Why buy second-hand clothes? Practical reasons, and how to do it well

Your money goes further

The most obvious reason. A second-hand piece usually costs a fraction of its original price, especially once it has been worn a few times. That changes what you can afford.

• A wool coat for the price of a new synthetic one.
• Leather boots instead of a pair that will not last the winter.
• A good suit for an interview without stretching the budget.

Our guide to shopping second-hand on a budget has habits that make the money go further still.

Better fabrics and better making

Paying less means you can choose pieces for the cloth and construction rather than the label on the price tag. Look for wool, cashmere, linen, silk, leather and heavy cotton, and for the signs of a well-made piece: a full lining, straight seams, firmly sewn buttons and neat buttonholes. Our guide to telling if a wool coat is good quality shows what to look for.

You can see how it has worn

A new piece looks perfect in the shop, but you do not know how it will look after ten washes. A second-hand piece has already been through some of that.

• Any shrinkage from the first washes has usually happened.
• Colours that were going to fade have already settled.
• You can see whether the fabric pills, bags at the knees or keeps its shape.

A piece that still looks good after a few years of wear is likely to keep looking good.

Styles you cannot find new

The shops sell this season. Second-hand gives you every season before it.

• Discontinued favourites: the jeans that fitted perfectly, the boots that are no longer made.
• Classic pieces from brands that have changed their cut or quality.
• Vintage and older styles that are hard to find any other way.
• Something different from what everyone else bought this year.

It makes sense for things you will not wear for long

Some clothes are worn hard for a short time, which makes buying new poor value.

• Children's clothes, which are outgrown long before they wear out.
• Occasion wear for a single wedding, party or event.
• Maternity clothes, needed for a few months.
• Ski and snow wear for one trip a year.
• A style you want to try before committing to it.

Good clothes stay in use

Every second-hand piece you buy is one that stays in a wardrobe rather than going to waste. It is a simple, practical way to get more use out of the clothes that already exist.

The trade-offs, and how to handle them

Buying second-hand does ask a little more of you.

• Fit. Sizes vary between brands and decades, so a label is not enough. Check the measurements in cm against something you own that fits. Our guide to measuring clothes for buying online shows how, and our Will it fit? checker compares a garment's measurements with yours.
• Condition. Read the whole description and look at every photo. Ask about anything that is not clear.
• Returns. Buyer protection is about a piece being what the listing said it was. It does not cover changing your mind, so choosing carefully matters.

Buying safely on Rewear

On Rewear your payment is held until you confirm the piece has arrived and is as described. If a piece arrives and is not what the listing said, you can report it on the order within 14 days of delivery. Buyers pay a buyer protection fee of 30p + 3% on the item price, shown before you pay. Our guide to buying second-hand safely explains what it covers.

Keep everything in the app, including messages and payment. Paying a seller any other way removes that protection.

Where to start

Start with one piece you actually need, such as a coat, a pair of jeans or boots. Know your measurements, set a budget, and take your time. Once you have bought one piece that fits and lasts, it is hard to go back.

The short version

Second-hand clothes cost less, so you can afford better fabrics and making. They have already been washed, so you know how they wear. You can find styles that are no longer made, buy sensibly for short-term needs and keep good clothes in use. Check the measurements and condition, and keep everything in the app.