Europe’s vintage shopping hotspots
Prague has been declared Europe’s leading vintage shopping destination as new research reveals that 1 in every 5 shops is either vintage or second-hand.
The city has over 17 times the number of vintage stores than the likes of fashion capital Milan, and more than double that of London and Paris, despite the drastically smaller population.
As people become increasingly eco-conscious and with vintage trends such as “thriftcore” taking over social media platforms such as TikTok,
second-hand shopping is becoming mainstream. And, this summer, taking a trip to Prague might be your best bet for sustainable fashion goods.
Research suggests a “huge surge” of Gen Z shoppers are now visiting cities based on their love for vintage shopping.
According to TikTok data, views for #thriftingprague are as high as 802.5K views, while #thriftingamsterdam has 291.1K views and #thriftingbarcelona 925.1K.
The research analysed 10,000 shops across Europe to find the city with the highest number of vintage and second-hand stores.
Other cities that ranked as sustainable shopping hotspots include Amsterdam, Copenhagen, Krakow and Barcelona. In all of which, sustainable fashion shops make up at least 10% of the total number of shops.
Google search data reveals that searches for “best cities for vintage shopping” have increased by 15% over the past year.
And with second-hand online retailers such as Depop and Vinted taking off, more and more young people are keen to scour charity shops for vintage bargains.
Iain Gulland, Chief Executive, Zero Waste Scotland, said:
“Of everything we dispose of from our homes, clothing is the worst
for the climate. That’s because textiles like clothing and shoes have
long supply chains and generate large volumes of emissions at
every stage.
“Ultimately the best action we can take is to limit our consumption
altogether – buying less and opting for alternatives to brand new
goods, like choosing vintage and other second-hand items.
“As consumers, choosing to give our custom to businesses that are
doing things differently is not just better for the environment; it’s also
a powerful market signal that can encourage more brands to join the circular economy.”
How can consumers shop sustainably?
BYOB (bring your own bag)
We all know that some shops go big and bold with their bags. After all, it’s a great way for them to advertise. But it’s not so great for the environment, so take your own tote bag as a greener alternative.
Will you wear it again and again?
When you’re on the edge of buying something, ask yourself if you can wear it on more than a few occasions and if it matches up with other items in your wardrobe. If not, put it back.
A garment for all seasons?
Try to steer clear of items that aren’t versatile. For example, if you live in the rainy UK or Ireland, you know you won’t need a whole collection of strappy sandals.
Do your homework
As brands come to recognise the importance of ethical practices, it’s becoming easier and easier to find out which brands operate sustainably. Do a little research and create a list of sustainable labels.
