I love how you’re still very logical about second hand shopping. I feel like some of the other “sustainable” influences I follow are so judgy and make you feel like such a horrible person if you can’t shop sustainably 100% of the time!
I was thinking that! Some people from my university run an Instagram where they advertise prom/ball/evening dresses for a fee that you can rent. Such a cool idea
A non plus sized UA-camr addressing/acknowledging plus size? This is why I have been subscribed so long Sarah. You keep it real. Thanks for being inclusive! 💕💕💕
I hear "I never find anything good when I go charity shopping" so often. You won't find something amazing every time! Stepping outside of your comfort zone of what everyone else is wearing is part of second hand shopping.
For the “only ugly items” problem, another tip is to take your time! In a fast fashion store things are kind of thrown at you and it looks much neater because there are many things that look the same. Thrift shops can look messy because of the prints and colors clashing. It takes some effort to look past that and definitely time to look through most things/everything to see the good stuff :)
I think the men's section is great for all sizes! I've found some amazing items there, you just got to be a little creative/open-minded when it comes to styling them :)
I'm a petite and although my shoulders are quite wide for my stature and I'm very top heavy men's clothing fits me awfully. The arms are always so long and the shoulders are too wide. Men's shirts and jackets also seem to taper inwards at the torso. My middle around my lower belly is my widest part and men's clothes are always really narrow there so I end up with excess fabric on my arms and shoulders and tightness around my belly. Men's tshirts are the exception because they don't really have a shape. Men's pants? I thought women's pants were bad due to my lack of butt, waist and hips but men's pants fit even worse. They usually have a low rise and are made for someone with a narrow pelvis when mine is really wide.
"and I know this is so controversal"... You always said this sentence when you pointed out that it is okay to sometimes shop fast fashion. I think it is so said that this is controversial. People always excpect you to be really radical with everything. But small steps can help already, it is about finding a balance and beeing concious about what you do. Of course it is better to boycott fast fashion radically. But we are human. We can't change over night. In the long run people will hold on to something if it is manageable. People should not be so hard on themselves and on others. Just find what works best for you and help making this world kind of a better place also if you can just take baby steps. Thank you for this Video Sarah :) Greetings from Germany!
To the point "second hand stuff is gross" Little hint: Even in fast fashion stores there are pieces with questionable stains on it. AND the pieces in these stores are also not regularly washed. They were washed once before putting them in the store and after that, there is a huge chance to not being washed another time(s) and people with bad hygiene try them on. So it is not the fashion which is gross. It's the hygiene of the people which is gross. But if you still find it gross shopping in thrift stores and so on, then buy clothes without trying them on and wash them at home. If they don't fit: DONATE THEM!
especially when the clothes are on sale and piled on the sale section, they're messy, stained, ripped, on the floor, people stepping on them then someone puts it back on the hanger..
No cap I worked at an F21 before they all closed in Canada, and you would not believe how gross the clothes probably are. Because honestly all ur clothes have probably been tried on by someone else (people get their disgusting makeup all over clothes all the time), they’ve been thrown on the floor by customers, they’ve been stepped on by customers, especially in the sales section it was absolutely disgusting on busy days because people would knock things down as fast as we could put them back on the rack and there would be piles and piles of clothes on the floor that I couldn’t manage to pick up and people would deadass just step on them.
In terms of Plus size resources - There aren’t many plus size consignment stores in the country, but they do exist and you can shop many online. The Plus Bus in LA, Re/dress in Lakewood, Ohio, Cake Plus Size in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Fat Fancy in Portland, Oregon are a few that sell online via their own websites, Instagram, and poshmark. The stores I mentioned carry on trend plus size clothing in a wide variety of sizes. There are many plus size clothing deserts in the United States, but fortunately more Plus-size resale options are becoming available online.
As plus size myself I found a great way to shop second hand is through facebook. I actually do not use FB for anything other than to check in on some of the groups in my area. From the small town with basically no one living in it to the bigger city I am now both had these FB groups for plus size second hand.
Here's my thoughts: 1. from watching all your videos Sarah i've actually gotten into thrifting b/c i was of the mindset that i never find anything good at thriftstores but i realized that it's a whole different mentality. so that's what i tell ppl now too, is that you go often and just look, not with the point of i have to find this one specific thing. also have a list of things i want to thrift on my phone also helps b/c anytime i'm in any second hand shop i'm ready knowing what i'm looking for. 2. on IG there is an account called The Garment Life. i have learned what i most know about ethical/sustainable brands from her. (but also thanks to your tip about that app!!) 3. i love what you say about just reducing. that's all i tell ppl too. if you go in with the mentality of "all or nothing" you are set for failure. that's not only discouraging but impossible! i just say, do the best you can and make every decision an opportunity to make a better one. thanks for all this Sarah! i've been avoiding fast fashion for the past year and half and it's a journey FOR SURE.
i think is also valid to add that people should look for their local clothing stores and even into the possibility of making their own clothing. Regarding the case of special itens such as formal wear, maybe you should buy those once you have the chance if you find them at the thrift store by chance so you will have something saved up for future occasions.
I’d say for the comment of always finding “ugly clothes” is: #1 have an open mind. Think of a way to incorporate different styles into your wardrobe. Watch videos, check IG for styling tips. #2 is TRY THE CLOTHES ON!!! Things can look so much different on a body than a hanger.
loved this! definitely have been wanting to do something similar because I feel some people instantly disregard thrifting because its used clothes but its just so amazing!
Megan Drover while I understand what you are trying to say, I don’t think you went about it in the best way. let’s try not to disrespect other people’s problems and experiences. :)
Yeah, i mean what do people think that donors do, shit in the pants before they donate them? Piss all over the clothes before they...i mean, seriously. Most people are not disgusting. Also these same people who have this issue about secondhand clothes.....do they not ever hug anyone? What's the difference between your friend and a stranger? And there is such a thing as *gasp* WASHING MACHINES! What a concept! Let's roast these people together, lol.
Leanna Dawn I just think it is important to be mindful of how we word things when talking about a topic that is rather sensitive and can easily turn into a “blame game” of sorts. Here specifically, this comment can come off as having a tone of “this person can do it so clearly you can too”, which is not necessarily the case. it’s just important to recognize the accessibility issues and particular needs that people have, and to be careful to not be accusatory.
I always find too many clothes at the thrift store that I want lmao. But I think thats because I can spend hours digging in there and i have like 100 different fashion personalities.
This is why we love you Sarah! The fact that you have addressed these issues regardless of whether they directly effect you! Thank you for making this!!
Great points! I love the bins, its one of my favorite things to do, and really the trick is to bring gloves or hand sanitizer, throw stuff in the wash when you get home. Thats really it. And if you dont love something the way you thought you might, re donate! Give it a chance to be loved by someone else and lose hardly any money. Also it doesnt surprise me at all that SOAD would have sustainable merch, i feel like Serj Tankian at the very least of would refuse to have it any other way
Yesterday I bought 3 pieces for a pop-up shop that only sold leftover clothing from an online brand, it was like a badly organized thrift shop - few sizes, tightly packed so can't see anything without pulling it out and non-trendy items. I went into it with my list of things I want for my wardrobe in my head to not buy anything else but that. The thing is if you only have access to fast fashion is you can still be a better consumer by being thoughtful about how much you buy and if it will be used, make a list, ask yourself if you will wear the piece years into the future and if you will wear it often
Sarah- how do you know when a brand is “ethical” or “sustainable”? I’d love to see a video about what guidelines you follow or look for in a brand to know if you want to buy from them. Thanks! Love this series 💚
I have been op-shopping/secondhand shopping since I was fifteen (I am nineteen now), and I have barely bought any clothing brand new since then! Thankfully in Australia, we have really good op shops. My hint is that every time you visit an upmarket area, visit their local secondhand shops. They will have lots of brilliant brand names to choose from! At one of my local op shops (a semi-upmarket area), there was a toddler sized Zara dress with its swing tag still attached for only five dollars! If only I knew some little ones who I could have bought it for! In the three years I have been op shopping for, I have only bought underwear brand new, as well as one swimsuit. I also got my Year Ten and Year Twelve formal dresses brand new, as I have a very small chest and it is very hard to find formal dresses for non-chesty girls. I had both tailored to fit me like a glove, and I have saved my Year Twelve one as it was a bridal gown and I really want to reuse it as it is so stunning! I love your videos, Sarah! Keep them up!
