Second-hand, what is it? In the countries of Western Europe and North America, such establishments are considered the norm, which cannot yet be said about our country. Until now, most of our compatriots treat such purchases with a grain of disgust. Others, on the contrary, when faced with a low price, cannot deny themselves the pleasure, and greedily carry out full trunks from there. Having discovered the absence of branded labels at home, they are horrified at the realization that these outfits have already been worn by someone.
Content:
Distinctive features
If we talk about second-hand goods from the point of view of consumers, then their opinions can be safely divided into two groups. Representatives of the first group are ready to rake huge heaps all day long in search of unique things, sales of which in branded showrooms are closed forever. People with exactly the opposite vision walk around buildings with bright signs, wrinkling their foreheads with disgust and indignation.
Unfortunately, people who believe that dirty, cheap and low-quality goods are sold in such places are the invariable majority. This trend cannot be reversed even by those who are trying to give the example of European countries, where such stores are incredibly popular. But skeptical citizens, fortunately, are not able to influence the development of this sphere, so now second-hand shops appear in incredible numbers in all major cities of Russia. Therefore, everyone who is going to make a trip to one of these outlets in the near future, we recommend that you familiarize yourself with all the intricacies of "special" purchases.
Advice! If you consider yourself to be in the category of people who disdain to put on things from someone else's shoulder, we recommend that you reconsider your views. All receipts are carefully processed with chemicals, which excludes the possibility of infection with skin and infectious diseases.
Stock, thrift or vintage?
Unsurprisingly, the venues we are discussing are often confused with vintage clothing boutiques. Indeed, if you draw a parallel, you can find a huge number of similarities. The border between them is so thin that sometimes it is very easy to confuse them. It is advisable to immediately dot the "i": historians and trendsetters argue that only those outfits that were popular in past centuries can be called rarity. Products are transferred to this category only when their age exceeds 30 years. At the same time, one condition must be preserved: the clothes must contain decorative elements or cut that were considered fashionable at the time of their appearance. Second-hand stores usually receive items from past collections that are not valuable to society and are intended to be used not on the theater stage, but in everyday life.
Some people often confuse these outlets with thrift stores. But here, in most cases, you can find a large number of outfits for special occasions. A simple example: a young couple went on a wedding a few years ago, and the tuxedo and dress continue to gather dust in the closet. They take them to the consignment shop, the store employees sell them, and the spouses are paid a certain percentage.
Stock shops are another similar area. But absolutely new things flock here, which for some reason were not implemented in brand boutiques. Large manufacturers collaborate with such institutions, which makes the cost of their products very low.
Range
As mentioned earlier, in places of accumulation of used goods, you can always find the so-called "treasure" - collectible items for symbolic money. At the same time, there is a high probability of encountering high-quality materials that are no longer sold in modern showrooms. Now we will give a few facts about second-hand shops and their visitors.
- The vast majority of people come here to buy a basic wardrobe, and only a small percentage are looking for truly unique and original ensembles. Here you can easily find jackets that were popular in the 90s, denim vests and trousers from the collections of the early millennium, and sneakers worn in the United States under Bill Clinton.
- Modern manufacturers strive to get as much profit as possible, so they make casual clothes from low-quality materials, since people below the middle class can afford them. Among the hangers and second-hand showcases, you can often find fabrics that have delighted their former owners with their ideal condition for not a single year, and the same amount will delight you.
- Old Levis lines, which were previously produced in England or Belgium, are often exhibited here. Also here come the products of the once sensational brands Lacoste Burberry.
- Fashionistas know for sure that the trends of the past decades tend to come back, therefore, by buying another jumpsuit or dress for little money, you will make a profitable investment in your own image.
- When wearing "new clothes", the risk of infection with fungal infections is minimized, since the entire range at the initial stage of selection is treated with a disinfectant gas.
- You may be embarrassed by the crumpled state of your jacket or skirt. But this is just a slight misunderstanding. Each outfit should be carefully inspected for contamination. Not all of them can be removed even in dry cleaners. Old stains are very difficult to remove.
- No seller will give you information about where the jacket you like came from. But you should be aware that Russians rarely donate unnecessary wardrobe items to such establishments. Basically, the flow comes from the countries of near and far abroad.
Who are the buyers?
Of course, among the visitors of second-hand shops there is an absolutely motley audience. Many people are pushed to such a decision by the extreme need and lack of money to buy new outfits. Others are looking for ways to save money on their seasonal wardrobe. Still others are trying to find rare elements that will decorate everyday images. They are the potential owners of interesting ensembles, so it is difficult to blame them for their lack of taste and sense of style.
The modern realities of our life forced us to reconsider the vision of our own image. Mass markets offer a huge assortment of impersonal clothing at low prices. Sometimes they are deprived not only of individual characteristics, but also of elementary observance of the rules for processing seams. But there are still “dandies” among us who prefer not to follow such blindly imposed stereotypes. They often become regular customers of used outfits in the USA and European countries.
Girls who dream of finding vintage options often wrap up here. The probability of finding such a treasure, of course, is small, but still there is a place to be.
The elderly are another source of profit. Some of them turn to retail outlets to purchase, even if old, but very high-quality "new items", which will serve, as they claim, until the "end of life." But there are those among them who madly miss the era of the scarce Adidas tracksuits and Levis jeans.
Another interesting category is people in the "topic".They consider themselves to be real hunters for stylish things, so they do not miss the opportunity to buy a jacket in a stylish flashy color, in which the Brazilian woman may have danced at one of the famous carnivals.
Tips & Tricks
Now let's go directly to the description of the instructions that you can follow when choosing second-hand products:
- Try on every model you like. Dimensional grids change regularly, so there is a high probability that your standard "esca" will be too small.
- Spend your first hikes with your friends. Low prices can turn your head and you will bring home huge bags, which will therefore be sent to the balcony for eternal storage among old newspapers and glass jars.
- Disappointment comes quickly, but it may never be possible to return purchases. Therefore, we remind you once again that low cost is not a reason to litter your wardrobe with unnecessary dresses, sundresses and trousers.
Advice!In second hand you can find outfits that have never been worn, except in dressing rooms in boutiques. They are given by people who, like you, acquire things without bothering to check them against the individual parameters of their appearance.
How to recognize such options in the general mass? Here are some guidelines to keep in mind.
- Any product has a label on which the manufacturer applies information about the size and washing characteristics. If you find clear letters and symbols on it, this may mean that the fabric has not been in prolonged contact with water and powder.
- Consider the zippers, seams, and the back of the leg. Pills and abrasions in the places of contact with the skin will be evidence of long-term wear.
- Fading of tissues is sometimes observed under the armpits - this indicates that a person wore a jacket or shirt in the hot season.
Now let's talk about things with obvious signs of use. Before purchasing such products, carefully inspect the entire surface of the fabrics. The fact is that some traces of wear can significantly spoil the overall picture. For example, an exquisite black short dress (a classic of the genre!) Will look worn out if there are scuffs near the fasteners. Do not be afraid of the pellets - they are easy to remove with the help of special devices. They are available at any hardware store and are inexpensive.
Now about the processing. It's no secret that only washed clothes can be worn on a naked body. And if they are endowed with a specific smell, a mixture of warm water and ammonia will help to cope with it. Leave the new clothes in the solution for several hours, and then wash them in the usual way. And one more caveat: carefully study the composition of materials for children's products. They should not include artificial and natural fibers that can cause allergic reactions in your baby.