Showing posts with label slow fashion. Show all posts
Showing posts with label slow fashion. Show all posts
I've been an avid Vinted fan for a couple of years now and, if you're still using Depop, it's 100% time to make the switch. Not only do the items generally tend to be better priced but there is also a larger range of things too. In terms of selling, there aren't any fees for the seller, only the buyer. Not only that, but the range of postage options is also better too. Their partnership with Evri means you can just print out a label, stick it on and drop it off at any Evri point at any time. Aka there's no need to hurry down to the Post Office on your lunch break because it shuts at 4pm every day. Anyway, you're here for the tips for shopping on Vinted not selling, let's get started, shall we?
5 Tips For Shopping On Vinted
01. Search vague terms
I tend to have the most success shopping on Vinted when I'm not looking for something specific. I find if I go in with an open mind, and search for a brand and a size, I find all sorts of things that I wouldn't have considered looking for. That said, if you want something specific like a 'cream knit jumper' then they're absolutely on there, you might just need to trawl through a few before you find one that catches your eye.
02. Set a maximum spend per search
Unlike on Depop, the majority of items on Vinted are really well-priced. That said, there will always be sellers trying to flog pieces for far more than they're worth. Personally, I set up a maximum spend on each and every search I do. Everyone's budget and idea of a reasonable price are slightly different, but it's a great place to start. You might have to trawl through a few more scrolls of toot if you're more stringent with what you're looking to spend, but it's worth it. Also, it goes without saying, if you can't find anything, upping the budget only takes a couple of seconds.
03. Search items to see how they look on other sellers
A majority of people selling on Vinted don’t post photos wearing the items which makes gauging sizing a bit harder. So, I always try and search for the item before adding it to my basket to see if anyone else has it for sale. For common high-street pieces, there are always a few people selling the same thing. I tend to favourite the one I've found and then do a really specific search with all of the details in the hopes of finding someone else selling it with better photos.
04. Choose a range of sizes
Particularly with older garments, a lot of the sizing has changed over the years. Even just in the last few years, popular high street retailers like Primark have drastically changed their sizes too. I always try to bare this (and the fact that things shrink after many washes) in mind when browsing. I'm a size 10, but I'll often search with sizes 8-12 to account for things that are oversized or smaller fitting. If it's a jumper I'm buying, I often add another size or two on top of that as a personal preference as I love a baggy jumper.
05. Filter By Newly Listed
I've noticed that a lot of the items have been on the app for a long time. A few times I've gone to buy something for the seller not to have it anymore. I think because there aren't fees to sell on Vinted, people tend to a) post more items (often worth a lower value) and b) forget what they have on there. So, before you set your heart on a jumper that's been on there for a couple of years, check the date it was posted! And, if you always search by newly listed, it means you won't be scrolling the same things over and over at a later date.
So, there you have it, 5 tips for shopping on Vinted. I've built up quite an assortment of different things in my slow fashion wardrobe from the apps, and I couldn't imagine not having them now. Affordable clothing that doesn't cause as much damage to the planet? We love to see it.
What are your tips for shopping on Vinted?
I've been an avid Vinted fan for a couple of years now and, if you're still using Depop, it's 100% time to make the switch. Not only do the items generally tend to be better priced but there is also a larger range of things too. In terms of selling, there aren't any fees for the seller, only the buyer. Not only that, but the range of postage options is also better too. Their partnership with Evri means you can just print out a label, stick it on and drop it off at any Evri point at any time. Aka there's no need to hurry down to the Post Office on your lunch break because it shuts at 4pm every day. Anyway, you're here for the tips for shopping on Vinted not selling, let's get started, shall we?
5 Tips For Shopping On Vinted
01. Search vague terms
I tend to have the most success shopping on Vinted when I'm not looking for something specific. I find if I go in with an open mind, and search for a brand and a size, I find all sorts of things that I wouldn't have considered looking for. That said, if you want something specific like a 'cream knit jumper' then they're absolutely on there, you might just need to trawl through a few before you find one that catches your eye.
02. Set a maximum spend per search
Unlike on Depop, the majority of items on Vinted are really well-priced. That said, there will always be sellers trying to flog pieces for far more than they're worth. Personally, I set up a maximum spend on each and every search I do. Everyone's budget and idea of a reasonable price are slightly different, but it's a great place to start. You might have to trawl through a few more scrolls of toot if you're more stringent with what you're looking to spend, but it's worth it. Also, it goes without saying, if you can't find anything, upping the budget only takes a couple of seconds.
03. Search items to see how they look on other sellers
A majority of people selling on Vinted don’t post photos wearing the items which makes gauging sizing a bit harder. So, I always try and search for the item before adding it to my basket to see if anyone else has it for sale. For common high-street pieces, there are always a few people selling the same thing. I tend to favourite the one I've found and then do a really specific search with all of the details in the hopes of finding someone else selling it with better photos.
04. Choose a range of sizes
Particularly with older garments, a lot of the sizing has changed over the years. Even just in the last few years, popular high street retailers like Primark have drastically changed their sizes too. I always try to bare this (and the fact that things shrink after many washes) in mind when browsing. I'm a size 10, but I'll often search with sizes 8-12 to account for things that are oversized or smaller fitting. If it's a jumper I'm buying, I often add another size or two on top of that as a personal preference as I love a baggy jumper.
05. Filter By Newly Listed
I've noticed that a lot of the items have been on the app for a long time. A few times I've gone to buy something for the seller not to have it anymore. I think because there aren't fees to sell on Vinted, people tend to a) post more items (often worth a lower value) and b) forget what they have on there. So, before you set your heart on a jumper that's been on there for a couple of years, check the date it was posted! And, if you always search by newly listed, it means you won't be scrolling the same things over and over at a later date.
So, there you have it, 5 tips for shopping on Vinted. I've built up quite an assortment of different things in my slow fashion wardrobe from the apps, and I couldn't imagine not having them now. Affordable clothing that doesn't cause as much damage to the planet? We love to see it.
What are your tips for shopping on Vinted?
