At the end of February, I spent the day at Rheged for a brand new event exploring sustainable clothing, repair and the circular textiles economy. It was organised by Restore Cumbria and Cumbria Clothing Collective and brought together a brilliant mix of organisations, makers and clothing experts.
The aim of the day was simple. To get people thinking more carefully about the clothes we wear, the impact of fast fashion, and the many ways we can reuse, repair, restore and resell clothing instead of sending it to landfill.
As a preloved shop that believes in well-made clothing that gets worn again and again, it felt very much like my kind of event.
Handpicked Preloved was also there, representing preloved womenswear in Penrith, alongside a fantastic mix of brands and organisations.
Some Highlights From the Day
There were lots of inspiring conversations and ideas throughout the day, but a few stands really stood out.
Lucy & Yak were there with their Re:Yak team and a rail full of beautifully repaired and reworked pieces. It was brilliant to see how clothing that might otherwise have been discarded had been brought back to life with creative repairs. They also ran a workshop on embellishing and personalising clothing, which sounded fantastic.
Second Cashmere had a stunning selection of cashmere pieces that had been repaired, restored or reworked. It was a lovely reminder that high quality natural fibres can last for years if they are properly cared for. They also ran a darning workshop teaching people how to repair knitwear they already own. Watch this space as we hope to bring more of this fabulous company to Handpicked in the future.
Another inspiring organisation was Well Suited CIC, a charity that provides free interview clothing, prom dresses and other pieces to people who need them. Their work helps remove barriers and gives people confidence when attending important moments like interviews or formal events.
Alongside the exhibitors there were repair workshops, talks, films and discussions happening throughout the day, all focused on helping people make better choices about clothing.
Why Days Like This Matter
One thing that really stood out was how much Cumbria needs more events like this.
Bringing together organisations, makers, and clothing experts creates space for conversations about the impact our clothing choices have. It also helps people learn simple ways to extend the life of what they already own.
There was a lot of discussion about the fabrics we choose to wear. Many people are becoming more aware of the difference between natural fibres and manmade materials, and the impact those choices can have on both the planet and our everyday comfort.
Another important conversation was about slowing down with clothing.
Even preloved clothing, if we are not careful, can still feed into overconsumption. Just because something is cheap or second-hand doesn’t necessarily mean we need it.
The real shift comes when we start buying more thoughtfully. Choosing pieces we genuinely love, pieces made from good fabrics, pieces that work with our real everyday lives.
"As a preloved womenswear shop based in Penrith, events like this feel especially important"
Clothing that we reach for again and again.
But perhaps the best part of the day was simply the joy of it all. People exploring rails of clothing, finding something that felt like them, chatting about repairs and fabrics, and discovering that clothing can have a much longer life than we often think.
Where Handpicked Preloved Fits In
Events like this are a great reminder of why preloved clothing matters.
At Handpicked Preloved we focus on well made everyday clothing that works in real life. Pieces made from good fabrics, clothes that feel great to wear and that people reach for again and again.
When those pieces are no longer being worn, passing them on keeps them in use and helps someone else discover something they’ll love.
It’s a simple but powerful part of a more circular way of thinking about clothing.
One thing days like this also highlight is how many good clothes are already sitting in wardrobes, unworn but still full of life.
So many people I speak to have beautiful pieces they loved once but simply don’t wear anymore. Rather than letting those items sit forgotten, passing them on gives them the chance to be worn again while helping someone else discover something special.
That’s exactly what we try to do at Handpicked Preloved. We focus on well made everyday clothing, natural fibres and pieces that still have plenty of life left in them. Clothing that deserves to be worn, enjoyed and loved all over again.
If you’re clearing out your wardrobe and have great quality pieces you’re no longer wearing, you can find out more about selling with us here.
Or if you’re looking to add something lovely to your wardrobe, you can explore our latest arrivals here.
