Second Hand September is here again!
Usually associated with Fashion Week, Second Hand September is a time when the disastrous environmental issues caused by fast fashion are highlighted, and buying new clothes is actively discouraged for the entire month.
The campaign was introduced by Oxfam to motivate fashion-lovers to say no to overconsumption as the Autumn season begins.
Fashion production is the second largest contributor to climate breakdown after oil; responsible for 10% of humanity's carbon emissions, as well as drying up water sources and polluting streams and rivers with hazardous chemicals, and much more. Roughly 85% of all textiles go to the dump each year (UNECE, 2018), including 300,000 tons in the UK.
Buying pre-loved is what we at Goldsmith Vintage live by all year round! You can't be a Goldsmith Vintage customer without knowing we take disposable fashion and its catastrophic contribution to climate change extremely seriously. Our items are either vintage or part of our Rework collection, and we reuse around 30 tons of garments every year, giving them a second life and saving them from landfill.
While taking a month out of the fast fashion system is a great start, it's time to go beyond Second Hand September, and make buying second-hand our go-to, all year round!
A sure-fire way to combat fast fashion and overconsumption is to curate classic, timeless and seasonless vintage pieces as the building blocks for your wardrobe.
Some people think shopping vintage is about finding the most extravagant, bold, exciting pieces that’ll make you stand out from the crowd, and while this is definitely a great part of it, you can also find amazing vintage basics that can be the foundation for all your looks, from day to night, and summer to winter.
‘Vintage is for life, not just for parties'.
Today we'll take a look at a few of these evergreen items and how you can tweak the look for all occasions.
The Little Black Dress
No wardrobe is complete without the classic little black dress. Look for a knee-length, sleeveless piece (think: Jackie O, Audrey Hepburn) to nail that perfect style. Wear with flats, a smart cardigan or blazer with simple jewellery for an instant business-casual look.
For an elevated date night ensemble, wear your LBD with a chunky necklace and a sexy pair of heels. Layer your LBD over a white button-down shirt with trainers to give your dress a fresh new casual look! Finally, my personal favourite look, simply sling on your old leather jacket and pair with biker boots for that cool rock chick image.
Shop The Look!
BLACK LEATHER '90S PANELLED TIE UP BODYCON DRESS
GAI MATTIOLO BLACK WOOL DRESS
White Button-Down Shirt
Whether you'll be working, hanging with friends, or dressing up for a nice dinner, you can't go wrong with a simple white button-down shirt.
For the classic work ensemble, pair with a blazer and pencil skirt, or black dress trousers. You can wear your white shirt with jeans, khakis, or even with a LBD to really change up the look. You can even wear it under a cardigan with Vans or Converse for geek-chic flair. Then there's statement jewellery, a trench coat, simple on-trend pumps/ballet flats/cowboy boots...the combinations are endless!
Shop The Look!
BEBE Y2K WHITE SHORT-SLEEVED BUTTON UP FITTED SHIRT
'90S LOVE MOSCHINO SHORT SLEEVE WHITE SHIRT
The Trench Coat
A classic Trench can be tweaked to fit all occasions, and if looked after, will last a lifetime. Search for styles that fit below your bum and are loosely cut through the upper body, so that you’ll be able to layer pieces underneath during colder months. Ditch your anorak and face the rain in style. Add some glamour with knee-high boots over black jeans or dress trousers. Don't forget your trusted red lipstick for the ultimate classic look. This is ideal for a date, days out with friends, work, or even just adding a bit of drama to your everyday errands! Add a lightweight scarf and hat for added warmth and flair.
Trench coats look awesome buttoned up and tied, but they’re also super classy when left open during warmer weather, so consider it your evergreen BFF!
Shop The Look!
CREAM LEATHER TRENCH COAT
70'S TAN LEATHER TRENCH COAT
Jeans
Currently, acid wash, medium wash distressed, mum and boyfriend style jeans are all the rage, but it’s still a good idea to have a pair of classic blue, black or white jeans in your wardrobe. These can be slim, straight, bootcut or even flared. The important thing is to keep your denim simple so they can be adapted to any look and will always come back into style. Shop vintage for styles without embellishments or fading and if they are too long, it's a good move to have them hemmed to hit the bottom of your heel.
Wear your jeans with black heels, a white dress shirt and blazer for a sophisticated look that’s ideal for a smart-casual function, a nice dinner or even meeting the parents!
Wear straight-cut jeans with a bodysuit or simple t-shirt and cardigan/varsity jacket and trainers for an Instagram-ready ensemble. Light wash jeans look great combined with other light pieces. And straight leg jeans look amazing with boots and a crop/tank top teamed with the essential leather jacket for an edgy night-time look.
Shop The Look!
LEVI'S 501 INDIGO BLUE DENIM JEANS
CARHARTT BLACK JEANS
Denim Jacket
Denim jackets are like a blank canvas that you can pair with basically anything!
Here’s a few ways we like to wear them: Rock one over your favourite pair of jeans and a classic band tee, then add biker boots for a cool rock look. Sling over your LBD with trainers and a clutch for a casual night out. Dress for a summer’s evening after a day on the beach by pairing your denim jacket with a sundress/shorts and sandals. It’ll even look great tied around your waist or draped over your shoulders if the weather warms up.
Shop The Look!
BENETTON SHORT DENIM JACKET
BENETTON SHORT DENIM JACKET
Staff Picks