Christine Colbert, owner of Prestbury boutique Dress Cheshire, shares her top reasons for buying pre-loved fashion.
With vintage shops and buy and sell apps enjoying a surge in popularity in recent years, the stigma attached to buying secondhand is becoming a thing of the past. Today’s savvy shoppers want to fill their wardrobes with unique, fashionable pieces while spending their money in a responsible way.
“Buying and selling pre-loved clothes and accessories offers the chance to give something back and get something back, so it’s win-win,” says Christine Colbert, owner of pre-loved fashion boutique Dress Cheshire.
Here, Christine shares four benefits of shopping for pre-loved fashion:
1. Find one-of-a-kind pieces
Forget shapeless jumpers and worn handbags – with pre-loved fashion boutiques like Dress Cheshire selling an eclectic mix of designer labels and sought-after high street pieces, this misconception couldn’t be further from the truth.
“I sell a lot of beautiful clothes that have only been worn once or twice,” explains Christine. “Everything is hand selected and it has to be a little bit special. I only accept about 30 per cent of what people bring in because it needs to be pristine or in very good condition.
“There’s only one of each item and you never know what you might find when you walk through the door, which makes it really exciting,” she adds.
2. Save money
That beyond-your-budget Chanel jacket you’ve been pining after could be yours – and for a fraction of the retail price. Shopping for pre-loved clothes is a great way to spend less without compromising on style.
“I sell items for up to 70 per cent less than the original price,” says Christine, “whether it’s something from the latest Louis Vuitton collection or a limited-edition dress from a high street brand. The main thing is you’re getting something fabulous for less.”
3. It’s more environmentally friendly
The fashion industry is one of the most wasteful industries in the world, with 300,000 tonnes of clothes ending up in landfill every year in the UK. “The country is literally swimming in unworn clothes,” says Christine. “It’s a huge issue, but luckily more people are becoming aware of the detrimental impact of fast fashion and attitudes are slowly changing.
“Pre-loved fashion is far more sustainable,” she goes on to say. “It’s a lovely circle we’re creating – people recycle the clothes they no longer want and then someone else gets to enjoy them for many years.”
4. Support your local economy
When you shop at independent boutiques like Dress Cheshire, you’re also helping to support your community and put money back into the local economy. Many pre-loved fashion shops will also donate unsold items to local charities, or make cash donations.
“Customers who sell their clothes get the best of both worlds,” says Christine, who has partnered with local charities including Caudwell Children and East Cheshire Hospice. “They either see a return on their investments or if their items don’t sell within the agreed time, we donate them to a good cause.”
Find out more at dresscheshire.com or follow Christine on social media @dresscheshire.
