#SECONDHANDSEPTEMBER INTERVIEW - ERIN ANDERSON SCOTT
What started your passion for shopping secondhand?
My fabulous Mother. I was raised shopping secondhand and it was Mum that taught me about clothing versatility, quality and materials. I have always loved fashion and shopping secondhand allows me to shop in a way that aligns with my social and environmental values.
What do you love about heading off on a treasure hunting mission?
The possibilities. I'm weird, I could happily window shop and browse through racks all day. I love the quirky unique finds and vintage labels. I've come a long way from my love-at-first-sight impulse buys. Now I am happy browsing and usually have a few key items I am on the hunt for.
What are some of your favourite pieces that you love discovering when secondhand shopping?
I literally love all apparel but I have soft spot for outerwear (jackets/coats/blazers), white shirts in any shape or form and shoes. So I'm usually drawn straight to those sections.
What's your best ever secondhand score?
Tough question, it's so hard to choose but I think my favourite ever purchase was this black suede tassel jacket.
My fabulous Mother. I was raised shopping secondhand and it was Mum that taught me about clothing versatility, quality and materials. I have always loved fashion and shopping secondhand allows me to shop in a way that aligns with my social and environmental values.
What do you love about heading off on a treasure hunting mission?
The possibilities. I'm weird, I could happily window shop and browse through racks all day. I love the quirky unique finds and vintage labels. I've come a long way from my love-at-first-sight impulse buys. Now I am happy browsing and usually have a few key items I am on the hunt for.
What are some of your favourite pieces that you love discovering when secondhand shopping?
I literally love all apparel but I have soft spot for outerwear (jackets/coats/blazers), white shirts in any shape or form and shoes. So I'm usually drawn straight to those sections.
What's your best ever secondhand score?
Tough question, it's so hard to choose but I think my favourite ever purchase was this black suede tassel jacket.
What are your top three tips for shopping secondhand?
1. Know your closet before you leave. There is no point buying items if you already have something similar, have nothing to wear it with or to.
2. Think about what you need. Like first hand stores its easy to get distracted and buy things you later won't wear.
3. Choose quality over quantity.
What's the one item that got away? The one you missed out on that's haunted you ever since!
Nothing springs to mind but I definitely have a few items I have on-given or donated that still haunt me.
What changes have you seen in stores and stock over your time as a secondhand shopper and what kind of secondhand store would you love to see in the future?
One change is, it seems to be getting harder to find quality made items. I'd love to see more consignment stores. I think these stores are a great way to support quality buying, how we care for our clothing, reduce clothing waste and provide a more affordable option for 'branded' items. I also love them because they are a bridge between first and secondhand shopping and play a massive role in expanding the secondhand shopping audience.
Would you be willing to share some of your favourite secondhand spots?
There is too many to choose from but born and raised in the Waikato I have always loved Hamilton Recycle Boutique, St John Opportunity Shop Huntly, Look Smart Te Rapa, Hospice Claudelands, Orphan Aid International and Vinnies Frankton. I am also really excited to see new vintage and consignment stores such as Found and Mint Consignment in Cambridge open up.
What appeals to you about secondhand rather than new goods?
Secondhand doesn't follow trends, older items are often made better, it's more affordable and its extremely unlikely someone will have that same item.
1. Know your closet before you leave. There is no point buying items if you already have something similar, have nothing to wear it with or to.
2. Think about what you need. Like first hand stores its easy to get distracted and buy things you later won't wear.
3. Choose quality over quantity.
What's the one item that got away? The one you missed out on that's haunted you ever since!
Nothing springs to mind but I definitely have a few items I have on-given or donated that still haunt me.
What changes have you seen in stores and stock over your time as a secondhand shopper and what kind of secondhand store would you love to see in the future?
One change is, it seems to be getting harder to find quality made items. I'd love to see more consignment stores. I think these stores are a great way to support quality buying, how we care for our clothing, reduce clothing waste and provide a more affordable option for 'branded' items. I also love them because they are a bridge between first and secondhand shopping and play a massive role in expanding the secondhand shopping audience.
Would you be willing to share some of your favourite secondhand spots?
There is too many to choose from but born and raised in the Waikato I have always loved Hamilton Recycle Boutique, St John Opportunity Shop Huntly, Look Smart Te Rapa, Hospice Claudelands, Orphan Aid International and Vinnies Frankton. I am also really excited to see new vintage and consignment stores such as Found and Mint Consignment in Cambridge open up.
What appeals to you about secondhand rather than new goods?
Secondhand doesn't follow trends, older items are often made better, it's more affordable and its extremely unlikely someone will have that same item.
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Overconsumption and mass production of new goods is a huge global issue, resulting in overflowing landfills, environmental degradation and modern slavery. Shopping secondhand is welcome alternative to this 'buy brand new then throwaway' culture, what are your thoughts on this issue?
