Celebrating Sustainable September in Style
September marks ‘Sustainable September’ in the charity retail calendar, a month dedicated to promoting the value of preloved fashion and sustainability.
To mark the occasion Isabel Hospice shops have been getting creative promoting the special month with brilliant shop window displays. Our staff and volunteers have also been modelling preloved fashion at hot spots across Hertfordshire in a social media campaign, see if you can spot the Galleria, Digswell Viaduct or even Hitchin Lavendar farm on Instagram @IsabelHospiceShops.
Finally, we also presented our first ever fashion show during London Fashion Week, organised by Fashions Finest. The show was a resounding success, showcasing the incredible range of preloved outfits sourced from Isabel Hospice charity shops. Marking a milestone event for both the hospice and the fashion community.
Isabel Hospice extend their heartfelt gratitude to everyone involved, including the thrifting queens @rebelragsvintage and @beckysbazaar, who not only supported the event but also walked in the show, bringing their unique flair and enthusiasm.
Here, we quiz our kilo sale regular, Rebel Rags Vintage, aka Sara, on her love of turning preloved into reloved, aka thrifting!
- How has thrifting allowed you to express yourself?
Thrifting gives me the opportunity to try new styles and trends without the high street price tag and most importantly without the harmful environmental impact of shopping new. I actually love the thrill of putting an outfit together based on pieces I have found myself and hunted for without being told this is the latest style. I will put looks together that I have sourced over weeks and sometimes months based on my personal style rather than a prescribed outfit by what’s in ‘fashion’.
- What is the most outrageous thing you have found whilst thrifting?
I have found so many strange and unusual things whilst thrifting! Tickets stuffed in pockets! 40 dollars in a 10 dollar dress whilst thrifting in New York. I find things with people’s names in them and I find this so thrilling because it means that it had a whole life before, and I like to imagine what that life might have been.
- You hit a charity shop on your local high street, which rail are you hitting first?
In truth I hit every single rail, every single department- kids, men’s, accessories… all of it. I am a sucker for a T-shirt so possibly that would be the first thing I would hit up.
- When was the last time you shopped new?
I was thinking about this the other day and the only thing I’ve bought recently is a pair of sparkly pumps with some birthday money from Next and it felt weird. I have worn them a lot and I will until they fall apart. I haven’t shopped new for over 5 years I would say.
- Have you seen a change in charity shop shopping? Have you seen the quality go down and less ‘treasures’ on rails?
It’s definitely becoming harder to find those gems. The amount of fast fashion on the rails has gone up massively and the prices often do not reflect the quality of the garments.
However, I wouldn’t use this to discourage people from shopping in charity shops and secondhand because there is still great stuff out there and even the fast fashion items are better bought secondhand. I still find so many gems. It just takes a bit longer.