I’ve noticed you’re doing so many helpful sustainable swaps and I’m very pleased with this new content. However, minimalism or sustainability seems to be turning into a disposable trend. For example, tossing out plastic Tupperware for glass; the true cost of these tosses are v wasteful and careless. Even with donating or tossing loads of FF when doing a closet clean out. The before and after of a products life should be talked about more often !
I have this super cool tropical shirt collection going on and I get tons of compliments on the shirts and I thrifted all of them. they're my favorite shirts I own and they're from the mens section. thrifting is amazing.
For anyone interested, I have a Depop @/jennisettles and I try to primarily focus on bigger/plus size pieces because I always struggled finding them on Depop myself. Regarding ugly clothes, frequency is so important! It takes a long time to shuffle through all the ugly to find great pieces.
Yes!! I do this too! If I ever find any gorg pieces at a thrift store, I will buy them and re-sell them, especially to the plus sized beauties. It's a win win. I make a little extra cash to use towards my college tuition, and they end up getting a great clothing piece! I used to sell on poshmark but deleted my page. I now sell on Mercari, same username as on here.
I've always been plus sized and I thrifted my beautiful prom gown during my junior year of high school. By the next year, I had grown a couple inches taller, so I hand-altered the skirt of the dress into a high-low style, which was popular at the time, leaving the tule long underneath. It was super cool, no one else had it, I was stared at and complimented all night, and it fit me perfectly. Best part was I got a beautiful ballgown for $25 and got to live out my goth princess dream prom with my now fiance without harming the planet in the process.
I think that it also depends on the area that you live in when it comes to the plus size selection. Because where I live I find that I have a hard time finding things that fit me. specifically for jeans or outer wear and shoes! They always have large xL xxL and so on. That’s why when I find stuff that fits me I buy it right away! Haha
Yes, most younger women were I live are in the s-m range, with slightly older women being a bit...Chubbier...The clothes they buy and after some years leave in charity shops just aren't for a size xxs like me.
Gitte Van de velde I’m just a xs or s but yeah that’s why it surprised me so many people where asking about plus sizes because in my area that’s all I seem to find
Where I live s and sizes larger than xxl are quite common and I actually found so much cute stuff in those sizes. Medium and large, however, are much harder to find
@@LeaveBritneyalone580 For me a medium is already way too big! The biggest size I have right now is an UK 10, which is a small I think, and it's a wool wrap coat so it can be oversized.
I bought my wedding dress for $10 at a thrift store :D most of my clothes as well. I was lucky to grow up in an area with many thirft stores and TONS of garage sales, so that's how I've traditionally gotten most of my clothes and shoes.
hi sarah i've been watching your videos for a long time and i just wanted to say thank you for being so transparent. i'm from sacramento and i usually only ever went to the goodwills in arden and citrus heights but i started going to ecothrift after hearing abt it from you and i have found so many of my holy grail thrift finds there thank you for sharing ❤️
Love this video! Soaking secondhand things in an Oxiclean batch overnight will do WONDERS to anything faded/stained/smelly. I get most of my kids’ clothes from a consignment store and we’ve gotten so many gems by cleaning up pieces that looked worn.
I liked how you focused on reducing fast fashion, not shaming people into thinking they’re horrible humans. Do what you can, sometimes it’s just not possible to cut out completely but if you’ve been trying all year and you had to buy one outfit, then good for you that’s a huge improvement! ❤️
I often go thrifting and you won't always find something, it's a hunting game. Learning basic sewing skills to re-attach buttons or fix small holes in the seams is always useful to know. I find Depop to be handy to buy clothing on- I find a lot of alternative fashion and band merch on there for good prices
Another tip for when you need special/situational clothing is to rent them! You can get rental dresses, suits, and sports gear at several places nowadays
It is a LOT harder being plus size when thrifting especially with jeans. I’m usually a size 12/14 and I rarely find jeans. Honestly though I have the most luck when I go through the ENTIRE thrift store and try on EVERYTHING and the men’s sections is amazing. I have had a really hard time learning to hem clothes but I’m trying lol. Also there are plus size sections in a few of my thrift stores but they’re hidden and usually small but I have found some good stuff there especially when employees don’t really know what “plus size” is you can find good stuff there. Super helpful tips! 💕
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So blessed I found your channel. So down to Earth and actually trying to help people become better, not through judgement but understanding and empathy. I find you very inspiring, thank you for being such an amazing human being
I think the best way to transition to more sustainable shopping is through online secondhand sites like Poshmark, Depop, and mercari. There are probably so many others as well. I’ve been loving these sites since I started using them earlier this year. I hardly shop anywhere else!
I found a Chanel jacket for $30 at a goodwill and will tell my great great grandchildren about it. also always check the inner thighs of jeans/pants for wear because thats where I find the most damage
I would maybe also recommend going to the goodwill outlet, i have noticed (& this might just be my area) but there are a lot more plus sizes especially of pants at the outlets, compared to regular goodwills or salvation armys
In my city, there aren't any thrift stores (at least not to my knowledge) but a great way to get second hand stuff and even vintage is going to flea markets! Honestly, street and flea markets have such treasures. Also, for formal/party stuff that you only use once, you can rent gowns instead of buying :)
So glad you talked about the difficulty of shopping 2nd hand. Its true it takes way more time to find good stuff than when buying new clothes. its a commitment we all have to decide to make on our own. My main complaint about thrifting is stores that sort by color...ummm its way better to sort by size! Especially since if I'm going thrifting its just to browse my sizes to see if I can find anything cute and not with a specific item in mind. When I want a specific item I can search online for a used item with that description. But if I just want to go shopping in general then that's too vague for internet browsing because of the many many options. Second complaint is a lot of the items condition, I like things to be new looking. BTW Poshmark is my new favorite way to get items lightly used. But you have to watch what youre buying because some people are buying new clothes to sell on there and they are fast fashion. But you can usually tell those ones because it'll be new with tags and multiple sizes available. Oh and if theres a new item that is fast fashion that I want, I just make a note of it and wait for it to show up used on one of the resale sites. Because lots of people buy stuff then get rid of it so fast, if you're willing to wait a few months then it will be available used.
I buy a lot of second hand items on Etsy, and something really helpful to me is knowing my measurements. Many times shops will have the measurement of a garment, and with experience I have more successes in purchasing clothes that fit me well, by knowing my body type, and knowing my measurements to a T. I also will measure an item I already own that fits me really well, and look for clothes that are the same. I also have done a lot of research on what types of clothes look good on my body type (I am very much an hourglass), and this has helped as well. I find thrifting really fun because being a bit bustier many vintage used items just fit me better. Know your measurements! :D
I asked my local thrift store what days they tend to stock, and it made such a massive difference in the items I found! It’s competitive out there when there’s very few stores around.
the good thing about band tees is that the fabric is usually very nice, which extends their lifetime. also, I'm going to make small tutorials on repairing and tailoring clothes that need that on my blog, so I'm happy you are ttackling this as well.