It's unlikely I'll be able to give all my thoughts in just one paragraph but let me start by saying I don't purchase purely secondhand. Probably 90% secondhand 10% sustainable and ethically made. Shopping secondhand is still buying 'new to you' so the same principles apply around buying less and choosing well. I love the fact that you are significantly reducing your environmental impact and extending the life of garments when you shop secondhand.
With that being said, it is really important to support firsthand brands that are really making a massive change in the retail space because without them we won't see those quality items trickle down into secondhand stores or other first hand brands changing the way they produce. Hence, leaving our secondhand stores filled with low value fast fashion. It's great for us to buy secondhand to reduce clothing waste but we also need to play an active role in reducing the production of clothing in order to not only mitigate these issues but help support solutions. Remember it is a luxury to be able to choose secondhand as items are not always available in your budget, size or location. My goal with secondhand map is to help make shopping secondhand more accessible to all.
Unfortunately prices of new goods are now so low, they're often cheaper that secondhand. Why is it better for people invest in vintage/secondhand rather than buying new?
Make your dollar count. If we continue to support fast fashion, fast fashion will continue to exist. We as consumers drive demand and production so by spending your money on vintage and secondhand items you are playing a small part in reducing social and environmental impacts of fashion, waste and depending on the store you are potentially contributing to community development or supporting local small business. Supporting our charity stores means you are providing additional funding to organisations that are doing awesome work across the board.
Any other wisdom or words of advice that you'd like to share with people during #secondhandseptember
Be a citizen, not a consumer and do it your way, at whatever level you're at. Whether it be stepping foot into designer vintage stores for the first time, consigning your unworn clothes or being a more discerning secondhand shopper. We can all play a small part in reducing our impacts on the planet. Share, swap, mend and donate where you can.
It's unlikely I'll be able to give all my thoughts in just one paragraph but let me start by saying I don't purchase purely secondhand. Probably 90% secondhand 10% sustainable and ethically made. Shopping secondhand is still buying 'new to you' so the same principles apply around buying less and choosing well. I love the fact that you are significantly reducing your environmental impact and extending the life of garments when you shop secondhand.
With that being said, it is really important to support firsthand brands that are really making a massive change in the retail space because without them we won't see those quality items trickle down into secondhand stores or other first hand brands changing the way they produce. Hence, leaving our secondhand stores filled with low value fast fashion. It's great for us to buy secondhand to reduce clothing waste but we also need to play an active role in reducing the production of clothing in order to not only mitigate these issues but help support solutions. Remember it is a luxury to be able to choose secondhand as items are not always available in your budget, size or location. My goal with secondhand map is to help make shopping secondhand more accessible to all.
Unfortunately prices of new goods are now so low, they're often cheaper that secondhand. Why is it better for people invest in vintage/secondhand rather than buying new?
Make your dollar count. If we continue to support fast fashion, fast fashion will continue to exist. We as consumers drive demand and production so by spending your money on vintage and secondhand items you are playing a small part in reducing social and environmental impacts of fashion, waste and depending on the store you are potentially contributing to community development or supporting local small business. Supporting our charity stores means you are providing additional funding to organisations that are doing awesome work across the board.
Any other wisdom or words of advice that you'd like to share with people during #secondhandseptember
Be a citizen, not a consumer and do it your way, at whatever level you're at. Whether it be stepping foot into designer vintage stores for the first time, consigning your unworn clothes or being a more discerning secondhand shopper. We can all play a small part in reducing our impacts on the planet. Share, swap, mend and donate where you can.
Erin Anderson Scott owns Re-niré and Secondhand Map and is a Collectors Anonymous Ambassador for the Waikato region.
Re-niré is a space for collaboration and textile repurposing initiatives and celebrates circularity in fashion which you can follow at @renire_collective
Dedicated to the stores with actual doors, Second Hand Map is all about Sharing vintage, consignment, thrift and charity stores worldwide. To find out more visit www.secondhandmap.com and follow online @secondhandmap
Keen to find your own vintage treasure? CLICK HERE to order a pre-sale copy of Collector's Anonymous, your handy glovebox sized guide that lists over 1500 antique, secondhand and charity stores around Aotearoa!
Re-niré is a space for collaboration and textile repurposing initiatives and celebrates circularity in fashion which you can follow at @renire_collective
Dedicated to the stores with actual doors, Second Hand Map is all about Sharing vintage, consignment, thrift and charity stores worldwide. To find out more visit www.secondhandmap.com and follow online @secondhandmap
Keen to find your own vintage treasure? CLICK HERE to order a pre-sale copy of Collector's Anonymous, your handy glovebox sized guide that lists over 1500 antique, secondhand and charity stores around Aotearoa!
