Second Hand September

Cotton Bro

We’re big on sustainable second hand shopping here at Peep, not only because you can find unique pieces from different decades, but because it greatly reduces our impact on the planet.

The textile industry alone accounts for about 10% of global greenhouse gas emissions and is a big contributor to the climate emergency. But we can take action by taking part in Oxfam’s Second Hand September Challange to buy nothing new and shop only second hand for the month of September… and beyond.

what is second hand september?

Oxfam

Fast fashion is damaging our planet. The excess waste from this throwaway lifestyle is putting pressure on the environment. People living in the poorest countries are suffering the most yet have done the least to cause it. Shopping and donating with Oxfam helps to raise vital funds to help families tackle the crisis in their communities.

Although Oxfam don’t believe the responsibility to fix the problem lies with us shoppers (agreed) – Second Hand September and slow living is a way of individually doing our bit to make our lives more sustainable.

Check out Oxfam’s pop up shop in London Selfridges full of incredible second hand pieces selected by their thrift expert Bay Garnett. When you donate clothes to Oxfam nothing goes to landfill and now you can donate them by post. Order your free donation bag from Oxfam or donate in-store.

Search #SecondHandSeptember on Instagram to find loads of inspiration and tag @OxfamGB

why shop second hand

Cotton Bro

It’s sustainable

You’re extending the life of clothes, because when you buy a used item you are saving all the resources it took to make that item. It takes 2,700 litres of water to make one new cotton t-shirt compared to a second hand tee from a charity shop which uses none. The same applies for eyewear and homewares - it’s a step towards a circular economy where everything is reused, repaired, and recycled.

More choice, unique pieces

There are so many great wardrobe staples you can find alongside unique gems you can uncover from different eras, from 90s power suits to 70s coats, the trend cycle means that the previous decades are regularly back in fashion. You can find designer items at an affordable price and styles that are no longer being produced. We love that you can express your individuality more with preloved fashion and homewares, find your own style and what truly suits, instead of being dictated by trends.

Keeping clothes out of landfill

13 million items of used clothing ends up in UK landfill every week. When you shop secondhand fashion or homeware, you’re keeping these items out of landfill and back in circulation while reducing the demand for fast fashion and fast homeware.

Secondhand goods are better quality

Vintage items were made to last. Older items are often better made, sometimes handmade from better materials, from a time when quality was prized over quantity. That’s why the vintage market is thriving with so many amazing sellers curating beautful pieces from the 60s, 70s and 80s all in exquisite condition.

If you buy something second hand but decide you no longer want it you can sell it on or donate and keep the cycle going.

Giving back

Shopping and donating with Oxfam, and other charities, helps to raise money for people who are suffering the effects of the climate emergency right now. You could help fund a solar-powered pump that brings water up from underground during dry season, or provide farmers with drought-resistant seeds. When you shop second hand you’re giving back to a charity or small sustainable business instead helping of big boys get bigger.

How to shop second hand

Shopping second hand has never been easier with shops like eBay, Vinted, and DePop you can buy secondhand from the comfort of your sofa. Instagram is a mecca for beautifully curated vintage and preloved fashion and homewares, where sellers do the hard work for you handpicking quality and stand out pieces.

Or if you want to get hands on, there are still charity shops on the high street and their doors are open, if you can’t try items on in a changing room, you can often exchange and return. There’s also the pleasure of thrifting through local fleamarkets, antique shows and car boot sales - it’s addictive.

Here’s our tip tips to shopping second hand..

Know what’s in your wardrobe - knowing what you’ve already got to work with, any pieces that you purchase will save you from repeats.

Go with a shopping list - pieces that you’re missing from your wardorbe that you actually need, will save you from indulging in retail therapy. Charity shops are great for staples like mens tailoring and knitwear.

Know yourself - what styles and shapes suit, colour palettes that work for you and fit in with what’s in your wardrobe.

Know your measurements - vintage clothing comes up smaller than modern sizing so take your measurements before shopping, such as bust, waist and hips.

Give it a good once over - if it’s virtual read the condition report and check the pieces for stains and damage. You can always ask for more information. Old fashioned labels and zips will give you a clue to the pieces age.

Look at what it’s made of - try to source mostly natural fibers like cotton, silk, linen, and wool as they’re more breathable and planet friendly to wash and stay away from anything that needs dry cleaning.

When you shop second hand or vintage, buy only what you need or love, that way you’ll always be shopping sustainably.

Take a peep at our range preloved and vintage second hand frames.

Jo

Sustainable gift guide

Gift consciously with our sustainable gift ideas, including vintage gems, upcycled one-of-a-kind and plastic free gifts. 

