Sunday Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Belfast city is seventh best for second best
Second hand has well and truly taken off, at least it has in my hometown where there is an abundance of pre-loved shops.
I literally couldn’t get into one the other day as there were too many people in it – and the majority of these were dressed to the nines.
The type of people who you would usually see in a boutique, dressed in boutique-style clothes.
So it seems they have jumped on the bandwagon. Good for them. Bad for me as there is even more competition for the good stuff now. But most important of all – good for the environment, so I can’t be too bitter.
And the second-hand shopping bug is spreading across the UK, and Belfast is up there with the best of them as it has been named seventh best UK city for secondhand shopping. Yay!
But the competition is getting fierce, so here are the six top tips from fashion experts to help you get the most from your pre-loved pursuits...
1. Ignore size labels
Clothing sizes have changed so much over the years that the only way to find out if something fits is by trying it on (or checking the exact measurements for online shopping) rather than going by labels.
“Ignore them!” says Philippa Grogan, fashion and textile specialist at Eco-Age.
“People tended to have smaller measurements in decades gone by, and you could find yourself wearing a size that is wildly different to what you are in today’s sizes.”
2. Browse by colour
Feeling overwhelmed by all the options when you walk into a vintage shop? Try honing in on your favourite colours.
Celebrity fashion stylist and DJ Alexis Knox advises: “Have in mind certain colours that you like, and know suit you, so you can allow your eye to be drawn to pieces on crowded rails you’ll most likely appreciate.”
3. Building a capsule collection of staples instead of trendy pieces means
you’ll get more wear out of your vintage wardrobe.
“Buying the classics, like a beautifully cut trench coat, a cool leather biker jacket or a funky trilby hat is always a good idea,” says Miranda Holder, TV and celebrity fashion expert, AKA the Feel Good Fashion Coach.
“Providing you love them and they fit in with your curated closet, they will never go out of style and can be customised to your heart’s content.”
4. Try markets or car boot sales
As well as boutiques and secondhand websites, markets or car boots sales can be a great starting point if you’re new to the vintage game.
“You might discover a love of velvet, or a Sixties obsession, or vow to only wear vintage Levi’s for the rest of your days,” says Grogan.
“Physically browsing vintage clothes means you can try things on too, which is obviously as fun as it is convenient.”
5. Don’t be afraid to ask for help
If you’re short on time when browsing a shop or market, try asking staff for their recommendations. “Often staff in these stores have a great sense of style and will know the stock inside and out,” says Knox.“Let them know if you are hunting for something in particular or for a special occasion.”
6. Check out online shops
With the recent rise of fashion resale sites, vintage shopping online is better than ever.
“There are a whole host of online shopping destinations out there just waiting to be explored,” says Holder. “From the more general sites like eBay, Depop and Vestiaire Collective to vintage specialists such as Beyond Retro and Rokit.”
Grogan says to be wary of listings that only have one or two photos: “I like to see close-ups of construction, fabric, and label. It’s also great if the product listing includes measurements as well as labelled size – unlike sizing, centimetres stay the same over time.”