S10 Ep3 SUE POOLE: secondhand fashion advocate and founder of At Source Vintage - on the Oxfam style challenge that sparked 6 years of secondhand-only, and her vintage collection.

S10 Ep3 SUE POOLE: secondhand fashion advocate and founder of At Source Vintage - on the Oxfam style challenge that sparked 6 years of secondhand-only, and her vintage collection.

Author: Emily Stochl February 16, 2026 Duration: 58:22

On today's show, we're chatting with Sue Poole, the founder of At Source Vintage. Sue's love for fashion started young – she remembers many bold fashion moments from her teens – wearing a turquoise pencil skirt with rainbow leggings, buying her first designer piece, shopping the charity shops in London. 

In 2020, Sue made a decision that changed everything: she stopped buying new clothes completely. What started as participating in Oxfam's Secondhand September challenge – where she committed to only wearing the secondhand pieces already in her wardrobe – turned into a permanent lifestyle shift. Four years later, she hasn't bought a single new item.

This commitment didn't just change how Sue shops – it revolutionized her entire relationship with fashion. She went from following trends and scrolling through brand algorithms to becoming a vintage expert who tracks down 1970s YSL toweling caftans, collects Celine blouses, and once scored an '80s Hermès velour lounge suit on eBay for £18. In 2022, she launched her own curated vintage business, At Source Vintage, and since Sue's been featured in British Vogue, she showcases at London vintage fairs, and her Instagram is a masterclass in styling vintage pieces in ways that make them feel completely contemporary. 

We talk about the styling challenge that started it all for her, and how secondhand shopping is actually about right-sizing our relationship with clothing  – finding your style through vintage, breaking free from consumption cycles, and proving that you don't need to buy new clothes to dress incredibly well. It's a fun one, so let's dive right in!

DISCUSSED IN THE EPISODE:

  • [3:27] Sue's always been a fashion-lover, and shares her early style memories.
  • [6:38] Her earliest secondhand experiences and London's vintage scene
  • [9:46] Why she took Oxfam's Secondhand September Challenge in 2020.
  • [11:23] Practical strategies that helped her stick to buying only secondhand
  • [14:57] How the challenge transformed her relationship with fashion
  • [19:51] How her personal style has shifted since adopting a secondhand wardrobe.
  • [22:28] Getting off trend cycles and tracking down vintage versions of runway pieces
  • [26:52] The joy of researching vintage pieces and dating labels
  • [29:52] Starting At Source Vintage, her curated vintage brand
  • [37:20] The rise of secondhand shopping and what has changed
  • [43:55] Her vintage wishlist and holy grail finds
  • [50:29] Her best deal ever: an £18 Hermès lounge suit on eBay
  • [54:33] Shout-outs to vintage sellers and fashion historians to follow

EPISODE MENTIONS: 

LET'S CONNECT: 

SPECIAL THANKS: 

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Every week, Emily Stochl invites you into a conversation that goes far beyond the clothing rack. Pre-Loved Podcast with Emily Stochl is built on the idea that every second-hand garment has a past, and that exploring those histories makes our present style more meaningful. Rather than just offering shopping tips, each episode feels like sitting down with a fascinating friend who shares your passion for vintage, digging into the many layers of what it means to wear pre-owned fashion. You’ll hear from a diverse range of guests-from collectors and stylists to entrepreneurs and historians-as they explore not only personal style but also the practicalities of running a resale business, the complexities of the global second-hand market, and the environmental ethos behind choosing used over new. The heart of this podcast lives in those incredible stories: the serendipitous flea market find, the garment that carries a decade of memories, or the simple, powerful act of giving a piece a new life. Emily guides these discussions with genuine curiosity, making each topic accessible whether you're a seasoned thrifter or just curious about sustainable fashion. It’s a thoughtful, engaging look at how what we wear connects to culture, art, beauty, and the kind of mindful consumption that can reshape an industry. Tune in for a fresh perspective that celebrates the character, sustainability, and deep personal connection found in pre-loved fashion.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 313

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