5 WAYS FOR MORE CONSCIOUS SHOPPING.
Within the past years I have become a more and more conscious shopper and I’m extremely obsessed with Vintage Shopping lately. Not only is it good fun and makes you score the most amazing pieces, it’s also a more mindful way to shop. I’ve teamed up with Ebay to show you some clever tipps & tricks for more conscious shopping, since I’ve been using this secondhand platform for over a decade. And to proof that second-hand clothing can look as killer as new stuff: 50% of my look in this post was found on Ebay! But let’s get started with the Tipps:
1. FIND OUT WHAT’S MISSING
I have a strict regimen: for every new piece in my closet, one has to go. That’s the best way to avoid overconsumption and a bursting wardrobe. Let’s be honest: we’re all wearing the same 3-5 jeans, jumpers and T-shirts anyway, aren’t we? If you are conscious about your own wardrobe you’ll definitely be a more conscious consumer. So let’s clean up your closet!
Tipp: While you detox your wardrobe you’ll definitely find some treasure in the back of your closet. Why not selling them on Ebay for some extra shopping money?
2. START MAKING WISH LISTS
Once you got rid of the clothes you’re not wearing anymore, start going through your wardrobe to find out what’s missing. Do you need a super warm coat for winter? A basic Turtleneck? A classic leather jacket? Maybe you need to replace your chunky wool sweater or your everyday sneakers. On my list was a simple black knit and a neutral colored scarf that will keep me warm in Winter…
Tipp: Once you found out what clothes/accessories/shoes you need you can start searching on Ebay. 80% of the clothes sold on Ebay are brand-new and you can buy 88% of all products immediately – so you don’t have to bid.
3. SEARCH FOR HIGH QUALITY
Less is more! Build up a qualitative, basic wardrobe and then add a a few trend pieces per season. Most importantly: start swapping any polyester pieces for cotton/wool qualities! They might cost a bit more but they definitely last longer which justifies every penny. I bought my grey Acne Studios Canada Scarf 2 years ago and it still looks like new. No piling, no fuzz – just a super soft and warm Scarf. I’m wearing it nearly every day during Winter, that’s why I’ve decided to stock up on a neutral colored version. So I basically found this Camel Scarf on Ebay for a fracture of the original price (I paid around 45€ instead of 120€) and I’ve been already wearing it non-stopp. Investing in great quality is always the best choice, but as you see, it doesn’t have to cost a fortune…
Tipp: Find out what materials make you feel comfy and confident (e.g. I love Mohair, Alpaca and Cashmere in Winter). And what kind of pieces would be easy to combine with your existing wardrobe.
4. CREATE ALERTS & WATCH LISTS
Once I knew what was missing I started browsing on Ebay. I looked for my favorite brands like Jil Sander, Helmut Lang, Jacquemus and Acne Studios and put all the clothes I liked on my Watch List. I came across this gorgeous black Helmut Lang Knit, which was slightly oversized and longer at the front – it was simple but special at the same time. Exactly what I love! As it was a private auction I contacted the Seller and made an offer, which he gladly accepted. Score!
5. BUY MORE SECOND HAND
Social Media & Magazines put a lot of pressure on us to always follow the latest trends and buy new things. But that’s rubbish! We don’t need new clothes to feel good/happy/on trend. It actually can be much more satisfying and joyful to score a secondhand piece, that no one else has! Most of the Vintage designer clothing has amazing quality for a fracture of the price. For example: I’ve discovered the camel-colored Jil Sander Shirt, that I’m wearing in this post, on Ebay and scored it for 35€!! It has an impeccable quality and I love the details of the sleeves and the sharp tailoring.
Tipp: Invest a little time and start searching through second hand platforms – you’ll find unique pieces that will definitely complete your wardrobe.
With these tipps you’ll definitely shop more mindful and help to increase circularity in Fashion. That’s what we all should focus on right now! Comment below if you already found something amazing on Ebay – I’m dying to know!
In Collaboration with EBAY // Concept & Realisation: Carola Pojer & Patrick Böcker
