Miquita Oliver is supporting Oxfam's Second Hand September. Image: Andy Oxley/Oxfam

30-something Miquita Oliver has her afro-textured hair brushed back into a ponytail and smiles warmly. She's wearing grey trousers and a crop top and a gold bracelet and holds a sign saying 'I'm taking part in Second Hand Septemer.'

Second Hand September

Take part in Oxfam’s Second Hand September. Shop second hand to take a stance against fast fashion and dress for a fairer world.

A woman browses second hand clothes at an Oxfam festival shop at Glastonbury 2023.

A woman browses second hand clothes at an Oxfam festival shop at Glastonbury 2023. Photo: Sam Baggette / Oxfam.

What is second hand September?

Second Hand September is a moment for all of us to come together to choose a more planet-friendly way to shop.

There was a time when what we wore meant something. It said something about us and our community. But what does it mean today? A throwaway culture? Planet wrecking waste?

This September, take a stance against the impact of fast fashion by shopping second hand. Reclaim what style stands for. Dress for the world you want to see.

Explore slow fashion, sustainable fashion and ethical fashion, shop and donate second hand and help create a fairer world.

How do I get involved with Second Hand September?

Volunteer Jeff and Shop Manager Scott behind the counter in the Kensington Garden's Oxfam Bookshop in Brighton

Shop Second Hand with Oxfam

Second Hand September is the perfect time to explore your local Oxfam shop and see what one-of-a-kind treasures you can find.

Use our shop finder to find your nearest store.

A sign at the Oxfam Superstore in Manchester. The sign reads 'Donations here'.

Donate to recirculate

Second Hand September is a great excuse to have a much-needed wardrobe clear-out. Donating your pre-loved clothes gives them another life and raises vital funds to support our incredible partners around the world.

Find out how to donate

A donation point inside a branch of Marks and Spencers.

Explore our partnerships with other organisations

Find out how you can get a £5 M&S voucher just by donating clothes to your local Oxfam shop!

Explore our partnerships

An orange dress on a mannequin with the stitched slogan 'The future is equal'.

Why Second Hand September?

Fashion has become one of the most polluting industries on the planet.

It’s fuelling climate change. Whilst the people who have done the least to cause the climate crisis are being pushed further into poverty.

There’s mass-pollution from the production and transportation of clothes. A throwaway culture that leaves millions of clothes in landfill every year. And precious resources like water are being used up.

So, by recirculating our clothes – buying, wearing and donating second hand – we can help to reduce the demand. And this can help to reduce the damage to our planet.

Plus by shopping with Oxfam, you’re investing in the vital work our incredible partners and their local communities are doing around the world to fight climate change.

Dress for the World You Want this Second Hand September

Who can take part in Second Hand September?

Whatever your style, whatever your budget, Second Hand September is for everyone. Over the past few years, thousands of people have taken up the challenge of dressing for the world they want to see.

You can find inspiration by searching #SecondHandSeptember on Instagram – it's full of photos of people sharing the second hand gems they’ve found. You can also find some great tips on the Oxfam blog.

Olly Ross

Never taken part in Second Hand September?

Need some inspiration to take part? Read our 6 reasons to get involved in Second Hand September or learn how to go second hand beyond September.

Oxfam's guide to sustainable shopping

Not sure exactly where to start? Don't worry, we've got you covered with some tips and product recommendations.

Read our top tips

Download a ‘NO MORE FASHION VICTIMS’ Poster

British Fashion Designer and activist Katharine Hamnett is supporting Second Hand September this year by lending her famed ‘NO MORE FASHION VICTIMS’ slogan to the campaign. The slogan will appear on a limited edition run of donated second-hand t-shirts from Oxfam and will be sold in Oxfam shops from 1st September onwards. You can also show your support by downloading the poster.

Download the poster