Hand-Me-Downs: Happy or Crappy?

Should you wear hand me downs?

Let's ponder this one for a bit from multiple perspectives. Hand-me-downs are clothes, accessories, homegoods (or anything else practically) from within one family or a community. Typically, hand-me-downs come from older siblings or cousins from within the same family. This is super handy for children growing up- they're constantly growing larger and also getting messy. (think greasy pasta sauce and white t-shirts...no thanks)

Now I highly doubt that there are any young children reading this, but if there are, the same information applies. Let's think about this from the perspective of a highschool age individual and especially college students.

Availability.

If you want it- you have to find it first. & hopefully someone in your family has it.

Is it available for purchase on the market? Items which are iconic pieces to a certain era of fashion are typically not manufactured once again after their initial world-wide craze. If and when the items are re-made, they are typically made without all of the authentic details, and they're probably also made by a fast fashion retailer which comes at a steep environmental cost- and we haven't considered the financial investment yet either. You should actually strongly consider accepting your grandma's vintage handbags and ballgowns- nothing is as elegant as an authentic piece from the era.

Cost.

Are you willing to fork up the cash for the same or comparable style item- when someone is in front of you offering the item with the love of their heart? The best part of hand-me-downs is that they are free! That's the best benefit of it all. If you can save some money for something worthwhile, why not accept your cousin's sweaters that she no longer likes- they will be perfect for you when you go to school up north! It will be cold, and that black sweater is free- TRUST ME, just accept graciously and save the money to buy dinner.

No fashion or style blog is complete without a reference to Coco Chanel.

Environmental impact.

Would buying it contribute to excessive waste? Fashion consumption from the primary market makes quite an impact on environmental sustainability. Which is a better option: [#1] A well made and high quality shirt that will last 100+ washes and still look great or [#2] a trendy shirt that comes threadbare and splits at the seams after 20+ washes? Take your pick.  If you chose #2, you would have to buy 5 shirts to last you the same amount of usages compared to the well made and high quality item. This means 5 times as much waste that could end up in landfills. Be mindful and give a shirt another lifetime of adventures. Or handbag. Or jacket. 

Her grandma's vintage chanel mini has a second life traipsing around New York working on journalism projects accompanied by a hazelnut latte made with almond milk (sometimes coconut milk).
Its first was with the wife of a high society banking executive in Milan, Italy. Grandma=Expensive taste.

Style.

Is it a timeless piece or something that is super trendy- and that trend was half a decade ago? Lets be real- who doesn't a beautiful blazer that is somehow still in great shape, even though your uncle wore it to his prom in the 80s? Its probably a beautiful black velvet double breasted and wide blazer. Sleeves a little bit too long? Roll and cuff it. Buttons too plain? Replace them all with fabulous jeweled buttons. too lazy to change the buttons? Cut them off and remove the backing threads! Effortless. Literally.

You can wear anything if you're brave enough. I guarantee you that courage and attitude is basically 90% of great style.

These dudes are probably all grandpas by now, but those suit jackets can go for another lifetime.

Reinvention and Modification is the name of the game. Who says that you can't throw on this blazer over a black v-neck and some colorful booty shorts? Swing on your favorite designer handbag and baby(!) you're good to go. Don't forget your shoes- sneakers, boots, or heels? Gotta run to class now!

Last but not least- do you actually need it?

Ok, Ok, Ok- lets also be realistic. Do you just need something to get you by during a tough time? If the answer is yes, kindly accept the hand-me-downs until something better comes along. But please don't just mindlessly toss that sweater that your cousin gave you. Give it to your friend, they might actually cherish it! What's that you say- you don't have many friends because you are a millenial that just moved into a new city? Cut it up and use it as cleaning cloths, wash-rinse-dry-reuse. Repeat!

Further Reading

https://7billionfor7seas.com/fast-fashion-facts/