Secondhand fashion is not new to me, as you may know from my previous blog. What's new is the fact that I decided to break my shopping fast at a swap shop. If you're wondering what exactly is a swap shop, then let me enlighten you. It's essentially a place or organization where you exchange or trade lightly used or brand new clothes. Yup, you'll find outfits with the tag still on, at times. It's a definite way to shop fashionable items sustainably.
Before, I would find clothes that were pre-loved by my friends or even my parents. I interacted and knew these people daily. So, welcoming clothing items from their wardrobe into mine didn't seem frightening at all; especially, if those items really worked for me and didn't serve them any purpose. However, getting clothes from someone completely unknown can be quite intimidating. I had never shopped for pre-owned clothes.
I was quite happy to find the swap shop, Positive Phee, in San Diego. The owner, Sophie Hague, and I had become Instagram friends, with almost all our conversations going back to sustainable fashion. So, I knew I was in good hands. After months of planning, I finally got to visit her shop recently. Instantly, we got talking, and it felt like we had known each other for years. She showed me around her cute shop, which even housed holiday season racks and a gifting station. I took along with me a few tops from my wardrobe to swap. Before going for the appointment, I had reserved a skirt through the drops on her Instagram page, and my mission was to get tops to accompany it. I got so many adorable and fashionable options with it and some more.
Plus, I got a chance to interview her. It helped me to know her on a personal level and give me an insight into her initiative.
How did you start in fashion?
I grew up near London and was fascinated by the creativity that the city boasts, which is seen everywhere from inspirational shop window displays to grand fashion exhibitions at the Victoria & Albert Museum. As a subscriber to magazines such as Vogue, Elle & Harpers Bazaar, I studied the articles religiously, learning about the industry. My family was encouraging of my creativity and let me explore artistically, so I was really lucky.
What does sustainable fashion mean to you?
I believe that sustainable fashion is the future of the industry. The sustainable fashion movement has been growing for a long time, but I think 2020 has been a real turning point for people, as they have had time to reconsider their priorities. I personally had time to reflect on how much I was spending monthly on clothes and how hard it was to find good quality items for affordable prices. I am excited to offer a service that is both affordable and sustainable. It is finally becoming unfashionable to buy items that you can only wear once, and thrifting and upcycling clothes are becoming more popular than ever.
What is Positive Phee & how did you come about the concept?
Positive Phee is a thrift store with a difference that operates on a swap basis by bringing donations to swap for 'new to you' clothes. Offering by appointment services (including the option of champagne) means that the service is completely personalized. The concept is completely sustainable and ethical, and so it is a new, guilt-free way to enjoy fashion. For more information, check out www.positivephee.com and follow @positive_phee on Instagram.
My takeaway from this experience:
Do your research before you go to the place. If it's new to you, ask the owner and pay a visit first.
Go with an intent, which means to know what you are looking for before you go shopping. This step will help you narrow down the clothes and make the whole process feel less intimidating. Also, this works for any of your shopping sprees, as it will curb those unintentional buys.
Understand that it's not a regular shop, which means you might not find what you are looking for in your size. Still, I'll advise you to try things out, as the sizes differ from brand to brand. I usually am S/M size, but that skirt I reserved was an L and fit me perfectly.
These are pre-loved clothes, so they'll have a tiny bit of a worn-in look about them. If you're uncomfortable with this then request the owner to can show options with tags still on them. However, these kinds of personalizations are mostly only possible in small businesses.
Wash (according to the wash care label instructions) and wear, and again do this for any shopping spree, be it new in-store clothes or pre-owned.
Lastly, know that it's a good, sustainable option, and simply have fun with it!
I am so glad I ended my shopping fast on this note and got a real chance to shop sustainably.
Love,
Rashmi B.
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