live consciously and sustainably as well as stylishly. Unfortunately all American, does anyone know of any Kiwi chicks blogging about such things? I haven’t been able to track any down. (No offense to Americans, just we don’t live there!)
The Thrifty Chicks (“Thrifting” as in “op-shopping”)
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