Thrifts for Gifts? Why Not?

The other “bit of taboo” about secondhand or even “sustainable” fashions, she said, is that people fear “it’s going to look really hempy or art teachery or Glastonbury.”

“But people don’t realize what’s out there. I’m totally guilty of this. I see a look, it feeds into my brain somewhere and I want to emulate it,” she said. “We are very stimulated in this day and age. There’s definitely an element of being sold to and getting a high from buying. We can’t get away from that. It’s really what makes the world g ’round and we’ve amplified it.”

“But it’s about what you are exposed to, which is why I try to talk about secondhand in my social media feed. I was brought up in hand-me-downs so it feels natural to wear them. I had my cousins’ leftovers. They were older, but I was taller.”

And so to shop.

Her first stop was a British Heart Foundation store, its windows full of holiday cards and Christmas knickknacks.

Inside, the first thing she spotted was an ivory fisherman’s-knit sweater. She checked the label. “Irish. Pure new wool. That’s gorgeous. £10.99. It looks brand-new. The quality is fantastic. I think it’s gorgeous.” But she put it back, saying, “Let’s get serious, and put my gloves away.”

Primarily attracted to patterns and materials, she quickly she spotted a lightweight tailored women’s coat for £12.99. “This is a beautiful weave of gold and beige flowers on a brown background. Look at these big swans,” she said. “There’s also a water scene, little birds down here.” The label said 70 percent cashmere, 30 percent silk.

Source: The New York Times

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Keywords:

Taboo • Glastonbury Festival • Social media • Used good • The Leftovers (TV series) • British Heart Foundation • Christmas • Ivory • Sweater • Ireland • Wool • Let's Get Serious (song) • Glove • Coat (clothing) • Weaving • Gold • Cashmere wool • Silk •