when I unlock my phone, my thumbs no longer instinctively reach for instagram or whatsapp. chances are I am actually scrolling through vestiaire collective, depop or vinted, looking for yet another vintage skirt from the tisci era at givenchy or checking if the price of any of the items on my endless wishlist has been reduced.
shopping secondhand can be a blessing and a curse. for the past few years, I’ve sold over 70 items on vestiaire collective alone. I was also able to put my hands on items that have been on my wishlist for as long as I can remember, like this never worn pair of alaia lace-up sandals that every fashion editor had in the 2010’s or the sexiest double slit tom ford skirt that I got for a fraction of the original price. and while shopping pre-loved items is a far better option when compared to buying something new from fast fashion, it can become quite addictive.
I am no serial clothes hoarder and I pride myself on my ability to refrain from impulsive buying. however, somewhere along the line, my relationship with secondhand shopping might have gotten a little out of control. and it's not like I’m buying a massive amount of things I don’t need from these shopping apps. to set the record straight, I like to keep my wardrobe concise and tidy but sometimes is just too hard not to get lost in the thrill of bargaining and… (re-)selling. it’s a cycle: you purchase an item without putting much thought into it; after a few weeks of dealing with the so-called “buyer’s remorse”, you list the item on vestiaire collective.
so how do we break this cycle? other than putting limits to how much shopping you allow yourself, I believe that knowing what your personal style is - and what it definitely isn’t - will give you clarity and direction to go. plus, normalize having less clothes in your wardrobe. secondhand shopping is undoubtedly a good alternative to fast fashion but prioritizing quality over quantity might be the smartest move. and don’t forget to take time to consider before you press purchase or list an item for sale. I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve regretted selling things either because I grew bored of them or didn’t give them another chance.
as appealing as these secondhand apps are, they can still do some serious damage to our wallets. it’s easy to trick our brains into the narrative that we’re making money selling our clothes, which can be true if you’re listing items that have been sitting idle in the backof your closet for months years. but unless you got a really good deal and can profit from it or you’re selling an hermès bag, if you keep engaging in this never ending cycle of buying and re-selling, in most cases you are actually loosing money. sorry to bring you the bad news. unfortunately, someone has to say it.
cátia santos reis "the world is yours but greece is mine” could be her mantra as cátia santos reis is yet to find a greek island she hasn’t fallen in love with. in the meantime, she keeps traveling the world. for CINCO editorial, the 34 year-old, will share her favorite things to do, visit and eat in every destination.we independently evaluate all recommended products and services. if you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation.
