The Ultimate Guide to Buying Pre-Loved Clothes

Check out the ultimate guide to buying pre-loved clothes below, where we talk about the top things that you need to remember when you’re planning on going shopping for your new favourite pieces.

Have a Good Idea of What Your Style is, or What You Want it to be

No one wants to go and spend money on clothes that they aren’t going to buy, even if they are second-hand. So, before you start offering your card or coins, you should know what your style is or what you want it to be. Use Pinterest to come up with Pinterest boards and get some inspiration rather than buying every item you think looks ‘cool’.

Determine What Kind of Items Are Missing from Your Wardrobe

Have a long, hard look in your wardrobe, and see what kind of items are missing. Formal trousers? A playful jacket? Colourful shoes? Find the gaps in your wardrobe and think of what you would like to fill them.

Make Sure The Clothes You Choose Are in Good Condition

Most reputable second-hand clothes stores in the UK will check all garments they receive before putting them on the shelves, but you should always do your due diligence and give them a good once-over yourself. Look for frayed edges, faded fabrics, or any other issues you can think of, and only get clothes that are in good condition – unless you are looking for a project.

Make Sure They’re the Right Size

Remember that second-hand shops will have clothes from all kinds of brands, which means that the sizing will be completely different from one garment to the next – especially for women. While we don’t recommend trying on second-hand clothes before washing them first, try to get an idea of the different size options by looking in your own wardrobe and taking note of the brands you have and what sizes you wear to avoid any disappointment.

Choose Pieces That Will be Timeless or a Staple

Stable pieces are garments (or accessories) that can be paired with just about anything else in your wardrobe. Things like a good pair of jeans or shoes are common stable pieces, and always worth looking out for due to their diversity. This means that you can get a lot of use out of it, and you will always have something to go to when needed.

Don’t Settle for the First Thing You See

Finally – take your time! Unless you spot something that you really, truly love and can’t walk away from, don’t just buy the first half-decent things you see. Shop around and see what else draws your eye, and what you could love, because second-hand shops are full of so many gems.

Whether it’s a handbag, pair of shoes, or some funky sunglasses, be sure to sort through the shelves and hangers thoroughly before making your final choice.

Be Prepared To…

Once you have your pre-loved clothes in-hand, we would like to remind you of two things, which we will talk about below. These can make all the difference to your new garments, and are points that you might not initially think of if you have never bought pre-loved garments before.

Deodorise Your Pre-Loved Clothes

Second-hand clothes are going to smell strange due to perfume, body odour, and a whole host of other smells that linger from the previous owners. Of course, while they smell like someone else’s home, they aren’t going to feel like your garments, so you will need to deodorise your new clothes.

We’ve written an article that talks you through how to get rid of that smell on your second-hand clothes, so be sure to read through it and get your clothes smelling like yours.

Use Gentle Washing on Second-Hand Fabrics

And of course, you should always opt for a gentle wash on second-hand fabrics, especially if their care labels are missing. It’s better to be safe than sorry, and a gentle wash, or even a hand wash, will ensure that no damage is done to the garments that you just bought.

Where to Look for Preloved Clothes