It’s more important than ever to shop small and support independent brands that care about our planet - here’s our sustainable gift guide to get you going..

plant based & zero waste cooking

As we now know one of the most eco friendly things you can do for the planet is go on a plant based diet (or more plant based) so what better Christmas gift than a planet friendly cook book. In EAST Meera Sodha takes cooks on a vegan and veggie journey across Asia, while Max La Manna helps you on your low waste journey with More Plants Less Waste.

Mamma Peep Pouches

Flora pouch - perfect for stowing your prescious vintage

Our new range of sustainable eco-friendly glasses cases and sunglasses pouches. Lovingly handmade by ‘Mama Peep’ from vintage deadstock fabrics to keep your eyewear scratch free.

Small batches of one-of-a-kind glasses pouches. Whether taking long walks or trips to the beach your sunnies will be kept safe and stylish.

Face masks with a cause

The B Collection supports CoppaFeel charity

We love Eliza Eliza’s organic cotton face masks - triple layered for extra protection, they’re reusable and the masks are adjustable - either tied around the head or altered so that they can be hooked over the ears. They support a number of different charitable causes with each style of mask too - also pick up matching sleep masks, scrunchies and lovely eco friendly bags.

washable wipes

Rifle Paper prints

These reusable face wipes from My January Baby are completely plastic-free. You can also choose your favourite print from the set to embelish the wash bag. Made from 100% cotton on the top and organic, hypoallergenic bamboo on the back, making them suitable for all ages and skin types. They make a great eco-friendly gift.

artisan art

There are some beautiful handmade artisan gifts on Etsy like the ones our friends over at Two Peas make. Their gorgeous one-of-a-kind Art Plates, hand painted onto beautful vintage plates will make your walls sing with joy.

wearable works of art

Treat yourself or a special someone to a vintage pin - what’s not to love about this 1980s brooch from Honeykins Vintage with a keep fit style lady in classic era appropriate neon colours! The perfect conversation starter at any party.

vintage glasses chains

Infamous - 1970s Trifari link chain

Glasses Chains are back. Never lose your sunglasses or glasses again with our one-of-a-kind vintage glasses chains. Remove the loops and wear as a necklace. Take a peep at our collection of the coolest rescued and adapted vintage chains - quite possibly the perfect present if we say so ourselves.

the eco friendly hamper

One for the Bee lovers

LFHP have a lovely selection of eco friendly hampers and if you’ve got a green fingered friend the Bee Garden Set is the perfect gift. We all know how important bees are and this bee garden is the perfect way to ensure they can thrive in your giftees garden. Designed to increase pollination rates through growing attractive flowers, these seed bombs make the garden bloom into a bee friendly destination. They also have a great gift guide for men in your life.

upcycled jewellery kits

I’m loving these cute upcycled jewellery making kits from Readorn London. Each kit contains everything you need to make a beautiful piece of upcycled jewellery. Every kit is unique and has been lovingly curated to bring you one of a kind designs. Such a lovely and mindfull gift idea.

vintage homeware

Who doesn’t love a bit of unique vintage homeware to brighten up their pad, like this vintage 60s West German pottery vase in Green and Orange four petal floral repeat from the gorgeous Miss Pigeon Vintage - get it while it’s hot.

virtual gifting

If you don’t want to gift more stuff why not give the gift of an experience instead - online classes or workshops from cooking to pottery are great ways to learn or develop new skills. Take a peep at Tea & Crafting for some lovely craft classes and workshops.

Happy Gifting!

Jo

Make do and mend, a tale of recycled fashion

In bygone eras materials weren’t as readily available so everybody practised repairing and recycling in some form, whether unpicking knitted jumpers to knit into new, to shoppers bringing their own paper to wrap purchases. Housewives learnt to make do and mend and people did imaginative things with potatoes.

Recycling and upcycling is close to our hearts and we’re looking to the 1940s for inspiration on what can be restored, repaired and made ‘new to you’ again...

Re-invent your wardrobe

What’s already in your wardrobe? Do you know? Spring is the perfect time to take inventory and get the most from your clothes. Take time to work out which styles suit you and what works for your lifestyle right now. Style things differently – have a play and change up looks with accessories. Layer up, try a polo neck under a dress or a tee under a slip to get more wears and make your wardrobe work harder.

Make Do and Mend

Garments can be tailored to fit and you can make your own repairs alterations – tune in to The Great British Sewing Bee and be inspired to learn a few basic stitches, take up hems and make simple amendments. We’re loving Tilly and the Buttons and Love Your Clothes for mending and making tutorials.

Or find a local tailor to take up and take in, they’ll also be able to rework necklines and replace zips inexpensively. Shoes can be taken to cobblers to be re-heeled and resoled, while bags and belts can be mended there too.  

When it comes to your favourite glasses they too can be restored and revived with our restoration service. We offer both a polishing and reglazing service that saves frames from landfill and gives glasses a new lease of life. From oiling to polishing we remove scratches, general wear and restore lustre.

