Second Hand September: I’ve just about sneaked it onto the blog in time, haven’t I…?!
I’ve never really covered it on the blog or properly committed to it before, but I’ve always loved the concept of Second Hand September – I’m usually too late to the party though. I wrote last month (within my pandemic-related life struggles and reasons to buy secondhand and preloved clothes posts) about committing to shopping second hand wherever possible from now on.
I want to buy new only if (for whatever reason) it’s absolutely necessary. I’m not going to stick to it so steadfastly that I restrict myself, but I’m all-in on the “wanting to do better” and “think before you buy” concepts.
If Second Hand September is new to you, here’s what Oxfam have to say…
Take part in Oxfam’s Second Hand September and shop second-hand to reduce waste, take a stance against climate change, and help create a fairer world – all while looking super fabulous.
~ Oxfam, Second Hand September
So this month’s outfit post comes to you via the preloved pink jumpsuit I nabbed in a local charity shop several months ago: it’s been on repeat for me all summer.
(Well, the weeks during the months of June and September that might vaguely pass as “summer”, at least. #EyeRoll)
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This post contains some affiliate links which means if you click through and buy I may receive a small commission at no cost to you. Full disclosure
Scroll down for some links to preloved pink jumpsuits I’ve found for you to shop – in all different sizes…
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SHOP THE LOOK… I’ve put these in size order, from Small to Large, left to right
eBay – secondhand/preloved high street picks and usually cheaper (many are being sold via auction so don’t fanny about if you like something):
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Vintage Etsy – more expensive but far more unique and retro:
My photos today show off one outfit version with the pink jumpsuit, and the whole look is either secondhand (charity shopped) or rediscovered from my own wardrobe, closet for those over the pond. 😉
Most of my outfit posts have always involved a hefty proportion of previously worn items – I’ve NEVER been one for hauls (ughhhhh) or shopping in Primark. I haven’t stepped foot in Primark for maybe… 13? 14? 15? years. And I can’t say I’m going to start anytime soon.
So let’s break down what I’m wearing:
Pink jumpsuit: Bought early summer as mentioned in a local charity shop. Cost maybe about £6.
Sweater: Bought a couple of winters ago, again in a charity shop. It’s one up from my usual size but I like sweaters a little baggier. Cost was about £4.
Belt: Charity shop again – and I like this because you never have to worry about your waist size or needing extra holes with a woven belt. It allows for shrinkage, happy weight gain and Christmas food babies. Was probably £2.
Shoes: Shopped from my own wardrobe. I did buy them new, but they are SO comfy and I love them SO much because they go with just about everything. Cost per wear is going to be minimal and will continue to go down. I know giving you a link for them new isn’t in the spirit of Second Hand September, but I’m sure I’ll be asked: here’s the matte black platform brogues like these ones and here’s a link to loads of other colours (beige, white, brown, burgundy, gold, silver) in both matte and patent.
Necklace: Shopped from my wardrobe… Keith bought it for me in Santorini back in 2015. So glad to have “rediscovered” it in my jewellery collection, and I’ve been wearing it a lot as the length is perfect for summer.
Bag: Shopped from my bag collection, I bought it years ago. I always need a shopper bag with me when I pop out (for more charity stuff?!) and I still love the happy colours. It’s going to get used a lot more.
Glasses: Not new-new, but since I got them earlier this year they’ve been almost permanently glued to my face due to my failing eyesight. They’re my first pair of bifocals and they’re a GODSEND because I can finally walk around with my glasses on. I’m so unbelievably long-sighted now that my standard reading glasses make me go trippy if I look up into the distance, they’re that strong…!
I hope I did Second Hand September proud: I bought a few preloved bits and pieces for the home (tell me if you’re interested in seeing all the vintage and preloved stuff in my house?) as well as secondhand clothes this month. I will admit I bought just one new item of clothing… a 2 in 1 orange rain mac/shoulder bag that I’d had my eye on for ages was reduced and eventually came back into stock. It cleverly folds up and into a built-in bag that goes over your shoulder, and as I do so much walking it makes perfect sense for me. I’ve worn it almost every other day out walking so it was a wise buy.
