Secondhand
What do you do with your old clothes?
- Dispose14%
- Resale21%
- Donations64%
The competition has ended.
The market for second-hand fashion is growing. The results of a market analysis show that vintage pieces are leaving the fast fashion segment far behind. And the trend is rising.
The days when second-hand pieces were labelled as musty are over. Whereas in the past it was mainly people on a budget who bought second-hand fashion, today the middle classes are among the biggest buyers. Worn textiles are increasingly in demand as our wardrobes are bursting at the seams and the idea of sustainability is always at the back of our minds. It is therefore not surprising that vintage fashion has now become a billion-dollar business. According to the market analysis "Resale 2019", the sale of second-hand goods has grown 21 times faster than the retail trade over the past three years. However, the hype is far from having peaked. On the contrary: by 2028, the vintage market is expected to be 1.5 times larger than the retail sector.
One of the reasons for this is the younger generation, which, unlike the older generation, is not focussed on presentable and lasting status symbols such as a house with a garden or a car, but has no problems with temporary ownership. They buy something with the knowledge that they will sell it on later. In addition, Millennials are omnipresent when it comes to environmental issues. They are therefore concerned about companies that act ethically. Food should be as regional as possible.
What applies to food is also very important in fashion. The more local, the more sustainable. That speaks in favour of your own wardrobe. To add variety, you can either re-sew old pieces (or have them re-sewn) or give them a second life by selling them on. This way, you not only generate cash for yourself, but also avoid wasting resources. Provided you don't immediately spend your earnings on fast fashion.
Resale is a cheap way to get hold of designer goods. The middle class in particular is no longer willing to dig deep into their pockets. Why voluntarily pay the original price when you can get the same item for less? It's the other way round with designer pieces that you sell later. If you know in advance that you'll be selling the branded bag later, you'll be more willing to pull out your wallet.
Greenwashing or not, even luxury houses like Vivienne Westwood and Burberry are speaking out against the throwaway trend. The British brand is even going one step further and is joining forces with a second-hand supplier. It remains to be seen whether the fashion house wants to wipe its slate clean after the burning scandal (Editor's note: in the past, fashion label Burberry was one of many that burned its clothes in order to remain exclusive).
Online department stores have also recognised the trend and now offer vintage goods alongside their standard range. Have I convinced you to resell your clothes? Then you can also try your luck on our resale platform. This will show that your textiles deserve a second chance and don't belong in the bin.
What do you do with your old clothes?
The competition has ended.
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When I’m not exploring the depths of the sea as an open water diver, I enjoy plunging into the world of fashion. On the streets of Paris, Milan and New York is where I keep my eyes peeled for the latest trends. And I’ll show you how to take them from the catwalk to your everyday life.