Unfortunately loads of consumers choose to believe and spread completely ridiculous myths about secondhand which means that thrift and charity shops simply cannot keep up with the tons of daily donations and landfills are sadly overflowing with perfectly wearable garments. However it’s not just mall-loving shoppers that refuse secondhand, even those who adore preloved still have their own rules about what used items are and are not acceptable to wear which brings us to the next Thrifty Query:
I am absolutely loving my thrifty query series and the responses I receive to each question posed to my groovy gone thrifting group are fantastic so I thought I’d throw the question over to my fellow thrifty divas too. Check out what they had to say + my thoughts below:
Karen: Love my vintage Victorian nightie finds, but don’t buy the others without tags. Since I find tons of things still with original tags, there’s no need for me to buy ordinary items used.
Sylvia: No… just No… ewwww!
Amie: I will wear lingerie and sleepwear. Swimwear though, is in the same range as undies to me. Anything that touches my bottom side is we’re I get a little grossed out. It’s a personal thing. My own weird phobias.
Jessica: I wash wash wash. Swimsuits. Lingerie is iffy (I’m big so it’s not often I find it lol).
Brandi: Yep. A little bleach fixes eeeverything! Lol
Lavender: Absolutely!
Brandy: Vintage Swimwear yes, camis or gowns that can be used as layering pieces yes, bras and panties from the thrift only if new with tags.
Anne: Bathing suits and camis/slips -yes. Just got two bathing suits for less than $15.00 (a one piece & a two piece). Wash them well and they are good as new. I also wear preloved jammies.
Jenny: Bras yes knickers nope, swimsuits no but only because I’m big and never find anything I like. PJs and knighties yep!
Megan: Sleepwear yes; the rest no (though I might wear a swimsuit if I really, really liked it). Mostly because I can’t stop imagining where it might’ve been.
Anni: Yes yes yes, got some of my favorite pieces second hand! Love vintage lingerie shopping.
Claudine: Sleepwear yes and I have bought nylon slips from the thrift store. I’ll pass on underwear and swim wear though.
Jessica: No to underthings and swimwear. Yesyesyes to everything else.
Barbara: Yes to nightgowns and robes.
Me: Why do so many people think that finding items “new with tags” while thrifting somehow makes them cleaner than something that could have been barely worn, washed and donated? Thanks to their manufacturing journey brand new items are loads dirtier and less hygienic than any laundered secondhand item. Grab the facts right here.
It always amazes me that the people who can be so against preloved because it’s “dirty” are the very same people who have no problem using restaurant cutlery that has been in literally thousands of mouths or hotel sheets & towels that have wiped the intimate areas of tons of strangers.
If you still have a few reservations about secondhand items let me explain why preloved can actually be loads cleaner than new and why reusing should be an important part of everyone’s life:
Grab all of my cleaning tips & laundry tricks over here & keep those preloved items in top condition!
Check out my ongoing Thrift Query Series right here & then head on over and take part in an upcoming thrifty query with the Gone Thrifting group!
