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Vintage, thrifted, preloved. Call them what you like, but second-hand clothes are back in fashion.
Not only can buying vintage offer a real bargain, but they’re also giving fashionistas a more sustainable way to refresh their look.
Figures from GlobalData predict the global apparel resale market is set to grow by 85% by 2026, fuelled by the rising cost of living.
As a result, there’s a boom in the places that buy and sell used clothes with online marketplaces such as Vinted and Depop leading the way – so now’s the time for a vigorous spring clean to help you swell those coffers.
Vintage clothes are now popping up on the red carpet, so you might even see stars sporting items that are hanging in your wardrobe, so knowing what to look out for is a must.
Personal stylist Lindsay Edwards says: “London Fashion Week saw lots of retro trends hitting the catwalk, from flapper-style dresses to faux fur coats. Sheer fabrics were a repeated theme, with intricate embroidery or oversized bows.
“Dropped waist dresses and midi skirts were seen in many of the collections too, as were puff ball dresses. For outerwear, trench coats, bomber jackets and tweed blazers were all the rage.”
If you have vintage Chanel suits, Levi’s jeans, leather jackets or sports shirts hiding in your wardrobe, these were listed as some of the most valuable garments around in 2023 – but if you’ve got anything listed above, it’s possible it could be hot property right now.
Clothes don’t need to be designer to be valuable, says Edwards. “As you’d expect, designer items in excellent condition warrant the highest prices.
“However, high street brands with a strong reputation, such as St Michael from Marks & Spencer and Jonelle from John Lewis, are also highly sought-after.”
Trends move fast these days, so personal stylist Louise Duncum from Weiz Styles recommends you do your research before selling.
“Always think about what is on trend,” says Duncum. “The Pantone Colour of the Year is Peach Fuzz. This soft peach shade is going to be huge throughout the year and people will be searching for it, making it a successful selling point to potential consumers.
“If you’re looking to find out what’s hot quickly, it’s worthwhile using shopping platforms such as LTK to see what influencers and fashion experts are sharing on Instagram. This will give you a good idea of what consumers are looking to buy.
“If you have items you no longer need that are similar, this could indicate it’s a great time to sell them and maximise their earning potential.”
Vintage fans know that heritage clothing is likely to be better quality than fast fashion, so they’re not afraid to make do and mend. That said, garments in better condition are more likely to sell quickly.
“The condition of the item is always an important consideration,” says Duncum. “If you no longer wear something because it is totally worn out, it’s unlikely someone else will see the charm in it.
“Consider taking these types of items to your local dressmaker, dry cleaner or a refurbishment place like The Seam, who will give it a new lease of life and increase its value.”
If you have quality clothes that are in good condition but not in fashion, Edwards says it's worth being patient.
“There’s the age-old saying of ‘what goes around comes around’, and that’s certainly true when it comes to sartorial trends.”
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High street boutiques and dress agencies used to be the only option to sell second-hand clothes, but online marketplaces have boomed over the past few years.
“Vinted, Depop and ebay are the most common ways to sell [vintage] clothes online but, if you have any designer items, I highly recommend Vestiaire Collective,” says Edwards.
“Before you list your item, always check the [cost] of similar items across a few sites to ensure you set an appropriate asking price.
“It’s always worth taking a few moments to add several good quality photographs of the item and labels too, as the more aesthetically pleasing listings receive far more views and sell much quicker.”
For higher-end items, Duncum also suggests using specialists who will do most of the legwork for you.
“If you have items you really believe will make you money, it’s worth looking at more specialist providers such as Luxe Collective or Reluxe who already have established business models and followings who are looking to them to buy from, taking the hard work away from you,” she says.
There might be a dapper vintage suit or stunning designer dress that you simply can't part with. The good news is you can still make some money by lending it to someone temporarily.
“If you have a designer piece you don’t often wear but can't bear to get rid of, I suggest renting it out to others. By Rotation is a great place to do this,” says Duncum.
“You earn a little extra cash on your favourite items and others get to enjoy pieces they may not be able to afford, for a fraction of the price. It is a win-win and ticks the sustainability box too.”
If you have some free time today, there’s no time like the present to start going through your garments.
As well as potentially unearthing some valuable items, you might stumble upon a forgotten gem that’s back in fashion, and you’d love to wear again. In fact, reusing your old favourites is another great way to save money, instead of buying new clothes.
It’s best to keep the sorting process simple.
Decluttering expert and stylist Jeminee Solanki from Stylist Academy London says: “Take everything out, go through each item and decide whether you want to keep it, give it away or sell it.”
Before you know it, those clothes you haven’t worn for years could be lighting up a red carpet – and adding a healthy glow to your bank balance.
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