Let’s Get Thrifty.
Let’s Get Thrifty. By Milly Muxworthy
The concept of thrifting is not a new one. It is an alternative to mainstream shopping that plenty have been using for over a century, but only now is it becoming a popular way to combat the excessive consumption levels that fast fashion has encouraged. The disposable nature that has become associated with the fashion industry is one that many are trying to steer away from, with sustainability at the forefront of their minds, so the rise of accessible, affordable and sustainable options is inevitable.
(Left) Top: Cancer Research, Shirt: Vinted, Trousers: Depop. (Next) Dress: Hospice In the Weald, Earrings: Model’s Mother’s.
Of course, the most sustainable way to dress is by using what is already in your wardrobe, as consuming more clothing isn’t always economically or environmentally friendly. But, if you cannot quite commit to giving up shopping completely, there are a wealth of other options to choose from to keep your closet fresh. From recycling to upcycling, swapping and restyling, there are plenty of ways to keep the clothes we already have in circulation and put an end to fast fashion culture.
With thanks to: Camille Dawson Carmel Anderson Catherine Wilce Kristen Harris
Naomi Anderson Pippa Simmonds Ruby Shute Tess Howell
Pip Thrifts Pippa Simmonds After years of indulging in the world of fast fashion, Pippa Simmonds decided to put an end to her unethical shopping habits, choosing to shop only second hand from now on. Just over a year down the line, Pippa has kept up to the challenge, and is using Instagram to encourage others to do the same.
(Previous) Shirt: Upcycled from deadstock, Top: British Heart Foundation, Jeans: Big Sister Swap. (Right) Jumpsuit: Depop, Boots: Vinted, Bag: Dogs Trust.
Throughout her early teenage years, shopping second hand gave her the chance to be different in her style, and stand out from the crowd. But, as is often the case, a sense of self consciousness set in and Pippa stepped away from her charity shop ways and straight into the likes of ASOS and Topshop with the hope to fit in with those around her. As a student specialising in fashion journalism, Pippa spent the final year of her degree educating herself on the dark truth behind fast fashion. She was shocked by her findings, bringing to life both environmental wrongdoings and harrowing stories of human suffering caused by the industry, and was enlightened into the world of sustainable fashion. Pippa now uses the social media platform she has created “Pip Thrifts” to promote her anti-fast fashion ways, and document her commitment to only shopping second hand. Connecting with other influencers who share the same outlook, a whole network of thrifters are gaining traction in their mission to dispel the obsession with fast fashion that so many young people seem to have today. The community share tips and tricks on how to remain both sustainable and stylish, and are a growing group of swappers who trade the clothes they no longer fit or wear to avoid adding to the massive amounts of waste that already exists. Understanding that a large part of the problem is mass consumption, Pippa’s realistic hope is for the fashion industry as a whole to slow down. With the constant bombardment of advertising material for fast fashion brands in every direction (on billboards, in magazines and across social media), it is incredibly easy for us to get caught up in buying the newest trends. However, if we all took a step back and simply made more considered purchases, just a change of pace could make a massive difference to the sustainability of the fashion industry.
You can find Pippa here: @pip_thrifts
(Left) Blazer: Oxfam, Dress: Depop. (Next) Coat: Hand me down from Mother, Dungarees: Facebook swap shop, Top: Recycled by hand, Trainers: Depop, Earrings: Oxfam.
“You know what they say, one man’s trash is another man’s treasure.” - Pippa Simmonds, 2020
(Previous) Trousers: Ebay, Bag: British Heart Foundation. (Right) Boots: Oxfam, Coat: Beyond Retro, Jeans: Depop.
GENKI Designs Camille Dawson
Young designer Camille Dawson set up Genki Designs in 2017 after years of admiring vintage and second hand clothing, with the hope to join the anti-fast fashion rebellion. Inspired by her French grandmother’s love for vintage silk, Camille wanted to create good quality sustainable clothing at a price that was accessible to all and made of materials that were built to last. She also wanted to spark joy, as reflected by the japanese inspired name “Genki”, meaning to have fun. Each design is colourful and eye catching - something that you cannot walk past without smiling.
Initially selling the beautiful garments in outdoor markets and music festivals, Genki evolved to truly fit the desires of the customer. It was clear to Camille that shoppers were not after regular new designs every few months. What they wanted were the designs they already loved in a range of beautiful fabrics. She committed to releasing just one collection a year - a set of beautifully considered designs created with both style and comfort at the forefront. This positive sustainable choice is mirrored in the personal relationship she has built with the production team, based in Rajasthan, India, as they negotiate an honourable and transparent process from start to finish. Ensuring that each element of the production line remains both environmentally friendly and Fairtrade, Camille maintains these personal relationships with the tailors and fabric sourcers through regular contact and visits to the origin of her garments. However, Camille knew she wanted to reach a much wider audience. Although she missed the regular interaction and feedback she received from her customers face-to-face, an online platform now allows her to sell internationally, spreading her contribution to the sustainability movement far and wide. The Genki Designs website is now up and running with access to a wide range of beautiful styles, each one of a kind due to the nature of the production. Her aim from this year onwards is to make Genki as accessible as possible to all members of society, starting with a range that has a real consideration for disability, and ensuring that as many garments as possible are adjustable to fit a full range of sizes. As well as this, Camille would like to begin donating a percentage of Genki’s profits to a cause supporting the sustainability movement in some way, be that worker’s rights or environmental sustainability.