Next week I start my new marketing job and the dress code is office wear. I haven't worn smart workwear in over 2 years now (my last job was suuuuper casual) but I luckily held on to a lot of my old work clothes.
Seeing as I already have a load of clothes that work together, I've decided that I'm going to have a go at having a set capsule wardrobe. Anyone who has followed this blog for a while will know how much I love a bit of beige, and when putting together a capsule wardrobe, neutrals are an absolute godsend.
Now, I don't quite know just how strict the dress code is at my new place, but I've picked the following 14 items:
- 2 Jumpers
- 4 Blouses
- 3 Short-sleeved tops
- 3 Pairs of trousers
- 1 Dress
- 1 Midi skirt
I'm going to be wearing these items in allll of the combinations over the coming weeks and months and I'm excited to really get the most out of each of these pieces. Hello, slow fashion.
To help with this whole mission, I recently downloaded the Whering app which I've seen all over Instagram. It's essentially a digital wardrobe and allows you to add all of your clothes to it and put them together into outfits. I added each of these 14 pieces to the app and so far I've created 23 different outfit combinations. Not only is the app useful for seeing exactly what you have, but it means you can see how different outfits look without actually having to try them on. You can also log how many times you've worn each piece in the app, if that's something that interests you too.
As someone who loves clothes and once would have gone and thrifted an array of new pieces to wear to their new job, this is an exciting change for me. Whilst I'm not sure I could commit to a capsule wardrobe for my 'fun clothes', I have a feeling this is going to be a breeze for my workwear...
Have you ever tried a capsule wardrobe?
Next week I start my new marketing job and the dress code is office wear. I haven't worn smart workwear in over 2 years now (my last job was suuuuper casual) but I luckily held on to a lot of my old work clothes.
Seeing as I already have a load of clothes that work together, I've decided that I'm going to have a go at having a set capsule wardrobe. Anyone who has followed this blog for a while will know how much I love a bit of beige, and when putting together a capsule wardrobe, neutrals are an absolute godsend.
Now, I don't quite know just how strict the dress code is at my new place, but I've picked the following 14 items:
- 2 Jumpers
- 4 Blouses
- 3 Short-sleeved tops
- 3 Pairs of trousers
- 1 Dress
- 1 Midi skirt
I'm going to be wearing these items in allll of the combinations over the coming weeks and months and I'm excited to really get the most out of each of these pieces. Hello, slow fashion.
To help with this whole mission, I recently downloaded the Whering app which I've seen all over Instagram. It's essentially a digital wardrobe and allows you to add all of your clothes to it and put them together into outfits. I added each of these 14 pieces to the app and so far I've created 23 different outfit combinations. Not only is the app useful for seeing exactly what you have, but it means you can see how different outfits look without actually having to try them on. You can also log how many times you've worn each piece in the app, if that's something that interests you too.
As someone who loves clothes and once would have gone and thrifted an array of new pieces to wear to their new job, this is an exciting change for me. Whilst I'm not sure I could commit to a capsule wardrobe for my 'fun clothes', I have a feeling this is going to be a breeze for my workwear...
Have you ever tried a capsule wardrobe?
Fast Fashion is out. It's 2021 and we're all getting stuck into being Slow Fashion queens and ditching those cheap, mass-producing, people-exploiting, and planet-ruining brands. But, what with lockdown and this whole global pandemic thing, going to a charity shop and buying second-hand isn't all that easy. So, enter Depop, my new best friend.
I've recently become quite a hardcore Depop scroller and have found some absolute gems over the last 6 months or so. If you're feeling nosy and what to have a peruse of said gems, here are my Spring Depop Haul and Summer Depop Hauls, scroll away!
There are a LOT of clothes on Depop, and I'm going to be honest, a lot of it is toot. So, for today's post, I thought I'd compile a list of 5 tips for shopping on Depop to save you from the endless scrolling now that I'm a bit of a Depop-pro. Let's get into it, shall we?
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5 Tips for Shopping on Depop
01. Filter By Newly Listed
This is a fairly recent addition to the app and I am SO grateful for it. The number of times I'd searched and found an item that looked perfect only to realise the post was 67 weeks old and the seller was unlikely to still have it laying around. Sorting by newly listed means that everything you're looking at is way more likely to be available and ready to be shipped, and not in an old storage unit 40 miles away.
02. Search Items To See How They Look On Other Sellers
You can post a maximum of 4 photos on Depop and many sellers don't include any images of the item actually being worn within their four. Searching the item you've found not only lets you see if someone else is selling it in better condition or for a cheaper price but also how it looks on a variety of 'real' people!
03. Look At Other People's Likes
Finding other people with a similar style to yours on Depop is fab, not only because their entire page is full of items you'd wear, but because their liked items are also your style too. Looking at what other people have liked is a great way of finding new sellers and pieces, without having to trawl through thousands of items.
04. Be Flexible With Sizing
Clothes from different shops all fit differently, and second-hand clothes that have been washed and dried many times, also fit differently to how they once did. I recently bought a white broderie anglaise jumpsuit in a size 8 from a seller and couldn't even get a calf in it, but have also bought size 6 tops that have absolutely swamped me. I'd definitely recommend judging sizing by eye and including at least a couple of sizes in your searches because you never know what the item is actually going to be like!
05. Sort By Maximum Spend
This has definitely been the biggest time saver for me! It's mad the number of people who are selling cheap Primark items with stains on for at least twice their RRP. When it comes to my buying process, I tend to think of a specific item I'm looking for, eg a black tee, and then filter by the most I'd like to spend for said black tee. That way, you can filter out all of the designer items (if that's not what you're looking for), and people using Depop to resell cheap wholesale items for a profit.
So, there we have it, five of my tips for shopping on Depop. Yes, shopping second hand online takes a lot more time and patience than just opening the ASOS app, but, it's also way more rewarding! It goes without saying, spending hundreds on Depop a week isn't particularly sustainable, but, it's way better than spending hundreds on Boohoo. So, if you're looking to make better fashion choices, get on Depop!
p.s. you can find me over at @beccammartin19
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Fast Fashion is out. It's 2021 and we're all getting stuck into being Slow Fashion queens and ditching those cheap, mass-producing, people-exploiting, and planet-ruining brands. But, what with lockdown and this whole global pandemic thing, going to a charity shop and buying second-hand isn't all that easy. So, enter Depop, my new best friend.
