‘I save £500 secondhand shopping – I’ll never do Boxing Day sales again’

A thrifty woman who saves £500 annually by purchasing second-hand Christmas gifts is encouraging others to bypass the holiday sales.

Iso Neville, a 27-year-old social media manager from south-east London, has been committed to second-hand shopping since 2019. She’s saved over £25,000 on designer items such as a Burberry trench coat and a Loeffler Randall bag.

Her entire apartment is furnished with pre-loved items, saving her an estimated £10,000. This year, she spent around £200 on Christmas presents for 15 people, all bought second-hand.

Her successful thrift shopping has inspired her to launch a pre-loved clothing business in 2025, aiming to make sustainable fashion more accessible and alleviate “eco-anxiety” among consumers. During the festive season, Iso advises against participating in Black Friday and Boxing Day sales, arguing that they promote unnecessary consumption.

Speaking to PA Real Life, she said: “I’m seeing a lot more second-hand companies and brands offering an alternative to those sales though… there’s a big movement against those sales because it encourages people to just shop, regardless of whether they need something new or not, it’s just cheaper.”

Iso, a long-time bargain hunter in charity shops, pledged in 2019 to buy all her clothes second-hand to save money and protect the environment. Initially, she struggled with the shift from fast-fashion to thrift shopping, as she was accustomed to quickly finding what she wanted online.

But the cost of living crisis spurred her on to hunt for bargains and even sell her own clothes “for some extra money” on platforms like Vinted and Depop. She remarked: “People want to pay less but still get nice things, I work and go to Peckham Car Boot, and there are people from every tax bracket shopping there.”

Since turning to second-hand finds, Iso reckons she’s saved a staggering £25,000, snagging designer items at a mere slice of their original cost. Among her top deals are a Ganni bag snapped up for £55 instead of £155, a Burberry trench coat for £100 down from £1,500, Chloe boots for £91 rather than £1,400, and a Loeffler Randall bag for £30, usually retailing at £455.

She also noticed that her fashion sense has grown more distinctive through thrifting, garnering more praise for her preloved outfits because “it’s not the same as what everyone else is wearing”. Iso’s passion for preowned treasures extends beyond her wardrobe; she’s kitted out her entire flat with second-hand goods, mainly from Facebook Marketplace.

This savvy approach, she believes, has cut another £10,000 off her expenses, with a designer sofa being her crowning achievement a luxurious find for £800, a fraction of its £4,000 price tag. Since 2019, sustainability-savvy shopper Iso has dedicated herself to an eco-friendly Christmas by purchasing all presents pre-loved.

To date, her best Christmas present finds include DKNY and Self Portrait handbags which she bought for around £20 when they retail at around £250. She believes this has saved her around £500 per year, and her loved ones always look forward to receiving her presents.

Her recipients are always thrilled with her unique finds and have started returning the favour with pre-loved treasures of their own. “I think they’re all so excited to receive their second-hand presents because it’ll be a complete surprise, and it’s often more valuable than something I could afford brand new,” Iso said.

As the holiday season nears, she keeps an eye out specifically for second-hand Christmas decorations to add to her gift cache. When dispensing advice for others interested in second-hand gifting, Isos key strategy is to stay flexible.

She detailed: “I would be less specific with what you’re looking for I’ve got a friend that really loves board games and rather than identifying specific board games, I’m just going to see what I can get. And also, because of that, I’ve been able to find some really cool board games I wasn’t even aware existed.”

Iso has embraced the joy of festive fashion, selecting sparkling dresses and trousers for her own celebration. Keen to help others find unique pre-loved garments and gifts, she suggests using apps like Vinted.

In her online treasure hunts, she’s found that tweaking brand names or omitting size filters can reveal hidden gems. Iso also advocates avoidance of Black Friday and Boxing Day sales, fearing people often buy mindlessly during these events.

In a heartwarming twist, Iso has welcomed a “second-hand cat” into her home this holiday season, ensuring most of its essentials were sourced sustainably. She shared her eco-friendly outlook: “In the same way as there are so many clothes, there are so many cats, and you don’t need to buy a new cat or new clothes!”.

Looking forward, Iso is gearing up to launch a second-hand clothing venture by early 2025, aspiring to make it a full-time endeavour as it grows. She envisions it being a trove of premium preloved fashion with a poignant environmental statement.

“It will offer the cream of the second-hand crop in one convenient place premium preloved clothing, designed to make you stand out while standing up for the environment,” said Iso.

She underlines that some old myths about second-hand shopping persist, such as the quality and availability of the clothing, as well as concerns about sizing and the time investment required to uncover great pieces. Iso notes that consumers are accustomed to effortlessly finding appealing items in stores, but she remains hopeful for a shift towards sustainable shopping habits.

“But I think by me taking away those obstacles for customers so they can find something in fashion and second-hand, it allows them to shop how they normally shop just with the knowledge that it is a more environmentally friendly way to do so.”

Iso also believes her business will thrive as it helps to “mitigate eco-anxiety” among consumers. Looking back on her journey, Iso can’t envision going back to purchasing new clothes.

She further stated: “I prefer my clothes and style now, and I don’t miss buying new you just have to be more creative and have a good rummage in charity shops!”.

To explore Iso’s styles more, visit www.instagram.com/isoneville.