We may girlboss and gaslight, but we DON’T gatekeep where we get our clothing from
The rampant consumerism shoved down our throats by fast fashion corporations and lifestyle influencers has indoctrinated us to spend, spend, and spend. With trend cycles moving on faster than your toxic ex, it’s virtually impossible to keep up with what’s in without breaking the bank or the environment. But, buying second-hand allows us to reduce the relentless demand for new clothing that causes the revenue of fashion giants to soar, while also finding one-of-a-kind pieces that’ll allow you to feel like you’re at a Woodstock festival in 1969 or the love interest of an 80s music video.
Here are some of your Craccum Editors’ favourites!
Nancy’s Picks: Old People Suburbs and Depop
I love old people. As much as Gen Z loves to shit on the Boomers, I think they’re the best to have fat chats with, even if they’re a bit condescending or problematic. The other great thing about old folks is that their closets are full of vintage gems! Hit up the second-hand and charity shops in your local senior-citizen-saturated suburb, I promise that amidst all the granny-perfume smelling and moth eaten knitwear are funky pieces you’ll treasure forever. Notable purchases I’ve found in “old people” stores include many grandpa-core cardigans and thermals made of varying expensive but baby butt soft materials like merino and alpaca, all for cheap-as-chips prices too!
Although this is hardly an underrated gem, I really dig Depop. Look, physically thrifting is really exhausting and sometimes finding the fifth used tissue in the pockets of an old coat is the last straw. But with Depop you can scroll and buy second hand clothing from the comfort of your bed, or even give your neglected, “omg I own that?” stuff a new home. It’s also a great platform to wean off online shopping addiction because you still get the novelty of opening a package, without inflicting as much environmental damage as you would with fast fashion outlets.
Flora’s Pick: @welcomeback_slowfashion
Ever wondered where our Craccum Editor Flora, who’s always dressed-to-the-nines gets her closet from? The Instagram vintage clothing seller @welcomeback_slowfashion is her sustainability pick! Boasting an array of vintage items from the 1930s to the early 2000s, there’s definitely something for every decade and for everyone. Flora’s notable purchases include a stunning red Dior dress from the 80s and a teal silk coat from the 50s, which she names as one her favourite clothing items all time!
Naomii’s Picks: Wairau Valley and just venturing outside of Auckland
The queen of mirror fit pics herself has bequeathed Craccum readers with her top places for thrifting! Within Auckland, she suggests hitting up Wairau Valley, or more specifically the “two big ass warehouses on Ellice Road, St Vincent’s, and a massive Hospice”. But that’s not all, along the main stretch of Ellice Road there are also a bunch of other smaller shops like St John’s, Red Cross, Re:store, and a smaller Hospice. Naomii has found that because the sweet (but naive) ladies who run these shops don’t recognise brand names, the prices are low. For example, she scored a 100% linen Assembly Label jumpsuit for $10.
For those who have the means to venture out of Auckland, Naomii also rates checking out second-hand clothing shops in small towns. She named Dunedin as a prime spot for pre-loved goodies, noting that she’s thrifted an abundance of cashmere, wool, leather, and vintage items from her thrifting trips there.