The Risks of Buying Second Hand Clothes, Sandals & Shoes, post 600

Out of Date Clothes

 The first risk, the obvious one, when buying cheap second hand clothes is that you are buying last year's fashion, or something from an earlier decade. Does it matter? 

You might be happy. But you might be unconsciously conveying the impression that you are out of date, poor, not on trend, nor with it, old fashioned.

Obvious Faults

A further problem is that the item might be at the end of its useful, wearable life. I am not talking about obvious faults. You might spot that a garment is faded, missing a button, has a stain, snagged weave. 

Pilling or Balling

Another fault which often deters me is balling. The smooth surface feels knobbly and looks untidy. Yes, you can recover it, but that takes hours. 

Pilling or balling of old clothes. Photo by Angela Lansbury. Copyright.

Dirty Edges

I have bought an orange suede or imitation suede jacket with a little greying at the edge. I did not get much use out of it. I hesitated to use a household rubber (Americans say eraser) or elastic band, to rub off the black edges. Then I thought: it's doing no good to me or aybody else sitting here unworn. At least if I try, I might make it more wearable for myself or anybody who gets it from me.

Blouse Seams

I recently bought a Jacques Vert blouse. After one wearing I found the central vertical seam was dividing and leaving a ladder effect. I could repair it by sewing, which might pucker it at the front. Or I could use nail vanish, clear nail varnish, to seal it. That might feel rought against my skin. I could wear a vest underneath. But the varnish might rub a hole in a silk vest worn underneath. 

Labelling and Returning

If I had not removed the shop label, and I had lived nearby, I could have returned it. (Some are marked as seen so you cannot return a garment even with a fault.) However, I lived in another city, and I liked it too much to return it.

Seams also go if you buy an item which is too small, because you are tempted by the bargain price. Side seams don't matter as much as fraying at the front. Side seams can be hidden under a jacket.

When dressing, I notice faults. Usually, once I am out socialising, I completely forget. I only remember when I get home and take off the garment.

Second Hand Sandals & Shoes

One pair of wedge heeled shoes I was wearing disintegrated completely. I felt the strange feeling underfoot. I thought something must be wrong with the carpet. Then I saw black bits around my feet. When I inspected my shoes, I found the black synthetic sole was disintegrating, crumbling.

I had the same problem with the soles of sandals.

Crumbling heels on second-hand sandals. Photo by Angela Lansbury. Copyright.

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