SUSTAINABLE ROUTE TO SELLING USED CLOTHES
April 10 2023 – Delikate Rayne
According to our sources, the secondhand fashion market is expected to triple in the next decade. While fast fashion is only expected to grow by 20 percent, secondhand fashion is expected to extend by 185 percent in the next couple of years. The perception of used apparel was centered around the idea of it being 'worn out' and ruined, but now many consumers are said to be thinking differently, considering its value to be identical or even superior to unworn clothing. With the boom of thrifting and resale platforms, many may consider selling their own vintage pieces and used wardrobe items. Here, we recommend the following sustainable tips for getting started:
SELLING ONLINE
When it comes to selling online, you must first determine the value of what you want to sell. You can do this by browsing the price ranges of similar pre-owned items and figuring out whether they are being sold or not. It's also important to consider the seasons when determining what to sell now and what to sell later. For example, a winter coat may not be of a consumer's interest in the middle of July. During each season, a good technique would be to include your seasonal pieces at the top of your online storefront to appeal to the shopper with on-trend and in-season pieces. Also investing in the quality of your photos, being honest with your clothing descriptions, and communicating with the consumer, answering any questions or informing the consumer on any delays are just as crucial, our sources report.
When looking for places to sell online, there are a load of various platforms to choose from. There's Depop for the Instagram lover, Vinted which requires zeros fee deductions, and thredUP-- the world's largest resale marketplace. Other commonly good options would be Ebay, ASOS Marketplace, and Postmark. You can even create new accounts on social media platforms like Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram for trading your clothes with others! The limit does not exist.
SELLING OFFLINE
If you would rather keep things traditional, you can sell or swap items with your friends and family in a swap party. You can even host a garage sale if you have more to give away. Also researching local secondhand or consignment stores and finding ones who will buy your pre-owned pieces --which of course, need to be in good condition, is another effective way to go about selling offline.
REVAMPING NONSALABLE PIECES
If there are pieces in your closet that are unsalable, think twice before you discard them. There are a number of different ways to revamp your items and a number of purposes for them than simply just covering your body. These items are the perfect excuse to get creative and immerse yourself into the D.I.Y. world. Whether it's a t-shirt or pair of jeans, getting fancy with revamp tutorials is the perfect way to turn trash into treasure, literally. So, dive into the D.I.Y. community, whether through YouTube videos or blog posts, and pick up a new hobby that enhances your artsy skills and promotes a sustainable future!
Source: Good On You, Our Culture Mag, & GreenBiz
Photos via Pinterest (Violet Rowe) & Verily Magazine (Lillian Fallon)