The Weekend Read * Second-Hand Style - Why Pre-loved is Having Its Moment

Hello!

Do you remember hand-me-downs? That school blazer from your older sister, the slightly scratchy cardigan passed from cousin to cousin, or the winter coat that somehow survived three children before it reached you? For many of us, second-hand clothing began there. It wasn’t glamorous, but it was practical, and often filled with memories. That cardigan told a family story as much as it kept you warm.

Fast forward a few decades and second-hand shopping looks very different. What was once a necessity has become something joyful, stylish and a little bit addictive. From the rails in your local charity shop to the slick swiping of Vinted, buying pre-loved fashion is now a mainstream habit. And no wnder. It combines sustainability, individuality and the thrill of finding a bargain.

From Dusty Rails to Designer Finds

Charity shops have been part of British high streets since the 1940s. Oxfam opened their first permanent store in 1947, selling surplus clothing and goods to raise funds for famine relief. In the 1960s, many charities adopted the model of selling second-hand clothing to raise funds. This coincided with a changing consumer attitude towards clothing and a growing willingness to donate and purchase used items. In those early years, they were practical fundraisers, stocking whatever people could donate.

Presentation wasn’t always top of the list. You had to rummage through rails of musty polyester to find anything worth taking home. The 1990s saw the rise of supermarkets selling clothes, which pushed specialist shops out of business. To encourage charities to utilize these vacant spaces, the government provided incentives like tax exemptions, which further boosted the growth of charity retail. 

Then along came Mary Portas. Back in 2009 she launched her Mary Queen of Charity Shops TV series, and in the process revolutionised how we saw second-hand. She persuaded Save the Children to let her loose on one of their struggling shops and turned it into something chic, welcoming and genuinely desirable. Her Living & Giving boutiques followed, blending the buzz of a London fashion store with the purpose of raising money for children around the world. Suddenly, second-hand shopping felt aspirational. You weren’t just saving pennies, you were saving lives.

Mary has tapped into something important: the desire to make second-hand shopping feel special. When you walk into one of her shops today, you’ll often find rails colour-coded, designer labels sitting proudly next to high-street gems, and volunteers who know how to make the place feel like a boutique. The nearest ones to us are in Pinner and Windsor.

The Digital Dressing Room

Of course, the charity shop experience has now been joined by the online revolution. Enter Vinted, Depop, eBay and the rest. For us, Vinted has been the game-changer. It all began in Lithuania in 2008 when a young woman named Milda Mitkutė needed to clear her wardrobe after moving house. With the help of her friend, she set up a simple website to sell her clothes. Within weeks, friends and strangers were uploading their own pieces. What started as a decluttering experiment became a community.

Fast forward to today, and Vinted has over 65 million users worldwide. It’s especially popular in the UK, where around 16 million of us are scrolling through pre-loved wardrobes from the comfort of your sofa. And it’s not hard to see why: it’s simple, fast, and doesn’t cost sellers a penny in fees. That’s a big draw.

What we love most about Vinted is how democratic it feels. You’ll see a Zara jumper listed for a fiver sitting alongside a barely-worn designer dress. It makes the treasure hunt feel endless, but with search filters and categories, you can narrow it down to exactly what you want. And here’s where your colour palette knowledge becomes invaluable. Instead of wasting time trawling through items that won’t flatter you, you can type in 'emerald green' or 'warm autumn coat' and find pieces that suit your season beautifully.

Why the Sudden Obsession with Second-Hand?

There are so many reasons why second-hand has become the darling of fashion lovers. Sustainability is a big one. The fast fashion industry has left many of us feeling uneasy - knowing that cheap clothes worn once and then abandoned doesn’t sit well when we know the impact on the planet. Buying pre-loved feels like a small but powerful way of opting out of that cycle.

Money, of course, plays a part too. Who doesn’t love finding a gorgeous silk blouse for a tenner when it once retailed for £120? But beyond that, people are craving individuality. When you buy second-hand, you’re not walking down the high street in the same dress as three other people. You’re finding something that feels like you.

