Hello The Well Worn community! We’re back after a long, lovely summer (with a few ups and downs) and ready to embrace September – often seen as a “second January” full of fresh starts and new beginnings…
This month, we’re returning to our roots in sustainable style. September is also Second Hand September, a campaign originally launched by Oxfam in 2019 to encourage shopping pre-loved for 30 days and take a stand against fast fashion’s environmental impact. What better time for us to celebrate slow fashion, upcycling, and the beauty of giving old materials new life?
Second Hand September – What & Why it Matters
September’s Second Hand September initiative raises awareness about the fashion industry’s waste and inspires people to shop second-hand and sustainably. In a world of throwaway fast fashion, choosing pre-owned or upcycled pieces is a way to “dress for the world you want to see,” as Oxfam puts it. We love this philosophy because it aligns perfectly with The Well Worn’s mission – our collections are 95% preloved, vintage or deadstock materials turned into unique garment. By recirculating clothes, we reduce waste and celebrate the stories behind each item. September feels like a natural time to refocus on these values (new season, new mindset!), and we have an exciting lineup of Second-Hand September content to share.
Throughout the month, we’ll be highlighting “new” beginnings for old materials – from quilts reborn as jackets to vintage sweatshirts given a second life. We invite you to join us in this second-hand style challenge: mix thrifted treasures into your outfits, repair something instead of discarding it, or even swap clothes with a friend. Small actions by our community can make a big difference.
Weekly Reworked Collections for September
Each week in September, we’re dropping a special reworked vintage collection (launching every Wednesday). These pieces are one-of-a-kind or limited editions, made with love in our Winchester studio. Here’s a sneak peek of what’s coming each week:
Week 1: Vintage Quilts Reborn as Jackets (Wed 3 Sept)
One-of-a-kind Chloe Jacket crafted from a reworked vintage quilt (fully reversible!).
We kick off September with a warm hug of sustainability – our much-loved reworked quilted jackets! We’ve taken beautiful vintage patchwork quilts and transformed them into cosy Chloe Jackets, each a “love letter to tradition, reimagined for conscious living”. These jackets blend soft heritage florals and patterns into modern outerwear, delivering both comfort and character. And guess what? They’re fully reversible – two looks in one – so you can flip from a charming floral side to a contrast pattern side, as you please. Each quilt jacket is truly unique and made to order here in Hampshire. It’s the perfect early-autumn layer that carries history in every stitch and keeps textiles out of landfill. We can’t wait to share the stories behind these quilts-turned-jackets with you!
Week 2: Upcycled Snoopy Sweatshirts (Wed 10 Sept)
An upcycled vintage Snoopy sweatshirt with hand-stitched sashiko details, part of our limited Snoopy Series.
Nothing lifts the spirits like a bit of nostalgia! In week 2, we’re releasing our Snoopy Sweatshirt Series – a limited run of vintage Peanuts sweatshirts that we’ve upcycled and lovingly remade. Why Snoopy? Because he’s “always certain to put a smile on your face, and possibly the wisest dog in town,” as our blog said. We’ve hand-picked authentic vintage Snoopy prints (each one a rare find) and given them a new lease of life with creative mending and embroidery. Each sweatshirt in this series is hand-stitched with sashiko detailing around the graphic and numbered by our founder Emma – making it a true one-of-one collectible. Snoopy’s cheerful vibe and the art of visible mending make a perfect combo: these cosy sweaters remind us that fashion can be fun, sentimental, and sustainable all at once. Keep an eye out – these tend to fly out fast to their forever homes!
Week 3: Reinventing the Breton Stripe (Wed 17 Sept)
Classic, meet conscious. In week 3, we’re reinventing the iconic Breton stripe top. From Audrey Hepburn to Brigitte Bardot, Breton striped shirts have been a timeless style symbol – and now we’re giving them the Well Worn treatment. Our Breton Series is a limited edition run of tops, each a vintage Breton shirt that we’ve remade and elevated by hand. We’ve added sashiko stitching, patches, and other unique details to infuse these French sailor-inspired tees with fresh character. The result: chic, effortlessly cool striped tops that carry stories in their threads. As with all our reworked pieces, no two are exactly alike. We adore Bretons for their “je ne sais quoi” elegance – and now, with reinforced stitching and upcycled flair, these will be wardrobe staples you can love for years. French girl style, meet slow fashion values!
