Every year we dump a massive 2.12 billion tons of waste worldwide and in the UK a whopping 13 million items of clothing ends up in landfill every week. Textile waste is an unintended consequence of fast fashion, which relies on a culture of disposability. Every garment we buy has an environmental footprint at every stage in its production. Even the disposal of our clothing causes environmental damage – for example, waste sent to landfill produces methane, a powerful greenhouse gas.
SUSTAINABLE ALTERNATIVES TO FAST FASHION
It’s estimated that around two-thirds of the harmful climate impact over the lifetime of a garment comes at the raw materials stage, however the international expansion of fast fashion retailers has exacerbated the problem with waste on a global scale and has brought about a massive rise in textile waste dumped in landfill sites.
Brands have a role to play in educating consumers about repairing and recycling their clothes. Some brands already operate repair services, Nudie Jeans, for example promise free repairs for every pair of Nudie Jeans via their mobile repair service.
Patagonia’s Worn Wear goes even further, as you can take your garment to one of their repair centers, Worn Wear repair tours or send it in the post and they will repair it, potentially extending a garment’s life by about two years, which cuts its combined carbon, waste and water footprint by 73%. You can also trade it in Patagonia clothing and get credit toward purchases, buy from their ReCrafted collection, buy second-hand or from their own factory seconds. Other brands have in-store collection points for garments at the end of their life, which can be recycled, or resold for charity.
Ultimately, though we need to rethink the disposable nature of fast fashion culture; we must stop thinking of clothes as disposable and adopt circular fashion principles that treat the life-cycle of a garment as a closed loop. This means recycling, upcycling and remaking, which are more sustainable alternatives to landfill.
95% of the clothing we throw away are able to have a second life, although “Globally 20% of textiles are recycled, meaning the other 80% are lost to landfill or incineration
Alden Wicker, Fashion Revolution
Pre-owned clothing offers the opportunity to utilize manufactured items which may no longer serve their initial buyer, but still have a long-life use and can benefit another; it can come in variety of forms: consignment, vintage, thrift, hand-me-downs, or even swap shops and it ensures your money stays in the community where it can benefit local businesses and charities.
Many vintage items are excellently made, high quality and will easily last another 50 years. Denim is a great example of this, and one of the highest water consuming products in the fashion world
Knowing when and where to go to buy pre-owned takes a bit of time and research, but it’s so rewarding, especially if you uncover a hidden gem. It’s very unpredictable too, but that’s the beauty of it, finding the unexpected in a little vintage shop gives you a thrill you simply won’t get from buying fast fashion that everyone’s wearing.
After researching the best places to buy pre-loved locally in Hanoi and Saigon and also worldwide, I came across Oxfam’s “Second Hand September“ initiative which has prompted me to pledge not to buy any new clothes for six months……I will keep you posted on how I’m doing!
BUYING LOCAL
HANOI, VIETNAM
Green Gem Shop: The Green Gem Shop promotes and raises awareness about reducing, reusing and recycling. They sell good quality second-hand clothing. All proceeds help fund Keep Hanoi Clean activities. 2nd floor, 587 Lac Long Quan, Xuan La, Tay Ho, Hanoi.
Chan Con Cong Vintage is a boutique offering a curated selection of dynamic vintage wear for women & men at affordable prices in the heart of Hanoi Old Quarter. Their products come from USA, Japan, Korea and the EU. 14 Đuong Thanh, Hanoi 14 Duong Thanh and 8 Chân Cầm, Hang Trong, Hanoi. You can also find them on Facebook here.
Đông Tác Second-Hand Market. This is the biggest second-hand clothing market in Hanoi: Đông Tác Street, Kiem Lien Ward, Dong Da District, Hanoi.
Hang Da Market: Hang Da Market, located in the heart of Hanoi’s central business district, is a three-storey shopping mall that houses an eclectic array of stalls including a range of second-hand clothing stalls. 1 Hang Da Street, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi
Haloplushanoi: This is a trendy second-hand shop that regularly posts great photos of items that are new in stock on Instagram and Facebook. No 17 Alley, 238 Au Co, Tay Ho, Hanoi.
Hanoi Suitcase Rummage. This is a market with a twist; anyone and everybody can sell a bag or suitcase full of pre-loved items and make a bit of dosh! It’s also a great place for a bit of a bargain and at each market there is music and food stalls. Held at Fig Tree Garden, 66 Quảng Khánh, Quảng An Tay Ho, Hanoi.
Lon Xon Clothing: A contemporary pre-loved clothing platform and store. Also stocks handmade clothing. 36 Ngõ Giếng, Chợ Dừa, Đống Đa, Hanoi. You can also find them on Facebook.
Palm House: Linh, the owner regularly has new stock so the hunt for that unique item is always new and fresh. You can also get garments altered at a very small cost. Lane 62, 52 To Ngoc Van Street, Tay Ho, Hanoi.
Sò Vintage: Sò Vintage, translated as “Vintage Oysters” is a fashion brand founded in 2013 and has stores in Hanoi and Saigon. This is a women’s pre-loved store with a vintage-bohemian style. 64 Quán Thánh, Hanoi.
Twenty Seven Klub: A small thrift and vintage store. 34 Dao Duy Tu, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi.
Urban Circular Space: The Shop promotes Minus-Waste and you can consign, swap, donate and buy pre-loved clothing and accessories. 2X, 6 Ton That Tung, Dong Da District, Hanoi.
