Sustainable fashion is more popular than ever before, due to a combination of a change in attitude from customers and the ongoing cost-of-living crisis.
There is no shortage of options for sustainable buying, with sites like Vinted, Depop, eBay and Facebook Marketplace all offering the opportunity to purchase second-hand clothing at affordable prices.
Second-hand buying continues to grow in popularity and British mum-of-two Lisa Johnson, from Wilmslow, has made a habit out of shopping pre-loved for herself and her children.
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The 49-year-old started shopping sustainably after becoming involved in climate change activism and she now finds herself saving around £1,000 a year just by opting for pre-owned fashion instead of buying new, the Manchester Evening News reports.
"Being involved in climate change activism, one of the first things you learn is that fashion industry is one of the most environmentally damaging," she explained to the English publication.
"I’ve never really changed size that much; I’ve always stayed the same size. So I thought, ‘Do we need to keep buying new?’
"Obviously if you have a growing child, you need to buy things for them. As an adult, can you not just look in your wardrobe, see what you have and switch it up with a bit of nice jewellery?"
Lisa, a clinical aromatherapist who owns her own hand-made skincare line, says she has also made money by selling items on Vinted, a second-hand clothing app.
"It’s brilliant," she said. "You can go and search for a green cardigan and get one someone else doesn’t want anymore for £2.
"When you sell, it all adds up, so you have credit in your account and you don’t need to spend money on clothes at all. That’s what I’ve been doing."
While the rising cost of living may have influenced the increase in customers looking at less expensive, second-hand clothing, other factors could include consumers becoming more eco-conscious.
"I’m not judging people who need to buy new at all," Lisa continued. "It’s just for my lifestyle. My kids are 13 and 15 and they aren’t interested in new clothes either. They’re happy to look in charity shops with me and get second-hand stuff. Their school has a second-hand uniform shop too."
As charity shops also report increases in business, likely due to the combination of factors mentioned above, Lisa explained how she loves nothing more than picking up clothes while also contributing to a good cause.
"When you do find something you like [from a charity shop], it’s just so lovely," Lisa added. "I never look like other people because I’m wearing something unique."
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