I've recently become quite a hardcore Depop scroller and have found some absolute gems over the last 6 months or so. If you're feeling nosy and what to have a peruse of said gems, here are my Spring Depop Haul and Summer Depop Hauls, scroll away!
There are a LOT of clothes on Depop, and I'm going to be honest, a lot of it is toot. So, for today's post, I thought I'd compile a list of 5 tips for shopping on Depop to save you from the endless scrolling now that I'm a bit of a Depop-pro. Let's get into it, shall we?
|
5 Tips for Shopping on Depop
01. Filter By Newly Listed
This is a fairly recent addition to the app and I am SO grateful for it. The number of times I'd searched and found an item that looked perfect only to realise the post was 67 weeks old and the seller was unlikely to still have it laying around. Sorting by newly listed means that everything you're looking at is way more likely to be available and ready to be shipped, and not in an old storage unit 40 miles away.
02. Search Items To See How They Look On Other Sellers
You can post a maximum of 4 photos on Depop and many sellers don't include any images of the item actually being worn within their four. Searching the item you've found not only lets you see if someone else is selling it in better condition or for a cheaper price but also how it looks on a variety of 'real' people!
03. Look At Other People's Likes
Finding other people with a similar style to yours on Depop is fab, not only because their entire page is full of items you'd wear, but because their liked items are also your style too. Looking at what other people have liked is a great way of finding new sellers and pieces, without having to trawl through thousands of items.
04. Be Flexible With Sizing
Clothes from different shops all fit differently, and second-hand clothes that have been washed and dried many times, also fit differently to how they once did. I recently bought a white broderie anglaise jumpsuit in a size 8 from a seller and couldn't even get a calf in it, but have also bought size 6 tops that have absolutely swamped me. I'd definitely recommend judging sizing by eye and including at least a couple of sizes in your searches because you never know what the item is actually going to be like!
05. Sort By Maximum Spend
This has definitely been the biggest time saver for me! It's mad the number of people who are selling cheap Primark items with stains on for at least twice their RRP. When it comes to my buying process, I tend to think of a specific item I'm looking for, eg a black tee, and then filter by the most I'd like to spend for said black tee. That way, you can filter out all of the designer items (if that's not what you're looking for), and people using Depop to resell cheap wholesale items for a profit.
So, there we have it, five of my tips for shopping on Depop. Yes, shopping second hand online takes a lot more time and patience than just opening the ASOS app, but, it's also way more rewarding! It goes without saying, spending hundreds on Depop a week isn't particularly sustainable, but, it's way better than spending hundreds on Boohoo. So, if you're looking to make better fashion choices, get on Depop!
p.s. you can find me over at @beccammartin19
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I've said it before and I'll say it again, I LOVE shopping on Depop. It's like thrifting, just without the physical sifting through rails upon rails of musty clothes. I don't know about you but the charity shops I have near me are never filled with gems. I see other people's local Oxfam's filled with Levi jeans and cool band tees... Mine? It's old Primark vest tops and thick itchy jumpers from the 70s. Anyway, what I was trying to say is that I really enjoy shopping on Depop as a more sustainable, slow fashion option and would recommend it to anyone.
Not sure where to start? I've written 5 tips for shopping on Depop. You're welcome!
I've posted a Spring Depop Haul and a Summer Depop Haul, and seeing as it's currently Second Hand September it felt only right that I add an Autumn Depop Haul to the mix too. I'm currently not sure where to take my style, so here's a bit of an eclectic mix of items I've picked up recently...
You know summer is on its way out when 'sweatshirt' is the term you're religiously searching. This Levi's jumper was only a tenner including postage and I love it because the logo is actually embroidered not printed. How did I justify buying myself another black jumper? By telling myself that this one is more of a charcoal wash and therefore isn't a black jumper. Winner winner.
These jeans were actually inspired by a girl I saw wearing a similar pair in Padstow. She had them on with a big baggy black tee and a load of necklaces and I really liked how they looked. Lilac mom jeans aren't something I've seen too many people wearing so I can't wait to put a few outfits together with them! These were originally from Boohoo and I paid £11 for them with free shipping, result.
Everyone needs a big baggy striped tee in their wardrobe so I don't think this purchase needs any justification at all. This was originally from Asos and it set me back the grand total of £4.
In an attempt to add a little *spice* to my wardrobe in the form of a sweatshirt that's not black, I bought this Tommy Jeans number. It's a women's size small and I'm not going to lie I would looove for this to be a bigger size but it's still fab nonetheless. I wore this with my white and black grid trousers in Cornwall and I loved how they look together. Plus, a Tommy jumper for less than £15? What a steal.
Oooh look, another sweatshirt. We knew we were going to end up back here didn't we? My workplace has a suuuuuper casual dress code so these jumpers are going to be perfect for when the weather starts to turn and you don't want to be sat in the office with your coat on all day. This Vans jumper is a little on the bobbly side but considering it was the grand total of £6, I'm more than happy to give it a little TLC.
So, there we have it, my little Autumn Depop Haul. As I'm writing this I have actually just bought a pair of black lace-up boots on Depop and I cannnnnot wait for them to arrive. A nice pair of chunky black boots are the perfect transitional piece in my opinion and I can't wait to pair them with all my skirts and dresses as I hang on to the last little bit of summer.
Have you made any Depop purchases recently?
What has been in your Autumn Depop haul?
I've said it before and I'll say it again, I LOVE shopping on Depop. It's like thrifting, just without the physical sifting through rails upon rails of musty clothes. I don't know about you but the charity shops I have near me are never filled with gems. I see other people's local Oxfam's filled with Levi jeans and cool band tees... Mine? It's old Primark vest tops and thick itchy jumpers from the 70s. Anyway, what I was trying to say is that I really enjoy shopping on Depop as a more sustainable, slow fashion option and would recommend it to anyone.