Nearly October – that means Saturday’s post will be this month’s Things I’m Loving, don’t miss it!
Did you/have you taken part in Second Hand September? What piece in your wardrobe have you owned and worn the longest, and do you “shop” your own wardrobe regularly like me? Comment below…!
Thanks for reading,
Linking up to… Monday: Stylish Monday (second Monday of the month), Inspire Me Monday, My Glittery Heart, On Mondays We Link Up || Tuesday: Style With a Smile, Trend Spin/Walking in Memphis in High Heels, Turning Heads Tuesday, Confident Twosday, Happy Now Blog Link Up || Wednesday: WowOnWednesday || Thursday: Chic & Stylish, Ageless Style Linkup (third Thursday of the month), || Friday: Neverending Style, Fancy Friday, On the Edge
I love the jumpsuit! I bought an orange one for £6 in a charity shop and I take it on every holiday! The necklace is gorgeous. I didn’t stick to buying only second hand in September but I didn’t buy much new. I got quite a few things on Vinted and sold some too. Thanks for linking up!
Emma xxx
Author
Thank you Emma – I’d die if I found an ORANGE jumpsuit in a charity shop, what a find!! With all this talk of Vinted I really must get onto selling my stuff asap…
You loo fabulous, Catherine! I love the jumpsuit, but my favourite item has got to be that amazing happy bag! I wish Portugal was a bit more with-it when it came to charity shops but we don’t have many for some reason, and most of the ones we do have, seem to be run by expats. They’re ok but nothing like the ones you get in the UK or in the States.
Hugs
Suzy xx
Author
Thanks Suzy – the bag was hiding at the back of the wardrobe under other bags… so glad I rediscovered it! Such a shame you don’t get to do the charity shop thing, I think I’d miss that if I moved abroad…!
I’ve always dabbled in second hand/preloved – more through necessity than choice and soon I’m doing an exciting project around styling preloved items that I’m really looking forward to. As I’ve got older and care less about following g trends I feel more inclined to allow myself to indulge in more eclectic choices too.
Oh wow, your outfit reminded me of a outfit I had, when I was about 10, for my Barbie! What a lovely trip down to memory lane(I also had a patent black trenchcoat for her, to drule over really, so gorgeous)
I absolutely love to shop on Vinted, and to sell on. I hardly am disappointed about my purchases. Hope to see you on my Fancy Friday linkup party.
I commited to shopping my closet for 4 weeks starting the day after my birthday and it has been a lot of fun to rediscover some items, weed out my closet and creating some new outfits with what I have. I transitioned part of my wardrobe (the very summery things were put away and my lightweight fall things came out) which made it feel like I was shopping for real. I have done much better with shopping 2nd hand in 2023 but want to do even better with it next month.
This is a fab boiler suit and you’ve styled it so well, that bag is delicious. I do shop in Primark, they have some great pieces, and some awful stuff too. I also love to buy on Vinted and bought a stunning BNWT Mint Velvet dress for only £10. Thanks for adding to my linkup Catherine. Jacqui xx
Author
Thanks Jacqui, it was the colour that drew me to it! x
A few years ago I bought a great orange print dress, which I loved, but then realised it had a fault so had to returned it. When trying to repurchase it was out of stock constantly so I sort of reluctantly gave up. Then, a few weeks ago there it was on Vinted for £10. I am so chuffed, still love it after all this time.
Alison x
Author
Oh wow Alison I can’t actually believe that happened – talk about meant to be!!
Love the belt, got to love belts that flex to fit all sizes. I picked up a couple like that in Corfu (not second hand) but did replace 12 million belts I had donated to charity because they have shrunk 🙂
Author
“12 million belts” – LOL!! Debbie I think I have about that many too, though amazingly I was lacking a decent all-rounder black belt when I saw this one. I think many of my belts have, er, “shrunk” too 😉
Ooo, someone’s ticked the super fabulous mark in the Oxfam PR. West a fab outfit, Catherine. Loving the glasses too and I think I know what you mean about trippy vision if you put the old pair on. 🙂
Now Oxfam have an online store, I find that a lot easier to browse and buy from. Likewise with Vinted. I may have a three pairs of heels from them this year. Oops 🙂
FWIW, if you get a item that’s not quite right, if you’re handy with a needle & thread, or lucky to have a clothing alterations shop, then they can breathe new life into something. I bought a dress for its beautiful pattern, but it was not sitting right. A visit to the shop got it tweaked so it’s just right. Do you alter act of your clothes?