About special event clothing- another option is there are a lot of cool websites with like high quality designer stuff you can rent. So if it’s like a formal event like a wedding or something or a fancy event you can literally rent designer clothes and send it back when you’re done for someone else to use
if anyone lives near a gw store, it’s like goodwill but super high end, go there!!!! i got a calvin klein shirt and an elle dress both like new! it’s good if u need nice clothes like good heels, purse, formal-ish dress like for a homecoming, etc
i remember from Wear I Live's video and Hitomi Mochizuki's video they said that for lingerie they buy those from ethical brands because you can't really buy secondhand underwear and lingerie. :)
@@hannahfletcher9065 yes I love Pact! The undies I have from them are years old but are in perfect condition still! Also they are doing lots of sales for the holidays!
I think most people still buy new but there are ethical brands and you can use Good on You. (I.e. M&S in the UK has 4/5 so is the best non mega expensive option/high street option.)
Depop really is a haven for old prom/bridesmaids dresses, formal heels/shoes and clutch bags and accessories. I actually had better luck finding things to match my prom dress on there as it was 2 seasons old from an outlet. My friend is plus sized and we were struggling to find something cute on her size, but she had pretty strict colour choices.
Also thank you for not being like YOU HAVE TO STOP BUYING FAST FASHION THIS IS YOUR FAULT THAT PEOPLE ARE DYING!!!! The way you’re going about this is very reasonable. I’ve seen other videos that are big on shaming and it’s made me even unsubscribe from them too
The vast majority of the clothes in my thrift stores are ugly af but you’d be surprised how many gems you find when you just go regularly and be prepared to walk away without buying anything. Also knowing how to alter clothes and add details helps
I worked at goodwill back in 2011 as well as Target. I had a coworker at Target who would ask me if we would wash the clothes before putting it out?? And would make comments about used clothes being gross. I was so confused because I grew up thrifting and pretty much everyone I knew also thrifted. It was interesting to realize that not everyone grew up that way and surprising that people thought of it as gross. Great video! I'm only 3 years late but better late than never I suppose.
I also have a size problem and just my own personal style problems. I live in a very very touristy beach area with an older population, it is so hard to find anything in either my style or size. I don’t have a problem with upcycling, I just don’t have the time (2 kiddos under 2). I just live in a crappy area, with a lack of decent thrift stores and I do not like to buy online. I’ve been burned too many times from retailers and the second hand places I’ve looked at dont have anything I like. I do like the ideas that you have here. I don’t mean to sound like a downer. This has been helpful. And you’re right, its not the end of the world to buy new if its the only option; when I was pregnant, I couldn’t find anything, so I just upped the sizes but wasnt happy with what I was wearing, but I had to buy maternity bras underwear. It’s just disheartening sometimes, whihc I’m sure you understand.
I've been thinking about my clothes in the future bc i do want to have 2 kids. Not bc our culture pushes us to have kids but bc I'm so in love with my boyfriend. We'd be officially engaged if not for some life circumstances. But I'm 22 and he's 21 so we're not in a hurry. Anyway, i look at Motherhood Maternity in the mall and it's gotta be hella expensive, idk bc ive never gone in there (i have no need to) but it's right next to the bathrooms so i look at the displays. I plan to upsize some of my bigger-fitting shirts by adding a babydoll peplum situation with a like-colored shirt from a thrift store. I would make the clothes in the 1st trimester before i have the baby belly bc i mean, you cant really stand over a table sewing with a watermelon tummy. I think pleats will work bc it's slimmer up top matching the original width of the top and it triangles downward to accommodate the tummy. I hope that makes sense. I watch a lot of sewing videos.
Leanna Dawn it does. I’m actually done with having kiddos. But the problem is having energy to do all of those things. Haha. Especially in the first trimester.
For the special event thing, there are resources like Rent the Runway and other places where you can rent current on trend stuff and then send it back to get washed and someone new can wear it! :)
I'm a size 16 and I actually find it a lot easier to find plus sized clothes in thrift stores (especially ones that don't focus on vintage clothing) because places like Value Village or Frenchies aren't trying to be trendy and thus have nothing to lose by carrying bigger sizes, so while conventional stores might have a tiny rack of plus sized clothes (if they have any at all) it isn't uncommon for me to go to Value Village and find pretty huge variety of clothing.
Tbh it kinda feels like some people are deliberately looking for excuses not to change their lifestyle. I simply do not understand the comment 'but I can't afford to thrift, it's so expensiveeeee" - wtf?! On ebay I can buy a second hand Forever 21 top that's been worn maybe once, for probably half it's retail price. I purchase all my clothing second hand and it saves me so much money on quality and unique items I wouldn't normally be able to afford
When I think about it, Shopping second hand doesn’t seem potentially less hygienic than buying in a regular store, actually! People who may be sweaty, dirty or whatever try on clothes in a highstreet store..... I don’t see any difference to be honest!...except the second hand clothes smell like they were never been washed of course!😅 I‘d love to see an opinion from a germophobe about this thought.
I would also recommend trying on things! It may say one size but may fit as another, looks can be deceiving and holding it up doesn’t always do the item justice xx
buying less is always a good idea because first: we don't need that much and second: even for fair clothing a company needs ressources to produce them.
I'd also note that some stores like my local good will has senior discount days so if you go before that you'll get the good stuff that the seniors havent snagged yet. On that day, the store is in total chaos and its desolate the day afterwards
Honest talking, my biggest problem with second hand, especially as a plus size, is seeing non plus size buy all the large sizes for "DIY" or "I like it very oversize". Like fine you like it loose, but clothes is damn expensive for plus size already, and buying all the big sizes is so great for us that can barely afford to clothe ourselves, even in fast-fashion. It's great. Facebook has been alright for finding second hand clothes, so that's always something, and I've found other Danish apps that helps the hunt on second hand. But buying sustainable and avoiding fast fashion as a size 30 is hell -_-
I totally understand. If it helps, I don't think that they do it to hurt people. I think they just don't have any idea how hard it is to live in a body like this. If you're up for a laugh, the comedian Poetri does a spoken word called "Monsters" about all the stores running out of his big size. Just remember that you aren't the only one! There are more of us than there are of "them." Literally. We are going to work this out!
So smaller people shouldn’t buy outside their size? As if they might not have their own body image issues that they’re dealing with. I can technically fit into a small but that doesn’t mean I feel comfortable wearing it. Everyone has the right to buy whatever makes them feel best. I don’t think you should be projecting your frustrations with your own size and selection onto others.
I do appreciate this plight and have thought about it a lot, but I don't think it should matter who buys what items from a thrift store. If someone else buys an item before you, whether that person was a size 30 or a 3, the item is gone. That's the same for any person, any size, really any store or purchase. Especially because no one can know who will find what in an environment like a thrift store. Maybe if that straight-size person leaves the plus-size item, the item will go unpurchased and the thrift store will eventually throw away the item and then it goes in a landfill. Ya just never know. Unless you both run at the rack at the same minute and they literally fight an item away from you, they are entitled to buy any item just the same as you. That being said, it's definitely something to keep in mind when thrifting and I appreciate you sharing your feelings.
Ladies, I hear you. Yeah, there is no rational reason to believe that I or any other fat person has a RIGHT to buy clothes in our size while denying those items to smaller people. I think that if the OP is still following, she would say the same thing. That there's a difference between reason and feelings. I'm sure you understand that, too. When I read Amalie's post, what I heard was that there's another person in the world who's had the same painful experience as me who could use some empathy right now. Because, honestly this fat body is a hard body to have. (Ha ha. Jokes.) What hope you'll think about is that even though I know that "Heather" doesn't mean me any harm when she buys that last 3x sweater, that the feeling of harm is real. How is it real? Because I want to buy things with my hard earned money and everywhere I go there's nothing to fit on my body. It FEELS like the world is saying "You're too fat to participate in this part of the culture and in the economy," and that feeling is very isolating. It's an ironic truth that the bigger you get, the smaller your world becomes. In conclusion, please, go back and reread the OP, but instead of trying to make her statement make sense, think about the pain and isolation that are behind it. I don't think she's trying to negotiate a new international treaty that will force people to only buy their size. I think she just wants to be heard on this.
