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As the summer ends and the cooler months begin, we turn to our wardrobes to pull out the jumpers, scarves and heavier coats that have been in there, patiently waiting for us throughout the sunny season.
However, there can be a feeling of dissatisfaction when we look at our trusty pieces. Are they trendy or do they look dated now? Do they still look good on me? Are these fabrics going to hold up for another year?
There is a huge pressure put on us to stay up to date with trends and to satisfy our craving to consume through shopping. Secondhand September is the antithesis to that, encouraging people to say no to new clothing for one month and rediscover the joy and opportunities that emerge from second hand shopping.
Read more:I found designer jackets and jumpers on my charity shop hunt for Second Hand September
Read more:I only ate restaurant leftovers for a day in the name of sustainability
While it might be more time consuming, the benefits to your wardrobe and the planet are undeniable. The campaign was first launched by Oxfam in 2019 as a response to the millions of items of clothing that end up in landfill in Ireland each year, and in 2022 alone, Oxfam Ireland diverted 2,538,562 items away from landfill and incineration.
Not only is it a push to shop second hand, it is also a push towards conscious consumption.
Overconsumption refers to a pattern of excessive buying, and we often see this when it comes to clothes, with some people even having a mindset of only wearing outfits once for one specific occasion and never again, leading to completely overstuffed wardrobes and a disposable attitude towards clothes.
The core principles of Secondhand September are:
Shop sustainably and secondhand
If you need to buy something for your home or wardrobe, use second-hand avenues to do so. If your kid needs new jumpers for the cooler months or you want some new trousers for work, or your teapot is on its last legs and will soon need replacing, charity shops across the country are literally bursting at the seams with treasures waiting to be uncovered.
Participate in circularity by donating your unwanted clothing
Buying second hand extends the life of clothes an average 2.3 years and contributes
to Oxfam's work tackling poverty and inequality worldwide. Donating your clothing means that its life cycle doesn't end with you. It keeps existing, and it is much better for it to continue existing in someone else's wardrobe or in an upcycled way, rather than sitting in piles of textile waste.
Make an effort to learn about the impacts of the fashion industry on the environment
Convenience has meant that we often don't even have to think about how our clothes are made and how that production impacts the planet. We just click around a website, hit add to basket, then pay, and days later a new plastic wrapped piece of clothing (sometimes even made of plastic itself) arrives on our doorsteps.
However, there are some facts to be aware of before shopping brand new, as the fashion industry is a major polluter due to fast fashion's high production volume, and contributes up to 10% of global pollution. It is also a huge consumer of water, as it would take 13 years for someone to drink the water needed to make one t-shirt and a pair of jeans. When we think of the millions of people impacted by drought in this world, it really puts things into perspective. The human impact is essential to consider too.
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Much of newly produced clothing falls under the "fast fashion" descriptor. While known for being quite cheap and affordable to the consumer, in actuality, that cost is absorbed down the chain of production, which often means low wages and poor working conditions for garment workers.
Charity shops are full of both new and vintage find, and offers an opportunity to find things at a low cost.
Award-winning Irish comedian, writer, and actor Aisling Bea has been unveiled as the lead ambassador for Oxfam I reland's Second Hand September 2025 campaign.
Known for her warmth, humour and advocacy for sustainability, Aisling is encouraging people across Ireland to join her in saying no to new clothes and yes to second hand. "Anyone who knows me, knows that you will find me at my happiest upside down in a bin- a charity bin - that is, having a root for second hand treasures. I am delighted to front this push to support buying pre-loved for the whole family and also to be supporting Oxfam's wonderful work around the world," said Aisling.
To sign up for Second Hand September or find your local Oxfam Ireland shop, visit oxfamireland.org/secondhandseptember.