Used can be just as good a gift as new – or sometimes even a little better. Let us give you ten good reasons why this Christmas at least some of your gifts should be bought second hand.
Reason 1: When you buy used, you don’t need to produce new
The production of new clothes purchased annually by an average Nordic consumer uses more water than a family of three consumes in a year for washing, household chores, and flushing the toilet. Just making a single t-shirt requires 1,400 liters of water.In addition, the production of that same pile of clothes causes as much carbon dioxide emissions as a 2,000-kilometer car trip. (Nordic Council of Ministers’ Consumer Guide 2014)
At the Finnish Environment Institute, it has been estimated that thanks to Emmy enabling the reuse of clothing, over 250 tons of CO2 emissions and over 500 million liters of water have been saved during Emmy’s operation. With Emmy’s environmental calculator, you can track the amount of savings.
Reason 2: When you give a used item a new home, it doesn’t end up as waste
A Finn produces about 13 kilos of textile waste per year. Of this amount, about 80% is used for energy by incineration, the rest ends up in landfills. (Sources: Talouselämä 4.8.2017, SYKE Texjäte Project 2015)However, a good condition garment or accessory does not belong in a landfill. The most ecological and efficient way is to recycle used clothes, shoes, and accessories for the purpose they were made for. In other words, to give or sell them to new owners.
Reason 3: High-quality domestic products retain their value and support Finnish work
Marimekko, Ril's, Andiata, Minna Parikka, Papu, Gugguu, Vimma, Metsola, Samuji, Makia... Many of the most popular brands in Emmy’s selection are delightfully Finnish. Some favorites have been part of Finnish everyday life and celebrations for decades, while others are trendy newcomers that have quickly gained popularity. What all Finnish favorites have in common is their distinctive, fresh design and high quality, which makes the products last well from one user to another.When you buy a used Finnish garment or accessory as a gift, in addition to being ecological, it’s a choice in favor of Finnish work and design.
Reason 4: You save not only nature but also your wallet
Second hand shops and flea markets offer opportunities to make top purchases at lower prices than usual – and Emmy is no exception. In addition to good condition or like-new used products, Emmy also receives completely new and unused clothes and accessories for sale.The selection of nearly 80,000 products offers a huge number of top-quality branded items, which at Emmy are often sold at significantly lower prices than the recommended retail price. With a bit of luck, you might find something higher quality and more valuable as a gift than you could get for the same money at a store selling new products.
Reason 5: A quality product has a long life and resale value
A quality garment is an investment. A carefully made garment from high-quality materials can be expected to last longer in use than cheap fast fashion. Investing in quality saves both the environment and money, as you won’t need to replace a long-lasting product as soon.A well-kept branded garment or accessory is also more likely to find a new, happy owner when you decide to part with it one day. A high-quality and well-maintained second hand product still has many miles ahead with its new owner.
Reason 6: Used clothes reduce chemical load
A wide variety of chemicals are used in the production of clothes and other textiles, as materials are pre- and post-treated, washed, starched, bleached, and dyed. Some textiles may have chemicals added to improve product properties (e.g., dirt or water repellency) or to prevent mold. Some chemicals are harmless, while others can cause skin irritation or allergic reactions.The most effective way to reduce the chemical load on your skin from clothes is to buy them used. Washing and wearing clothes wears them down and also reduces the chemicals added to them.
A used garment or accessory can therefore be a much gentler gift for someone with sensitive skin than a brand new product. Especially with children’s clothes, it can also be considered a plus that the garment has become wonderfully soft through use.
Reason 7: You can find treasures you can’t get anywhere else
There’s a reason why many fashion bloggers and well-known fashionistas are frequent customers at various flea markets and second hand shops.In the selection of used clothes, you can find real treasures. Gems from timeless fashion classic brands, sold-out items from popular trend brands, brands brought from abroad that you can’t normally get in Finland, unique handmade one-of-a-kind pieces, or perhaps an accessory from your favorite brand that is no longer produced.
As a gift, a second hand garment or accessory is a unique one-off piece with a story.
Reason 8: When the price is lower, it’s easier to invest in quality or responsibility
Many people would like to consume more ethically and at least in theory prefer organic, local production, Finnish, and responsibly produced items. Still, one of the strongest factors influencing people’s purchasing decisions is the price of the product.Second hand is a way to make purchases that align with values emphasizing quality, domesticity, and responsibility at a wallet-friendly price.
Lower prices make it possible to buy higher quality products for your own wardrobe or as gifts than you could normally afford, and to shape your wardrobe according to your own ideals. For one person, second hand may be a way to get the designer bag they’ve always dreamed of, for another a chance to invest in merino wool and cashmere, and for a third an opportunity to support domesticity and responsible production.
Not all quality is expensive, and not all expensive things are quality – that’s why the key to worthwhile clothing purchases is to get to know each brand’s background and the garment’s care label.
Reason 9: Browsing a second hand online store is a daily adventure
Emmy’s selection already includes nearly 80,000 branded clothes, shoes, and accessories!There’s all sorts in that group: an affordable backup snowsuit for the youngest, high heels that perfectly match your favorite dress, well-kept skates, or treasures from an older collection of your favorite brand... And that’s exactly the charm of second hand shopping!
Browsing the second hand selection is like a little adventure in the middle of everyday life and a very entertaining way to spend your free time. It’s a bit like window shopping when you’re out in the city.
Adding to the treasure hunt is the fact that, except for outlet batches, there’s usually only one unique piece of each product. The most coveted items are usually bought right away, so if you don’t act fast, you might miss out. However, the selection is constantly changing and updating, so if you missed a gem today, there might be something else just as lovely available tomorrow.
10: You do your part for more sustainable consumption
Second hand shopping is fun and exciting treasure hunting, and sometimes you can find real gems among used clothes and accessories at much lower prices than normal.What’s important, however, is that by choosing used instead of new, you cast your vote for responsibility and more sustainable consumption.