The Absolutely Fascinating History of Secondhand Everything, with Robin Annear

What's new about the current secondhand obsession? Trick question! Nothing. For most of human history, there really was no such thing as waste. As my guest this week, Robin Annear writers in her fascinating book, Nothing New, A History of Secondhand, " Common sense dictates that used must have always followed new." Used stuff had value and there was always a market for it. But how much do you actually know about the history of all this? Were you aware, for example, that Shakespeare bequeathed his wife his second-best bed in his will? Or that it was once considered normal to pawn your winter coat in summer to free up cash? Or that many servants were part-paid in the master’s cast-offs? 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 revendeuses (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! If you find the Episode valuable, please help us share it. Find links and further reading at thewardrobecrisis.com Support the show on Substack - wardrobecrisis.substack.com Tell us what you think. Find Clare on Instagram @mrspress Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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The Absolutely Fascinating History of Secondhand Everything, with Robin Annear is an episode from WARDROBE CRISIS with Clare Press by Clare Press.

This episode is 45:20 long.

This episode was published on Jan 28, 2026.

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