How do you know that it was a skinny person that bought the last 3 x sweater? Maybe another plus size person got to it first. The point is it doesnt matter who bought it before you...
I ve found my fave clothes in thrift stores. But I havent been able to completely avoid fast fashion. My size doesn t help. But my fast fashion buys are bought to be worn a lot.
I am from Hungary and I'm not cutting fast fashion out from my life, but I thrift 95% of my clothing and I had a lot of similar issues than the questions asked, especially being a plus-sized girl. I think my luck is that in my city "English" thrift stores are quite popular and those have a good variety of plus sized clothes because in the UK, there is more of a market and variety for plus sized clothing (I mean, there is a better variety of plus sized clothes in Hungary in thrift stores than in fast fashion stores). My top tips: 1) bear in mind that plus sized clothes are going to look worse on hangers because they don't hug the hanger that well, and just because something seems shapeless, does not mean it is not going to look good on your body... also, trying on never does any harm, 2) tailor and DIY, 3) go thrifting often and look through everything, not only things catching your eye... also, learn how you can put a piece of clothing in front of your body and decide whether there is a chance it could fit... helped me a LOT, 4) spend a bit more money to get better quality accessories ... it is going to last you a longer time and most of the time, it is eco-friendly, 5) look for stretchy material clothing - sometimes you can get away with 1-2 shapes smaller still looking good, 6) the smell most ofthen would go away after a good wash
Another plus size/specialty size tip - don't be afraid to try things on that seem like they're not in your size. In my experience, thrift stores are full of brands that I'm unfamiliar with, clothes of wildly different ages, clothes from other countries, clothes that maybe were donated because got stretched out or shrunk.... So unless it's very obviously visably not going to fit you, try things on without getting hung up on the labeled size. I've had success going both larger and smaller than my usual letter or number because you really don't know where it came from or what the label means.
I rarely ever buy fast fashion, so I dont feel as bad when I do. I also use my clothes until they are torn or if I no longer want them I try to give it to my mom or friends. My aunt who buys TONS also gives us clothes every once in a while when she finds stuff she hasnt even worn ! Making all these small changes dont cost that much and Im sure help out.
Great video! Thank you for the tips :) I really appreciate your vision about quitting/reducing fast fashion consumption at a sustainable pace (ha). Super helpful
Shopping online from far away isn't nature friendly though, so if that's the reason you go second hand to begin with then consider how the shipping is executed before you order
What do you consider places like Marshall’s TJmaxx etc? I know they still sell commercially produced clothes but is it better since they sell clothes that didn’t sell out in the name brand stores or have small issues with them? Just curious!!
Emily Lucas I’m not super knowledgeable about this, but I have heard from multiple sources before that certain brands manufacture clothes specifically for those stores, so maybe if you were just picky about the individual item? But even then, if those stores know these items sell, then they keep wanting to buy the excess of other stores, then big stores continue to over order due to low risk of losing money
I don't shop fast fashion and I personally still like to avoid these stores too. They still carry brands that aren't ethical and, though they didn't manufacture the clothes themselves, by purchasing the overstock they are still supporting the unethical brands.
Just by thrifting long enough I found too many fancy dresses to have even worn them all yet. Every date I wear the same $8 dress and it gets em every-time.
I hate all trendy clothes over the past couple of years, so I really have no desire to shop in stores that sell new stuff anyway. It’s much more fun at thrift stores.
If you're the "everything at my thrift store" type of person, maybe try looking at it in different ways. Have you tried on the shit there? Go. Try shit on. Be willing to challenge your own mind, because it's such an amazing feeling at least for me, to have my mind expanded or even live a dream I could never live going to a fast fashion store.
Tailoring clothes is easy to say, but if you're as short as me then there's little you can do. Jeans especially are usually quite fitted so they don't tailor very well and they look odd. A pair of regular length jeans are about 8 inches too long for me. It doesn't work and looks weird and ugly. Buying online doesn't work either because sizes are so inconsistent and most things are non refundable.
@@cutelilscrafty It's really frustrating. I'm really curvy too, and most short clothing is a size 8 or smaller. Finding clothes that fit is basically impossible for me if I only buy second hand.
that's interesting. I'm pretty short and I find jeans at thrift stores decently well. I mean I try on a million pairs to find the one or two gems but still worth the price. I would also say that this depends on the area/availability. Its still frustrating not to find stuff that fits you well. sorry that happens so much :(
@TheNecrohazard Easy to say, not so easy to do. I find that size charts are generally pretty inaccurate and they tell you nothing about how a particular garment fits. I prefer trying clothes on.
@@divya83 I live in a fairly small town so there aren't many women my size donating clothes. Public transport sucks so it's nearly an hour each way to the nearest big town, and about an hour and a half to the nearest city.
i don’t know how it is in other countries but here in sweden i think most clothing stores have a “sustainable” line where the pieces r made from organic materials (and the stores i’m thinking of is lindex, cubus, kappahl and i think hm also have it but i’m not totally sure)
If you are a plus size person, a great individual fashion brand is Exo Umbra. She makes clothes out of dead stock materials and she goes like.... plus plus sizes, like all the way to a 5XL. If you are into alternative fashion you should check her out!
I love how you’re still very logical about second hand shopping. I feel like some of the other “sustainable” influences I follow are so judgy and make you feel like such a horrible person if you can’t shop sustainably 100% of the time!
Moriel Zamir couldn’t agree more with you! She’s fantastic ❤️!
this i agree so much with you.
Another tip for the one-use clothing is renting them. Usually snow gear and formal dresses) tuxedos can be rented
Irene Gómez rent the runway is great for renting designer dresses!
^^ yeah i plan on getting my prom dress from rent the runway! it’ll be unique too!
I was thinking that! Some people from my university run an Instagram where they advertise prom/ball/evening dresses for a fee that you can rent. Such a cool idea
A non plus sized UA-camr addressing/acknowledging plus size? This is why I have been subscribed so long Sarah. You keep it real. Thanks for being inclusive! 💕💕💕
I hear "I never find anything good when I go charity shopping" so often. You won't find something amazing every time! Stepping outside of your comfort zone of what everyone else is wearing is part of second hand shopping.
also after a while you start knowing what to look for an it get easier ;)
Look in every section people!!
For the “only ugly items” problem, another tip is to take your time! In a fast fashion store things are kind of thrown at you and it looks much neater because there are many things that look the same. Thrift shops can look messy because of the prints and colors clashing. It takes some effort to look past that and definitely time to look through most things/everything to see the good stuff :)
Because they don't wash the clothes, my friend actually found 50€ in the pockets of a jacket she bought secondhand - so that can be a plus XD
I find good stuff in the pockets all the time. I even found a diamond ring!
@@elleelle9048 wow that's crazy lol
@@elleelle9048 My mum found a wedding ring once, which is sad because we couldnt find the owner again.
I think the men's section is great for all sizes! I've found some amazing items there, you just got to be a little creative/open-minded when it comes to styling them :)
I'm a petite and although my shoulders are quite wide for my stature and I'm very top heavy men's clothing fits me awfully. The arms are always so long and the shoulders are too wide. Men's shirts and jackets also seem to taper inwards at the torso. My middle around my lower belly is my widest part and men's clothes are always really narrow there so I end up with excess fabric on my arms and shoulders and tightness around my belly. Men's tshirts are the exception because they don't really have a shape. Men's pants? I thought women's pants were bad due to my lack of butt, waist and hips but men's pants fit even worse. They usually have a low rise and are made for someone with a narrow pelvis when mine is really wide.