Vintage Stadium: This is a Thrift Shop that sells mens vintage sweatshirts, windbreakers and jackets. 94 Phố Yên Phụ P. Yên Phụ District, Tay Ho, Hanoi.
Hieu Secondhand: A menswear second-hand an vintage shop selling trousers, sweatshirts and sports jackets. 6 Lane, 219 Nguyen Ngoc Vu, Hanoi.
SAIGON, VIETNAM
Con Qua Den: The clothes mainly come from Hong Kong, the US, Korea and Japan, but they also import from other countries around the world and occasionally you might find some designer brands. 28B Dang Dinh Tan Dinh, District 1, Sàigòn. You can also find them on Facebook here.
Kami House: A relatively new vintage shop in Ho Chi Minh City that has second-hand clothes from the US, South Korea and Japan and cute changing-room videos. 29 Nguyen Thi Huynh, Ward 8 Phu Nhuan, Sàigòn.
Mayhem Saigon: This cool vintage shop is one of the first that opened in Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon). Most of the clothes and accessories are imported from Japan and they have a great Instagram page as well if you need some inspiration. 136/1 Le Thanh Ton, District 1, Sàigòn, South Vietnam.
Si Lem: A wide selection of pre-loved for men and women. 244/26 Huỳnh Văn Bánh, Sàigòn. You can also find them on Facebook here.
Sò vintage: (As before in Hanoi) 362 Huynh Van Banh, P14, Phú Nhuận, Sàigòn. You can also find them on Facebook here.
ONLINE, VIETNAM
2nd Closet Design: If you are looking for something pre-loved and upcycled too, try 2nd Closet Design.
90s Second Hand. A small online store for second-hand clothing.
Leaf Thriftshop: This is a small menswear online platform on Instagram of military style and pre-loved clothing.
Thriftshop.Saigon: An online marketplace on Instagram and FB for menswear specialising in outdoor wear, hoodies, Tee’s, shorts and trousers. You can also find them on Facebook here.
Leaf Thriftshop: This is a small menswear online platform on Instagram of military style and pre-loved clothing.
If you’re not in Vietnam, then here are a few carefully curated online and second-hand stores based around the world.
WORLDWIDE
ONLINE
ASOS Marketplace: This is the place to find a wide range of independent vintage online stores selling rare clothing and accessories from boutiques around the world. Some of the most popular are Second Chancy, based in Naploi, Italy; Goose Goose based in Vydmantai, Lithuania; Messina Girl based in the UK; Hot Milk Vintage Clothes based in Klaipeda, Lithuania; YZL Vintage based in Charleroi, Belgium; Rapunzel Vintage based in Baulkham Hills, Australia; The Black Market based in Berlin, Germany; Volga Volga based in Riga, Latvia; The Oles Store based in Horsching, Austria and Old But Gold Vintage based in Bristol in the UK.
COAL N TERRY: Established in 2010, COAL N TERRY began as a vintage store selling high quality vintage pieces on Ebay, but today it is the go-to online resource for renewed denim and witty apparel for both adults and kids. Founded by Azeezat Owokoniran-Jimoh and her husband Damilare (Dare) Jimoh, COAL N TERRY has amassed a devout and celebrity following. Influencers, socialites and celebrities such as Beyonce, Rhiana, Khloe Kardashian, Pia Mia, Becky G, Carli Bybel and Dawn Richard have all been seen wearing COAL N TERRY vintage and iPhone snaps of new products are quickly posted on Instagram, giving customers an idea of how they could style their clothes.
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Depop: Founded by co-founder of PIG magazine and RETROSUPERFUTURE sunglasses, Simon Beckerman, Depop started as a social network where PIG’s readers could buy items featured in the magazine, however it has now become the chosen marketplace for Gen Z shoppers with an interest in retro sportswear and 90’s fashion. Their mission is to empower the next generation to transform fashion and extend the life of garments, reduce waste, and make a positive change within the fashion industry
Today the app is a global marketplace; a mobile space where customers can see what their friends and the people they’re inspired by are liking, buying, and selling.
HEWI: Hardly Ever Warn It launched in 2012 and is a slick website focusing on reselling luxury fashion pieces and accessories, many of which are from only a season or two ago. Brands include Prada, Christopher Kane, Hermes to name a few.
Poshmark: This is an online marketplace designed for individuals to sell items from their closet for cash. With over 70 million community members across the U.S. and Canada and 200 million items for sale, diverse collection of styles, brands, sizes, and price points there is something for every budget on this site.
“Thrifting is about more than just finding amazing deals on your favourite brands. It’s also about shopping with intention, rejecting throwaway fashion culture, and standing for sustainability. The Clothes we wear have the power to create change”.
Re-Fashion: This online marketplace has a wide variety of second-hand clothes and a Style blog on Facebook featuring items for sale. It also encourages upcycling by selling cheap “Rag Bags” which contain garments that have slight defects, which are perfect for upcycling and re-made hybrid clothing.
This is just a small selection of the many online marketplaces where you can buy pre-loved clothing.
COMING SOON: Sign up for my “Global Guide to Pre-Loved” – a comprehensive guide of how to shop for pre-loved globally. The Guide includes a resource of physical and online stores worldwide, perfect for the sustainable traveller.
