Where it all began: Market founders Aline Davies and Hilary Grigg pictured at their first In My Closet secondhand clothing market.
It was great the first time, amazing the second and bound to be even better the third.
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Just like an outfit that’s been retired by its first owner after a couple of outings and lain unworn in a wardrobe in near-new condition.
The Shepparton secondhand clothing market — In My Closet — is back for a third parade down the catwalk after two successful markets in spring and summer proved without a doubt there was a demand for recycled fashion in the region.
One person’s trash is often another’s treasure, after all.
Recycling clothing, footwear and accessories combats the wastage and emissions that modern-day fast fashion creates. That was the catalyst for Shepparton locals Hilary Grigg and Aline Davies’ creation of the In My Closet events.
“Encouraging people to buy pre-loved doesn't just help the planet, but also eases the financial burden that buying good-quality clothing and accessories can bring,” Ms Grigg said.
“We both find a lot of joy in hunting for pre-loved, good quality clothing — for ourselves and our kids — and want to share that with the Shepparton community.
“Hunting for treasures at a secondhand market is loads of fun, and makes for a great day out; you never know what you’ll find.”
According to Planet Ark, Australia is the world’s second-highest consumer of textiles per capita, behind the United States.
The environmental organisation reports that each year, Australians purchase an average of 27kg of new clothing and dispose of an average of 23kg of clothing in landfill, which represents 93 per cent of the textile waste we generate.
Excessive landfill is just one element of the negative environmental impact of fast fashion to consider.
There are also the issues of carbon and greenhouse emissions, wastewater and synthetic materials — such as polyester, acrylic and nylon, all made using plastic — polluting our oceans with microplastics.
That’s before you even consider the moral issue of fast fashion fostering unethical working conditions in offshore factories where labour costs are cheaper.
Besides doing their bit towards slowing the trend, Ms Grigg and Ms Davies are helping fashion lovers find unique outfits they won’t run into others wearing, who’ve bought it off the same rack at the same store during the same season.
The season for shopping: Aline Davies and Hilary Grigg are gearing up for an autumn instalment of their In My Closet secondhand clothing markets.
Ms Grigg said there would be something to suit the whole family at the market.
“There will be clothing for all bodies, babies and children included, plus shoes, bags, belts, jewellery and more,” she said.
“It’s a cash-only event, so we are encouraging everyone to get some cash out before heading over.
“Our food trucks will have Eftpos available, however.”
The autumn edition of the market is at full capacity and will have more than 40 stalls of goods to browse, all inside and out of any potential inclement autumn weather.
Don’t forget your green bags and baskets.
The market will be held on Sunday, May 19, from 9am to 2pm, at the McIntosh Centre, Shepparton Showgrounds. Food and coffee will be available.
Entry to the market is with a gold coin, which will be donated to the Bella Ainsworth Perpetual Lift Off Scholarship.
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