On Sunday, the 30th of May, President Cyril Ramaphosa briefed the nation about restrictions and regulations following the consistent rise in cases and the official declaration of the presence of the third wave of Covid-19 cases in South Africa. Following all this new information it is quite common to experience a bit of anxiety towards the virus as we know it has taken the life of a lot of people all around the world, so we at Trove understand the anxiety surrounding social distancing and quarantine, specifically surrounding second-hand clothing and in today’s blog we want to quell all those anxieties.
So, the pandemic, the restrictions, and the regulations have been on for almost a year and a half now. For the entire world, this meant adapting to some new routines and challenges. Lots of industries were impacted by the pandemic in ways that no one could ever imagine. The fashion industry was one of them, in all its aspects. However, the trends continued to change, and one thing that people loved to do before the pandemic was to buy and sell previously loved clothes, shoes, and accessories. This was done through thrift shops, where you can mostly find a lot of sustainable clothing.
For those who have been a part of the thrifting process, the pandemic was not an obstacle. When the shops were closed, the buyers and the sellers moved to the online channels. When it comes to Covid-19 in particular, the overall opinion of the people during this time did not change. This is because the thrifters are already used to cleaning and caring for the items they bring in and bring out of their homes.
Many different types of research have shown that the virus itself does not stay long on textiles. This comes as excellent news for those who were scared about buying previously owned garments and accessories. The biggest benefits of thrifting are that you have the ability and the opportunity to instantly wash the bought piece or pieces, just as you come home. Although this would certainly be the case if there was not a pandemic, it makes the entire process and the perception about the clothes and Covid-19 a little easier.
Now that the shops are open again, those who are concerned about possible exposure to Covid-19 should thrift around less busy times, which are usually mid-morning on weekdays and later in the evenings. Wearing a mask, hand sanitizer, and gloves is an additional layer of protection, as well as washing the new clothes before getting into the closet.
Overall, thrifting is as safe now as it was before, and it almost comes on the same level as shopping in regular stores. The only difference now is that the buyers and the sellers need to take greater hygiene and care for them and the clothes. Otherwise, thrifting during Covid-19 is safe.
Here are some quick tips to full proof your thrifting experience on Trove:
• When you are meeting with the seller, always have your mask on, carry a sanitiser with you and keep communication to a minimum.
• When you receive your package whether be it from a courier or the seller, never touch the contents inside the package/bag until you have quarantined the package for at least 24 hours
• Once you have confirmed that the quality meets your standards, always wash the item before you wear it (pre-covid thrifting standard!)
Happy thrifting and always adhere to social-distancing guidelines for your own safety and your fellow South African.