Not sure where to start? I've written 5 tips for shopping on Depop. You're welcome!
I've posted a Spring Depop Haul and a Summer Depop Haul, and seeing as it's currently Second Hand September it felt only right that I add an Autumn Depop Haul to the mix too. I'm currently not sure where to take my style, so here's a bit of an eclectic mix of items I've picked up recently...
You know summer is on its way out when 'sweatshirt' is the term you're religiously searching. This Levi's jumper was only a tenner including postage and I love it because the logo is actually embroidered not printed. How did I justify buying myself another black jumper? By telling myself that this one is more of a charcoal wash and therefore isn't a black jumper. Winner winner.
These jeans were actually inspired by a girl I saw wearing a similar pair in Padstow. She had them on with a big baggy black tee and a load of necklaces and I really liked how they looked. Lilac mom jeans aren't something I've seen too many people wearing so I can't wait to put a few outfits together with them! These were originally from Boohoo and I paid £11 for them with free shipping, result.
Everyone needs a big baggy striped tee in their wardrobe so I don't think this purchase needs any justification at all. This was originally from Asos and it set me back the grand total of £4.
In an attempt to add a little *spice* to my wardrobe in the form of a sweatshirt that's not black, I bought this Tommy Jeans number. It's a women's size small and I'm not going to lie I would looove for this to be a bigger size but it's still fab nonetheless. I wore this with my white and black grid trousers in Cornwall and I loved how they look together. Plus, a Tommy jumper for less than £15? What a steal.
Oooh look, another sweatshirt. We knew we were going to end up back here didn't we? My workplace has a suuuuuper casual dress code so these jumpers are going to be perfect for when the weather starts to turn and you don't want to be sat in the office with your coat on all day. This Vans jumper is a little on the bobbly side but considering it was the grand total of £6, I'm more than happy to give it a little TLC.
So, there we have it, my little Autumn Depop Haul. As I'm writing this I have actually just bought a pair of black lace-up boots on Depop and I cannnnnot wait for them to arrive. A nice pair of chunky black boots are the perfect transitional piece in my opinion and I can't wait to pair them with all my skirts and dresses as I hang on to the last little bit of summer.
Have you made any Depop purchases recently?
What has been in your Autumn Depop haul?
A few months ago I posted all about Lost Stock and the fashion parcels they were making to help those impacted by the fallout of COVID-19. Essentially, in case you missed it, with lockdown and everything being shut, many fashion retailers decided to cancel their clothing orders. Now, this doesn't sound like too much of an issue on the surface, but, many of the factories had already made hundreds of thousands of items but weren't going to get paid for them. It was estimated that cancelled orders totalled over $2 billion USD, and this amount is likely to have only increased since.
Garment workers are grossly underpaid, but garment workers in a pandemic producing items for companies that aren't going to be paying? Well, that's thousands of people receiving no income at all despite holding down their end of the bargain.
Not only were the workers not going to get paid, but the items produced were also going to be sent to landfill. It was estimated that 982 million garments had been cancelled or suspended from 1150 factories due to COVID. That's a lot of clothes.
So, this is where Lost Stock comes in... For £35 (+ £3.99 shipping) you can purchase a Lost Stock Box. This not only supports a garment worker and their family for a week but you also receive 3 items of clothing based around a little questionnaire submitted upon ordering, saving these pieces from ending up in landfill.. Sounds good, right?
Almost too good...
For those interested in the timescale, I placed my order on the 18th May (the day the boxes were launched) and the package arrived on the 11th August.
So, my order arrived and it's fair to say it was not what I was expecting at alllll. I mean, I obviously had no idea what to expect but this certainly wasn't it.
My answers for the questionnaire were as follows:
- A normal fit
- Brights
- No patterns
- I like to be at the cutting edge of fashion
Here's what arrived...
As you can see, it's certainly not the prettiest line up of items. The pink dress is by far the best of the bunch but definitely isn't an item that would get much wear. The yellow top isn't my sort of thing (as you can probably tell from my face in the photo) and the two patterned vests are definitely suited to a more mature wearer, they're certainly not at 'the cutting edge of fashion'.
Now, I totally understand the logistical nightmare that arranging these boxes probably was and that they were never going to get everyone's order right. But, from all of the posts I've seen online, it seems like everyone had a very similar experience to mine; random items that didn't fit the questionnaire and that weren't ever going to get worn.
Considering the boxes were originally marketed as being items from shops such as Zara and Topshop, I think it's understandable that people are unhappy with the items they have received. These tops clearly weren't destined to end up in Topshop. The boxes are meant to be worth a total of £70 RRP, but many people have found the items in their boxes in-store in Matalan for much cheaper than this, which has raised a lot of questions surrounding the value of the boxes...
I know people will probably read this and argue that it shouldn't matter because it was all for charity anyway. Well, at the time of release it wasn't totally clear how much of the £35 was going to go directly to the garment workers in Bangladesh. But, it's now known that only 37% (or £12.95) of that is donated, and had I known that at the time, I think I'd have just donated directly.
Overall, I don't think I'd recommend ordering a Lost Stock Box. Rather than paying nearly £40 for some clothes you're very unlikely to wear, donate the £12 directly and buy a piece of clothing you know you're going to love and wear to death.
Did you order a Lost Stock Box?
A few months ago I posted all about Lost Stock and the fashion parcels they were making to help those impacted by the fallout of COVID-19. Essentially, in case you missed it, with lockdown and everything being shut, many fashion retailers decided to cancel their clothing orders. Now, this doesn't sound like too much of an issue on the surface, but, many of the factories had already made hundreds of thousands of items but weren't going to get paid for them. It was estimated that cancelled orders totalled over $2 billion USD, and this amount is likely to have only increased since.
Garment workers are grossly underpaid, but garment workers in a pandemic producing items for companies that aren't going to be paying? Well, that's thousands of people receiving no income at all despite holding down their end of the bargain.
Not only were the workers not going to get paid, but the items produced were also going to be sent to landfill. It was estimated that 982 million garments had been cancelled or suspended from 1150 factories due to COVID. That's a lot of clothes.
