4 Reasons to Shop Second Hand
There is something about buying physical things that can feel very good. It rewards our pleasure centers, but normally only temporarily unless there is something more substantial behind the purchase. It can also depend on the size of the purchase or how much decision making went into making the purchase. For example, the feeling of buying a house should last longer than buying a sweater. So how does buying something that isn’t necessarily new factor into this satisfying process?
New isn’t always unique.
When you buy something new, like clothes or home goods, you often see several of the same items when you make your purchase. Big box stores will have their own take on this type of product. This takes away the feeling that what you have bought is unique to you which can make the pleasure of purchasing wear off a little faster. If it is really trendy, you might see it more often in magazines, other stores or even your friends' homes or closets! That means you’re seeing your product or a look-alike more often which rubs away that new feeling faster. When it is second hand, it is unique in the first place. There was only one of those exact products when you bought it. You might not ever see something exactly like it again! It feels like a treasure. That makes the exciting feeling of purchasing last a lifetime.
Second hand products always have a story.
Something straight off the shelf of a traditional store probably doesn’t have an exciting or interesting story. If you buy something from a vintage store, flea market, and especially something that has been produced by a unique group of people in another country, your product comes with a great story. For example, here at Montie & Joie we have a collection of tote bags with fabric that came from a World War II army supplies warehouse. The backstory makes second hand products exciting every time you talk about them and always give you something interesting to say when complimented. It brings life to the product, making you smile and prolonging the love you have for your new but not new product for much longer than with a typical purchase.
Artisan made products give back.
There is nothing like buying something you love that also helps someone somewhere, or helps reduce the carbon footprint the fashion industry continues to make. When you know the product you purchased has done something positive for someone else, not only does it make you feel great, but it helps you live in accordance with your values. It feels so good to be true to your nature and good to nature. At Montie & Joie, you can rest assured that the purchase you made was sustainable for mother earth and also provided fair wages to women around the world. Shopping according to your values will make you feel good every time. It is a great way to spread joy!
Shopping second hand extends the life cycle of the product.
We often don’t think about the lifecycle of our products. Maybe you didn’t throw that old shirt out the window, but eventually that is where it lands. When you shop second hand, or support boutiques and brands that do, you are giving that product a second, or third life! It allows you to enjoy shopping and feel good about the impact you are making.
Check out Montie & Joie’s shop for second hand denim inspo!