"and I know this is so controversal"... You always said this sentence when you pointed out that it is okay to sometimes shop fast fashion. I think it is so said that this is controversial. People always excpect you to be really radical with everything. But small steps can help already, it is about finding a balance and beeing concious about what you do. Of course it is better to boycott fast fashion radically. But we are human. We can't change over night. In the long run people will hold on to something if it is manageable. People should not be so hard on themselves and on others. Just find what works best for you and help making this world kind of a better place also if you can just take baby steps. Thank you for this Video Sarah :) Greetings from Germany!
To the point "second hand stuff is gross"
Little hint: Even in fast fashion stores there are pieces with questionable stains on it. AND the pieces in these stores are also not regularly washed. They were washed once before putting them in the store and after that, there is a huge chance to not being washed another time(s) and people with bad hygiene try them on. So it is not the fashion which is gross. It's the hygiene of the people which is gross.
But if you still find it gross shopping in thrift stores and so on, then buy clothes without trying them on and wash them at home. If they don't fit: DONATE THEM!
especially when the clothes are on sale and piled on the sale section, they're messy, stained, ripped, on the floor, people stepping on them then someone puts it back on the hanger..
No cap I worked at an F21 before they all closed in Canada, and you would not believe how gross the clothes probably are. Because honestly all ur clothes have probably been tried on by someone else (people get their disgusting makeup all over clothes all the time), they’ve been thrown on the floor by customers, they’ve been stepped on by customers, especially in the sales section it was absolutely disgusting on busy days because people would knock things down as fast as we could put them back on the rack and there would be piles and piles of clothes on the floor that I couldn’t manage to pick up and people would deadass just step on them.
no is not gross. is the best way to take care of the planet.
Just as a tip for formalwear that only gets worn once, there's always the option to rent garments. There are websites dedicated to it.
In terms of Plus size resources - There aren’t many plus size consignment stores in the country, but they do exist and you can shop many online. The Plus Bus in LA, Re/dress in Lakewood, Ohio, Cake Plus Size in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Fat Fancy in Portland, Oregon are a few that sell online via their own websites, Instagram, and poshmark. The stores I mentioned carry on trend plus size clothing in a wide variety of sizes. There are many plus size clothing deserts in the United States, but fortunately more Plus-size resale options are becoming available online.
Kitty in the back 😭❤️
As plus size myself I found a great way to shop second hand is through facebook. I actually do not use FB for anything other than to check in on some of the groups in my area. From the small town with basically no one living in it to the bigger city I am now both had these FB groups for plus size second hand.
Holly K Are there any specific groups you’re a part of? I’ve been looking and unable to find for plus size
Here's my thoughts:
1. from watching all your videos Sarah i've actually gotten into thrifting b/c i was of the mindset that i never find anything good at thriftstores but i realized that it's a whole different mentality. so that's what i tell ppl now too, is that you go often and just look, not with the point of i have to find this one specific thing. also have a list of things i want to thrift on my phone also helps b/c anytime i'm in any second hand shop i'm ready knowing what i'm looking for.
2. on IG there is an account called The Garment Life. i have learned what i most know about ethical/sustainable brands from her. (but also thanks to your tip about that app!!)
3. i love what you say about just reducing. that's all i tell ppl too. if you go in with the mentality of "all or nothing" you are set for failure. that's not only discouraging but impossible! i just say, do the best you can and make every decision an opportunity to make a better one.
thanks for all this Sarah! i've been avoiding fast fashion for the past year and half and it's a journey FOR SURE.
If you need to use something only once (snow gear or formal wear) a lot of places have them to hire
i think is also valid to add that people should look for their local clothing stores and even into the possibility of making their own clothing. Regarding the case of special itens such as formal wear, maybe you should buy those once you have the chance if you find them at the thrift store by chance so you will have something saved up for future occasions.
You can rent dresses if you need something as a one off
I’ve been loving this ethical & sustainable content you’ve been putting out lately. You’re killing it with these videos 🖤
I’d say for the comment of always finding “ugly clothes” is: #1 have an open mind. Think of a way to incorporate different styles into your wardrobe. Watch videos, check IG for styling tips. #2 is TRY THE CLOTHES ON!!! Things can look so much different on a body than a hanger.
loved this! definitely have been wanting to do something similar because I feel some people instantly disregard thrifting because its used clothes but its just so amazing!
if grav3yardgirl can go thrifing as a germaphobe then its clearly not as gross as people think.
Megan Drover while I understand what you are trying to say, I don’t think you went about it in the best way. let’s try not to disrespect other people’s problems and experiences. :)
@@laurenshubert8284 Wherein lay the disrespect?
Yeah, i mean what do people think that donors do, shit in the pants before they donate them? Piss all over the clothes before they...i mean, seriously. Most people are not disgusting. Also these same people who have this issue about secondhand clothes.....do they not ever hug anyone? What's the difference between your friend and a stranger? And there is such a thing as *gasp* WASHING MACHINES! What a concept! Let's roast these people together, lol.
Leanna Dawn I just think it is important to be mindful of how we word things when talking about a topic that is rather sensitive and can easily turn into a “blame game” of sorts. Here specifically, this comment can come off as having a tone of “this person can do it so clearly you can too”, which is not necessarily the case. it’s just important to recognize the accessibility issues and particular needs that people have, and to be careful to not be accusatory.
Bunny is a "Germaphobe" 😂
I’m so glad you talked about plus sized struggles! Good quality plus sized jeans are HARD to find
I always find too many clothes at the thrift store that I want lmao. But I think thats because I can spend hours digging in there and i have like 100 different fashion personalities.
This is why we love you Sarah! The fact that you have addressed these issues regardless of whether they directly effect you! Thank you for making this!!
Great points! I love the bins, its one of my favorite things to do, and really the trick is to bring gloves or hand sanitizer, throw stuff in the wash when you get home. Thats really it. And if you dont love something the way you thought you might, re donate! Give it a chance to be loved by someone else and lose hardly any money. Also it doesnt surprise me at all that SOAD would have sustainable merch, i feel like Serj Tankian at the very least of would refuse to have it any other way
Yesterday I bought 3 pieces for a pop-up shop that only sold leftover clothing from an online brand, it was like a badly organized thrift shop - few sizes, tightly packed so can't see anything without pulling it out and non-trendy items. I went into it with my list of things I want for my wardrobe in my head to not buy anything else but that. The thing is if you only have access to fast fashion is you can still be a better consumer by being thoughtful about how much you buy and if it will be used, make a list, ask yourself if you will wear the piece years into the future and if you will wear it often
Sarah- how do you know when a brand is “ethical” or “sustainable”? I’d love to see a video about what guidelines you follow or look for in a brand to know if you want to buy from them. Thanks! Love this series 💚
I have been op-shopping/secondhand shopping since I was fifteen (I am nineteen now), and I have barely bought any clothing brand new since then! Thankfully in Australia, we have really good op shops. My hint is that every time you visit an upmarket area, visit their local secondhand shops. They will have lots of brilliant brand names to choose from! At one of my local op shops (a semi-upmarket area), there was a toddler sized Zara dress with its swing tag still attached for only five dollars! If only I knew some little ones who I could have bought it for!
In the three years I have been op shopping for, I have only bought underwear brand new, as well as one swimsuit. I also got my Year Ten and Year Twelve formal dresses brand new, as I have a very small chest and it is very hard to find formal dresses for non-chesty girls. I had both tailored to fit me like a glove, and I have saved my Year Twelve one as it was a bridal gown and I really want to reuse it as it is so stunning!