If you've scratched your lenses, had a prescription change or just want to change your lens colour we can reglaze your glasses.

Customising your clothes

Use embellishments and adornments to customise your clothes and make your mark. Additions of fringing, beads and vintage patches work a treat.

Try your hand at simple embroidery and add to denim, tees and shirts to update your current wardrobe. Check out Mollie Makes for inspiration.

Bear Shark Embroidery

Let it go

If you’ve worked out it’s got to go, host a clothing swap party with friends and go home with new threads.

If garments are beyond saving, recycle at your nearest Clothing Bank.

The Big Closet Clear Out is happening in March - see the Love Your Clothes website for more tips to get involved.

Shanna Camilleri on Unsplash

Remember loved things last.

If you want to chat about restoring your glasses or tell us about your latest recycling projects please get in touch, we’d love to hear about it.

Jo

Coming Clean

Photo by Philipe Cavalcante on Unsplash

You've spent time selecting the perfect pair, agonising over shape and colour. Help your glasses last by looking after them and treat these babies well. Here's some hints and tips to help...

Store it

Store in the case baby - it's their natural habitat and not only keeps dust and dirt away, stops them becoming bent or broken. Protect from handbag hazards and stow in the glove box on a summers day - don't leave them on your dashboard - they can't take the heat.

Photo by Vishal Banik on Unsplash

Always place your precious eyewear lens up - otherwise it's just asking for trouble. 

Clean up your act

The cleaner you keep your glasses, the less your eyes will strain to see through dust and dirt.

Photo by Nik MacMillan on Unsplash

Clean with the cloth people - only the cloth.

NEVER dry your lenses with paper towels, tissues, napkins or the end of your top - you know who you are! These materials have a textured surface which can scratch the lenses.

You can keep your frames and lenses looking good by regular cleaning with simple warm, soapy water and a soft cloth.  Avoid scented soaps or ones containing dyes. After rinsing dry your frame thoroughly with a smooth, clean, lint-free cloth like the one you get from us.

You can use lens cleaners, which work well, but make sure they're suitable for coated lenses before using.

Be sure to avoid harsh chemical cleaners on your frames or lenses! 

Damage control

Photo by Fabian Møller on Unsplash

If your frames do suffer some scratching don't panic, we offer a polishing service for acetate/optyl frames to remove scratches and restore lustre.  

If your frame or lenses have sustained serious trauma or if you just fancy a different tint or prescription, get in touch, we're here to help.

Sign up to our newsletter and look out for our new frame saving accessories coming soon.

Jo

It's my party

and I'll cry if I want to

Dry your eyes and remember

'Accessories make the woman' Coco Chanel.

It's the season for sparkle, opulence and decadence - read on for our party ready updates...

hold on to your hat

We have a longstanding love of the Beret, which is having a moment. Add a little 'je ne sais quoi' with a headdress in leather, faux fur or velvet - perfect for late night taxi trips.

bag it up

No more dancing around the handbags - straps are where it's at...

No 21 Knot Velvet Evening Bag

all that glitters

No longer the preserve of Granny, the Brooch is back in fashion favour - the best bit? There are masses of unloved beauties just waiting to be discovered. Create your own embellishments with this instant party update and source at vintage fairs, antique fairs and preloved stores. 

Dolce & Gabbana styling out vintage brooches

Pearls are everywhere this season, but, the eternal classic, they deserve to be seen.

The morning after the night before

After the party, comes the debrief. In winter the sun sits lower in the sky, so it's important to shade those party worn eyes from both the sun and the paparazzi. Rock up in your vintage sunglasses and you're ready to face the world... 

If you need a little help with your disco days - give us a shout!

Jo

Coral ... shades of summer

The sister of blush and part of the new neutrals family, coral slots right in amongst our wardrobe staples. Summer in a shade, this pretty colour casts pink overtones and orange undertones, calming down high energy colours and adding a pop to whites and denims.

We're loving the corals in this Algae Illustration by Miss Capricho

Easy to wear and flattering to almost every skin tone, coral looks perfect with sunkissed skin (from a bottle or with a dollop of UV protection of course) - it's our go-to for summer lips, nails and sunglasses.

Our version is a beautifully made, original late 60s sumptuous optyl frame, by Italian brand Correna. Oversize vintage style with delicate peaches and cream tones and sculpted detail.

Coral was crying out for peach tinted lenses, we've added an anti reflection coating to give a little extra in the UV department.  See them modelled by the delectable Caroline Jones from Knickers Models Own.

Best of all - now you can win your very own pair of vintage sunglasses in our competition to take home Coral - check out our Peep meets Knickers Competition and enter here.

Good luck peeps!

Jo