Love these tips! Sometimes I see people post on reddit about how some of their things just fell apart and I know quality has gotten worse but I do wonder how often it is people not knowing how to wash certain fibers. Some fibers just do not hold up no matter what but learning to hand wash (and not washing as often) has seriously helped the longevity of things in my closet.
Right! I feel like people just throw things in the wash without realizing the individual care of each item (I used to be guilty of this too). I'm so glad you've found something that works for you :)
I have been getting hand-me-downs from my neighbors in my apartment building - this seems to be a custom unique to NYC, but when someone is moving out, they’ll put out a box marked “Free” because it’s less work than taking items to a donation center. So for the past few years, I’ve been able to cobble together a wardrobe with a lot more scavenged pieces. I also have a sewing machine that I’m planning on using to alter clothes that have stains/holes, but that I wore often and would like to continue to have in my wardrobe.
I lived in NYC for quite a few years and I LOVED when this happened! Sometimes I'd just walked around looking for stuff to pick up lol. Have you joined your local Buy Nothing group on Facebook? I was in one (prospect heights) and it was great for getting free clothes! Also you're inspiring me to break out my sewing machine. Thank you for watching!
I definitely wash clothes that are not next to the skin much less than I used to. I hang shirts or t-shirts that have been worn once inside out in the wardrobe so that I know which ones have been worn, and will check for stains or smell before I store them. Often I will spot-clean with a little bar of Marseille soap if the item is fresh but I dropped a little bit of food down it, before putting back in the wardrobe. If it doesn’t smell fresh, it goes into the linen basket. I also have loungewear that I always wear at home so often my clothes will only get worn for an hour or two in the day when I have had to go out, I never sit around in them at home. I tend to sweat under my arms so often tops and t-shirts can only be worn once, as with underwear and socks, but jumpers, layers or other things that don’t touch the skin can be worn multiple times unless they get dirty. I wash everything on the most gentle, coolest wash possible and line dry. With all my silk and woollen items I will hand wash them even if the label says they can be machine washed. I’ve cut up old sheets, bedding and t-shirts to use as cleaning cloths - they are especially good for cleaning shoes and boots - and sold many clothes that were unused on Vinted, or donated them. I also gift clothes to friends and family if they want them. I have a history of overconsumption so these are small steps but I am getting better! I pay special attention to fabric when I do buy clothes, and try to always shop with a list but this is a work in progress! I am taking a break from clothes shopping for September, October and November and saving the money that I want to spend on clothes in a savings account to then go shopping for more sustainable clothing in the sales.
My number one tip is to find my own style instead of shopping even for second hand. I stopped to buy things just because they are a good deal, or affordable. If I am not 100% in love with the item or don’t have a need for it, I will leave it to somebody else to enjoy it.
I live in switzerland, in a little town. We do not have many secondhand options here, one with very little clothes and one shop that is pretty expensive. But the church does clothingswaps every six months and that is great. I started a no buy in juli, messed up in august, and am on it again or still. I am trying to reduce the amount of clothes i have and have been tracking what i wear for about a year now.❤
Hailey your audio is sounding really good these days! Buy nothing says it's a world wide organization. I guess wherever facebook is, it's there? I give things away on my local group all the time. I also repurpose clothing that isn't wearable into shopping bags. I kind of love mending and mend my family's as well as my own.
Thank you so much, Dana! That's great to know about Buy Nothing. I love the shopping bag idea!! In the future I'm hoping to do some mending videos, might need some tips from you!
I always buy second hand for shirts, coats etc but because I have endometriosis my belly is often bloated and I do need to actually try some items first. I feel so guilty for buying jeans that are brand new :( I know I’m doing whatever I can but there’s no other option available to me at the moment unfortunately.
Don't feel guilty!! It's completely understandable and okay to buy brand new jeans if they're going to serve your wardrobe and your needs :) No shame at all in that. Appreciate you watching
Love these tips! Sometimes I see people post on reddit about how some of their things just fell apart and I know quality has gotten worse but I do wonder how often it is people not knowing how to wash certain fibers. Some fibers just do not hold up no matter what but learning to hand wash (and not washing as often) has seriously helped the longevity of things in my closet.