You can find Genki Designs here: @genkidesignsuk www.genkidesigns.co.uk
“If you’re getting a good deal, someone further down the chain isn’t.” - Camille Dawson, 2020
(Previous) Coat and trousers: Depop, Jumper: Cancer Research, Trainers: Ebay, Bag: British Heart Foundation. (Right) Fleece: Hand me down from mother, Ring: Brighton Silver, Jeans: Depop.
ReVamp Catherine Wilce
ReVamp, a recycling boutique in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, opened in 2009 with the aim of keeping good quality clothing in circulation and upcycling anything that wasn’t quite useable. 11 years down the line, shop owner Catherine Wilce has over 3,000 women on her books, regularly bringing in clothing to sell either in store or online.
After years of shopping second hand herself, Catherine knew that there was a growing market for vintage and recycled clothing in Cheltenham. The early days of the shop saw plenty of women entering the boutique, realising it was second hand and leaving without a second look. But the mindset of the customer has changed quite vastly over the last decade, with celebrities and influencers opting for pre-loved clothing and encouraging other women to do the same. The rise of external sustainability trends and movements like extinction rebellion have also led Catherine to notice a rise in a younger customer base really appreciating the notion of not wanting to waste good quality, usable items. As her customer base has built, she has had to start being selective over what garments she chooses to accept. The store itself maintains it’s boutique feel, with a refined selection of clothing that she knows her customers will snap up, meaning that a large number of items brought to her do not make it to the shop floor. Each client gets given the choice to take the clothes back or to donate them to charity. Many choose the second option, which sends the item into one of ReVamps ever popular “Fill a bag for a fiver� sales at the end of the season. This event donates profits to local charities and often leads to customers queuing down the street on the hunt for a second hand bargain!
You can find ReVamp here: @revamp_recycle_boutique www.revamprecycleboutique.co.uk
“It’s guilt free because it’s second hand!” - Catherine Wilce, 2020
(Top) Cardigan: Chestnut Tree House, Turtleneck: St Peter & St James Hospice, Trousers: Cancer Research UK. (Middle) Cardigan: Oxfam, Skirt: The Kit Wilson Trust, Trainers: Ebay. (Bottom) Jumper: British Heart Foundation.
Styled By Carmel Carmel Anderson
Carmel Anderson is a young stylist based in Gloucester who predominantly uses second hand fashion within her work. After years of trawling through charity shops, vintage stores and depop accounts, Carmel’s collection of second hand clothing is quite impressive, meaning that she often has the right item for the job without having to buy something new.
(Previous) Cardigan and top: Swapped with a friend, Jeans: British Red Cross, Necklace: Oxfam. (Right) Jeans: Depop, Jumper: Oxfam, Top: Sue Ryder, Trainers: Ebay, Necklace: Cancer Research UK.
With a love for fashion before her time, she finds that shopping second hand allows her to bring a personal twist to her projects, and styling both old and new clothing together creates a wide variety of timeless outfits. Carmel first found her interest in clothing when she was a child, with her mum pointing out that she insisted on picking out her own outfits from an unusually young age. This persistence led to a very individual sense of style in comparison to her friends, which is something that she thrived off. She started shopping in charity shops initially as a teenager without a lot of disposable income but, as she became more knowledgeable on the industry she was immersing herself in, Carmel made a concerted effort to purchase second hand with the hope of being a more sustainable consumer. Her sustainable wardrobe choices have enabled her to create far more interesting projects, finding unique pieces that you could not find on the high street. Avoiding your typical fast fashion trends that go in and out so quickly, Carmel finds that purchasing vintage and second hand clothing leads to far better quality clothing that is built to last, and she can use in a range of situations, which is a key element she is passionate about when it comes to sustainability. Carmel’s advice when styling second hand outfits is to focus an outfit around one key element - be that a funky shirt or a brightly coloured blazer - and build the outfit around that. She suggests that you don’t have to go out and buy an entirely new wardrobe, but pair the staples that you already have with something that will make your outfit individual.
You can find Carmel here: @styledbycarmel
“The most sustainable outfit is already in your wardrobe.� - Carmel Anderson, 2020
(Previous) Dungarees: Facebook Swapshop, Top: Hand made from recycled materials, Trainers: Depop, Earrings: Oxfam. (Left) Jeans: St. Peter & St. James Hospice, Top: Cancer Research UK, Coat and watch: Mercy in Action, Rings: Brighton Silver, Sue Ryder, inherited from Grandmother.