7 Things You Should Be Buying Second Hand Instead of New!

There’s a reason “thrifting” was one of the top google searches in Canada in 2022.

What started as a climate-conscious trend to avoid over-consumption, thrifting is now a Gen-Z lifestyle - an accessible, affordable and sustainable way to save and make money, all while building a personalized sense of style.

I’ve been thrifting for longer than most Gen-Zers have been alive. My love of hunting at second hand and consignment stores and local estate sales resulted in curating a collection of unique and well made decor items and clothing. There’s really nothing quite like scoring a pure wool Irish cable knit cardigan amongst a rack full of ugly acrylic Christmas sweaters, or an original antique oil painting under a pile of mass produced canvases.

It was an amazing time out in the wild back then. Today, I sometimes feel like a middle aged Katniss in the Hunger Games. Lining up in the cold for hours at estate sales, thrifting in pushy crowds and competing for cool finds with resellers is exhausting, but when you’ve spent more time than money finding quality items you love, you begin to value the importance of how consumer products are made, who makes them and the impact they have on our environment. The idea here is that buying previously owned things reduces the pressure on manufacturers to produce items in large quantities and when you shop locally for second hand goods, you’re helping reduce emissions from shipping from overseas. Just think of the negative environmental impact of those Amazon and Shein purchases, not to mention the 98% of textile workers in the

By Jody Vizza

fashion industry who are overextended and held in systemic poverty. Purchasing locally is always better for people, the local economy, and the planet.

After 20 years of second hand shopping and repurposing and repairing many of my finds, I’m still always excited when I stumble on a great vintage chair or a pair of Ralph Lauren jeans in my size.There are however, a few everyday, purposeful things that I always intentionally search for when I’m out hunting second hand and vintage for my home and for my closet. The great news is that these are items that are always readily available so there is no need to have to fight and forage like Katniss.

1. Glassware

Forgo the expensive and boring glassware sets from retail stores and head to the thrift shop. There is an abundance of it out there and it’s often very inexpensive. You can get lucky finding lovely glassware rummaging around at garage sales and flea markets too. I always find that mixing and matching glassware adds a unique and whimsical look to your table. While smoked and coloured glass is a vintage collector’s favourite at the moment, you can find plenty of interesting textured and depression glass as well. Keep an eye out for drinking glasses, candlesticks, dishes and vases too.

2. Original Wall Art

Purchasing original wall art can sometimes be expensive and intimidating. I always look at art as an investment in your soul, style and story. Never buy art to match your decor. Buy art to match a mood, evoke a feeling, or inspire you. Your art choices are a means of personal expression and this reflects your individual personality and your style. Some people express themselves through what they wear, while others collect interesting things that reflect who they are.

Buying original art always beats purchasing mass produced prints. As factories produce more art, the quality of that art deteriorates and the environment suffers. Poorly made, trendy art is quickly added to the already overflowing landfills. The low cost of mass production is destroying true craftsmanship. Check out your usual second hand spots like garage sales and thrift shops for original art. Estate sales are also a great place to find original vintage art, usually with some great stories. I collect a lot of original paintings and most of my favourites are from amateur artists who have created beautifully unusual, sometimes quirky pieces that make a real statement in my home. Original art can really humanize your space by giving it character and warmth, transforming any space into one that is uniquely yours.

3. Kitchen Linens

There are beautiful new and nearly new vintage linens out there so don’t sleep on this tip. Vintage 100% cotton or linen tea towels are probably one of my favourite items to thrift. First off, the designs are gorgeous and the quality is bar none. They wash up beautifully and look and absorb even better with age. The best ones are usually made in the U.K. or Europe. Check out the cloth napkins too.. they’re sometimes sold in sets and in brand new condition. I use linen and cotton napkins every day. They’re a lovely and sustainable option to paper ones. Never buy new tablecloths. There are plenty of nearly new ones out there and you’ll often find designer brands and gorgeous vintage options too.

4. Food Storage Vessels

Keep your eyes peeled for glass storage containers, jars and bottles when you’re out thrifting. Look for pretty vintage ones with corks or old canning jars. Use them for storing dry goods in your cupboards, leftovers in your fridge, freezing soups and stews and for takeaway containers. Regarding durability, longevity, and its ability to be recycled, glass far outperforms plastic in environmental impact. When it comes to health benefits and safety, glass is better than plastic. Even BPA free plastics are prone to releasing toxic chemicals if heated. Glass is heat-tolerant and can be microwaved and placed in the dishwasher. Since it’s non-porous, glass materials do not absorb or release any harmful chemicals.

5. Plastic Clothes Hangers

This is a no brainer. Did you know that plastic coat hangers are an environmental menace so serious they could soon outstrip the damage caused by plastic bags, bottles and straws?

Most plastic hangers (including the ones that you buy with baby clothes and underwear) are made from a complicated mixture of toxic materials which are impossible to separate at the recycling stage. They all end up in landfills and as the plastic degrades, a hanger leaks substances such as benzene and BPA which claim to contribute to breast cancer and affect fertility. You really never have to buy plastic clothes hangers because thrift stores have aisles and aisles of them.

6. Denim Jackets

If you’re still contemplating the idea of buying and wearing second hand clothing, denim jackets are a great place to start. From the vast quantities of water needed to grow cotton to the toxic chemicals used to dye and finish denim, the production of denim clothing has the most significant negative impact of all clothing on our planet. 3,780 litres of water are used to produce just a single pair of jeans. This includes the water needed to grow cotton, which is a very thirsty crop, and the water required to process the fabric. Denim production also involves harmful chemicals, including pesticides, fertilizers, dyes, and finishing agents including formaldehyde which poses a risk to workers and the environment. Hit up any thrift store and you’ll find racks and racks of denim. Not everyone is keen on wearing second hand jeans, so start with a denim jacket. They’re usually hardly worn and their lifecycle is quite frankly, and unfortunately, eternal.

7. Books

With global paper shortages, new books are very expensive. If you’re someone who loves to read, consider hitting your local Niagara area used book store or thrift shop. I’ve curated a lovely library of second hand art books through the years and it’s always a joy when I stumble on that perfect book for a loved one. Opting to purchase used books over new also prevents the consumption of 153 billion gallons of water each year, along with an estimated 329 million books being sent to the landfill. It’s also just fun to browse through old books on lazy Sunday afternoons.

If you take anything away from these tips, please just take time to be a little more conscious about what and how you buy and how it affects people, the planet and your pocketbook. Ultimately, by choosing second hand, you’re creating a circular economy by re-distributing discarded products and giving them a second story.