Im a sucker for clothes. I try to be ethic and not buy to much newly produced items but sometimes it’s unevitable. Anyways. When you have serious issues with wearing the same thing twice (stupid huh?)it’s nice to at least feel you bought something some one else already used.
And no it’s not disgusting or gross, normally all vintage and second hand stores wash the clothes before selling them in the stores. And if not, my dry cleaner is always happy to give them a go.
I have discount cards at Humana. Like. Hello. If these pieces would have costed 100 eur each they’d call me a shopaholic. Now I’m just a clothes junkie. For every purchase of 10 eur you get a stamp and with 10 stamps you get something for 10 eur. Yeay.
But, if you want to find cheap bargains within the city center I would not hesitate going to Humana. They have 10 stores all over Barcelona where they accept clothes of all price ranges, meaning that you can find all kinds of stuff. The organization don’t buy garements, but everything is based on donation.
Which is good, because sometimes they just don’t seem to see the potential as I do. This is one thing, you have to be pacient when searching, and go often. That sculptured shoulder dress is hiding somewhere, as well as that perfect jumpsuit or those platform heels. You may find bargains for 10 eur which would cost 90 eur in a smaller vintage store, or 180 eur in a first hand store.
Depending on what you are looking for, it’s always good to have a clear idea in mind when entering these kind of stores. Perhaps you are looking for a camel or beige cape this season, but aren’t very keen to buy that one from Zara since EVERYONE will wear it. And Chloé is just not fitted to your budget. What to do?
Think of the fact that these trends are imitating previous trends in the history, just as these camel color cards we can see for this season. The whole tendency with capes, long straight legged trousers and leather details can be traced back to the 70’s (or other decades that the 70‘s was re-imitating for that matter).
I bet there’s a whole bunch of elder ladies in the Barcelona area who have been happy to get rid of their old ”rags”, and it is in places like Humana where you should look for them. Places where you least expect it.
And when I said that Humana doesn’t see the potential in the garments, that’s not totally right. All markets follows trends, wether it’s on a Burberry or Els Encants level. It’s not a coincidence that you can see wool camel coats all over passeig de gracia, but they are also to be found on the second hand market, racked up, ready to be sold to you for 18 eur only. Just like Zara have their top ten ranking products on tables and racks in the entry, Humana makes an effort of visual merchandising. Dry cleaning doesn’t cost a fortune, and you will be on the spot and adding an individual touch to your wardrobe.
The expression "thinking out of the box" certainly has to be addapted here. Perhaps you are looking for the perfect party dress but don’t want to bee seen with it twice? Snap over to the closes second hand store, go through the evening gowns (yes: the long ones) and cut it short! Everyone has thread and needles at home...no?
I have millions of dresses like that at home. Sometimes I think about selling them, but then again I kind of ”made them mine”. That’s the beauty of second hand clothing, it’s tailored and customized just for you if you let it.
Next time passing by a Humana store, don’t be disgusted by clothes others have worn, go in and be inspired! After all, when buying a new garment, you have no idea how many hands it has passed through, how many under paid workers in third world countries have cut, sown, packed and shipped it all the way to your shopping district for you to feel you’re wearing something ”new”.
Just a little thought next time you go shopping, wether it’s first or second hand.
Visit their website here.
(ALL JACKETS/COATS IN PICTURES FROM HUMANA)
***
And no it’s not disgusting or gross, normally all vintage and second hand stores wash the clothes before selling them in the stores. And if not, my dry cleaner is always happy to give them a go.
I have discount cards at Humana. Like. Hello. If these pieces would have costed 100 eur each they’d call me a shopaholic. Now I’m just a clothes junkie. For every purchase of 10 eur you get a stamp and with 10 stamps you get something for 10 eur. Yeay.
But, if you want to find cheap bargains within the city center I would not hesitate going to Humana. They have 10 stores all over Barcelona where they accept clothes of all price ranges, meaning that you can find all kinds of stuff. The organization don’t buy garements, but everything is based on donation.
Which is good, because sometimes they just don’t seem to see the potential as I do. This is one thing, you have to be pacient when searching, and go often. That sculptured shoulder dress is hiding somewhere, as well as that perfect jumpsuit or those platform heels. You may find bargains for 10 eur which would cost 90 eur in a smaller vintage store, or 180 eur in a first hand store.
Depending on what you are looking for, it’s always good to have a clear idea in mind when entering these kind of stores. Perhaps you are looking for a camel or beige cape this season, but aren’t very keen to buy that one from Zara since EVERYONE will wear it. And Chloé is just not fitted to your budget. What to do?
Think of the fact that these trends are imitating previous trends in the history, just as these camel color cards we can see for this season. The whole tendency with capes, long straight legged trousers and leather details can be traced back to the 70’s (or other decades that the 70‘s was re-imitating for that matter).
I bet there’s a whole bunch of elder ladies in the Barcelona area who have been happy to get rid of their old ”rags”, and it is in places like Humana where you should look for them. Places where you least expect it.
And when I said that Humana doesn’t see the potential in the garments, that’s not totally right. All markets follows trends, wether it’s on a Burberry or Els Encants level. It’s not a coincidence that you can see wool camel coats all over passeig de gracia, but they are also to be found on the second hand market, racked up, ready to be sold to you for 18 eur only. Just like Zara have their top ten ranking products on tables and racks in the entry, Humana makes an effort of visual merchandising. Dry cleaning doesn’t cost a fortune, and you will be on the spot and adding an individual touch to your wardrobe.
The expression "thinking out of the box" certainly has to be addapted here. Perhaps you are looking for the perfect party dress but don’t want to bee seen with it twice? Snap over to the closes second hand store, go through the evening gowns (yes: the long ones) and cut it short! Everyone has thread and needles at home...no?
I have millions of dresses like that at home. Sometimes I think about selling them, but then again I kind of ”made them mine”. That’s the beauty of second hand clothing, it’s tailored and customized just for you if you let it.
Next time passing by a Humana store, don’t be disgusted by clothes others have worn, go in and be inspired! After all, when buying a new garment, you have no idea how many hands it has passed through, how many under paid workers in third world countries have cut, sown, packed and shipped it all the way to your shopping district for you to feel you’re wearing something ”new”.
Just a little thought next time you go shopping, wether it’s first or second hand.
Visit their website here.
(ALL JACKETS/COATS IN PICTURES FROM HUMANA)
***
