Something Borrowed, Something Second Hand

Resale platforms are getting momentum, but are you ready to wear second hand?

When you grow up looking at YouTube videos of fashion hauls, you assume that it's right, and it's what you're going to do too in the future. Then, you really grow up and read about all the mess the fast fashion industry has created. I have always struggled with fast fashion until I found my sweet spot. Something borrowed, something second hand is my theory, like in this outfit below, I had borrowed the jacket from my dad, and the graphic sleeveless t-shirt is given to me by my friend. The same goes for the other outfit where I borrowed the pants from my mom and the cropped top is again a pre-loved item from my friend's closet. These were the outfits I wore proudly at Lakmé Fashion Week last year.

Whether it was my mom's closet or my friends', if the clothes are up for grabs, I wouldn't shy away. Why? Giving them a second chance of glory is so much better than them ending up in a landfill because that's what happens in the end. The clothes you donate, the clothes you return after trying them at home, and the clothes you throw away all land up in creating just unwanted crisis and pollution.

Don't get me wrong. I do love a shopping spree, but I do it very consciously now. I always have a list of things I do want in my closet and try to hunt for them. If you see my wardrobe, you'll find that I have a few pieces that were previously owned by someone. Think about it as if you're shopping from your friend's closet. The key is to make it your own. Try to change up things, as I did with the red jumpsuit. The gold chain was much bulkier when one of my friends owned it. I switched it with a dainty one that'll suit my body shape.

Thrift shopping and shopping second hand has a bad rep, but as we look at the overconsumption pattern and the resulting overstock, this has come out as a sustainable choice. I am sincerely looking into this now. Oxfam's #SecondHandSeptember movement is all about re-loving pre-loved garments. Treat it as you giving a new life to something old and expanding its lifespan. Isn't that a beautiful thing?

Also, shop wisely and only on things that you know you're definitely going to wear multiple times. Re-style your wardrobe basics, have fun, and come up with new outfit ideas. Check the care label and fabric composition and take care of your garments accordingly. Before discarding any garments, think about repurposing the fabric if it's in good shape. These are a few ways in which you can make your wardrobe sustainable.

What are your thoughts on owning pre-loved clothes? Will you give them a go? Let me know.

Love,

Rashmi B.