I love your videos, Sarah! Keep them up!
I’ve noticed you’re doing so many helpful sustainable swaps and I’m very pleased with this new content. However, minimalism or sustainability seems to be turning into a disposable trend. For example, tossing out plastic Tupperware for glass; the true cost of these tosses are v wasteful and careless. Even with donating or tossing loads of FF when doing a closet clean out. The before and after of a products life should be talked about more often !
I have this super cool tropical shirt collection going on and I get tons of compliments on the shirts and I thrifted all of them. they're my favorite shirts I own and they're from the mens section. thrifting is amazing.
For anyone interested, I have a Depop @/jennisettles and I try to primarily focus on bigger/plus size pieces because I always struggled finding them on Depop myself.
Regarding ugly clothes, frequency is so important! It takes a long time to shuffle through all the ugly to find great pieces.
Yes!! I do this too! If I ever find any gorg pieces at a thrift store, I will buy them and re-sell them, especially to the plus sized beauties. It's a win win. I make a little extra cash to use towards my college tuition, and they end up getting a great clothing piece! I used to sell on poshmark but deleted my page. I now sell on Mercari, same username as on here.
I've always been plus sized and I thrifted my beautiful prom gown during my junior year of high school. By the next year, I had grown a couple inches taller, so I hand-altered the skirt of the dress into a high-low style, which was popular at the time, leaving the tule long underneath. It was super cool, no one else had it, I was stared at and complimented all night, and it fit me perfectly. Best part was I got a beautiful ballgown for $25 and got to live out my goth princess dream prom with my now fiance without harming the planet in the process.
I had to watch this video twice because i was so distracted by the cat haha ..great content!
Where I live, we have a couple of plus size specific second hand stores. And we have community wide plus size clothing exchanges.
Been on the anti-fast fashion train for years, and I'm so glad you're speaking on this! And yassss I got Anastasjia's merch too, and I'm so pumpeddddd
I think that it also depends on the area that you live in when it comes to the plus size selection. Because where I live I find that I have a hard time finding things that fit me. specifically for jeans or outer wear and shoes! They always have large xL xxL and so on. That’s why when I find stuff that fits me I buy it right away! Haha
Yes, most younger women were I live are in the s-m range, with slightly older women being a bit...Chubbier...The clothes they buy and after some years leave in charity shops just aren't for a size xxs like me.
Gitte Van de velde I’m just a xs or s but yeah that’s why it surprised me so many people where asking about plus sizes because in my area that’s all I seem to find
Where I live s and sizes larger than xxl are quite common and I actually found so much cute stuff in those sizes. Medium and large, however, are much harder to find
@@LeaveBritneyalone580 For me a medium is already way too big! The biggest size I have right now is an UK 10, which is a small I think, and it's a wool wrap coat so it can be oversized.
@@gabimaza780 Same for me! Maybe we just don't understand what 'plus size" means then...Above xl or xl, in my mind.
I bought my wedding dress for $10 at a thrift store :D most of my clothes as well. I was lucky to grow up in an area with many thirft stores and TONS of garage sales, so that's how I've traditionally gotten most of my clothes and shoes.
hi sarah i've been watching your videos for a long time and i just wanted to say thank you for being so transparent. i'm from sacramento and i usually only ever went to the goodwills in arden and citrus heights but i started going to ecothrift after hearing abt it from you and i have found so many of my holy grail thrift finds there thank you for sharing ❤️
i love ur style, and thanks for being such a a positive influence! hopefully more people watching this really make a change!!
Love this video! Soaking secondhand things in an Oxiclean batch overnight will do WONDERS to anything faded/stained/smelly. I get most of my kids’ clothes from a consignment store and we’ve gotten so many gems by cleaning up pieces that looked worn.
I liked how you focused on reducing fast fashion, not shaming people into thinking they’re horrible humans. Do what you can, sometimes it’s just not possible to cut out completely but if you’ve been trying all year and you had to buy one outfit, then good for you that’s a huge improvement! ❤️
I often go thrifting and you won't always find something, it's a hunting game. Learning basic sewing skills to re-attach buttons or fix small holes in the seams is always useful to know. I find Depop to be handy to buy clothing on- I find a lot of alternative fashion and band merch on there for good prices
Another tip for when you need special/situational clothing is to rent them! You can get rental dresses, suits, and sports gear at several places nowadays
It is a LOT harder being plus size when thrifting especially with jeans. I’m usually a size 12/14 and I rarely find jeans. Honestly though I have the most luck when I go through the ENTIRE thrift store and try on EVERYTHING and the men’s sections is amazing. I have had a really hard time learning to hem clothes but I’m trying lol. Also there are plus size sections in a few of my thrift stores but they’re hidden and usually small but I have found some good stuff there especially when employees don’t really know what “plus size” is you can find good stuff there. Super helpful tips! 💕
So blessed I found your channel. So down to Earth and actually trying to help people become better, not through judgement but understanding and empathy. I find you very inspiring, thank you for being such an amazing human being
I think the best way to transition to more sustainable shopping is through online secondhand sites like Poshmark, Depop, and mercari. There are probably so many others as well. I’ve been loving these sites since I started using them earlier this year. I hardly shop anywhere else!
Really loved this Sarah! Appreciate you for answering some of our questions 🙈
I found a Chanel jacket for $30 at a goodwill and will tell my great great grandchildren about it. also always check the inner thighs of jeans/pants for wear because thats where I find the most damage
I would maybe also recommend going to the goodwill outlet, i have noticed (& this might just be my area) but there are a lot more plus sizes especially of pants at the outlets, compared to regular goodwills or salvation armys
In my city, there aren't any thrift stores (at least not to my knowledge) but a great way to get second hand stuff and even vintage is going to flea markets! Honestly, street and flea markets have such treasures. Also, for formal/party stuff that you only use once, you can rent gowns instead of buying :)
So glad you talked about the difficulty of shopping 2nd hand. Its true it takes way more time to find good stuff than when buying new clothes. its a commitment we all have to decide to make on our own. My main complaint about thrifting is stores that sort by color...ummm its way better to sort by size! Especially since if I'm going thrifting its just to browse my sizes to see if I can find anything cute and not with a specific item in mind. When I want a specific item I can search online for a used item with that description. But if I just want to go shopping in general then that's too vague for internet browsing because of the many many options. Second complaint is a lot of the items condition, I like things to be new looking. BTW Poshmark is my new favorite way to get items lightly used. But you have to watch what youre buying because some people are buying new clothes to sell on there and they are fast fashion. But you can usually tell those ones because it'll be new with tags and multiple sizes available. Oh and if theres a new item that is fast fashion that I want, I just make a note of it and wait for it to show up used on one of the resale sites. Because lots of people buy stuff then get rid of it so fast, if you're willing to wait a few months then it will be available used.
the feminist, socioeconomic, and ecological issues behind it compell me most
I love what you tell in your intro! That's a great mentality to have!
I buy a lot of second hand items on Etsy, and something really helpful to me is knowing my measurements. Many times shops will have the measurement of a garment, and with experience I have more successes in purchasing clothes that fit me well, by knowing my body type, and knowing my measurements to a T. I also will measure an item I already own that fits me really well, and look for clothes that are the same. I also have done a lot of research on what types of clothes look good on my body type (I am very much an hourglass), and this has helped as well. I find thrifting really fun because being a bit bustier many vintage used items just fit me better. Know your measurements! :D
I asked my local thrift store what days they tend to stock, and it made such a massive difference in the items I found! It’s competitive out there when there’s very few stores around.
