A woman who would splurge on fast fashion at least once a week has revealed she’s now saving thousands by purchasing almost everything she wears second-hand.
Becky Hughes, 24, who has been working in the sustainable fashion sector in London for three years, explained that she was spending a ‘ridiculous’ amount on fast fashion before making a decision to shop entirely pre-loved.
She admitted to receiving at least 60 Amazon orders a year, while also splurging at least £20 a week on clothes to wear for nights out.
Becky told My London that she now buys everything second-hand including underwear and shoes, saying: ‘I’ve been known to buy second-hand bras, I feel like it’s no big deal. I just give them a wash, and there are some gorgeous bras that you can find second-hand.
Becky Hughes, 24, from the West Midlands, has revealed she purchases almost everything that she owns second-hand. Pictured: Becky wearing t-shirt from a charity shop, denim corset from Vinted, skirt from Primark and bag her mother owned in the noughties
Becky would purchase from charity shops, before she became a fan of websites and apps that give clothes a new lease of life. Pictured left: Outfit from Vinted, Right: Top from Roasyb and other pieces from FassionUK
‘I actually brought a bra on [second-hand clothing app] Vinted the other day, it’s in really good condition, hardly worn, and it’s from Ann Summers. It’s gorgeous and it fits me perfectly.’
Becky explained that shopping second-hand has made her more mindful as each item is purchased with the intention of being repeatedly worn.
At first, she would look for fashionable pieces in charity shops and volunteer in her local store to get first pick of the first donations, however she now shops from home from a range of websites and apps.
Believing she is now saving thousands of pounds with the method, the sustainable fashion enthusiast said the process is more enjoyable than purchasing from fast fashion brands as she doesn’t feel pressure to keep up with trends and focuses on her individual style.
She said her most impressive vintage buys have included £20 boots from the 1990s and a 1970s blouse bought for just £3.
Becky said she is saving thousands of pounds as her purchases are now made with the intention of wearing the items repeatedly. Pictured: Top from Bird Song London
Becky said buying second-hand is more enjoyable than purchasing fast fashion because she doesn’t feel the pressure to keep up with trends. Pictured: Jumper and trousers from Vinted, Zebra top is secondhand and bag from a friend
Becky said she also purchases from independent designers who create clothes from recycled materials. Pictured: Top from Oxfam and blazer from We Are Nuw
Becky explained that second-hand clothes are often better quality than the items listed on fast fashion websites and it’s unlikely she’ll ever see someone else wearing the same item while walking down the street.
She has made more than £2,000 by selling off her own wardrobe using Vinted, the app is designed to give clothes a new lease of life.
The conscious fashion shopper has racked up almost 16,000 Instagram followers from sharing her vintage purchases and advice for shopping second-hand.
Becky claims 98 per cent of her purchases are second-hand, while the remaining two per cent are from independent designers who create clothes from recycled materials.
Advising people to make meaningful purchases, Becky said: ‘Think about things like: “What other things have I got that go with this?”. If you know you’re not going to wear something, don’t buy it – you’re not going to waste your money.’
Becky said she has sold over £2,000 of her own wardrobe on second-hand app Vinted. Pictured: Sunglasses from BlooBloom, top from Vinted and jeans from Cancer Research shop
She adds that it’s important to be honest and use good quality photos when listing your own items for sale online.
Becky frequently receives comments from people praising her for being an advocate for sustainable fashion.
One person wrote: ‘Consuming less is definitely more. Less on social media is more. More freedom, better feels. Fashion is very complex, but growing up without fast fashion, I luckily never spent any money there. Making my own clothes has made me realise the value. Let’s hope more people will buy less fast fashion.’
‘We love that Becky! It’s all about making conscious slow choices and only buying what you truly love! We also love this outfit, it’s so groovy,’ another said.
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A third added: ‘Yes! Overconsumption in the fashion industry is so prevalent! We are taught that we need to be constantly buying in order to be fashionable, which is truly not the case.’
Becky has received comments from others who are fans of sustainable fashion and believe there is overconsumption in the industry
