Living in the South often means balancing financial wisdom with the enjoyment of life’s finer aspects, and one highly effective strategy for this is embracing the world of secondhand shopping. Not only does purchasing pre-owned items offer a compassionate approach to environmental stewardship, but it also allows you to snag top brands at a fraction of their retail prices. Perhaps you’ll find your children dressed in quality hand-me-downs from a cherished friend or inherited cherished family heirlooms from your grandmother.
Whether the worn clothing items you acquire are through chance or intention, ensuring they look their best involves a bit of elbow grease or at the very least, a thorough washing. Cortnie Rohr, the owner of Retro Clothing Closet, with locations in Asheville and Marion, North Carolina, explains, “Depending on where you source your secondhand clothing, you might have to put some initial effort into restoring the piece back to wearable quality.”
Yet, as the trend of reuse grows, curating a sustainable wardrobe is a simple and effective way to prevent clothing from ending up in landfills. Siobhan Haines, also known as The Lake Gypsy, who repurposes and resells pre-loved items, emphasizes, “The idea of keeping textiles out of the landfills is a significant advantage to buying vintage and secondhand clothing.” Here are seven expert tips to help you manage your secondhand treasures once they arrive home.
Reviving a thrifted shirt or an heirloom dress is as simple as giving it a good wash. “I would recommend washing all clothing pieces as soon as you get home,” advises Bethany Simonds, a reseller from Charlotte, North Carolina, who shares her finds on Instagram through Just Thrift It. Always check the care tag for proper cleaning instructions, and don’t forget to pretreat any stains.
But what if the tags are missing or the garment is too old to have one? “Unfortunately, vintage items often lack their contents and care tags, so you might need to educate yourself on fabric care,” Rohr points out. Fabrics like wool or silk usually require dry cleaning, while synthetic materials and natural fabrics like cotton and linen can be hand-washed or placed on a delicate cycle and air-dried.
Your local dry cleaner can be a lifesaver when it comes to reviving secondhand garments. Haines, who upcycles and resells items through her Virginia-based business, relies on reputable dry cleaners for fabrics too delicate for home laundering. “A quality service will be able to determine whether a fabric requires dry cleaning or can simply be hand-washed,” she says.
Dealing with musty fabrics that carry the scent of smoke, pets, or unpleasant body odors can be off-putting, but it’s a reality when dealing with family keepsakes. “Sometimes it will require a soak or a couple of washes to remove storage smells,” Rohr suggests. Haines has a natural solution: “The sun and a few drops of very dilute cedarwood oil, along with detergent, often work wonders for smells.” Hanging clothes out to dry in the fresh air and sunshine is an age-old technique that remains effective today.
Both Simonds and Haines recommend removing pilling from worn areas to refresh the look of clothing. While a sweater shaver is a convenient tool, Haines prefers a simple disposable razor. “Gently applying a cheap men’s disposable razor works better than any tool I’ve purchased,” she notes. Lint brushes or rollers can also help collect stray fur or fabric bits.
Before purchasing, it’s crucial to inspect clothing for flaws and consider repair options. “It’s important to assess the damage of the item and determine if it is fixable or usable, and how much time and money you’re willing to invest in fixing it,” Simonds advises. While Simonds often passes on items that require too much work, there are simple repairs you can learn to do yourself.
“Fixing a blown-out seam, replacing a button, mending a hole, hemming, and stain treatment are all things that almost anyone can learn to do,” Rohr explains. If you fall in love with a piece or wish to preserve an heirloom, an alterations shop can be a helpful resource. “Sometimes vintage will come with minor condition issues, but that rarely has to be a deal-breaker,” Rohr adds.
Haines is willing to go the extra mile due to her passion for upcycling. “Buying a simple sewing machine is a must for even simple repairs,” she says. “It’s also a great way to keep your current wardrobe in good condition.” Learning to hem and replace buttons is a valuable skill that can be quickly mastered. “There is so much information available on TikTok and YouTube for people who have the desire to learn,” Haines adds.
Just as Southerners take pride in maintaining their belongings, whether it’s fine silverware or outdoor garden decorations, the same care should be given to clothing. Simonds suggests hanging or folding garments properly and inspecting them after each wear. When storing seasonal clothing, ensure they’ve been freshly cleaned and hung in a cool, dry place. “You can also use acid-free tissue paper and a garment storage box to preserve them,” she recommends.
Once your garments are in perfect condition, don’t let them languish in your closet. Embrace the uniqueness of a patterned sundress or a handcrafted sweater, and wear your finds with pride. “I love finding vintage and unique one-of-a-kind fashion,” Haines says. She believes that vintage goods reflect the passage of time and the enduring quality of well-made clothing. Rohr agrees, explaining that older pieces, even those from before the modern fast-fashion era, are designed to last. “Be confident in the quality of the clothing you’re purchasing,” she encourages.
Shopping pre-owned not only supports smaller, independent businesses but also keeps more of your money in the community. “By buying secondhand, we are keeping more of our money in our community and supporting those who work to rescue quality, wearable clothing from the waste stream,” Rohr notes. Whether you’re preserving a family treasure or purchasing from a reseller or charity shop, wear or display your pieces with confidence.