So, this is where Lost Stock comes in... For £35 (+ £3.99 shipping) you can purchase a Lost Stock Box. This not only supports a garment worker and their family for a week but you also receive 3 items of clothing based around a little questionnaire submitted upon ordering, saving these pieces from ending up in landfill.. Sounds good, right?
Almost too good...
For those interested in the timescale, I placed my order on the 18th May (the day the boxes were launched) and the package arrived on the 11th August.
So, my order arrived and it's fair to say it was not what I was expecting at alllll. I mean, I obviously had no idea what to expect but this certainly wasn't it.
My answers for the questionnaire were as follows:
- A normal fit
- Brights
- No patterns
- I like to be at the cutting edge of fashion
Here's what arrived...
As you can see, it's certainly not the prettiest line up of items. The pink dress is by far the best of the bunch but definitely isn't an item that would get much wear. The yellow top isn't my sort of thing (as you can probably tell from my face in the photo) and the two patterned vests are definitely suited to a more mature wearer, they're certainly not at 'the cutting edge of fashion'.
Now, I totally understand the logistical nightmare that arranging these boxes probably was and that they were never going to get everyone's order right. But, from all of the posts I've seen online, it seems like everyone had a very similar experience to mine; random items that didn't fit the questionnaire and that weren't ever going to get worn.
Considering the boxes were originally marketed as being items from shops such as Zara and Topshop, I think it's understandable that people are unhappy with the items they have received. These tops clearly weren't destined to end up in Topshop. The boxes are meant to be worth a total of £70 RRP, but many people have found the items in their boxes in-store in Matalan for much cheaper than this, which has raised a lot of questions surrounding the value of the boxes...
I know people will probably read this and argue that it shouldn't matter because it was all for charity anyway. Well, at the time of release it wasn't totally clear how much of the £35 was going to go directly to the garment workers in Bangladesh. But, it's now known that only 37% (or £12.95) of that is donated, and had I known that at the time, I think I'd have just donated directly.
Overall, I don't think I'd recommend ordering a Lost Stock Box. Rather than paying nearly £40 for some clothes you're very unlikely to wear, donate the £12 directly and buy a piece of clothing you know you're going to love and wear to death.
Did you order a Lost Stock Box?
Slow Fashion is something we've recently been talking about fairly often around these parts, and it's a movement I've been really trying to get stuck into. I've signed up to Slow Fashion Season, and besides replacing a pair of jeans that I'd ripped and a couple of tops that were in the sale, I haven't bought any brand new clothes the whole of lockdown.
I've become a bit of a Depop fiend as of late and if you saw my Spring Depop Haul from earlier on this year, you'll know that I love to hunt out a bargain or two. I know people are always slightly hesitant to shop secondhand clothes online, but I personally haven't ever had any major problems. There's one top that I'm still waiting on from a couple of weeks ago, but I've raised a ticket with Depop and I'm hoping to have that sorted soon. Other than that, everything has always arrived super quickly and is exactly as described. No complaints here!
Let's get into this Summer Depop Haul, shall we?
I have some pastel yellow coloured jeans that I bought in Primark a couple of years ago, and seeing as it's not all that warm in England at the moment, I figured I'd try and hunt down a matching jacket. Now, the colour isn't an exact match to the jeans, but it's definitely close enough and I CANNOT wait to wear them together. This jacket is a size 12 and an oversized fit, is originally from Primark and I paid a tenner for it including postage. Winner winner.
A lot of my little summer crop tops have been in my wardrobe since 2015, so I decided it was about time a few new ones were added to the collection. This little black and white striped number was only £3 and is originally from Miss Selfridge. I love chucking on little tops like these with shorts, skirts, jeans, basically anything in the summer as they're just so comfortable and low effort.
Following on from the previous monochrome number, here's another. This top is originally from New Look and when paired with the yellow denim is an absolute vibe. I like that this top is not a suuuuuper cropped crop top because sometimes having your belly button hanging out just isn't a look. I paid £4.50 for this and am going to get so much wear out of it.
I don't have any other clothes in this gorgeous rust colour but figured it'd look really nice with all the neutrals I've got going on at the minute. This with a nice straw bag? Delicious. This was originally from H&M and was a grand total of £4.
She couldn't just stop at the jacket, could she? When I was searching for yellow denim I came across the matching Primark skirt and I just couldn't not get it. I loooove how the oversized jacket looks with the tighter skirt, so if anyone wants to know what I'm going to be wearing all summer... Here's your answer. I have this in a size 6 and paid £7 for it.
And finally, an item that I never thought would be something I'd buy, a lilac gingham dress. Whaaaaat? I've seen a lotttt of people wearing pastels at the moment and figured it was about time I tried something a little different to my usual style. This was originally from Nobody's Child and is a size 6, and I actually think it looks sick on! Paired with the yellow denim jacket? An absolute summer vision. If the sun could hurry up and come out that would be great - this girl has summery clothes to wear!
So, there we have it, my Summer Depop Haul for 2020. Also, for the record, I didn't buy all of these pieces in one go, parcels have gradually been arriving over the last couple of weeks...
p.s. my Depop is @beccammartin19 if you fancy getting yourself some new pieces!
Do you shop on Depop?
Slow Fashion is something we've recently been talking about fairly often around these parts, and it's a movement I've been really trying to get stuck into. I've signed up to Slow Fashion Season, and besides replacing a pair of jeans that I'd ripped and a couple of tops that were in the sale, I haven't bought any brand new clothes the whole of lockdown.
I've become a bit of a Depop fiend as of late and if you saw my Spring Depop Haul from earlier on this year, you'll know that I love to hunt out a bargain or two. I know people are always slightly hesitant to shop secondhand clothes online, but I personally haven't ever had any major problems. There's one top that I'm still waiting on from a couple of weeks ago, but I've raised a ticket with Depop and I'm hoping to have that sorted soon. Other than that, everything has always arrived super quickly and is exactly as described. No complaints here!
Let's get into this Summer Depop Haul, shall we?