Im in love with your cat. Its my favorite thing ever when cats "forget their tongue" hehe. Great Ideas Sarah. :)
Your hair is so beautiful! It looks so healthy 🥰❤️
the good thing about band tees is that the fabric is usually very nice, which extends their lifetime. also, I'm going to make small tutorials on repairing and tailoring clothes that need that on my blog, so I'm happy you are ttackling this as well.
About special event clothing- another option is there are a lot of cool websites with like high quality designer stuff you can rent. So if it’s like a formal event like a wedding or something or a fancy event you can literally rent designer clothes and send it back when you’re done for someone else to use
if anyone lives near a gw store, it’s like goodwill but super high end, go there!!!! i got a calvin klein shirt and an elle dress both like new! it’s good if u need nice clothes like good heels, purse, formal-ish dress like for a homecoming, etc
What do you do about lingerie? I know in a previous video you mentioned that you still need to purchase them new, has this changed at all?
i remember from Wear I Live's video and Hitomi Mochizuki's video they said that for lingerie they buy those from ethical brands because you can't really buy secondhand underwear and lingerie. :)
Pact is a great online store for sustainable and ethical basics and undergarments that are very reasonably priced! 😊
@@hannahfletcher9065 yes I love Pact! The undies I have from them are years old but are in perfect condition still! Also they are doing lots of sales for the holidays!
I, unfortunately, still have to buy unethical undergarments.
I think most people still buy new but there are ethical brands and you can use Good on You. (I.e. M&S in the UK has 4/5 so is the best non mega expensive option/high street option.)
Depop really is a haven for old prom/bridesmaids dresses, formal heels/shoes and clutch bags and accessories. I actually had better luck finding things to match my prom dress on there as it was 2 seasons old from an outlet. My friend is plus sized and we were struggling to find something cute on her size, but she had pretty strict colour choices.
Also thank you for not being like YOU HAVE TO STOP BUYING FAST FASHION THIS IS YOUR FAULT THAT PEOPLE ARE DYING!!!! The way you’re going about this is very reasonable. I’ve seen other videos that are big on shaming and it’s made me even unsubscribe from them too
The vast majority of the clothes in my thrift stores are ugly af but you’d be surprised how many gems you find when you just go regularly and be prepared to walk away without buying anything. Also knowing how to alter clothes and add details helps
I sell plus size on Poshmark and honestly there is still not ask much as other sizes, but it's a good place to start! I promise!
I worked at goodwill back in 2011 as well as Target. I had a coworker at Target who would ask me if we would wash the clothes before putting it out?? And would make comments about used clothes being gross. I was so confused because I grew up thrifting and pretty much everyone I knew also thrifted. It was interesting to realize that not everyone grew up that way and surprising that people thought of it as gross. Great video! I'm only 3 years late but better late than never I suppose.
I love going into thirft stores around Halloween. I've found beautiful vintage pieces mixed in with the racks of Halloween costumes.
I also have a size problem and just my own personal style problems. I live in a very very touristy beach area with an older population, it is so hard to find anything in either my style or size. I don’t have a problem with upcycling, I just don’t have the time (2 kiddos under 2). I just live in a crappy area, with a lack of decent thrift stores and I do not like to buy online. I’ve been burned too many times from retailers and the second hand places I’ve looked at dont have anything I like. I do like the ideas that you have here. I don’t mean to sound like a downer. This has been helpful. And you’re right, its not the end of the world to buy new if its the only option; when I was pregnant, I couldn’t find anything, so I just upped the sizes but wasnt happy with what I was wearing, but I had to buy maternity bras underwear. It’s just disheartening sometimes, whihc I’m sure you understand.
I've been thinking about my clothes in the future bc i do want to have 2 kids. Not bc our culture pushes us to have kids but bc I'm so in love with my boyfriend. We'd be officially engaged if not for some life circumstances. But I'm 22 and he's 21 so we're not in a hurry. Anyway, i look at Motherhood Maternity in the mall and it's gotta be hella expensive, idk bc ive never gone in there (i have no need to) but it's right next to the bathrooms so i look at the displays. I plan to upsize some of my bigger-fitting shirts by adding a babydoll peplum situation with a like-colored shirt from a thrift store. I would make the clothes in the 1st trimester before i have the baby belly bc i mean, you cant really stand over a table sewing with a watermelon tummy. I think pleats will work bc it's slimmer up top matching the original width of the top and it triangles downward to accommodate the tummy. I hope that makes sense. I watch a lot of sewing videos.
Leanna Dawn it does. I’m actually done with having kiddos. But the problem is having energy to do all of those things. Haha. Especially in the first trimester.
@@LittleRedTeaCake Ok. Your energy is drained in the 1st trimester? Fuck. Im already a "spoonie". You know what that is?
Friends of mine have had good luck buying second-hand maternity clothes from Facebook and "garage sale" apps like LetGo. Baby clothes too.
Got to love that while watching this, the video is interrupted by an ad for a clothing store selling cheap, synthetic clothing. Nice job yt haha
I’d love to see an altering/diy video✨
For the special event thing, there are resources like Rent the Runway and other places where you can rent current on trend stuff and then send it back to get washed and someone new can wear it! :)
*FOR SPECIALTY ITEMS YOU CAN ALSO RENT CLOTHING ITEMS*
I'm a size 16 and I actually find it a lot easier to find plus sized clothes in thrift stores (especially ones that don't focus on vintage clothing) because places like Value Village or Frenchies aren't trying to be trendy and thus have nothing to lose by carrying bigger sizes, so while conventional stores might have a tiny rack of plus sized clothes (if they have any at all) it isn't uncommon for me to go to Value Village and find pretty huge variety of clothing.
Tbh it kinda feels like some people are deliberately looking for excuses not to change their lifestyle. I simply do not understand the comment 'but I can't afford to thrift, it's so expensiveeeee" - wtf?! On ebay I can buy a second hand Forever 21 top that's been worn maybe once, for probably half it's retail price. I purchase all my clothing second hand and it saves me so much money on quality and unique items I wouldn't normally be able to afford
When I think about it, Shopping second hand doesn’t seem potentially less hygienic than buying in a regular store, actually! People who may be sweaty, dirty or whatever try on clothes in a highstreet store..... I don’t see any difference to be honest!...except the second hand clothes smell like they were never been washed of course!😅 I‘d love to see an opinion from a germophobe about this thought.
You can always rent special occasion dresses for weddings, special occasions etc!!
I would also recommend trying on things! It may say one size but may fit as another, looks can be deceiving and holding it up doesn’t always do the item justice xx
buying less is always a good idea because first: we don't need that much and second: even for fair clothing a company needs ressources to produce them.
Also, schools and stuff make you wear uniforms that were made in Honduras. So you can't *always* avoid this thing.
I'd also note that some stores like my local good will has senior discount days so if you go before that you'll get the good stuff that the seniors havent snagged yet. On that day, the store is in total chaos and its desolate the day afterwards
Honest talking, my biggest problem with second hand, especially as a plus size, is seeing non plus size buy all the large sizes for "DIY" or "I like it very oversize". Like fine you like it loose, but clothes is damn expensive for plus size already, and buying all the big sizes is so great for us that can barely afford to clothe ourselves, even in fast-fashion. It's great. Facebook has been alright for finding second hand clothes, so that's always something, and I've found other Danish apps that helps the hunt on second hand. But buying sustainable and avoiding fast fashion as a size 30 is hell -_-
I totally understand. If it helps, I don't think that they do it to hurt people. I think they just don't have any idea how hard it is to live in a body like this. If you're up for a laugh, the comedian Poetri does a spoken word called "Monsters" about all the stores running out of his big size. Just remember that you aren't the only one! There are more of us than there are of "them." Literally. We are going to work this out!
