Secondhand

Today, in my local paper, there is a review of a new book simply titled Secondhand, all about the life cycle of clothes and objects on this planet. A bit of optimism in an otherwise devastating culture of mass production, mass consumption and waste. Why optimism? Because there are places on this earth, according to the book, where the locals make it their life's work to recycle: cars, clothes, televisions. 

Dress made from recycled saris (made from...??), purchased at Revolution, White River Junction, VT

Apple computers is a bad guy in the book, and rightly so. What a waste of phones that they are responsible for given that they make it impossible to recycle or to replace a part or two. 

Second hand clothes receive attention as well, with a focus on what happens AFTER Goodwill. 

The book also points out that many commercial town centers these days are filled with second hand stores. That was certainly the case where I traveled last, in Glasgow and Manchester, UK. The High Streets have more charity shops than new retail clothing shops. One can get all analytical and sad, and think of that new ratio as a sign that we are living in a post-industrial world.

  

I am especially reliant on second hand clothes, especially when I travel. The coat on the left still had its tags at Housing Works in New York City. The cardigan on the right came from a second hand shop in Hanover, New Hampshire. 

I also buy second hand clothes during my travels. I pack lightly in order to make room in my suitcase (and in my wardrobe) for a local acquisition or two. I have yet to wear the colorful dress that I picked up in Glasgow at a vintage store run by a French woman as it turned out (see previous post). That will be for my next post. Or for Valentine's Day. Or for both. 

(I ended wearing the Glasgow dress in my office during the confinement)