I have some pastel yellow coloured jeans that I bought in Primark a couple of years ago, and seeing as it's not all that warm in England at the moment, I figured I'd try and hunt down a matching jacket. Now, the colour isn't an exact match to the jeans, but it's definitely close enough and I CANNOT wait to wear them together. This jacket is a size 12 and an oversized fit, is originally from Primark and I paid a tenner for it including postage. Winner winner.
A lot of my little summer crop tops have been in my wardrobe since 2015, so I decided it was about time a few new ones were added to the collection. This little black and white striped number was only £3 and is originally from Miss Selfridge. I love chucking on little tops like these with shorts, skirts, jeans, basically anything in the summer as they're just so comfortable and low effort.
Following on from the previous monochrome number, here's another. This top is originally from New Look and when paired with the yellow denim is an absolute vibe. I like that this top is not a suuuuuper cropped crop top because sometimes having your belly button hanging out just isn't a look. I paid £4.50 for this and am going to get so much wear out of it.
I don't have any other clothes in this gorgeous rust colour but figured it'd look really nice with all the neutrals I've got going on at the minute. This with a nice straw bag? Delicious. This was originally from H&M and was a grand total of £4.
She couldn't just stop at the jacket, could she? When I was searching for yellow denim I came across the matching Primark skirt and I just couldn't not get it. I loooove how the oversized jacket looks with the tighter skirt, so if anyone wants to know what I'm going to be wearing all summer... Here's your answer. I have this in a size 6 and paid £7 for it.
And finally, an item that I never thought would be something I'd buy, a lilac gingham dress. Whaaaaat? I've seen a lotttt of people wearing pastels at the moment and figured it was about time I tried something a little different to my usual style. This was originally from Nobody's Child and is a size 6, and I actually think it looks sick on! Paired with the yellow denim jacket? An absolute summer vision. If the sun could hurry up and come out that would be great - this girl has summery clothes to wear!
So, there we have it, my Summer Depop Haul for 2020. Also, for the record, I didn't buy all of these pieces in one go, parcels have gradually been arriving over the last couple of weeks...
p.s. my Depop is @beccammartin19 if you fancy getting yourself some new pieces!
Do you shop on Depop?
If you've been following me for a while now, you'll know that I've been trying to make more conscious, sustainable choices. One area of my life that I've been focussing on in particular is fashion. I love buying clothes and have done for as long as I can remember. I couldn't even begin to tell you the number of times I've been in Primark in my lifetime, but I'm sure it's going to be an ungodly amount.
But, with knowledge comes responsibility, and now that I'm more aware of the impact our fashion and shopping habits have on both the planet and the garment workers paid to make our clothes, I've been trying to do much better.
What is Slow Fashion Season?
Before we get onto Slow Fashion Season, it might be more appropriate if we take it one step back and talk about 'Slow Fashion' more generally.
In case you weren't aware, its antithesis, fast fashion, is defined by Good On You as 'Cheap, trendy clothing, that samples ideas from the catwalk or celebrity culture and turns them into garments in high street stores at breakneck speed.'
You know the culprits, don't you? The brands that spin out charity tees for movements they're not behind *ahem* and brands that post 1000 new products a day, all with questionable levels of quality and even more questionable ethics.
What is slow fashion?
So, quite simply, slow fashion is the opposite of Fast Fashion. It's taking time to think about purchases, investing in quality items that you know will get a lot of wear and buying from brands that don't exploit their workers, the planet, or animals.
It's not buying 29 tie-dye t-shirts in alllll the colours because you've seen everyone on TikTok buying huge hauls of pastel coloured pieces, but instead, having a go at tie-dyeing a top at home from an old t-shirt you had tucked away at the back of your wardrobe.
I think it's important to note that it is still absolutely possible to be 'fashionable' and 'on-trend' whilst avoiding fast fashion. Committing to slow fashion doesn't automatically mean you've destined yourself to a life of dull, ugly outfits, it's just not buying (and supporting) the brands doing more harm than good.
Or, that's the approach I'm personally taking at least. As with any movement, there will always be different ways of doing things and different 'rules' people set, but something is better than nothing, right?
So, what is Slow Fashion Season?
It's '25,000 people committing to making only conscious fashion choices from June 21st to September 21st'.
It's three months of making conscious decisions to actively avoid buying new items, with a particular emphasis on garments from fast fashion brands.
It's people coming together to combat the fast fashion industry.
Sounds good, but what are the rules?
- Avoid buying anything new
- Trade, upcycle or DIY clothing
- Buy second-hand or vintage
- Support sustainable, local, small fashion labels who may be struggling due to COVID-19.
You can sign up to be a part of the movement here, and I definitely recommend you give it a go. We can all look at our shopping habits and make changes, and as Tesco would say 'every little helps'.
If you're new to this whole new world of shopping and don't know where to start, I've written a whole post full of thrifting tips that might just come in handy. I've also posted a Spring Depop Haul which I think proves my earlier point about still being fashionable whilst being a slow fashion kween.
Finally, if you want to start your slow fashion journey today, my Depop username is @beccammartin19 - come and get yourselves some *new* clothes.
p.s. I've just checked when my ASOS premium delivery expires and it's the 22nd June - could that be any better timing?
Are you going to be taking part in slow fashion season?
If you've been following me for a while now, you'll know that I've been trying to make more conscious, sustainable choices. One area of my life that I've been focussing on in particular is fashion. I love buying clothes and have done for as long as I can remember. I couldn't even begin to tell you the number of times I've been in Primark in my lifetime, but I'm sure it's going to be an ungodly amount.
But, with knowledge comes responsibility, and now that I'm more aware of the impact our fashion and shopping habits have on both the planet and the garment workers paid to make our clothes, I've been trying to do much better.
What is Slow Fashion Season?
Before we get onto Slow Fashion Season, it might be more appropriate if we take it one step back and talk about 'Slow Fashion' more generally.
In case you weren't aware, its antithesis, fast fashion, is defined by Good On You as 'Cheap, trendy clothing, that samples ideas from the catwalk or celebrity culture and turns them into garments in high street stores at breakneck speed.'
