Used clothing trends

Used clothes popular as people seek environmental and cheaper options

TRURO - Some consumers, especially young ones, are moving away from fast fashion while looking for durable and unique clothing. And, it's becoming a lifestyle for those who love the “thrill of the thrift” experience.

Staying close to home during COVID means sourcing local places and making fewer trips to urban shopping centres. Among a significant sector of retail stores in Truro, there are also several thrift and consignment shops that sell second-hand clothing. And in all the time that restrictions come and go, a need remains:

“You still have to sell clothing; people still have to wear clothing,” said Louis Doucet, owner of Louis Good Used Clothing.

Although it is hard to gather statistics, it appears that people are becoming more interested in picking second-hand clothes than buying fast fashion items amid a conscious effort for sustainability, cost savings and staying local during COVID.

CHANGE IN ATTITUDES

Jane Atkinson’s grandchildren were raised buying used clothing and love coming in to pick things up for themselves. She said children’s clothing options have been limited in Truro, especially after The Children’s Place closed.

Some people can’t afford to go buy new, and the pandemic has highlighted financial insecurities. It is important to remember that well before it became a “trend,” thrift stores have always been a place people who do not have the means to buy new to go.

That association used to turn some people away - but the stigma seems to be wearing off. Atkinson, who works at Louis Good Used Clothing on Robie Street, said kids and adults in the past used to “turn their nose” at wearing used, but now they love coming to the store.

“College kids are coming in looking for Alfred Dunner … things that we think should be thrown out, kids are buying,” said Atkinson. “It's really crazy. Vintage is in - anything from the '70s and '80s. So I guess I should have kept my clothing.”

Kay Whittaker thinks part of the trend is people watching content during the pandemic such as the Netflix show Stranger Things, based in the ’80s, and the media bringing back a sense of nostalgia.

“Secondhand clothing, it's a good way for styles to come back, and it's just good for the planet,” said Whittaker. “If everybody shopped secondhand, it'd be so much better – reuse what's already available.

Whittaker involves her six-year-old in the shopping experience and makes sure he sorts his items to figure out what he does not like anymore and wants to donate.

“It's important for the young kids to be aware of it too," said Whittaker. “I feel like when I was younger it was almost like you were made fun of, in a way, if you were wearing used, but now it's cool for kids – or at least it seems that way.”

The way people approach Christmas, which has become quite a commercial holiday, has started to change for some too. Program instructor Victoria Lomond said one of the regulars at New To You does “Thriftmas” with their family, meaning people can only gift items that are used.

“It(‘s) all of that good feeling that you get with finding a good deal and saving it from the landfill and all of those types of things,” said Lomond. “I do think that beyond just getting a good deal, people are very socially responsible, who come in to shop here.”

REASONS TO THRIFT

Whittaker grew up in a family that usually bought new clothing, and occasionally she would find a vintage handbag or jacket. It was not until her 20s that she realized how second-hand clothing was environmentally sensible and usually fit better, having already gone through the wash.

“It just seemed really comfortable, and I think it was just more my vibe,” said Whittaker, who moved to Truro from St. Catherines, Ont. last March.

When her son was born, she got bags of clothing through sellers on Facebook Marketplace (and added that there were more second-hand stores in St. Catherines). Occasionally, she will buy some things new for him, but at the speed that kids grow, clothing can get expensive. For herself, the new pieces are underwear and socks. She recently attended a secondhand clothing swap in Mahone Bay as a fun way to find things with friends.

“I just feel like buying used – it's comfort, it's already well-loved,” said Whittaker. “You can buy like a whole new wardrobe for less than $100 if you wanted to.”

Atkinson said one new sweater recently purchased had a hole within 20 minutes of buying it.

“Who can afford it?” said Atkinson. “I can’t justify it.”

Lomond said they see students from CEC coming in on their lunch breaks and college and university students looking for furnishings. And all kinds of people are second-hand shopping.

“You have folks coming in who are waiting for their cheques at the end of the month on very tight fixed incomes and we have people who come in here who are not lacking for any money for sure,” said Lomond. “We treat everybody the same regardless and we're thrilled to have anybody and everybody come in.”

Doucet buys from Boston, primarily from recyclers, where he finds the United States has better quality, and sells at five locations: Willow Street and Robie Street in Truro and in New Glasgow and Sydney.

All clothing eventually sells, he said, and left over stock is sold to partners overseas, such as lightweight clothing to tropical countries and Africa and heavyweight items to northern Europe. In India, some items are recycled it into things such as soundproof stuffing for vehicles and shoe soles.

“You just can’t discard everything to the landfill, so you try to pass it along,” said Doucet.

Second-hand stores are often a social experience as well, with people stopping by just to chat. Steps on Arthur, previously known as Colchester Community Workshop Foundation, offers several programs for clients with intellectual disabilities to thrive. At New To You, its thrift store venture, some customers walk in not realizing the greater work that happens there. It is often not until customers get to the checkout, or recently with having to provide proof of vaccination, that they understand its structure as a social enterprise.

“I think we are unique to other thrift stores," said operations support manager Kelly Atwaker. “Because being an adult service centre provides so much more, and many people think we’re just the New To You, which is just amazing.”

BUSINESS

Atwaker, who has been working at Steps on Arthur for 10 years, said an increase in foot traffic started before COVID. There was a slight price adjustment in April due to the increased foot traffic and building maintenance costs. Other than taxes, all of the revenue stays in-house, and they are 30 per cent government-funded.

Although some people are choosing to stay home due to COVID, it seems that shoppers have only increased at the store.

"Unreal, the amount that we get from the community," said Lomond. “And it's always shocking to me, the quality that we get. We get some really great stuff.”

Along with its growth as an organization, with another building under construction, there have been many donations as people declutter at home during the pandemic and are inspired by Marie Kondo’s decluttering method.

And it’s not just the stores – finds are waiting to be scored through yard sales and online on platforms such as Facebook Marketplace. Some people also buy at thrift stores to resell.

A shift in consumer habits does not always translate to more business for everyone, however.

Doucet said there has not been a significant increase for his stores. Like with other businesses, COVID has affected store traffic. Every time COVID cases pick up, the customers slow down, especially in the evenings.

“Lots of people are still very cautious - you have to give people the benefit of the doubt,” said Doucet, who hopes nothing like the pandemic hits again in his lifetime.

And it is uncertain what consumer habits will be beyond the pandemic. Doucet said he doesn’t see the trend – whether it is legitimate or short-lived, he cannot say after 35 years in the business.

“It’s like predicting the stock market,” he said. “Trends come, trends go – you notice something after it's gone by.”