My advice would be to buy timeless pieces that you’ll wear for a lifetime, because something you love, that brings you joy, will never go out of fashion
- 5 mins read time
- Published: 23rd September 2024
Second Hand inspiration; Fiona's Story on how she started her sustainable shopping journey
If you want inspiration to get started on your sustainable shopping journey, then look no further. Fiona Anderson is the Manager of the Oxfam Holywood Superstore, and she wears only second hand clothes. She tells us how she does that and more importantly, why:
I suppose I officially started my sustainable fashion journey with Oxfam Ireland’s Second Hand September campaign about three years ago when I joined the organisation as a shop manager.
"In truth my love of charity shopping began much earlier than that."
As a child, my granny in Scotland would scour the charity shops in the little coastal town where she lived. She’d send us beautiful clothes and jewellery to wear in parcels wrapped up in brown paper. I remember the excitement of opening her deliveries and inviting our friends around to play dress up. I still feel that fizz of excitement as an adult trying on clothes.
Growing up, we always had a steady stream of hand-me-downs from cousins, and we swapped and shared clothes amongst friends.
"At 16 years old, I started volunteering in my local Oxfam shop. For the first time I was able to develop my own sense of style."
Inevitably, in this era of skinny eyebrows and blue liquid eyeliner, this led to some questionable fashion choices, but a love of fashion was born all the same. Little did I know those joy-filled afternoons spent in a tiny stockroom with my best friend would become my full-time job as a 30-year-old. I became manager of that very same shop.
My parents instilled in me the importance of looking after my clothes. My mum is a stain removal wizard and my dad taught me how to sew.
"I still own clothes from when I was 16 that I have looked after with love all these years later."
I think this also taught me to view clothes as memories: a t-shirt bought at an Oasis concert, a beloved tartan blazer purchased in my favourite vintage boutique with friends, or a dress bought from a market stall in the Spanish sunshine. Buying clothes that mean something gives them longevity beyond the next season's styles.
My parents instilled in me the importance of looking after my clothes. My mum is a stain removal wizard and my dad taught me how to sew.
"I still own clothes from when I was 16 that I have looked after with love all these years later."
I think this also taught me to view clothes as memories: a t-shirt bought at an Oasis concert, a beloved tartan blazer purchased in my favourite vintage boutique with friends, or a dress bought from a market stall in the Spanish sunshine. Buying clothes that mean something gives them longevity beyond the next season's styles.
"For just over three years now, I have made it my mission to shop and wear exclusively second hand clothing."
The concept appealed to me from the outset, not only to ensure I bought unique pieces at great prices, but also because for the first time I questioned where my clothes came from. How could I call myself a feminist if I didn’t care about the working conditions of the woman who hand stitched hundreds of sequins onto my new top?
This sustainable venture takes a little more forward planning than being able to just nip to a high street shop for a last-minute outfit, or ordering a haul on ASOS. Vinted replaced Instagram as my new scrolling addiction. I became a shameless outfit repeater and spent weekends rummaging in charity shops.
"As a firm believer in dopamine dressing, there is nowhere better to get an endorphin hit than wandering through a charity shop. There is something so special about finding a one-off gem buried in amongst a rail, I am fortunate that my hometown has about ten charity shops within walking distance."
"Second Hand September also changed how I viewed the experience of shopping, I still enjoy browsing high street shops. I call it market research to see what each season brings and how things are being styled."
Instead of rushing to the till to purchase however, I check my mental inventory of what I already own and how I can adapt and repurpose my current wardrobe. I would buy occasion-wear in advance when I spotted a bargain and stash it away.
Full disclosure, over the past few years I have bought a handful of new clothing items. Underwear, pyjamas, one warm coat and one pair of jeans that I plan to wear and repair.
"I think it’s important not to feel guilty for doing so, especially if you make a more conscious decision to buy something that will last."
The real enemy of the slow fashion movement is the concept that clothes are disposable, purchasing to ‘wear once.’
"My advice would be to buy timeless pieces that you’ll wear for a lifetime, because something you love, that brings you joy, will never go out of fashion."
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