Lil’s Lou debunks the three top reuse myths we hear way too often. Do any resonate with you? Or do you hear others? Tell us in comments or on socials @dolilthings

1.       “I am taking things from people who really need it.”

I’ve heard folk say that using a free reuse service “isn’t for me”;  or “I can afford new”; or even “it’s stealing from folk who need it”.

Actually, by EVERYONE using free services, it takes away any stigma whatsoever for the folk who might need to use it for financial reasons. By telling more folk, “I got this secondhand” or on the odd occasion “I couldn’t find it secondhand, so I had to buy new”; it helps make it normal for those folk who need it. By doing that, it makes it more likely folk will use it when they *have* to. (Ideally then discovering it’s awesome, everyone does this, and joining the rest of us in *getting* second-hand.)

It also helps our global community by saving our pennies to pay the right price for great supply chains (read on, or even better, watch the 1min vid).

2.        “I don’t like that other people have worn it.”

OK, full disclosure: I am like this with tights, I hate wearing others’ tights. Until my mate gave me her old TARTAN ones, I love those. I can still be iffy about swimsuits.

So we get there’s often a tipping point in here for folks, and you’ll find your own comfort level. However, it’s worth bearing in mind that clothes we buy new in a shop have probably been tried on or returned by other people. We already buy “new” items that have been worn by others.

The cotton it is made from was picked on a farm (*hopefully), or come from recycled materials, and handled a LOT in its journey to you.

“New” doesn’t mean “untouched”. You are good at laundry. Wash it.

And, ethically, do you know where your cotton comes from?

Do you know the impact of new clothes? https://www.oxfam.org.uk/oxfam-in-action/oxfam-blog/new-shocking-facts-about-the-impact-of-fast-fashion-on-our-climate/

It’s worth the wash. And this vid, below, is worth the 1 min watch…

3.       People will think I can’t afford new..

These “people” don’t exist. We all love saving our pennies for fun luxuries, for great quality items we can’t find second-hand. NO ONE loves spending £287/year on school uniform (if in primary school – high school, up that to £422/year).

We hate hearing “they” will judge you if it’s not new.

“They” can zip it. (Drum emoji)

My favourite quote from one of our ReUse Festivals was “I’ve never seen a jumble sale with so many Volvos and Range Rovers”.

I responded with, how do you think they afford the Range Rover? (We have not been sponsored for this!)

All folk share clothes all the time.

READY TO JUMP INTO REUSE?

Come to Lil’s Swish with the Seabird Centre on Thursday October 3. It’s OK if you don’t have items to swap, we’d just love to help you find your secondhand fun! Tickets here