Is this the start of Sheffield's new fashion world? On Monday 7th August St Luke’s opened their new charity shop on The Moor in Sheffield Town Centre. It’s safe to say it is definitely the beginning
As we welcome September, we also welcome the start of Oxfams #secondhandseptember, a campaign that’s been running since 2019. The campaign has several different aims, one main purpose being to fight against fast fashion and raise awareness for garment makers. The aim of Second-Hand September is to encourage people to purchase only second hand items all month as opposed to new ones. Oxfam say we should ““dress for the life [we] want” and since 2019 has inspired thousands of people to shop preloved items.
Second-Hand September focuses on revitalising slow, ethical and sustainable fashion by promoting recycling and restyling. For example, if you fancied a new pair of jeans this September, why not call in to one of Sheffields many charity shops instead of a high street store. I recently came across a mind blowing fact supplied by Oxfam themselves, the science behind the outcome can be found on their website. One pair of new jeans actually generates 16.2kg of Carbon Dioxide which is equivalent to 58 miles in a car. Evidently fast fashion is a significant contributor towards greenhouse gas emissions and if all adults in the UK were to donate the clothes in their wardrobes that they hadn’t worn in the past year, we could prevent the need for 4.9 billion kg of carbon entering our atmosphere. To put that into perspective that would be the same as a plane flying around the world 6,600 times.
During the month of September, while we all make a concious effort to thrift and recycle, Oxfam hopes to raise funds to fight the injustice of poverty and battle against the impacts of climate change. Not only is Second-Hand September a campaign to get people to recycle and buy preloved items, but it’s also a project to encourage individuals to donate their unused clothing. Parting with wardrobe staples can be hard , trust me I know. As humans we tend to create sentimental and emotional connections to our clothing, whether this be a link to an event that we enjoyed or a compliment that made us feel great about how we look. Even down to who got you the items or where they were purchased . It’s time to switch our perspectives, to put our planet and future generation first, and to realise that by donating, others can too share the sentimental feelings our heels once brought us.
Dr Carolyn Mair, a cognitive psychologist who works in the fashion industry and is partnered with Oxfam said : “Research shows that in the UK, an adult’s wardrobe on average contains 31 items of unworn clothes. Nostalgia, money, guilt and body image can all play a part in our reasons for not letting certain items go.”
Oxfam’s Retail Director, Lorna Fallon, said: “Choosing second-hand offers people a way to take action, to reshape the fashion industry, and reimagine the impact our clothes have on the world. As a major emitter of greenhouse gas, much of the fashion industry as it stands is a threat to people and planet. But it doesn’t have to be that way. In 2022, UK consumers bought 32 per cent more second-hand clothes than in 2018, before the first Second Hand September campaign. Shopping this way sends a clear message to the fashion industry that consumers want, and expect, things to change.” Lorna says how she hopes Sheffield citizens see this as an opportunity to visit one of Oxfam’s stores and donate their unwanted clothes. Sheffield is also taking a step forward in the movement by providing a home for charity shops such as Glass Onion and St Luke’s The Moore. Oxfam has a few shops locally including one on Ecclesall Road ( S11 8PR) , Chesterfield Road (S8 0SD) and Fullwood Road (S10 3BD).
Now it’s our turn, to take part in Second-Hand September all you need to do is refrain buying any new clothing ( new referring to anything that isn’t preloved) for a whole month. Any thrifty finds can be shared on social media with the hashtag “#secondhandseptember” and tag @Oxfam. Why not save the planet whilst saving yourself some cash too! To find out more on the campaign please visit : https://www.oxfam.org.uk/get-involved/second-hand-september/
Quotes and images we’re taken from information provided by Oxfam.