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With over 20 locations mostly located along the East Coast, resale store Second Time Around began as a venture that encourages consumers to recycle designer and high-end clothing. Each store buys and sells clothes, bags, shoes and accessories. I met with Sophie Newman of the New York location in SoHo. She told me about how she became involved in the resale movement and why she thinks it’s one of the best green fashion options.
What is your history in working at Second Time Around?
I met the owner [Jeffery Cassler] about a year and a half ago as I was interested in getting involved in the company and learning how they operate. Living in Boston for six years, I was familiar with the Second Time Around stores [and thought not only, “What a great concept, but a smart business venture as well!”]
The owner and I kept in touch over the next year and specifically spoke about when they were ready to open in New York. I moved here with my previous company […] I left my company in April, and the timing couldn't have been more perfect. Second Time Around was ready to open in Soho (sic) in mid-June and I accepted the offer to come in and manage the store. It has been a great experience thus far.
How many locations are there?
We have roughly 20 locations right now. We have stores up and down the east coast (sic) ranging from Portland, Maine, to multiple locations throughout Massachusetts. Greenwich, CT, Providence, RI, Georgetown, DC, and most recently […] Chicago.
What is the mission behind the store?
The whole idea behind our store is “resale goes upscale.” Within this idea we offer contemporary, new and designer resale clothing. Our mission is to promote the idea of reusing and recycling clothing, and then reselling the items to our clients at a value that is less than retail.
Does the store partner with any other organizations or stores to promote the three R’s [reduce, reuse, recycle]?
All of our stores partner and work with various charities and local organizations. At our Soho store (sic), we work with Bottomless Closet. We donate unwanted [consignment] “dress for success” clothing to their organization. We also work with The Salvation Army to donate other unwanted goods and items.
How has Second Time Around made a difference for you in its campaign to reuse and recycle clothing?
It's certainly made a difference as to where I shop. There are few items that I will actually pay full retail for after seeing what great deals you can get on gently used clothing. Full retail prices disgust me.
Personally why is environmentalism important to you? Or is it?
As human beings we are so wasteful in everyday life. I believe people are making more of a daily effort to become greener, but we still have a ways to go before the majority of society is on the same page. Recycling clothing is one way to cut down on […] over-consumption […] as well as a great way for people to earn a little cash and support local businesses. I look at the majority of my clothing in my closet and it makes me happy that most of it has been bought here secondhand. I also consign my clothing here as well, so for me I have a constant green cycle going on which make me feel less wasteful in life.
How does the process of selling and pricing at Second Time Around work?
Our clients setup an appointment to come in to consign with us. We go through their clothing and select what we would like to take in based on the season, the demand of the item, and the condition. From there on the client can pick up any items we don't accept or leave them with us to donate. We price items at 1/3-1/4 of the retail value.
What are your favorite resale items in the store?
I'm a sucker for the high-end handbags. I also love scarves and little trinkets. My most recent purchase was a barely used classic YSL olive green leather bag. It's a beauty.
What are your thoughts on sustainable clothing becoming more mainstream?
I think the current state of the economy has forced people to become more aware of where they are spending their dollars. People don't have as much disposable income [that] they may use to spend on designer clothing, shoes and handbags. Thus, not only are they buying secondhand designer goods, but they are going through their closets to try and earn some cash on the side for excess clothing that they may have never before cared to get rid of. Second hand clothing used to have a "dirty and used" stigma attached to it, but now it's becoming more accepted. Secondhand is the new vintage.
How should fashion progress in order to become more environmentally and socially balanced?
I think designers should really embrace using recycled materials and fabrics to produce clothing and goods. In terms of social balance, I feel society is coming more and more round to the idea of sustainability so that part will flourish naturally. Unfortunately, recycled and environmentally friendly goods tend to be more pricey, so if designers could find a way to offer their recycled lines at more affordable prices, I think that would really help push the green movement even further.
Have your ever redesigned a clothing item or reworked an accessory in order to reuse it?
I have used scarves in every way possible — in my hair, as belts, around my neck.
Are there ways you strive in your day-to-day life to be conscientious?
It may sound silly but I feel constant guilt every time I collect a plastic bag. I have about ten cloth bags at home for shopping but I always manage to forget them. I'm trying to become better at remembering them on the way out the door. I also try to be aware of water use at home, and I always, always use the lights as little as possible.
Which designer/clothing line would you most like to see go green?
I would love to see large conglomerate companies such as Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Dolce & Gabanna, etc. make more of an effort to be more green. I think that the extremely high-end companies are more hesitant to as they feel it might lower the image, thus devaluing their goods.
What is your favorite sustainable/green lifestyle item that you splurge on?
I try to buy as many made-in-the-USA items as possible. For all my basics, I shop at American Apparel. For the most part all my other clothing is bought right here in the store so it's still green!
Any other green inspirational words you'd like to share?
Reuse. Recycle. Resell.
