Sale seasons in the fashion industry are often eagerly awaited by shoppers looking for great deals and discounts. However, while these sales may seem enticing, they have a significant negative impact on the environment. From overproduction to excessive waste, the fashion industry's sale season contributes to environmental degradation. In this blog post, we will explore why sale seasons are detrimental to the environment and how you can save money while shopping sustainably through secondhand options. We'll also highlight some incredible savings available at Sign of the Times on a range of designer items.

The Environmental Impact of Sale Seasons

1. Overproduction: Sale seasons encourage brands to produce excessive amounts of clothing to meet the high demand for discounted items. This leads to overproduction, causing unnecessary strain on natural resources, including water, energy, and raw materials.

2. Fast Fashion Cycle: Sale seasons perpetuate the fast fashion cycle, where trends change rapidly, and clothing is quickly discarded. The continuous churn of new clothing items leads to an increase in textile waste, as items become outdated or fall out of fashion.

3. Increased Waste: Sale seasons often result in impulse purchases, with consumers buying items they don't truly need or love. As a consequence, these items are more likely to end up in landfills, contributing to the already significant amount of textile waste generated each year.

4. Poor Quality: Some brands produce lower-quality clothing specifically for sale seasons, as they aim to offer lower prices. These garments are typically made with cheap materials and inferior craftsmanship, leading to shorter lifespans and a higher turnover of clothing.

Shopping Secondhand: Sustainable AND Economical

Shopping preloved and secondhand designer offers a sustainable alternative to sale seasons while providing significant savings. By extending the lifecycle of clothing items, you reduce demand for new production and contribute to a circular economy. How to save money and make sustainable fashion choices:

Secondhand Savings at Sign of the Times

Here are 10 designer discounts - currently on our summer luxury wish list - to show just how much you can save all year around on investment pieces when you chose to boycott waiting for sale season and shop second, first.

Second hand designer dresses and clothes up to 90% off retail

1. Prada dress

Multi silk short-sleeved floral printed dress with neck-tie.

Retail price: £2,300
Secondhand price: £345

2. Saint Laurent dress

Black one-shoulder cherry georgette print dress

Retail price: £2,952
Secondhand price: £411

2. Alexander McQueen dress (new with tags)

Pink floral and gingham mesh dress.

Retail price: £6,857
Secondhand price: £895

3. Lanvin dress

Blue printed metallic high-neck dress.

Retail price: £2,385
Secondhand price: £345

4. Balenciaga dress

Black sleeveless floral dress.

Retail price: £1,890
Secondhand price: £274

5. Christian Dior Gold Metallic Trousers

Retail price: £1,300
Secondhand price: £191

6. Saint Laurent White floral lace blouse

7. Gucci red silk lace-up blouse

Secondhand designer shoes at up to 90% off retail

8. Miu Miu Cream bejeweled satin sandal heels

Retail price: £1,100

Secondhand price £296

9. Aquazzura Silver embellished sandal heels

Retail price: £1,045

Secondhand price: £301

10. Aquazurra purple croc slingback heels

Retail price: £595

Secondhand price: £147

Secondhand designer bags at up to 90% off retail

11. Vintage Chanel bag

White vintage 2002-2003 Coco Mark caviar shoulder bag.

Retail price: £5,500

Secondhand price: £1,495

12. Prada Red Saffiano handbag with gold hardware

Retail price: £3,300

Secondhand price: £895

13. Christian Dior Pink quilted cross-body bag with gold hardware

Retail price: £1,700

Secondhand price: £538

13. Vintage Chanel Vanity Case

Black vintage 1994-1996 Matelasse leather vanity cross-body bag.

Retail price: £4,510

Secondhand price: £1,495

14. Chanel Diana flap bag

White leather 1991 vintage Diana gold hardware flap bag.

Retail price: £6,200
Secondhand price: £2,995

Where to shop secondhand designer clothes, bags, shoes and accessories online and in the UK?

Nothing makes us happier than helping your update your wardrobe with secondhand savings that help the planet and your bank account. Discover our collections of secondhand designer clothes, bags, shoes and accessories from your favourite designer brands. Our curated luxury collections of luxury treasures at guilt-free, investment worthy prices. We drop 300+ new items every week, so don't forget to keep an eye on our new in to get your hands on the hottest items before somebody else does. If you're based in London, visit our flagship store based in Chelsea here.