Pulling the Thread with Leticia González: Second-hand clothes ♻️

The Second Hand Clothing Revolution: A Conversation with Leticia González, owner of vintage and thrift store Oh Oh July, en Granada.

Today I want to share a fascinating conversation I had with Leticia González, the second-hand clothing expert and owner of the iconic store Oh, Oh July en Granada. We talk about the growing popularity of second-hand clothing, a sector that has seen significant growth, especially among Spanish women, con un 38% of them now buying second-hand items. The age groups of 18-24 y 50-65 have experienced the greatest growth in this sector, indicating that second-hand clothing is becoming more common and diverse.

Here you can listen to the entire conversation about Second Hand Clothing that was so interesting that we had in my podcast «Pulling the Thread»:

Behind the Scenes of the Secondhand Clothing Industry

I've always been curious about the ins and outs of the secondhand clothing industry., and I wanted to learn more from Leti. We start by talking about how you acquire clothes for your store.. Leti explained that there are wholesale companies that provide second-hand clothing, which is not necessarily vintage, but a selection of clothes for daily use. Además, some stores buy from individuals, but there is a quality filter to ensure that the items are special.

Washing and Sanitization Processes

I was interested in knowing about the processes of washing and sanitizing clothes.. Leti explained that there are regulations and that clothing generally arrives pre-sanitized.. Sin embargo, she personally takes care of washing, iron, and disinfect items in its separate warehouse using high temperature steam irons.

The Perception of Second-Hand Clothing

I was surprised by the low cost of secondhand clothing compared to new items.. Leti and I discuss the perception of second-hand clothing and its evolution over the years. Leti mentioned that second-hand clothes are not as cheap or low quality as people may think.. He explained that the clothes he sells are in excellent condition and are highly sought after by customers.. The stigma associated with secondhand clothing has decreased, especially in countries like the United Kingdom and the Netherlands, where there is a long tradition of second-hand stores. In Spain, perception has also changed, and people now value the sustainability and uniqueness of vintage clothing.

Overcoming Social Stigma y Standardization of Second-Hand Clothing

I asked Leti if she thought second-hand clothing had overcome its social stigma. Leti agreed and attributed this change to the influence of magazines. moda and the growing appreciation for sustainability and exclusive pieces. He mentioned that customers often express excitement when finding special items that remind them of iconic fashion moments or family photos.. I found it interesting that people are trying to recreate past looks with classic references.

Leti explained that the use of second-hand clothing has become normalized and has been mixed with new clothes.. No longer seen as something just for “geeks” or a separate shopping route. I highlighted the importance of the conscious aspect of second-hand fashion, not only its aesthetic value. Leti believes that people can become more aware by educating themselves about sustainability and the environment. He mentioned that the fashion industry has already begun to embrace recycling.

Finding Unique Pieces

Leti shared her experience finding unique designer pieces in her store. He mentioned how his friend, whom he affectionately calls the "Chanel detector", always manages to find these hidden gems. We joked about giving her this nickname because of her talent for spotting Chanel items..

Leti also talked about her own fashion choices and how she often wears second-hand items.. She shared an anecdote about how she wore a clear plastic belt with rhinestones during Rosalía's last tour. Leti explained that she was a fan of Rosalía and her sister, who was in charge of his styling. CWhen Rosalía's sister saw the belt, He liked it and asked Leti to send it to him. Leti proudly shows a photo of Rosalía wearing the belt as a treasured souvenir.

Recognized Rosalía's unique and impactful fashion choices, emphasizing their support for recycling and valuing pre-loved fashion. We discuss how exciting it is to see a small store like Leti's in Granada, a city not known for its fashion scene, gaining recognition and influencing people beyond your local community. Leti expressed her excitement and gratitude for the opportunity to have her store and its items featured by someone as influential as Rosalía.. I thanked Leti for sharing her insights and I hope listeners enjoyed this episode of the podcast.

In conclusion, Second-hand fashion is booming and has overcome its social stigma. It is a sustainable and conscious option that offers unique and high quality pieces. And with stores like Oh, Oh July in Granada, Second-hand fashion is gaining recognition and popularity, even in cities not known for their fashion scene.

*The transcription of this podcast episode to text has been done using AI, Therefore, this article may contain some syntax errors., semantic or morphological. I feel the inconvenience.