As to favourite rewear. A black & red rose print dress I’ve had for an age. Easily dressed up or down with the right shoes & accessories. Also a ditzy print monochrome dress; although I feel that’s with opaques or leggings now I’m in my 50s.
Author
Thanks Lynn! I haven’t really ever shopped from the Oxfam online store, but since compiling this post I HAVE had a browse. I’m still slightly more on the side of vintage Etsy though, but they’re all worth checking out IMO, you never know what you’re gonna get!
I am perfectly capable of altering clothes (my mother was a seamstress and she taught me well), however I will admit I don’t particularly enjoy it… I tend to get my sister to help me. But with hems and things, she pins them while I’m wearing them and then I’ll do the sewing bit – it’s almost impossible to pin things by yourself!!
I didn’t take part in Second Hand September but I have a new enthusiasm for second hand after finding a brilliant lime dress with a crochet overlay, in a local charity shop. It was perfect for a blog challenge and I’ve had so many positive comments about it. Thanks for linking! X
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Finding an absolute gem in a charity shop is so brilliant, isn’t it Gail…?!!
That pink chambray fabric is rare and looks very special compared to workaday indigo. Mea culpa, I did my share of thrifting this month! I get alerts on ThredUp when styles / brands I like show up. I get new-with-tags shirts for $10 that retail for $60 (good quality polo shirts.) Also beach cover ups. You do have to grab most items when you see them. There are about 5 thrift stores near me. Occasionally I find a diamond in the rough.
Author
You’re 100% right about getting things when you see them, Liz – they are NEVER there if you go back for them!! Good tips about setting alerts, I do the same for my collection of 1950s Midwinter china on eBay (I’m building on the three pieces – two covered tureens and a meat platter – that my mum gave me years ago, it was all that was left from her wedding china in 1957). Hurrah for modern technology and the internet I say, there’s no way I could have ever built on the collection without it!
Would you mind sharing the brand of your shopper?
I found a picture on-line but no information on the brand.
Hopefully I will be able to find it 2nd hand on-line.
Thank you,
Jill
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Jill I couldn’t remember so I had to look – the label said MNG so I think Mango… I did a search from my blog archives and found the listing on Asos via an outfit post, the link still works but it was only ever for a different colourway as I so often buy things in the sale and this one had long since sold out. Here’s the link, I hope it helps: https://rstyle.me/n/cvvxhemajw
Good luck! x
Thank you, with the name I can hopefully find it on some re-sale sites.
I agree with Mary Katherine – if you visit charity and vintage shops in ‘ posh’ towns and cities,you get your fill of stunning,classy clothes,often at bargain prices. Not only that,but there are usually super coffee shops for reviewing your finds!
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Tresi I’d be a nightmare and constantly shopping if I lived near more affluent areas with great charity shops, eep 😀 But what I do find here in East Devon (I’m in a not-affluent market town) is that what some consider old-fashioned and a bit of tat, I consider cool and retro. So I find a LOT of fabulous mid-century homewares; there seems to be a neverending supply of MCM ornaments, pictures, wall hangings, crockery… And I’m not complaining that no one else likes it, it means more for me!!
And how great does it look with your hair color?!?!?! My closet is so overstuffed (with things I LOVE, unfortunately) that I’m REALLY having to stick to the 1-in, 1-out rule. Although I’m truly OVER skinny pants (except under tall boots) and have gotten 2 pairs each of wide-legged summer and winter trousers. Love. But thrifting is really the BEST, especially if you scout out the ones in the swanky parts of town…
Author
Thank you MK…! I don’t really live anywhere that’s considered “swanky”, LOL… anywhere like that is a long way away from here in rural Devon!! 😉 But I always bear it in mind when visiting friends in places like Surrey or Hampshire or when in London. Though I’m not sure I could trust myself not to go mad with a shopping frenzy!