Second-hand shopping and alterations

Second-hand clothes and good alterations can give you a better wardrobe for less money. They also keep clothes in use for longer, which WRAP found is one of the biggest ways to cut clothing's environmental footprint.

Where to find second-hand clothes

• Charity shops and thrift stores, which are common in UK, US, Canadian and Australian cities.
• Online resale apps and marketplaces, and local community groups.
• University clothes swaps: the University of Essex Students' Union, for example, runs a term-time clothes exchange.
• In the UAE, look for community swap events and reputable resale platforms, and ask friends and family about hand-me-downs.

Checking before you buy

• Look at the seams, armpits, collar and cuffs for holes, stains and wear.
• Check zips work smoothly and buttons are all there (a missing button is easy to fix, as the sewing lesson shows).
• Hold the item up to light to spot thin patches or moth holes, especially in wool and cashmere.
• Check the care label and fabric content: the University of Essex guide suggests avoiding high-maintenance items.
• Wash or clean second-hand clothes before wearing them or putting them in your wardrobe.

Your rights when buying second-hand (UK)

• Which?, the UK consumer organisation, says buying from a trader, including a retailer selling on a marketplace, gives you the same rights as buying from any other online store.
• Buying from a private individual gives you fewer rights: the item must match its description, but the seller does not have to tell you about faults.
• On online marketplaces, protection depends on the platform's terms, so read them and use the platform's own payment and dispute system.
• For safety tips on avoiding fake sellers and payment scams, see the Scams and Fraud module.

Alterations: making clothes fit

• Simple jobs you can try yourself: replacing buttons, re-sewing a split seam and fixing a dropped hem (see the sewing lesson).
• Jobs usually worth paying a tailor for: shortening trousers or sleeves, taking in a waist, replacing zips and anything on a tailored jacket or coat.
• Ask for a price before agreeing to the work, and try the garment on at the fitting so the tailor can pin it properly.
• A well-fitting cheaper item often looks better than an expensive one that does not fit.
• Before buying something second-hand that needs altering, add the alteration cost to the price to see if it is still a bargain.

Passing clothes on

• Donate clean clothes in good condition to charity shops or clothing banks.
• Sell good-quality items you no longer wear through resale apps.
• Swap with friends or at university events.
• Recycle worn-out textiles through textile banks where available, rather than throwing them in general waste.