2026 has seen a lot of change in my life. It’s been a year of discovery and developing a greater awareness of myself. It has taken a shock to the system to kickstart a new perspective on my own life, and yet this sense of discovery has also shaped some decisions to live life a little better.

This year I chose to avoid buying new clothes for myself. It sounds very small, but for me it was a real adaptation from the fast-fashion conveyor belt that I had become accustomed to.

The choice began with a dissatisfaction with the range of clothing on the market for men. Every shop on the high street presented a formulaic, minimal colour pallette offering of over-priced basics. No risks or personality being shown anywhere.

I have always viewed fashion as a form of self-expression, but how can you express yourself when the options are so… boring.

Some of my favourite items of clothing are in a vintage style, and as my body has changed and developed in response to my consistent gym routine, I wanted specific items that were very over-priced and so I sought to get what I wanted, second hand.

It’s started with a Vintage style Adidas shirt. This got me hooked on Vinted! I think it cost £6. It made me look and feel great, but I was able to find it in colours that not everybody had. Giving me a sense of individuality

As 2026 hit, it became easy to avoid buying new clothes. Second hand items were at my finger tips and some aspirational pieces were now achievable on my budget. In addition, all of the items I was buying were not going to landfill. Instead they were getting a new lease of life with me!

This year when a favourite T-Shirt gets snagged in the washing machine or a stain on the arm, I’ve been taking a pair of scissors to them and making a gym vest instead! A really excellent way to get more wear out of your items and it’s that little bit better for the environment. People always comment and ask where I got my vests from, and sometimes it’s the ones that I have made myself from an over worn piece of clothing!

Has it been challenging to not buy new clothes?

Well occasionally it has been. But there are always finds to be had in charity shops or vintage stores, car boots or online. Second hand is the antidote to fast fashion.

One gripe is the over-pricing of items in charity shops. I want charities to make money, but often they see a label and price based only on that! I saw an Adidas top not dissimilar to the one I showed earlier in the post, it was £12.50 and had 2 large holes in areas where it would not be fixable. I am all for charity shops making more money on quality items, but too often the pricing matches the cost in the shop brand new. Primark t-shirts for 5 or 6 pounds, literally more expensive than I’m store.

There are also people who rely on charity shops as they can’t afford new, but instead now buy new because they are priced out of the charity shops. I know the issue is more complex than a couple of sentences in a blog post, but it is worth considering.

I will continue to shop in this way. Making the effort to help the world, but also to keep pushing my sense of self and identity.

Do you shop second hand?

Are there any items you wouldn’t buy second hand?

What is your best second hand find?

TIB