Week 4: Sashiko Denim & Indigo Collection (Wed 24 Sept)
For our final September drop, we’re showcasing the beauty of sashiko-mended denim. Sashiko is a traditional Japanese stitching technique used to reinforce and decorate textiles – and we’re obsessed with the look and meaning behind it. During week 4, we’ll launch a capsule of reworked denim pieces (think jackets, jeans, and shorts) featuring sashiko embroidery, indigo dyes, and patchwork repairs. Each item celebrates the art of mending: contrasting indigo-blue patches and intricate white stitches that not only look stunning but also strengthen the fabric. This collection is all about embracing imperfections – turning worn jeans into wearable art. Fun fact: “sashiko” literally means “little stabs” – running stitches that were historically used to make old clothes sturdier. By incorporating sashiko and boro techniques, we prolong a garment’s life and honor its journey. If you joined our past mending workshops, now’s your chance to snag a piece that reflects those skills! These indigo denim treasures will add character to your wardrobe and inspire you to maybe try a bit of stitching yourself.
(P.S. We’ll also continue to stock some of our signature upcycled dresses and blouses throughout the month — those romantic silhouettes made from deadstock and sustainable fabrics you love. We haven’t forgotten the classics! In fact, 95% of our materials are vintage or deadstock, so every collection this month – new or old – is rooted in sustainability.)
Community Events: Green Week & London Fashion Week
September isn’t just about product launches – it’s a bustling month for sustainable fashion events, and The Well Worn will be front and center!
- Winchester Green Week 2025 (Sept 20–28): We’re thrilled to participate in our local sustainability celebration known as Winchester Green Week, running 20th–28th September. The theme this year is “Growing Greener Together,” emphasizing community action for a sustainable future. As part of Green Week, The Well Worn will host workshops in our Winchester studio – teaching techniques like clothing repair, sashiko stitching (of course!), and upcycling tips to help you refresh your wardrobe sustainably. This annual festival will be packed with events, from talks and clothing swaps to a Charity Shop Chic fashion show. We’re honored to contribute and share our passion for slow fashion with our community. If you’re in the Winchester area, come by to get inspired and learn new skills (and maybe enjoy some tea and chat with us as we mend!). Let’s grow greener together and make fashion a force for good.
- London Fashion Week (Sept 18–22): In the same spirit of sustainability, we’re excited to be popping up at London Fashion Week – yes, the LFW! This season LFW (18th–22nd Sept, presented by 1664 Blanc isn’t just about big runways; it’s also embracing independent and eco-conscious brands. We’ll be teaming up with our friends at Percy Langley in London to showcase The Well Worn during LFW. Percy Langley is a fantastic hub for British independent design (you can find our pieces at their Islington store year-round, and together we’ll host a little slow-fashion corner amid the fashion week buzz. Expect to see a curated selection of our reworked pieces (including some of the quilt jackets and Breton tops from this month’s launches) on display. If you’re in London, swing by our pop-up for a respite from fast fashion – we’ll have some special offers and would love to meet more of you in person. It’s a huge moment for us as a small brand to be present at LFW, and we’re so grateful to Percy Langley for the opportunity to bring The Well Worn vibes to the big city fashion scene.
Thank you for reading this far and for being part of our journey. 💕 We’re so excited for September – it truly feels like a fresh chapter for sustainable fashion and for our little brand. Whether you’re here for the quilted jackets, the Snoopy nostalgia, the striped Bretons, or just the good vibes, we appreciate you being here and supporting slow fashion. Here’s to “growing greener together” in style and making this Second Hand September one to remember!
Cheers to a fabulous September ahead, and see you soon (either online or at one of our events)!
With love and lots of reworked pieces,
Emma and The Well Worn Team