How often do you buy new clothes for a hen do?

With the potential for multiple hen parties a year, some with dress codes, glamour expectations and even fancy dress the desire for new clothes is inevitable.

Yet we all know about the impact of fast fashion on our planet, and the desire for a new outfit can sometimes leave us between a frock and a hard place.

But did you know that there are so many ways to dress sustainably for a hen party, without buying brand new clothes?

Keep reading to discover some of the best sustainable fashion alternatives that won't have you compromising on style at your next hen party.

A note on fast fashion

For anyone who loves fashion, whether from afar or as something to spend your hard earned cash on, sustainability is something we're all thinking more about.

While it´s easy to get swayed by the latest trends, it is important to shop responsibly.

And the rise in responsible shopping comes as we realise more and more the impact that fast fashion has on the environment.

This could mean changing your buying habits or searching out brands who are committed to sustainable practices.

We’ve pulled together the best options for second hand fashion and that will set you nicely on trend for a stylish and sustainable outfit.

Charity shop gems for Hen Dos

Oxfam

Oxfam is one of the UK’s biggest charity shops. Not only does it support people across developing countries, many of its shops have awesome collections of clothes, including vintage!

Once you’re done with your old clothes you can even arrange a clothes swap or donate back to Oxfam, to keep the lifecycle of your garments going for longer.

Now that’s sustainable fashion at its finest!

Oxfam has also partnered with us to offer volunteering opportunities for hen parties.

So if you're looking for a great activity to combine clothes with charity, this is the one for you.

Find out more about Oxfam volunteering opportunities with Hens With Heart

Second Hand Shopping for Hen Party Outfits

Vinted

Vinted is a resell app that specialises in second hand clothes and accessories.

Compared to depop, prices are low, with items from high street shops like Zara and H&M selling for sub £5.

You can even make offers to sellers with the price you’d be willing to pay and see if they’ll accept.

Search for specific items or let the algorithms do the work for you and browse through the wonderful array of second hand goodies.

It’s super easy to buy (and sell) items on Vinted, with fast, reliable shipping through some of the UK’s biggest post and courier services.

Download the Vinted app or browse online.

Depop

Depop is one of the bigger names in resell fashion, known for its cool collections of vintage and trend-setting sellers.

Download the Depop app or browse online.

eBay

eBay is the OG of sharing the love with second hand.

Despite the rise of instant buy on apps like Vinted and Depop we still love eBay for its ability to find us what we want at the fraction of the price.

What sets it apart from the other apps is the auction set up, which allows you to bid on items which often have a low starting price.

The highest bidder wins.

That’s what we call dedication to the cause!

Thrift

Thrift is one of the newer gems in the online second hand clothing department.

If you have a specific brand in mind, add filters and Thrift will show you the best results.

In addition to this, you can donate your old clothes with thrift who upload them to the platform for you. All you need to do is choose your price.

What we love about buying second hand online

Search for sold out items
Follow your favourite stylists or influencers
Buy vintage, designer and high street for a fraction of the price
Help clothes and accessories live a longer life

Use Fashion Rental Services for Glam Hen Party Outfits

Unlike second hand clothing apps, fashion rental services are a newer concept to some of us.

But they need not be. They are a perfect platform to help you dress in a way that is both sustainable and stylish for your next hen party, whether you're the bride or an attendee.

Hurr

Hurr is changing the face of fast fashion, giving renters the gratification of a new outfit in just a few clicks.

Hurr also partnered with Ecologi to give you the lowdown on your sustainability success with each rental. You can offset your carbon footprint when you rent and help Hurr support projects that are tackling climate change.

By Rotation

By Rotation has been sending the fashion world into a spin since 2019.

You can find countless designer pieces available in moments for your upcoming hen party.

When it comes to cleaning an item for its return, By Rotation stands out.

They have partnered with BLANC, a service who offer eco-friendly cleaning and repairs. By Rotation clients get 20% off their first order with BLANC using the code BYROTATION20.