Glossary & Tips
Our glossary
Ecolonomy: This is our business model at NOUWAY. The term "Ecolonomy" is a neologism formed by the combination of the words "ecology" and "economy" democratized by Emmanuel Druon (with whom we have no partnership) in his book of the same title, which explains that it is possible to save money while respecting the environment. It designates an approach that aims to reconcile economic development with the preservation of the environment. Ecolonomy involves the adoption of practices and business models that take into account ecological considerations, such as the circular economy, renewable energies, waste reduction, etc.
ReCommerce: Refers to the practice of buying and selling second-hand or used goods through online platforms or dedicated marketplaces. It involves the commercial exchange of second-hand items. This is what we do at NOUWAY, and this is what you participate in as a customer and/or vendor.
Epicene: Epicene writing refers to the use of language that avoids gender-specific terms and aims to be inclusive of all genders. It is linked to the desire for inclusivity because it challenges traditional gender norms and seeks to create a more equitable and diverse linguistic environment. By avoiding gendered language, epicene writing promotes a more inclusive and respectful communication style that acknowledges and affirms the identities of individuals who may not identify strictly within the binary gender framework.
By the way, we are honoured 💛 to have collaborated with Sandrine Mounier, Ph.D. Strategist in Inclusion who reviewed, corrected and advised us to make our platform wording content epicene and as inclusive as possible.
Secondhand: Refers to items that have been previously owned or used by someone else. This implies that the item is not new. At NOUWAY, it happens that items considered to be second-hand are still new, or even still with the label. Often, they no longer have the possibility of being placed in the store because the packaging has been opened or the return deadline has passed.
Vintage: Describes something that is high quality and representative of a bygone era. This usually refers to clothing, decor, or furniture that is at least 20 years old. At NOUWAY, most of our items are newer and modern. We are talking about contemporary vintage here. We favor timeless items, regardless of their era as long as they are of high quality, sturdy and stylish.
Upcycled: Refers to the process of taking items that were used or intended to be thrown away (such as scraps of fabric for example) and turning them into something new, more valuable or of higher quality. It involves giving new use and creatively repurposing materials to reduce waste. As Andrea Sampson, CEO & Co-founder of Talk Boutique in Toronto (with whom we have no partnership but have permission to quote it) puts it so well: "The concept of upcycling breathes new life into the old."
Repurposable: Describes something that can be reused or adapted for a different use than its originally intended use. It suggests the possibility of giving a new use or finding alternative uses for an object (for example: a candle container which, when empty, can serve as a flowerpot).
Our sustainable fashion tips
Children's clothing size: We recommend that you choose second-hand children's clothing one size larger than the child in question is currently wearing. After several washes, the textile may tend to tighten and become slightly smaller than the original size.
Retrieve a stained garment: You can dye stained garments to give them a second life. Did you know? You can dye your clothes naturally with fresh flowers. Influencer Liz Spencer @thedogwooddyer (with whom we have no partnership but have permission to mention her) shows several easy ways to do it and the result is fabulous! If you try, tag us with @nouway.inc we'll share your prowess with the NOUWAY community.
Recovering damaged clothing: Creating new clothing from existing materials can lead to beautiful creations. You can give free rein to your imagination without taking too many risks when one of your clothes is damaged. You can make shorts or Bermuda shorts from old, tattered jeans by cutting them below the knees or mid-thigh. You can make a crop top with a t-shirt or sweater by cutting it below the navel.