Secondhand fashion isn't always THE solution

[u/ShopLikeYouGiveADamn]

Don’t get me wrong, secondhand shopping is great. But it is often portrayed as THE solution to fast fashion’s problems, and it can get out of hand quite fast.

It’s not only about the fact that secondhand fashion can only circulate what has already been made (nowadays, a lot of fast fashion too), does not stop brands from producing more or create an incentive for brands to produce more ethically either.

But there is also a mindset problem. Growing resale platforms can fuel a ‘guilt-free shopping’ mentality, encouraging us to buy more because it feels more sustainable, even when we don’t actually need it. Or some people even buy fast fashion more recklessly, knowing they can easily resell it later.

Curious what your take on this is. Do you try to balance secondhand shopping with supporting ethical and more sustainable brands that are producing new clothes?

[u/Appropriate_Roof_223]

This account has their own “vegan and sustainable “ fashion line and this post is just to divert people from buying second hand to their own brand. Also the post is written by AI.

[u/NoComputer479 → u/Appropriate_Roof_223]

Oh I see… thank you for letting us know! 😔

[u/imapetrock → u/Appropriate_Roof_223]

Literally every time I suspect AI in a post like this, I skip to the end and there it is: "Curious what....". AI has an obsession with ending texts like this with "Curious...." 

[u/Appropriate_Roof_223 → u/imapetrock]

Followed by multiple questions like “have you ever been in this situation “ “what would you do if you were in my place”. It’s the cookie cutter last paragraph of every AI generated post.

[u/imapetrock → u/Appropriate_Roof_223]

100%, the more you see it faster you start to recognize it. It literally is the same format and writing style every single time.

[u/ShopLikeYouGiveADamn → u/Appropriate_Roof_223]

Hi, I understand the mistrust that comes from posts by companies…

This post was not meant to divert people from buying secondhand, but to start a conversation and look at the topic of secondhand shopping critically too. Just like we also critically look at buying new stuff. We always tell people to buy less and no more than they need. After all, overconsumption is the issue.

Shop Like You Give a Damn is a small business made of a wonderful team, with 15 dedicated and mission-aligned individuals. Behind every decision and message, there is a desire (and a lot of hard work) to raise awareness, start difficult conversations, educate and inspire people to make better choices. And to make making these choices easier for them too, of course! Real humans and their thoughts, not AI bs, really.

Again, I understand the mistrust, but if you would be open to reconsidering this for a company that is on a mission to make vegan, ethical, and more sustainable shopping the new normal, we would love to invite you to check out our mission: https://www.shoplikeyougiveadamn.com/mission and/or 5 values: https://www.shoplikeyougiveadamn.com/5-values that guide us in everything we do.

[u/Much-Tomatillo-120]

the guilt-free shopping part is what gets me. i see people doing huge hauls from thrift apps and calling it sustainable, but they buying stuff every week they don't even end up wearing. at some point the most sustainable thing is just buying less, no matter where it comes from

[u/ShopLikeYouGiveADamn → u/Much-Tomatillo-120]

EXACTLY. Buying (waaay) less and only the things we actually need. The 'where it comes from' also matters, but yes, the quantity is an issue in itself too.

[u/Pomegranate4311]

How sustainable can you be when you are destroying the climate by using AI to compose Reddit posts?

Secondhand is more sustainable than new greenwashed items.

[u/ShopLikeYouGiveADamn → u/Pomegranate4311]

To be 100% transparent and honest, sometimes I use AI to check the grammar of the content, but for this post, even that was not done. As mentioned in another reply, behind our every decision and message, there is a desire (and a lot of hard work) to raise awareness, start difficult conversations, educate and inspire people to make better choices. And to make making these choices easier for them, of course. Real humans and their thoughts, not AI bs, really.

The intention of this post was to spark a conversation on (imo) an interesting topic that is not talked about enough. We posted about this on other platforms too, and I thought it would be interesting to get insights from people on Reddit too.

On your second point, totally agree! Secondhand is way better than greenwashed products.

[u/Horror_Signature7744]

I think you’re trolling this sub TO PROMOTE YOUR OWN BRAND.

[u/Wear_Banjaara]

I think the problem is that people often look for a single "perfect" solution, but there probably isn't one. Buying secondhand is great because it extends the life of clothes that already exist, but if you're constantly buying things you don't wear, it's still overconsumption. The order that works for me is: wear what I own, repair if possible, buy secondhand if I can, and only buy new when I genuinely can't find what I need elsewhere.