And there’s another, more playful reason: it’s fun! The thrill of stumbling across the perfect item in your size, in your colours and at a fraction of the price is a bit like winning the lottery!

So Where Can You Shop Preloved?

In person, the charity shop is still king. Oxfam, Cancer Research, Shelter and Crisis all have strong high-street presences, and many now curate their rails more carefully than ever. Mary Portas’s Living & Giving shops take things a step further, creating boutiques that feel like destination shopping. Then there are clothes swaps and local pop-up events, which are wonderful for community connection.

Online, it’s a smorgasbord. eBay has been around for years and still delivers everything from vintage Burberry coats to £3 blouses. Depop is the Gen Z favourite, all streetwear and retro cool. But Vinted has become the everyday choice — fast, easy, and filled with possibilities. It’s where most of our clients are dipping their toes when they want to experiment with second-hand.

A Quick Vinted How To Guide

If you’ve never used Vinted, it can feel a bit daunting, but we promise it’s simple. First, you download the app and set up a profile. When you’re buying, you can use filters to search by brand, size, colour or condition. If you’ve had your colour analysis, this is where the magic happens: type in your seasonal colours and suddenly the scrolling becomes so much easier.

When you spot something you love, you can message the seller to ask about fit or fabric, then buy through the app. Payment is held safely until you confirm the item has arrived.

Selling is just as straightforward too. Take some clear photos on your phone, in natural daylight, write an honest description, set your price, and upload. Vinted even provides the shipping labels in many cases. Once your buyer confirms delivery, the money lands in your account. Simple, satisfying, and it clears that space in your wardrobe for something that does suit your season.

The Joys and the Niggles

Like everything, second-hand shopping has its quirks. The joys are obvious: sustainability, individuality, supporting charities and getting more for your money. But there can be niggles too. Sometimes an item arrives looking a little more loved than described and fit can be tricky without trying on first. And online shopping means packaging and delivery emissions, which can take a little of the shine off the sustainability halo.

That said, the positives usually outweigh the downsides. And with a little experience and a good understanding of your personal colours and style, you’ll find the risks reduce dramatically.

Who’s Wearing Preloved?

If you need a little inspiration, look no further than some of the public figures championing second-hand. Emma Watson has long been a voice for sustainable fashion and regularly wears vintage on the red carpet. Social media is full of influencers who film their charity shop hauls or show off their latest Vinted treasures. Mary Portas herself is perhaps the ultimate ambassador, proving that second-hand can be glamorous, purposeful, and stylish all at the same time.

Final Thoughts: Pre-loved, Perfectly You

Second-hand shopping has come a long way from scratchy cardigans and dusty rails. Today it’s chic, purposeful and filled with possibility. Whether you’re browsing the rails of a Living & Giving shop or scrolling through Vinted on your phone, the joy lies in the discovery of finding something that feels utterly right for you.

And here’s the secret we tell all our clients: when you know your colours and style, you take the guesswork out of second-hand shopping. That emerald blouse? If you’re a Winter, it’s yours. That mustard jacket? Perfect for Autumns. Suddenly, instead of overwhelming choice, the rails and screens become a curated collection just for you.

So why not pop into your local charity shop this weekend, or make yourself a cuppa and have a scroll through Vinted tonight. There’s a treasure waiting for you, one that will make you look radiant, feel good about your choices, and maybe even spark a story you’ll tell for years.

Enjoy your weekend! In next week's The Weekend Read, we will be looking at 'New Season Wardrobe Editing - getting ready for the Autumn/Winter season.

Best wishes,

Judi & Jenny xx

Judi Prue

Personal Stylist & Colour Analyst

Celebrator of Individuality

Curator of Confidence

Tel: 07904 347847

e: judi.prue@houseofcolour.co.uk

w: www.houseofcolour.co.uk/judiprue

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