Right! I feel like people just throw things in the wash without realizing the individual care of each item (I used to be guilty of this too). I'm so glad you've found something that works for you :)
I have been getting hand-me-downs from my neighbors in my apartment building - this seems to be a custom unique to NYC, but when someone is moving out, they’ll put out a box marked “Free” because it’s less work than taking items to a donation center. So for the past few years, I’ve been able to cobble together a wardrobe with a lot more scavenged pieces. I also have a sewing machine that I’m planning on using to alter clothes that have stains/holes, but that I wore often and would like to continue to have in my wardrobe.
I lived in NYC for quite a few years and I LOVED when this happened! Sometimes I'd just walked around looking for stuff to pick up lol. Have you joined your local Buy Nothing group on Facebook? I was in one (prospect heights) and it was great for getting free clothes!
Also you're inspiring me to break out my sewing machine. Thank you for watching!
I definitely wash clothes that are not next to the skin much less than I used to. I hang shirts or t-shirts that have been worn once inside out in the wardrobe so that I know which ones have been worn, and will check for stains or smell before I store them. Often I will spot-clean with a little bar of Marseille soap if the item is fresh but I dropped a little bit of food down it, before putting back in the wardrobe. If it doesn’t smell fresh, it goes into the linen basket. I also have loungewear that I always wear at home so often my clothes will only get worn for an hour or two in the day when I have had to go out, I never sit around in them at home. I tend to sweat under my arms so often tops and t-shirts can only be worn once, as with underwear and socks, but jumpers, layers or other things that don’t touch the skin can be worn multiple times unless they get dirty. I wash everything on the most gentle, coolest wash possible and line dry. With all my silk and woollen items I will hand wash them even if the label says they can be machine washed. I’ve cut up old sheets, bedding and t-shirts to use as cleaning cloths - they are especially good for cleaning shoes and boots - and sold many clothes that were unused on Vinted, or donated them. I also gift clothes to friends and family if they want them. I have a history of overconsumption so these are small steps but I am getting better! I pay special attention to fabric when I do buy clothes, and try to always shop with a list but this is a work in progress! I am taking a break from clothes shopping for September, October and November and saving the money that I want to spend on clothes in a savings account to then go shopping for more sustainable clothing in the sales.
You are doing an incredible job and should be so proud of yourself!! I'm taking notes from you :)
My number one tip is to find my own style instead of shopping even for second hand. I stopped to buy things just because they are a good deal, or affordable. If I am not 100% in love with the item or don’t have a need for it, I will leave it to somebody else to enjoy it.
Exactly! I love this. If it won't serve you 100%, it will serve someone else
Loved this video! So helpful and unique.
I'm so happy to hear that, thank you for watching!
I live in switzerland, in a little town. We do not have many secondhand options here, one with very little clothes and one shop that is pretty expensive. But the church does clothingswaps every six months and that is great. I started a no buy in juli, messed up in august, and am on it again or still. I am trying to reduce the amount of clothes i have and have been tracking what i wear for about a year now.❤
That’s great. Progress over perfection like she said.
You are doing so great!! Keep it up
I have a set of coat hooks over my laundry basket for the "worn but not dirty" clothes that need to air out. Good alternative to "the chair" haha
That's a great idea!
Off topic but I love how you do your makeup.
Thank you so much :)
Hailey your audio is sounding really good these days! Buy nothing says it's a world wide organization. I guess wherever facebook is, it's there? I give things away on my local group all the time. I also repurpose clothing that isn't wearable into shopping bags. I kind of love mending and mend my family's as well as my own.
Thank you so much, Dana! That's great to know about Buy Nothing. I love the shopping bag idea!! In the future I'm hoping to do some mending videos, might need some tips from you!
I always buy second hand for shirts, coats etc but because I have endometriosis my belly is often bloated and I do need to actually try some items first. I feel so guilty for buying jeans that are brand new :( I know I’m doing whatever I can but there’s no other option available to me at the moment unfortunately.
Don't feel guilty!! It's completely understandable and okay to buy brand new jeans if they're going to serve your wardrobe and your needs :) No shame at all in that. Appreciate you watching
I wash my things after 1 use in summer, i cant wear and dont like to wear them if i was sweaty, more so for my tanks and tshirts or jeans
I totally agree!!
Where is your cardigan from?
It's a shirt jacket from Quince! Super soft, I love it. I just added a link in the description :)