From Something Old To Something Newish

The second-hand clothing market is booming. Saving money is a factor, of course, but so is consumers’ desire to shop more ethically and create less waste.

- Shireen Fisher

Lockdown initiated a necessity for clear-outs – mountains of unworn clothes had to move to make way for a home office or returning family members. Unintentionally, a new generation of green shoppers joined the party and are living their best thrift lives. Second-hand clothing side hustles have also turned into thriving businesses. And with sustainability in fashion a major climate and social issue, the timing couldn’t be better!

‘We live in a throw-away society – most often, items of clothing thrown away end up in landfill,’ says Cyril Naicker, CEO at Imprint Luxury and country coordinator for Fashion Revolution South Africa. ‘We need to take care of our old clothes. We need to repair them. We also have to be aware that not everyone can afford luxury brands, and shopping at preloved clothing stores is an opportunity to find something special at an affordable price.’

Natalie’s

Northriding, Johannesburg

NATALIE ADRIAAN

INSTAGRAM: @natalies.store.new

FACEBOOK: @NataliesAStyleForEveryStory

WEBSITE: natalies.store/collections/preloved

Natalie – whom many may recognise from her appearances in comedian husband Alfred Adriaan’s Instagram videos – says she'd always wanted to have her own clothing business but never had the courage to do it, even though she came from an operations background, managing property businesses for a living. It was lockdown that ushered her towards pursuing her passion. ‘I had a day job at the time, so I would have been secure if it failed.’