Just love your newsletter and am so glad to hear your voice again. I bump up against wondering if something is going to fit. How do you manage that? If there's no return window and an item doesn't fit, what do you do? If I'm going to purchase more second hand items virtually, should I also be looking for a tailor I like? Thanks!
Great question. “Know your measurements” is the mantra for secondhand shopping online. Keep a note on your phone of your bust, waist and hips measurement in inches and centimeters as well as measurements of some of your favourite fitting clothes so you can easily compare them to the measurements of an item you’re interested in. If the seller hasn’t provided measurements ask for them. Another tactic is to only buy brands you know your size in. But yes, a good tailor is a great idea as tailored clothes always look way more expensive 💅
Re: the plus size issue, I think one of the reasons it's hard to find wonderful second-hand stuff is that there's so much less to begin with. Decades of amazing vintage plus size simply don't exist. It's only recently that major (mass market) labels have begun offering "extended" sizes. A lot of what's been out there over the last couple of decades has been low quality, so may not last long enough for multiple users. And then, of course, there's the devaluing of *us*. Second-hand stores have had the ability to turn away plus size clothing because they don't see us, or we're not who they want their clientele to be. I hope that the online selling markets will at least eliminate that issue, as we sell to one another.
Second hand shops were always around and most of us forget how good it can be. Experiences like yours it's great to encourage people to "have a look. why not".
I normally look for shoes or t-shirts, my boddy type doesnt help me when buying pants.
I love to go to men section to buy tshirts for the gym. There's always good finds at Vinnies :)
I read in The Guardian yday that the fashion industry uses 180 BILLION plastic bags annually. That stat alone should shock people into recycling clothing.
I love Poshmark and Thread up, as well as Facebook Marketplace for second hand and vintage hunting without leaving the house. I'm downloading Depop now, thanks for sharing!
Just love your newsletter and am so glad to hear your voice again. I bump up against wondering if something is going to fit. How do you manage that? If there's no return window and an item doesn't fit, what do you do? If I'm going to purchase more second hand items virtually, should I also be looking for a tailor I like? Thanks!
Great question. “Know your measurements” is the mantra for secondhand shopping online. Keep a note on your phone of your bust, waist and hips measurement in inches and centimeters as well as measurements of some of your favourite fitting clothes so you can easily compare them to the measurements of an item you’re interested in. If the seller hasn’t provided measurements ask for them. Another tactic is to only buy brands you know your size in. But yes, a good tailor is a great idea as tailored clothes always look way more expensive 💅
Re: the plus size issue, I think one of the reasons it's hard to find wonderful second-hand stuff is that there's so much less to begin with. Decades of amazing vintage plus size simply don't exist. It's only recently that major (mass market) labels have begun offering "extended" sizes. A lot of what's been out there over the last couple of decades has been low quality, so may not last long enough for multiple users. And then, of course, there's the devaluing of *us*. Second-hand stores have had the ability to turn away plus size clothing because they don't see us, or we're not who they want their clientele to be. I hope that the online selling markets will at least eliminate that issue, as we sell to one another.
Second hand shops were always around and most of us forget how good it can be. Experiences like yours it's great to encourage people to "have a look. why not".
I normally look for shoes or t-shirts, my boddy type doesnt help me when buying pants.
I love to go to men section to buy tshirts for the gym. There's always good finds at Vinnies :)
Loved your newletter btw !
Thank you, and yes, the men’s section should never be overlooked! Shirts, blazers and vests sections are my faves.
I read in The Guardian yday that the fashion industry uses 180 BILLION plastic bags annually. That stat alone should shock people into recycling clothing.
INSANE
I love Poshmark and Thread up, as well as Facebook Marketplace for second hand and vintage hunting without leaving the house. I'm downloading Depop now, thanks for sharing!
I have redesigned my lounge room in my head 100 times with items I’ve found on Facebook Marketplace. It’s a hobby at this point 😜