2024 New Year’s Resolution: Embracing Secondhand Luxury

Happy 2024, fashionistas! As the calendar turns, it’s time to start deciding what we want to get out of this new year. If you want to upgrade your style and positively impact the planet, embracing secondhand luxury should be your 2024 priority.

Buying preloved clothing and accessories is sustainable, fun, and budget-friendly. Buying secondhand has tons of benefits, from the thrill of the hunt to the promotion of sustainable fashion practices. If you’re interested in revamping your wardrobe sustainably this year, this article’s here to help you make the most out of shopping secondhand luxury in 2024.  

7 benefits of consignment shopping in 2024

1. Consignment shopping is eco-friendly

By opting for secondhand items, you’re making a conscious choice to support sustainability. The fashion industry – fast fashion, in particular – has a significant negative impact on the environment. Many brands use unsustainable materials, processes, and practices to make their goods, which contribute to pollution, overconsumption, and the depletion of finite resources. 

When you shop secondhand, though, you’re reducing the demand for new production, which saves energy and resources. You’re also diverting items away from landfills and extending the lifecycle of already-made items. Find out more about how consignment stores are shaping the future of sustainable shopping here.  

Sustainability is vital to us at Current Boutique, so we’ve created several resources to help our customers learn more about fashion sustainability and make choices they can feel great about. Check out these articles below to learn more:

• What is Sustainable Fashion?
• Global Fashion Sustainability Efforts: How We’re Reducing Textile Waste
• 7 Trends in Sustainable Fashion 2023
• How Sustainable Fashion is Changing the World

2. Luxury consignment stores carry quality goods 

Fast fashion pieces deteriorate after a few seasons – if not even a few wears. But pre-owned luxury pieces are designed to stand the test of time. Luxury designers are known for their quality and craftsmanship. These garments are built with fit and finish in mind, so they’re made to last. When you buy secondhand luxury items, you’re investing in high-quality pieces that have already proven they can endure for years to come.  

3. You’re getting luxury on a budget

High-end consignment boutiques carry luxury goods at a fraction of their original ticket price. This means you get access to quality, designer pieces at an accessible, affordable price. This budget-friendly approach to high-end fashion lets you expand your wardrobe with quality, brand-name items without breaking the bank.

4. Secondhand shopping is an exciting treasure hunt

One of the most exciting aspects of shopping secondhand is the hunt. Walking into a consignment store is an adventure –you never know what hidden gems you’ll find! From vintage Chanel handbags to classic Tiffany & Co. pieces to Kate Spade dresses, finding the perfect, rare gem is a satisfying and thrilling experience you just can’t get with big box retailers.

5. Unique finds that fit your style

The “treasure hunt” of consignment shopping means you’re more likely to find that perfect piece that speaks to your soul. You’re not restricted to the latest trends available in fast fashion stores. Rather, with consignment shopping, you get access to a vast array of timeless pieces, some of which may be rare or no longer in production. This lets you curate a wardrobe that reflects your unique individuality and taste rather than following the come-and-go trends of the season.

6. You’ll be involved in a sustainable style evolution

Fashion is an ever-evolving realm. Trends come and go, and even personal preferences change with time. But you can still be on-trend and conscious without being wasteful, thanks to secondhand selling. As your tastes change, you can resell your own pre-owned items to consignment stores. Selling on consignment extends the lifecycle of pieces you no longer wear, contributing to the sustainable fashion cycle in both eco-friendly and financially savvy ways.

7. Consignment shopping builds community

If one of your New Year’s resolutions is to be more social or involved with your community, local consignment stores are a great place to start. Consignment stores like Current Boutique cultivate a strong sense of community, where fashion enthusiasts come together to buy and sell items. This offers a space for like-minded fashionistas to connect and share meaningful interactions around a common sustainability goal.

Learn more about the economic benefits of consignment shopping here.

12 tips for embracing secondhand luxury in 2024

1. Explore consignment stores in your area to support your local economy. If you’re in the Washington, D.C. and Virginia area, come check out Current Boutique at one of our many physical storefronts.
2. Research online marketplaces that specialize in secondhand fashion. These seven websites are our favorite places to find designer clothing online. Current Boutique sells clothes online too, so you can start browsing our hottest items right now.
3. Learn about your favorite brands ahead of time. Familiarizing yourself with luxury brands can help simplify your hunt to find authentic, one-of-a-kind pieces at a reasonable price.
4. Buy from consignment stores with quality and authenticity promises, especially if you’re new to consignment shopping. This ensures your hard-earned money is actually going toward genuine, high-end pieces. Not all consignment stores will do this for you, so we recommend working with brands that go the extra mile for their customers.
5. Don’t stress out about buying everything secondhand. New Year’s resolutions won’t last if they’re too challenging or overwhelming. So, don’t think you need to throw out your whole wardrobe to fill it with sustainable pieces (because that’s not sustainable either!). Instead, start incorporating secondhand luxury pieces into your existing wardrobe to create fresh, exciting outfits that better address your sustainability goals moving forward.
6. Don’t rush. Take your time when shopping for secondhand luxury items. Quality pieces are worth the wait, and patience ensures you’ll make the best decisions for your wardrobe, budget, and the planet.
7. Sell your own items. Clean your closet of items you no longer use so those garments can find a home elsewhere. Selling on consignment is an easy way to start contributing to the circular fashion economy – and make some extra cash!
8. Consider the resale value of an item – new or preloved – before buying. This is a great way to curate a high-quality wardrobe that will have a strong resale value in the future. High-demand luxury brands and classic styles tend to hold their value better than fast fashion, highly-trendy pieces.
9. Learn how to mend, maintain, and care for your clothes. Regular maintenance will extend the lifespan and value of your clothes. Click here to learn how to revamp your clothes at home – even if you don’t know how to sew.
10. Get involved in the consignment community. Attend consignment events, sample sales, or local boutiques to find exclusive secondhand items. Stay informed about fashion trends, brands, hacks, and resale values by joining forums, social media groups, and local fashion communities. Craving Current is an awesome resource with weekly blogs about fashion sustainability, consignment shopping tips, hot trends and designers, and so much more.
11. Find more consignment shopping hacks here!

Most importantly, enjoy the journey. Embrace the thrill of the hunt and fall in love with the journey of secondhand shopping. Embracing preloved luxury is the perfect 2024 New Year’s resolution to indulge your love of fashion while being a force for good in your community. Happy New Year, fashionistas!

Start your New Year’s fashion resolution right now by shopping for upgraded, luxury pieces from your favorite designers at Current Boutique!

Photos: 

• https://unsplash.com/photos/woman-in-gray-long-sleeve-shirt-and-black-pants-standing-under-green-tree-during-daytime-rtP01w5jY2g
• https://unsplash.com/photos/red-and-white-long-sleeve-shirt-mwa_nzFpnJw
• https://unsplash.com/photos/three-person-pointing-the-silver-laptop-computer-2FPjlAyMQTA