<p>What's new about the current secondhand obsession?</p><p>Trick question! Nothing.</p><br><p>For most of human history, there really was no such thing as waste. As my guest this week, <strong>Robin Annear</strong> writers in her fascinating book, <em>Nothing New, A History of Secondhand, "</em>Common sense dictates that used must have always followed new." Used stuff had value and there was always a market for it. </p><p>But how much do you actually know about the history of all this?</p><br><p>Were you aware, for example, that Shakespeare bequeathed his wife his second-best bed in his will? </p><br><p>Or that it was once considered normal to pawn your winter coat in summer to free up cash?</p><br><p>Or that many servants were part-paid in the master’s cast-offs?</p><br><p>From linen rags in high demand by the paper industry, to the British exporting their military uniforms to Holland (they were cut down to make flannel undergarments); from the posh ladies who patronised the <em>revendeuses</em> (the original preloved fashion dealers of Paris) hoping to nab royalties cast-off couture, to the origin story of the great Aussie opshop - this Ep is chock full of re-fashion stories that will blow your mind. Enjoy!</p><br><p>If you find the Episode valuable, please help us share it.</p><p>Find links and further reading at <a href="https://thewardrobecrisis.com/podcast" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">thewardrobecrisis.com</a></p><br><p><strong>Support the show on Substack - </strong><a href="https://wardrobecrisis.substack.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">wardrobecrisis.substack.com</a></p><br><p>Tell us what you think. Find Clare on Instagram <a href="https://www.instagram.com/mrspress/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">@mrspress</a></p><hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>