You know the culprits, don't you? The brands that spin out charity tees for movements they're not behind *ahem* and brands that post 1000 new products a day, all with questionable levels of quality and even more questionable ethics.
What is slow fashion?
So, quite simply, slow fashion is the opposite of Fast Fashion. It's taking time to think about purchases, investing in quality items that you know will get a lot of wear and buying from brands that don't exploit their workers, the planet, or animals.
It's not buying 29 tie-dye t-shirts in alllll the colours because you've seen everyone on TikTok buying huge hauls of pastel coloured pieces, but instead, having a go at tie-dyeing a top at home from an old t-shirt you had tucked away at the back of your wardrobe.
I think it's important to note that it is still absolutely possible to be 'fashionable' and 'on-trend' whilst avoiding fast fashion. Committing to slow fashion doesn't automatically mean you've destined yourself to a life of dull, ugly outfits, it's just not buying (and supporting) the brands doing more harm than good.
Or, that's the approach I'm personally taking at least. As with any movement, there will always be different ways of doing things and different 'rules' people set, but something is better than nothing, right?
So, what is Slow Fashion Season?
It's '25,000 people committing to making only conscious fashion choices from June 21st to September 21st'.
It's three months of making conscious decisions to actively avoid buying new items, with a particular emphasis on garments from fast fashion brands.
It's people coming together to combat the fast fashion industry.
Sounds good, but what are the rules?
- Avoid buying anything new
- Trade, upcycle or DIY clothing
- Buy second-hand or vintage
- Support sustainable, local, small fashion labels who may be struggling due to COVID-19.
You can sign up to be a part of the movement here, and I definitely recommend you give it a go. We can all look at our shopping habits and make changes, and as Tesco would say 'every little helps'.
If you're new to this whole new world of shopping and don't know where to start, I've written a whole post full of thrifting tips that might just come in handy. I've also posted a Spring Depop Haul which I think proves my earlier point about still being fashionable whilst being a slow fashion kween.
Finally, if you want to start your slow fashion journey today, my Depop username is @beccammartin19 - come and get yourselves some *new* clothes.
p.s. I've just checked when my ASOS premium delivery expires and it's the 22nd June - could that be any better timing?
Are you going to be taking part in slow fashion season?
With the shops not being open, items aren’t being bought, and if items aren’t being bought, new stock isn’t being needed. But, as with any industry and supply chain, orders and arrangements are often made months in advance. This means that many of the trend pieces that were designed for this summer never made it onto the shop floor but are ready and waiting to be bought. Whilst this may not sound like too much of a big deal to many, what our high street fashion retailers aren’t telling us is that they have cancelled orders for over $2 billion USD worth of clothes that have already been produced, leaving the (underpaid) garment workers they employ in a dire situation.
This is where the Lost Stock Box comes in…
What is a Lost Stock Box?
The Lost Stock Box is a fashion parcel that contains at least three items that were made by workers in Bangladesh to be sold on our high streets this summer. The boxes retail at £35 each and are worth at least £70 RRP. The money made from each box will support a garment worker and their family for a week, now that all of their work has been cancelled and are receiving no income.What would happen to the clothes if they didn’t go into a Lost Stock Box?
It’s estimated that 982 million garments (!!) have been cancelled or suspended from 1150 factories in Bangladesh that are now facing landfill – Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA). 982 million!Will I get clothes I like in my Lost Stock Box?
Yes, you should! When you add a box to your basket, you’re asked a few questions surrounding your personal style. They are as follows:How do you like your clothes to fit?
- - A tighter fit
- - A normal fit (true to size)
- - An oversized fit
What colour scheme do you prefer?
- Neutrals
- Brights
- Darks
What is your favourite pattern for tops and t-shirts?
- Graphics or slogans
- Stripes or dots
- Florals
- No pattern
How would you describe your style?
- I like to be at the cutting edge of fashion
- I prefer timeless styles
How much is shipping for a Lost Stock Box?
The price of shipping to England is £3.99 per box.Why aren’t the workers getting paid, they made the clothes?
Cally Russell, who is the brains behind Lost Stock, was quoted in this BBC article to have said that ‘most deals between the retailers and the factories are payment on delivery so the factories take all the risk up front by manufacturing the garments before they have been paid for the materials and labour’. This hence means they are receiving no payment from these fashion giants, despite doing everything asked of them.Whilst these boxes won’t solve the issues of fast fashion, the fall out of COVID-19, or the great inequity these workers face, they will however, provide a food and hygiene package for a family that needs one for a week and prevent tonnes of new clothing being put straight into landfill. You can buy your Lost Stock Box here.
p.s. the clothes featured in the photo are my own, and not from the box. They take 4-6 weeks to arrive!
With the shops not being open, items aren’t being bought, and if items aren’t being bought, new stock isn’t being needed. But, as with any industry and supply chain, orders and arrangements are often made months in advance. This means that many of the trend pieces that were designed for this summer never made it onto the shop floor but are ready and waiting to be bought. Whilst this may not sound like too much of a big deal to many, what our high street fashion retailers aren’t telling us is that they have cancelled orders for over $2 billion USD worth of clothes that have already been produced, leaving the (underpaid) garment workers they employ in a dire situation.
This is where the Lost Stock Box comes in…
What is a Lost Stock Box?
The Lost Stock Box is a fashion parcel that contains at least three items that were made by workers in Bangladesh to be sold on our high streets this summer. The boxes retail at £35 each and are worth at least £70 RRP. The money made from each box will support a garment worker and their family for a week, now that all of their work has been cancelled and are receiving no income.What would happen to the clothes if they didn’t go into a Lost Stock Box?
It’s estimated that 982 million garments (!!) have been cancelled or suspended from 1150 factories in Bangladesh that are now facing landfill – Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA). 982 million!Will I get clothes I like in my Lost Stock Box?
Yes, you should! When you add a box to your basket, you’re asked a few questions surrounding your personal style. They are as follows:How do you like your clothes to fit?
- - A tighter fit
- - A normal fit (true to size)
- - An oversized fit
What colour scheme do you prefer?
