GIRL ABOUT TOWN
EDITED BY NUALA MEENEHAN
Nuala Meenehan works in the media and is a leading model.
THE RISE OF SECOND HAND
I’ll admit it, I’m a hoarder, I’ve been a hoarder for over 30 years now, clothes, shoes, handbags, and jewellery. I’ve loved every item I’ve chosen, eventually fallen out of love, stored away, rediscovered, and loved again. Of course, there are periods that space at home dictates a good ‘ol clear out is required and subsequent trips to the charity shop or recycling (often returning with a great pre-loved piece I’ve picked up or a fiver). ll regularly find little gems at the back o my wardrobe ve forgotten about, and then fallen in love with again. I tend to buy uncomplicated, simple staple pieces and have never been a follower of fashion per se. Thankfully the fashion industry is moving into a much more sustainable position. According to Thredup – which is a second-hand online store based in the United States – the next 10 years will see the resale market grow much faster than traditional retail with second-hand clothing expected to be twice the size of fast fashion by the year 2030. Even Royal Ascot has picked up the trend. This year’s style guide for the race meeting says it is celebrating “the art of conscious shopping” and points out that looking good “doesn’t necessarily mean you have to buy something brand new”. t suggests sourcing outfits rom charity shops, nearly new bouti ues, vintage emporiums, and resale websites. In May, Asda announced that it is rolling out second-hand sections in its George clothing departments in 50 stores across the UK. The supermarket has teamed up with vintage specialist Preloved Kilo to stock women’s and menswear items, after a successful pilot scheme at its sustainable concept store in Middleton, Leeds. Celebrities Sienna Miller, Kate Moss and Alexa Chung have been second-hand fans for years and of course, the concept isn’t new, but the fact that this trend is now becoming the norm is exceptionally positive, applauded, supported, and driven by younger consumers aged up to 30.
30 WEAR RULE #30wearrule is a hashtag that encourages people to think about whether or not they’ll wear an item 30 times. It’s a simple way to be more responsible when purchasing clothes and ensures that you love the piece in which you’re investing. And even before going to shop for new items, look through your wardrobe to see if you have a piece that you can re-wear.
My oversized white shirt from NI Hospice for £5.
THE WORD IS… There are rumours that Belfast FASHIONWEEK Director Cathy Martin, who has been an ardent advocator of pre-loved and vintage clothing will be holding a regular event to buy and sell pre-loved and vintage pieces. Watch this space!
VINTAGE GETS A NEW LOOK Meet the second-hand online sellers on a mission to bring our wardrobes back to life. Chillie London Mood: 80’s fashion with 90’s styling Online chillielondon.com Insta @chillielondon
Heirloom by Melanie Bond – Image by Stephen Potter.
By Wuzzy Mood: Upcycled denim, pristinely tailored
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Online: bywuzzy.co.uk Insta @bywuzzy The Curatory Mood: Contemporary slow fashion Insta @the.curatory Darlingandvintage Mood: Bright, statement dressing Online: darlingandvintage. com Insta: @darlingandvintage
Melanie Bond Mood: Heirloom by Melanie Bond. Bespoke jewellery pieces created from heirloom necklaces and, brooches given to you by your loved ones. Online: melaniebond.co.uk Insta: @ melaniebondboutique