So smaller people shouldn’t buy outside their size? As if they might not have their own body image issues that they’re dealing with. I can technically fit into a small but that doesn’t mean I feel comfortable wearing it. Everyone has the right to buy whatever makes them feel best. I don’t think you should be projecting your frustrations with your own size and selection onto others.
I do appreciate this plight and have thought about it a lot, but I don't think it should matter who buys what items from a thrift store. If someone else buys an item before you, whether that person was a size 30 or a 3, the item is gone. That's the same for any person, any size, really any store or purchase. Especially because no one can know who will find what in an environment like a thrift store. Maybe if that straight-size person leaves the plus-size item, the item will go unpurchased and the thrift store will eventually throw away the item and then it goes in a landfill. Ya just never know. Unless you both run at the rack at the same minute and they literally fight an item away from you, they are entitled to buy any item just the same as you. That being said, it's definitely something to keep in mind when thrifting and I appreciate you sharing your feelings.
Ladies, I hear you. Yeah, there is no rational reason to believe that I or any other fat person has a RIGHT to buy clothes in our size while denying those items to smaller people. I think that if the OP is still following, she would say the same thing. That there's a difference between reason and feelings. I'm sure you understand that, too. When I read Amalie's post, what I heard was that there's another person in the world who's had the same painful experience as me who could use some empathy right now. Because, honestly this fat body is a hard body to have. (Ha ha. Jokes.)
What hope you'll think about is that even though I know that "Heather" doesn't mean me any harm when she buys that last 3x sweater, that the feeling of harm is real. How is it real? Because I want to buy things with my hard earned money and everywhere I go there's nothing to fit on my body. It FEELS like the world is saying "You're too fat to participate in this part of the culture and in the economy," and that feeling is very isolating. It's an ironic truth that the bigger you get, the smaller your world becomes.
In conclusion, please, go back and reread the OP, but instead of trying to make her statement make sense, think about the pain and isolation that are behind it. I don't think she's trying to negotiate a new international treaty that will force people to only buy their size. I think she just wants to be heard on this.
How do you know that it was a skinny person that bought the last 3 x sweater? Maybe another plus size person got to it first. The point is it doesnt matter who bought it before you...
I ve found my fave clothes in thrift stores. But I havent been able to completely avoid fast fashion. My size doesn t help. But my fast fashion buys are bought to be worn a lot.
That jacket to the right looks beautiful.... Great video though Sarah I loved it and its helping me to transition!
I watched ur kitty the entire time aw
I am from Hungary and I'm not cutting fast fashion out from my life, but I thrift 95% of my clothing and I had a lot of similar issues than the questions asked, especially being a plus-sized girl. I think my luck is that in my city "English" thrift stores are quite popular and those have a good variety of plus sized clothes because in the UK, there is more of a market and variety for plus sized clothing (I mean, there is a better variety of plus sized clothes in Hungary in thrift stores than in fast fashion stores). My top tips: 1) bear in mind that plus sized clothes are going to look worse on hangers because they don't hug the hanger that well, and just because something seems shapeless, does not mean it is not going to look good on your body... also, trying on never does any harm, 2) tailor and DIY, 3) go thrifting often and look through everything, not only things catching your eye... also, learn how you can put a piece of clothing in front of your body and decide whether there is a chance it could fit... helped me a LOT, 4) spend a bit more money to get better quality accessories ... it is going to last you a longer time and most of the time, it is eco-friendly, 5) look for stretchy material clothing - sometimes you can get away with 1-2 shapes smaller still looking good, 6) the smell most ofthen would go away after a good wash
Another plus size/specialty size tip - don't be afraid to try things on that seem like they're not in your size. In my experience, thrift stores are full of brands that I'm unfamiliar with, clothes of wildly different ages, clothes from other countries, clothes that maybe were donated because got stretched out or shrunk.... So unless it's very obviously visably not going to fit you, try things on without getting hung up on the labeled size. I've had success going both larger and smaller than my usual letter or number because you really don't know where it came from or what the label means.
I rarely ever buy fast fashion, so I dont feel as bad when I do. I also use my clothes until they are torn or if I no longer want them I try to give it to my mom or friends. My aunt who buys TONS also gives us clothes every once in a while when she finds stuff she hasnt even worn ! Making all these small changes dont cost that much and Im sure help out.
Great video! Thank you for the tips :) I really appreciate your vision about quitting/reducing fast fashion consumption at a sustainable pace (ha). Super helpful
Shopping online from far away isn't nature friendly though, so if that's the reason you go second hand to begin with then consider how the shipping is executed before you order
What do you consider places like Marshall’s TJmaxx etc? I know they still sell commercially produced clothes but is it better since they sell clothes that didn’t sell out in the name brand stores or have small issues with them? Just curious!!
Emily Lucas I’m not super knowledgeable about this, but I have heard from multiple sources before that certain brands manufacture clothes specifically for those stores, so maybe if you were just picky about the individual item? But even then, if those stores know these items sell, then they keep wanting to buy the excess of other stores, then big stores continue to over order due to low risk of losing money
I don't shop fast fashion and I personally still like to avoid these stores too. They still carry brands that aren't ethical and, though they didn't manufacture the clothes themselves, by purchasing the overstock they are still supporting the unethical brands.
your cat fits into this frame so perfectly it needs to be a permanent fixture
Just by thrifting long enough I found too many fancy dresses to have even worn them all yet. Every date I wear the same $8 dress and it gets em every-time.
The only thrift store in my town is closing 😤 litterly 1 month after I started researching ethical fashion 😭 and stopped buying fast fashion!! 😢😡
Also, shop on Etsy! They have great clothes and you support small businesses. It's also great for ethical home decor
I hate all trendy clothes over the past couple of years, so I really have no desire to shop in stores that sell new stuff anyway. It’s much more fun at thrift stores.
If you're the "everything at my thrift store" type of person, maybe try looking at it in different ways. Have you tried on the shit there? Go. Try shit on. Be willing to challenge your own mind, because it's such an amazing feeling at least for me, to have my mind expanded or even live a dream I could never live going to a fast fashion store.
Tailoring clothes is easy to say, but if you're as short as me then there's little you can do. Jeans especially are usually quite fitted so they don't tailor very well and they look odd. A pair of regular length jeans are about 8 inches too long for me. It doesn't work and looks weird and ugly. Buying online doesn't work either because sizes are so inconsistent and most things are non refundable.
I'm 4'8, and I feel this so much. Pants that fit are so hard to find in my size.
@@cutelilscrafty It's really frustrating. I'm really curvy too, and most short clothing is a size 8 or smaller. Finding clothes that fit is basically impossible for me if I only buy second hand.
that's interesting. I'm pretty short and I find jeans at thrift stores decently well. I mean I try on a million pairs to find the one or two gems but still worth the price. I would also say that this depends on the area/availability. Its still frustrating not to find stuff that fits you well. sorry that happens so much :(
@TheNecrohazard Easy to say, not so easy to do. I find that size charts are generally pretty inaccurate and they tell you nothing about how a particular garment fits. I prefer trying clothes on.
@@divya83 I live in a fairly small town so there aren't many women my size donating clothes. Public transport sucks so it's nearly an hour each way to the nearest big town, and about an hour and a half to the nearest city.
i don’t know how it is in other countries but here in sweden i think most clothing stores have a “sustainable” line where the pieces r made from organic materials
(and the stores i’m thinking of is lindex, cubus, kappahl and i think hm also have it but i’m not totally sure)
If you are a plus size person, a great individual fashion brand is Exo Umbra. She makes clothes out of dead stock materials and she goes like.... plus plus sizes, like all the way to a 5XL. If you are into alternative fashion you should check her out!
The only new thing I have bought since November is a pair of boots. This is really good for someone who used to buy around 3 new items a week 😰