Is secondhand clothing worth it for campus?
Is secondhand clothing worth it for campus? Yes for shirts, jackets and bags, less so for shoes and underwear. Here is how to check quality fast.
Nour Haddadi3 min read
Is secondhand clothing worth it for campus? For tops, overshirts and bags, usually yes. You often pay less for something that has already been worn in and washed many times.
What to buy secondhand
- Cotton tees and shirts
- Overshirts and light jackets
- Plain trousers and shorts
- Bags and backpacks, if the zips and straps are strong
What to buy new
- Underwear, socks and swimwear
- Shoes you will walk in daily. Worn shoes may have lost their support, and fit matters for comfort.
- Anything you will wear 100 times, if the secondhand version looks tired
A 60 second quality check
- Pull the seams gently. They should hold.
- Check the armpits and collar for stains or thin patches.
- Smell it. A strong smell is hard to remove.
- Run the zip all the way up and down.
- Hold it to the light. See-through patches mean the fabric is worn out.
Wash everything before you wear it. Follow the care label. The laundry routine guide has tips for a shared laundry room.
The cost per wear point
Say a secondhand overshirt is AED 40 and you wear it 40 times: AED 1 a wear. A new one at AED 120 worn the same: AED 3 a wear. These are example numbers only. Secondhand wins on cost, but only if you wear it, so the 30-wear test still applies.
The exception
Cheap is not cheap if it does not fit. If you have to tailor it, add that cost. And if it is a piece you need for school rules, like a uniform item, buy from the official place.
Where to look
Start with friends and older students, because many are happy to pass on pieces for free or very little. Then try markets, charity shops and swap events if your area has them. Buying from a person lets you check fit and quality on the spot. Online, look at photos of the seams and ask for measurements.
Keep it fresh
A secondhand piece may need a small fix. A missing button, a loose hem or a pilled sweater can be repaired in minutes. A handheld steamer or a quick wash makes it feel new. If a repair is bigger than the price of the piece, leave it.
Budget one small repair kit for the term: a needle, thread and a few spare buttons. It is cheap and saves many pieces.
More to read
Keep reading
Why trending pieces age so fast
An opinion on why trend pieces lose their appeal within weeks, and what to buy instead for a campus wardrobe that you will still wear in a month.
Nour Haddadi2 min read
Sandals vs sneakers for campus walking
Sandals vs sneakers for campus walking in hot weather: which suits long days, school rules and cost per wear, with a simple table and a pick-this-if list.
Lucas Bernard4 min read
Does it pass the 30-wear test?
A one-minute question to ask before buying any campus outfit piece, with a cost per wear example for a hot climate and when to skip the test.
Nour Haddadi2 min read
What to wear in a freezing lecture hall
What to wear in a freezing lecture hall when it is hot outside: one thin layer that packs small beats a heavy jacket you carry around all day.
Nour Haddadi2 min read
Build a campus wardrobe on a small budget
How to build a campus wardrobe on a small budget: pick a colour base, buy in a set order, use cost per wear and avoid the pieces that sit unworn.
Lucas Bernard5 min read
First-week campus outfit edit for a hot climate
A capsule of 7 for your first week on a hot campus, with an AED budget range, a cost per wear check, a dress code reminder and a skip list.
Nour Haddadi3 min read