10 myths about secondhand fashion – let me challenge you

Let’s begin with the classic. The hygiene myth is the most persistent—and in some cases the easiest to bust. Boutique secondhand stores inspect, clean and curate what goes on the rails. And just like you’d give a new pair of jeans a quick spin in the wash, the same goes here. No mystery, just common sense.

While I’m talking from an European perspective, some countries have cultural beliefs around old clothing and it’s not only about physical dirt as such. For example, in South Korea, it is believed that old clothing carries residual energy from the previous owner, sometimes even bad luck.

Such beliefs are very difficult to break, but I do think that with shifting values, this too can change.

On the contrary, secondhand fashion often showcases better craftsmanship than today’s fast fashion. Think vintage tailoring, pure wool coats, hand-stitched hems. Some pieces have outlived trends—and will outlive many more.

Time and time again, I’ve come across secondhand finds that clearly stand the test of time—beautifully made from quality fabrics. And very often the pieces have been worn just a few times.

Fashion is cyclical. What’s ‘out’ today could be next year’s front row essential. The resurgence of Y2K, ’90s minimalism or wide legged pants shows us that trends don’t die—they simply hibernate in charity shop racks until someone with vision revives them.

And unfortunately, while this feeds the fast-fashion cycles, even recent season items can currently often be found in secondhand boutiques. You can read about the last dress I bought new 4+ years ago and my sister bought recently in secondhand in my article here.

This one’s rooted in old stigma. And I think that one is the most difficult one to break, as it’s about values. Many people today choose secondhand for ethical, environmental, and aesthetic reasons. It’s not about budget—it’s about values. One doesn’t have to be broke to be conscious.

A new-season item can be a status symbol. And that’s all that is in that situation. Chasing status symbols is a strong value that is difficult to break. So it’s a question of values.

We love a good oversized blazer and beanie moment—but secondhand is not a niche. It’s a movement. People of all ages, backgrounds and styles choose preloved because it aligns with their values, not their subcultures.

I am personally a maximalist – you can read about living as a maximalist with a secondhand only lifestyle here.

Honestly, these days there are different secondhand shops for different styles – fancy boutiques, thrifty vintage, mid-level and fast-fashion shops etc. You just have to be open to discovering – just like we are with regular brands.

Ah, but you can—and often more so. Secondhand shopping forces you to think beyond mannequin styling. You discover your own taste, not the season’s algorithm. And it shows. True style comes from individuality, not a drop list.

I have managed to go 4+ years shopping only secondhand and so far, I have not felt like it has gotten boring style wise! You can always play, develop your personal style and be creative, no matter where the clothes come from.

This is the myth about secondhand shopping that my mom uses the most as an excuse. Women in regular sizes often think that secondhand is only for size XS-S! This is absolutely not true. All bodies and shapes wear clothes and all these go circling into secondhand boutiques too!

While it’s true that secondhand shopping can require patience in general, sizing isn’t the barrier it once was.. Some shops also organise by size. Bodies are diverse. Secondhand fashion is learning to be, too.

Sure, it’s not always instant. But neither is scrolling through twenty tabs trying to find a decent white shirt online. Curated vintage shops and resale platforms make the hunt more streamlined than ever.

Many secondhand shops are commission based, meaning you can look for a railing that matches your overall style and go from there.

Every secondhand purchase diverts textiles from landfill, lowers your carbon footprint and chips away at the demand for new production. One dress won’t save the world—but millions of collective decisions? They change systems.

Think of secondhand fashion like a living archive. Stock refreshes constantly—both in brick-and-mortar shops and online. If you don’t find your dream cocktail dress today, you just might tomorrow. There’s always more treasure to uncover and more shops or online finds to discover.

This myth about secondhand is from the time, when the only version of secondhand was thrift shops with big bins that were filled on a certain day. Some shops still operate like this and it can be fun if you’re into digging fresh deliveries, but I can assure you, curated secondhand shops don’t operate like this these days.