I once fancied myself a savvy secondhand shopper, diving into thrift stores and online marketplaces with a sense of purpose. Armed with the goal of being eco-friendly, I was determined to give preloved clothes a new lease on life. It seemed like a win-win: unique pieces and a reduced environmental footprint. But after a few years of this pursuit, I faced an inconvenient truth: secondhand shopping wasn’t working for me.
First, let’s talk about the wardrobe explosion. My closet became a museum of mismatched pieces, each with a quirky backstory but collectively forming a chaotic narrative. The dream of a curated wardrobe quickly turned into clutter. Many of the clothes I bought were impulse buys, driven by the thrill of a bargain or the admirable notion of repurposing something old.
I desperately wanted these clothes to work because I wanted to be eco-friendly, but wearing them felt more like a compromise than a statement. The reality is that not all preloved clothes are treasures. Many are worn out, outdated, or just plain shabby. Clothes simply aren’t made like they used to be, especially with fast fashion items flooding thrift stores today. Finding well-made, natural-fibre clothing in the secondhand market is like searching for a needle in a haystack.
But this raises a broader question: why are so many of us buying so much and then tossing it aside? Poorly made clothes are part of the problem, but is there more to it? The average Australian purchases 56 garments and spends between $2,000 and $2,500 annually on clothing. Why? Is it social pressure, the relentless push of fast fashion and its hideous micro-seasons, or perhaps a lack of understanding about clothing and personal style?
Another aspect that troubled me was the realisation that constantly buying secondhand can inadvertently feed the fast fashion cycle. Some people buy excessively, knowing they can make a quick buck by reselling items when the micro-season ends. Thrift stores and online marketplaces become overrun with discarded trend items, encouraging a culture of continuous consumption rather than thoughtful purchasing. While the intention behind buying secondhand is often rooted in sustainability, I found myself uncomfortable with the idea of enabling our culture’s shopping addiction, even in this roundabout way.
After wrestling with these realisations, I decided it was time to change. Enter my personal shopper: my husband. He hails from a Spanish family deeply entrenched in women’s fashion, and I greatly admire his eye for quality and style. He helped me curate a capsule wardrobe filled with timeless, well-made pieces I love and wear.
I’ll admit it: I loathe the process of buying clothes. I love wearing nice things, but shopping? Not so much. My husband’s expertise and enthusiasm for fashion meant that he could navigate this world for me, ensuring that every piece in my wardrobe is something I feel confident and comfortable in. He focuses on natural-fibre staples that suit my skin tone, lifestyle, and comfort needs – things I will actually wear and clothes that make me feel good.
Not everyone has a fashion-savvy partner, but hiring a personal shopper could be a gamechanger. Depending on your location and the shopper’s experience, costs can range from $50 to $200 an hour, with some offering package deals or commission-based fees. While this may seem like a luxury, it’s actually an investment in a wardrobe that works for you. You’ll save money in the long run by avoiding impulse buys and focusing on quality over quantity.
This more considered approach has transformed my relationship with clothing. Instead of sifting through endless racks of secondhand items, I now invest in pieces I know I will wear and love until they wear out. It’s a sustainable practice in its own right. Buying fewer, better-quality items that last longer reduces waste and the need for constant replacements. It’s also a lesson in mindful consumption: appreciating what you have and making deliberate choices about what you add to your wardrobe.
There is no reason to stop buying secondhand altogether. I always search secondhand first for any household item or children’s toy. Children’s clothing is a perfect area to embrace secondhand shopping. Kids outgrow their clothes so quickly that reusing garments that are still in good condition makes perfect sense. I’m organising a kids’ clothes swap in my town to foster this practice and build stronger community ties. It’s a beautiful way to connect with others, share resources, and support families who might be on a tight budget. There’s something incredibly satisfying about seeing clothes find a new home where they can be loved and used again.
I’m sure I will still find wonderful secondhand garments for myself here and there, but I’m not religiously sticking to secondhand everything. Ultimately, it’s about wearing what you love and loving what you wear. Clothes are more than just fabric; they express who we are. By investing in pieces that truly resonate with us, we can cultivate a wardrobe that is both sustainable and satisfying.
Callout
Abigail Austin hosts The Eco Enthusiast podcast and is the author of the memoir Birth At The End Of The Earth and the children’s book The Girl Who Became A Tree
