For those of us who love vintage clothing—or slightly pre-loved designer duds—it’s usually a two-way closet. We buy and we sell.
While online secondhand clothing is nothing new to those in the know, the industry is undergoing a major makeover with the latest boom. This is, no doubt, due to us being home more than usual over the past couple of years and having oodles of time to clean out our closets. But, as the world opens back up and live events are back to their Insta-worthy status, we also find ourselves in the mood to buy. It’s the perfect catch-22 if you ask us!
The fact that it is all online makes things that much more attractive. Who doesn’t hate the hassle of dragging garbage bags full of clothes down to the local re-seller and standing there in humiliation while a bored clerk paws through your clothing and rejects your most exquisite pieces, then hauling most of them back home again?
According to a report by Digital Commerce 360, online clothing sales rose 22%, while offline sales dropped 40% during 2020. Not only are people going online for their clothing shopping, but they are also turning to secondhand purchases and sales. Win/win!
5 Reasons Why There’s an Online Secondhand Clothing Boom
1. True Value
By shopping secondhand online you can save money. As inflation rises, folks are opting to get more bang for their buck by choosing secondhand clothing over retail. You can get higher-quality clothing at lower prices, as evidenced by virtual fashion malls like Poshmark.
Poshmark keeps tabs on keywords in your searches and then makes curated suggestions to you—it’s like going through your best friend’s closet. They cleverly connect you to people whose style you adore, allowing you to easily shop closets and boutiques. With over 80 million community members across the U.S., Canada, and Australia and 200 million items for sale, you’ll find something you love. Selling is easy, too! Just a few photos and a couple of clicks, and you’re in business.
2. Environmental Elan
Let’s face it: there’s a lot of waste in the clothing industry. So many items are barely worn and then tossed, creating trash, which impacts our precious planet. By opting for secondhand clothing, you are helping the environment.
Selling your upscale clothes through Linda’s Stuff is a great way to reduce your carbon footprint… and bolster your bank account. They give you free shipping to send your clothes in, then when they sell, they send you a nifty check. Linda’s stuff features Chanel, Hermes, Lululemon, Valentino, and more. Best thing about them? They have real people on staff to answer your phone call or email—just try that with eBay (if you can even find contact their info at all).
3. Less Stress
Purchasing online saves you from having to run around to multiple stores to find what you want. You can relax at the park, doctor’s office waiting room, or school pickup line and do some online shopping.
One of the most convenient online clothing shops has got to be Etsy. It’s one of the oldest, most trusted sites out there. They’ve been around since 2005 and what sets them apart is the emphasis on artistry and a focus on creators. If you’re looking for handmade clothing—or you knit or sew your own line—this is the place. Etsy is the go-to global marketplace for unique and creative goods. It’s home to a universe of special, extraordinary items, from unique handcrafted pieces to vintage treasures.
4. Variety Vibes
Going to a store only allows you access to a small selection of clothing that is available at that moment. When you purchase secondhand and especially online, you vastly widen your selection to choose from.
If you’re looking for something outside the norm, then Modcloth is your gal. Modcloth describes itself as a vintage fashion store, but they have all kinds of quirky clothes that are as affordable as they are fun. Been wanting a dinosaur print dress? They’ve got that. A 1920s style cloche hat? You’re covered. If you have a streak of the strange or eccentric, you’ll be mad about Modcloth.
5. Charitable Chic
Many online clothing shops support charity. It feels good to know you’re spending your money with a company that cares.
Beeja May, primarily a childrens’ and moms’ outlet, opened in 2019, and they’re growing exponentially. Once a month, Beeja May provides a gift card to a family in need of clothing and collaborates with its community to provide cash donations to local charities that support families.
Their shop offers tens of thousands of secondhand clothing items, and browsers can shop by age (i.e., newborn to 24 months, toddlers, kids, maternity, etc.), by brands (i.e., Gap, Mini Mioche, Zara, Roots, etc.), and more. Plus, the items have all been carefully curated and inspected before being listed, so there are no unwelcome surprises when you get your package in the mail.
So there you have them: five great reasons to buy and sell online secondhand clothing. As for what’s hot, the sky’s the limit! Whether it’s handmade, haute couture, or hella quirky, there are all kinds of buyers for all kinds of sellers.