- Neutrals
- Brights
- Darks
What is your favourite pattern for tops and t-shirts?
- Graphics or slogans
- Stripes or dots
- Florals
- No pattern
How would you describe your style?
- I like to be at the cutting edge of fashion
- I prefer timeless styles
How much is shipping for a Lost Stock Box?
The price of shipping to England is £3.99 per box.Why aren’t the workers getting paid, they made the clothes?
Cally Russell, who is the brains behind Lost Stock, was quoted in this BBC article to have said that ‘most deals between the retailers and the factories are payment on delivery so the factories take all the risk up front by manufacturing the garments before they have been paid for the materials and labour’. This hence means they are receiving no payment from these fashion giants, despite doing everything asked of them.Whilst these boxes won’t solve the issues of fast fashion, the fall out of COVID-19, or the great inequity these workers face, they will however, provide a food and hygiene package for a family that needs one for a week and prevent tonnes of new clothing being put straight into landfill. You can buy your Lost Stock Box here.
p.s. the clothes featured in the photo are my own, and not from the box. They take 4-6 weeks to arrive!
In many of my posts mentioning sustainability I've described my efforts to kick my high street fashion spending. Yes, I love a browse of Primark as much as the next person and once upon a time I was in awe of Boohoo for bringing out so many new things all the time. But, it's 2020 now and I'm more informed than ever.
I love clothes. I love buying clothes. I have a wardrobe absolutely crammed full of clothes. But, this year I'm making a real effort to only source pieces either second-hand, from sustainable ranges/shops or, if they are from the high street, pieces I know that I will keep for a long time and get a lot of wear out of.
I've always been a new outfit for every big occasion kind of gal, it's a terrible mindset but I just love wearing and styling different pieces. I feel far less guilty doing such now that the pieces I'm buying are all second hand - I highly recommend giving it a go. Getting a new outfit for under a tenner AND it being better for the planet? What a real kick that is.
Following my first payday in 2 and a half months I had a little Depop browse and this is what I picked up...
Originally from Primark, I picked up these beige and black zebra print culottes and I am in LOVE. They're a size 10 but fit perfectly and I paid a grand total of £6 for them including postage. Look out for them in an Instagram post coming your way soon!
This might just be the biggest find of this haul. It's a Topshop jumpsuit, new with tags (!!!) and I paid £6 for it. It's in this gorgeous green and neutral colour palette and I can't wait to style it with a straw bag in summer, and layered over a white tee for work in the warmer months. This is a size 8 and very much fits true to size!
I think Becca might just be having a bit of a culotte moment... These black and nude spot beauties were a grand total of £5.50 including postage and are going to be THE easiest thing to chuck on over the next few months. With; a jumper whilst it's still a little chilly, a tee for work and a bralet in the summer - we looove a versatile piece. These were originally from Boohoo and are a size 10.
This high neck top I bought from the same seller as the palm print jumpsuit as she was offering free postage on multiple items. It was originally from Miss Selfridge and is SO soft. I wasn't sure how this would look on me but I actually love it. It looks really cool paired with a pair of black mom jeans and my camel coloured coat, OOTD coming your way soon... This was £6, is a size small and I can see myself getting a lotttt of wear out of it!
I actually haven't stopped wearing this coat since I bought it. It's originally from Primark and I paid £13 for it including postage. It's an XS but fits me really nicely. It's cropped, but a nice sort of crop. In other words, it still keeps me super warm and my entire torso isn't hanging out of the bottom of it. I wear this with all of my jeans, my culottes, midi skirts, anything. I just LOVEEE it.
Have you bought any Depop pieces recently?
In many of my posts mentioning sustainability I've described my efforts to kick my high street fashion spending. Yes, I love a browse of Primark as much as the next person and once upon a time I was in awe of Boohoo for bringing out so many new things all the time. But, it's 2020 now and I'm more informed than ever.
I love clothes. I love buying clothes. I have a wardrobe absolutely crammed full of clothes. But, this year I'm making a real effort to only source pieces either second-hand, from sustainable ranges/shops or, if they are from the high street, pieces I know that I will keep for a long time and get a lot of wear out of.
I've always been a new outfit for every big occasion kind of gal, it's a terrible mindset but I just love wearing and styling different pieces. I feel far less guilty doing such now that the pieces I'm buying are all second hand - I highly recommend giving it a go. Getting a new outfit for under a tenner AND it being better for the planet? What a real kick that is.
Following my first payday in 2 and a half months I had a little Depop browse and this is what I picked up...
Originally from Primark, I picked up these beige and black zebra print culottes and I am in LOVE. They're a size 10 but fit perfectly and I paid a grand total of £6 for them including postage. Look out for them in an Instagram post coming your way soon!
This might just be the biggest find of this haul. It's a Topshop jumpsuit, new with tags (!!!) and I paid £6 for it. It's in this gorgeous green and neutral colour palette and I can't wait to style it with a straw bag in summer, and layered over a white tee for work in the warmer months. This is a size 8 and very much fits true to size!
I think Becca might just be having a bit of a culotte moment... These black and nude spot beauties were a grand total of £5.50 including postage and are going to be THE easiest thing to chuck on over the next few months. With; a jumper whilst it's still a little chilly, a tee for work and a bralet in the summer - we looove a versatile piece. These were originally from Boohoo and are a size 10.
This high neck top I bought from the same seller as the palm print jumpsuit as she was offering free postage on multiple items. It was originally from Miss Selfridge and is SO soft. I wasn't sure how this would look on me but I actually love it. It looks really cool paired with a pair of black mom jeans and my camel coloured coat, OOTD coming your way soon... This was £6, is a size small and I can see myself getting a lotttt of wear out of it!
I actually haven't stopped wearing this coat since I bought it. It's originally from Primark and I paid £13 for it including postage. It's an XS but fits me really nicely. It's cropped, but a nice sort of crop. In other words, it still keeps me super warm and my entire torso isn't hanging out of the bottom of it. I wear this with all of my jeans, my culottes, midi skirts, anything. I just LOVEEE it.
Have you bought any Depop pieces recently?
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