Founded in 2019 by Oxfam to encourage environmentally-conscious sartorial habits, Second Hand September has now become a global fashion phenomenon. Throughout the month of September, participants are invited to donate their clothes, to celebrate reusing and restyling their existing wardrobe and to not buy new.
As September marks the changing of the season – on the calendar and in the fashion industry – it’s a particularly great time to reassess our spending habits and our reliance on buying new clothes. When a new pair of jeans is made, an estimated 16.2kg of CO2 is emitted – the equivalent of driving over 58 miles in a car. By restricting the amount of new clothing we purchase, we can significantly reduce our carbon footprint and support the fight against the climate crisis.
And while Second Hand September encourages “shopping your wardrobe” – pulling those unworn garments from the back of your cupboard and finding new combinations or reminding yourself of old favourites – this is not to say that all purchases are strictly off limits. Second-hand shopping from charity shops, vintage resellers and upcycling designers, local where possible, remains strongly recommended, as this helps support the slow fashion industry.
For Depop sellers Martha, Bella and Anna, Second Hand September is a great time to revive their stock in anticipation of the increased interest in rehomed clothing. Below, these top sellers share their thoughts on second-hand styles, their favourite finds and why shopping sustainably is so important.
MARTHA – @marbu
What inspires you most about second-hand fashion?
I grew up in an area with an abundance of charity shops – I think being able to shop such a wide variety of styles helps you experiment with your style and find what you’re really into. Rather than everything being catered to current trends, it’s a mix of all sorts. You have to be super open-minded, but I love not knowing what I’m going to find. That’s what inspired me to start my Depop – collecting all the pieces that I like and catering to people who have a similar style. I’m really lucky to have 50% returning customers, it’s so cool to know other people share my love for these pieces and we’re able to give them a new life.
What’s your favourite recent second-hand find?
I have had so many regretful sales over the years that I still think of daily! I’ve been building a personal collection over the years of pieces that hold a special place in my heart. I’ve found a love for 90’s Moschino graphics. They are instantly recognisable to me and my favourite that I’ve found is a late 90’s Moschino slinky, block colour maxi dress in orange and white, with a script printed from the neck to hem. I sourced it at a market in Italy, the lady I bought it from had kept it framed and hung in her home since the 90s! Me being me, I took it straight out the frame and I’ll never stop wearing it.
I think being able to shop such a wide variety of styles helps you experiment with your style and find what you’re really into.
Martha
As it’s second-hand September, what retro designs have you been inspired by recently and how have you styled them?
I mainly focus on 90s and 2000s fashion within my shop and personal wardrobe, but I love to cherry-pick elements from all eras. Currently, I really love the 80’s punk style, but mixed with a softer more romantic vibe. I take a lot of inspiration from Vivienne Westwood, referencing her style of layering and mixing prints and textures such as tartan and lace.
My go-to right now is chunky boots, a floaty skirt and a chunky belt or two paired with a biker jacket and a cute top. I think everyone should own a vintage leather jacket.
How can second-hand styles elevate wearers’ day-to-day outfits?
When shopping second-hand for accessories you can find really unique pieces. The quality is always far better than fast fashion today and will last you so much longer. You can take the most simple outfit and elevate the whole look and give it a new direction with the use of accessories.
In your opinion, why is shopping second-hand so important?
Keeping items in circulation is so beneficial for the environment and preventing waste. Nowadays a lot of the trends we see are recreated from past styles, so if you can source original pieces rather than the fast fashion alternatives, you’re helping to support a more ethical form of consumerism.
BELLA – @bellavrana
What inspires you most about second-hand fashion?
I love the cyclical nature of trends – I’ve been sourcing stock for 8 years and sometimes when I’m going through my unit, I’ll find pieces I sourced years ago that are having a huge moment right now. We’ll always be able to re-style pieces in different ways and that’s what keeps second-hand fashion so sustainable.
What’s your favourite recent second-hand find?
This is a hard one for me as there are too many to choose from, and I probably keep about ten pieces from my stock each week (due to lack of self-restraint!). Recently I sourced some baby blue metallic heeled flip flops with a flower on them for my shop, and I’m still debating whether to keep them or not.
As it’s second-hand September, what retro designs have you been inspired by recently and how have you styled them?
I’m really into minimalism at the moment which was big in the 90s – super simple looks made up of minimal but high-quality pieces. For these basics, vintage is usually best due to the fact things were made to last back in the day. For me, that means wearing my favourite vintage black cardigan, a cute tank top and some plain trousers, usually my Chloe Trousers from my own label.
A lot of modern fashion brands lack transparency about where they’re producing their garments, so choosing second-hand over fast fashion alternatives means you can shop without worrying about the negative impacts.
Bella
How can second-hand styles elevate wearers’ day-to-day outfits?
One aspect is the quality – I’ve found that the vintage items I source and sell are of a much higher quality and this is proven by the fact they’ve lasted to this day and have already lived many lives. Wearing second-hand pieces also elevates a look because most items are quite unique, so it’s unlikely you’ll see someone else walking down the street in the same piece as you.
In your opinion, why is shopping second-hand so important?
There are so many factors that come into why second-hand shopping is so important, but one that stands out for me is that it reduces the need to buy new from brands with questionable manufacturing practices. There are so many beautiful pieces that already exist in the world, so it’s better to see what’s out there before choosing to buy new. A lot of modern fashion brands lack transparency about where they’re producing their garments, so choosing second-hand over fast fashion alternatives means you can shop without worrying about the negative impacts.
Shopping second-hand also promotes individual style and encourages people to have a deeper relationship with the clothes. They can appreciate its history and maybe they had to dig around a little to find the piece of clothing. I like to think this reduces waste and single-wear purchases. Having an emotional attachment to your clothing is always a good thing.
ANNA – @byeanna
What inspires you most about second-hand fashion?
Finding unique pieces and the challenge of styling them with my current wardrobe is one of the most inspiring things about second-hand fashion. Being able to bring a new lease of life to clothes and save them from being thrown away is also a big factor motivating me to buy second-hand.
What’s your favourite recent second-hand find?
My favourite second-hand find has been a pair of vintage Diesel faux snakeskin slingback kitten heels. As much as I love them, they are currently for sale on my Depop account.
As it’s second-hand September, what retro designs have you been inspired by recently and how have you styled them?
I’ve been inspired a lot by pleats at the moment, especially 50s box pleat skirts and I absolutely love wearing them with my current wardrobe. My favourite way to style them has been pairing them with a black spaghetti strap top, some cute patent kitten heels, a cropped leather jacket and one of my handmade crossbody bags.
As well as selling my designs that are made from recycled and scrap materials on Depop, I also am a freelance biomaterial and textile designer. I know it’s critical that we start taking an active interest in where our clothes and materials come from and end up.
Anna
How can second-hand styles elevate wearers’ day-to-day outfits?
Normally second-hand pieces are really unique and it’s difficult to find anyone else wearing them, therefore it’s super easy to add a bit more excitement to your current outfit rotation.
In your opinion, why is shopping second-hand so important?
So many textiles end up in landfills because of mass-produced clothing. It’s therefore vital for us to buy clothes in a way that doesn’t add to this problem. As well as selling my designs that are made from recycled and scrap materials on Depop, I also am a freelance biomaterial and textile designer. I know it’s critical that we start taking an active interest in where our clothes and materials come from and end up.
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