Online Shopping Is An Art - Let’s Make It Sustainable.

It was love at first bid! One Woman’s Trash Is Another Woman’s Treasure.

The moment we laid eyes on each other, I just knew — you were the one. It happened in a flash. One minute you belonged to someone else and the next, you were all mine. I feel bad, almost as if it was cruel of me to take you away, but you chose me. And I could never let you go like they did. Your color, your fabric, your slit, that cute centerback cutout and the way you flow along my body in all the right places - I’m getting hot just thinking about it! Let’s face it, no man has ever had this love at first sight affect on me but, you....you are the mini dress I’ve could’ve only imagined in my dreams.

And I have the rise of the secondhand culture to thank for that.

Everyday, the digital age continues to expand and with it, the ever-present use of social platforms to make shopping more convenient. We are continuously being bombarded with content – buy this, you need that. That said, the continuous feat to become more sustainable consumers has never been more pressing, and therefore, there has never been a better time to reinvent the way you shop online. What’s important to note here, is that shopping is can be an investment for good. One of our favorite ways to do so is through second-hand and resell shops like TheRealReal, ThredUp, Depop, Poshmark and hey, we even love scrolling through the feeds of underrated shops who use Instagram to sell their pre-loved pieces.

Every week, nearly 11 million items of clothing end up in a landfill. And therefore, the conversation surrounding resell culture has never been louder- every day people are learning the benefits of scoring a one-of-a-kind pre-loved piece (especially the part where you can do it in the comfort of your own bed, while wearing a giant stained t-shirt with last night’s spaghetti dinner). But what’s even better is that through the use of social media, consumers are becoming more and more educated about how and why they purchase clothing. And to a certain degree, buying used clothing has a certain je ne sais quoi that strays away from the norm and leaves the consumer feeling even more certain of their decision. Not to mention, each secondhand purchase you make requires no additional sources beyond transportation – no new materials or fabrics.

HOKU talked to Nichole Katsikas, previous Creative Producer at The RealReal and current owner of LolaMayy, a vintage shop based in Brooklyn, New York -- to get a better idea about the process of buying/selling second hand and how she remains mindful in her curation of one-of-a-kind vintage pieces.

While Nichole has her own in store location, many of her lovely pieces are sold online on Etsy, Depop or Object Limited. “My goal is for the piece to find its way to someone who will either love and cherish it or find it useful and essential. I just don’t want it to end up in a landfill.” When on the hunt for vintage pieces, Katsikas mentions that she always curates pieces with intention, noting that there are two primary requirements for all of her pieces: one) the piece is timeless and two) translates to modern wear or is representative of an era that can be styled in a fresh way. Additionally, Katsikas agrees that the rise in online second-hand shopping, but not limited to Instagram, is a key factor in helping us achieve a more circular economy. She points out that the hustle of kids on Depop is more than admirable.

When discussing the differentiation from vintage to newly produced pieces, she highlights that attention to detail and craftsmanship is everything. “I was looking for a specific skirt this spring that was really popular. I knew I could find it at Zara for $38 or, I could find an exact replica (or rather, the 90s version that Zara was basing their design off) if I hunted around the thrift stores enough. Sure enough I found it, with tortoiseshell buttons in 100% Irish linen. It was so well made but just a little big, so I had it taken in by the tailor in my neighborhood. The difference is quality, and it’s so obvious when you start shopping vintage. Why does a dress from the 1960s hold up 60 years later and a dress from Forever21 doesn’t survive a season? That’s the difference between vintage and fast fashion, IMO.”

The expansion of online shopping is inevitably going to continue to grow – but with that, also comes the growth of awareness and rise in shops just like LolaMayy. So next time you’re on the hunt to follow the latest trend, think to yourself: Will I Actually Wear This? Can I Thrift This? Is This Even Transient with My Own Style? By keeping these questions in mind, you begin to understand the wonders behind knowing what you want and making it happen a more sustainable way. And hey, you could even score a dress from the 60’s that shares more character and quality than anything you can get in fast-fashion today. See for yourself.

Words: Kiana Kanoa

Models: @kianakanoa

Photos: @mollyosullivann