With even mass telly ditching fast fashion brands for second-hand threads, is 2022 the year vintage fashion becomes truly mainstream? Joseph Elijah heads to a brand new Newport shop – Secret Vintage – aiming to ride this wave.
Reading scary stats and daunting data can leave you feeling helpless and confused when it comes to approaching the subject of sustainability in fashion, but don’t worry – help is on the way, dear. At the moment, it’s ingrained into us that if we want something, it’s available at a low cost. When we’re done with it we chuck it and replace it, and in the doom and gloom of a cost of living crisis, can you really be blamed for wanting to look nice at a cheap rate? Absolutely not but unfortunately, fashion always has a price tag and on average, if it is cheap for the consumer then someone else is footing the bill – often not just financially, but for their health, livelihoods and at at growing threat to the environment.
One of the main contributors to tackling this issue is being aware of the options available to us, and more importantly, being attracted to those options. When society is constantly fed fast fashion, it’s difficult to see through the deals and overnight trends and understand the impact our clothing choices make globally. However, with even Love Island’s switch to pre-loved items, could this be the season we stop swiping on cheap and nasty materials full of red flags and start looking for more long-term quality commitment?
Cue dramatic bombshell entry, Secret Vintage Newport. Tucked away in the historic and recently revamped Market Arcade is a fresh glimmer of hope that I feel has the potential to bring a real sense of community with knowledge of sustainable shopping habits to the city. Founded by Varri Watson and Sarah Crerar, the pair kicked off their new venture in June with a captivating catwalk through the arcade showcasing styles from staple everyday wear all the way through to more unique key pieces, which the public were welcome to browse with some complimentary bubbles after the show. Along with an array of choice on the rails, a bold collection of jewellery made from the offcuts of a 3D printing business is also on offer instore. Judging by the turn out to the opening, the taste for sustainable fashion is clearly there.
I would highly recommend a visit to the shop just to have a chat with Sarah, who has been saving clothes from landfills for over 25 years and has an abundance of knowledge and passion. Sarah kindly shared her favourite quote with me: “Fashion that’s made to last never goes out of style.” I love the ethos of ditching passing trends to find your own unique style that suits you and demands less ‘keeping up’ and more showing your personality. Sorry SV, I know it’s supposed to be a secret… but I’m telling everybody!
How to streamline your wardrobe
It can be intimidating to try and overhaul your entire mindset around clothes and how you consume them all in one go. So, use these questions as a starting point when you’re wanting to buy something new:
- Check your wardrobe more thoroughly. What do you currently own that you could wear more?
- Can you borrow something from a friend?
- Will you wear something new at least 30 times?
- What materials have been used to make what you want to buy? Is the brand eco-conscious?
words JOSEPH ELIJAH for BUZZ CULTURE
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