A London marketing manager has revealed how she has saved an estimated £30,000 over six years by exclusively buying second-hand, including sourcing all her Christmas presents from pre-loved treasures.
The £250 Christmas haul worth £500
Iso Neville, 28, from South East London, made a commitment in 2019 to stop buying new clothes. This ethos has since extended to every aspect of her life, including Christmas shopping. This festive season, she spent just £250 on gifts for loved ones, but estimates the retail value of the items if bought new would be around £500.
Her haul includes books, clothing, photo frames, coasters, drinking glasses, and board games. She has even personalised plain, pre-owned crockery with ceramic paint to create quirky, one-of-a-kind pieces. "My family really like it because they often get more expensive things than I would have been able to afford otherwise," Iso explained.
From fast fashion to sustainable finds
Initially, the shift from relying on fast fashion websites was challenging for Iso. However, she soon became engrossed in the hunt, discovering high-end brands like Ganni, Yves Saint Laurent, and Burberry in charity shops and at car boot sales.
Her best festive finds include DKNY and Self-Portrait handbags, snagged for £20 each instead of their usual £250 retail price. Other remarkable bargains span her entire wardrobe and home: a Yves Saint Laurent shirt for £5 (RRP £700), a Burberry trench coat for £100 (RRP £1,500), and a designer sofa for £800, saving her £3,200.
"I found that I could get much better quality for the same price," she said. Her motivation started with personal style and saving money, but later evolved to include strong environmental reasons.
Launching a sustainable fashion platform
Following her recent graduation with a Master's degree in Sustainable Fashion from Falmouth University, Iso is channelling her expertise into a new venture. She is in the early stages of launching Sourced Second, her own pre-owned clothing platform.
The goal is to make second-hand shopping more accessible and attractive by curating the "best of the best" garments. "The goal with it is to make second-hand feel brand new," Iso stated, acknowledging that rummaging through charity shops isn't for everyone.
She also advocates for buying items like sequinned clothing second-hand, ensuring they stay in use and out of landfill. For those looking to emulate her success, her top tip is to shop year-round: "If I see something that reminds me of someone, I pick it up then, rather than waiting and trying desperately to find something in December."
