Eco-friendly fashion can be hard to commit to, high price tags, lack of regulations and exclusivity surrounds the world of sustainable fashion. However, buying second-hand is one of the easiest and cheapest ways to put the planet first. This is where reselling platforms come in.
Move over in-person thrift and vintage shops, the online version is taking over.
The recent introduction of second-hand sites has made it possible for all fashion lovers to access one-of-a-kind pieces at their fingertips. With one swipe, a preloved garm can be yours when usually, it would take hours to find after trapsing through a often cramped and guaranteed stale vintage shop to find.
The catalyst for all of this is the digital age. The coronavirus pandemic has accelerated this digital shift as we were forced online, away from shopping in person and away from second-hand shops. The next best thing is the online version.
Depop is one of the most renowned reselling platforms out there at the moment. From a vintage pair of jeans to a wedding dress, you can really find it all on the trendy second-hand e-commerce platform.
According to Depop Newsroom, the application which was founded 11 years ago has over 26 million registered users across 150 countries. There is no denying its popularity and following suit, other reselling platforms are popping up more and more.
Vestiaire Collective is one of these other reselling sites. Focused on stocking luxury fashion, founded in Paris in 2009, Vestiaire Collective stocks over 3 million expertly authenticated luxury pieces. This is the way it differs from Depop. This more exclusive site employs experts to validate the pieces sold on the platform meaning you can trust what you find and there is less chance of being catfished with good lighting and flattering camera angles which some sellers can get away with on reselling platforms. Take that as a formal warning!
Based in Lithuania but available worldwide, Vinted is another popular reselling platform focused on fashion. Founded in 2008, this site is the preferred choice for many casual second-hand sellers as the platform does not take any percentage of sales. Compared to other reselling platforms, 100% of the profit from sales made on the app go straight to the seller. However, if you buy off of the app, a buyers protection fee is added which can cover the tracking, customer support and order insurance for sales worth up to £50.
Donning the title of being a multi-cycle fashion resale platform focused on sustainability, the final reselling platform to check out is The Cirkel. This application is the newest of all reselling platforms touched on within this article and is a standout. Currently just offering women’s clothing, the site has a unique method to draw in and encourage customers back. If a customer buys a garment and sends it back to the site within six months after purchasing it in an excellent condition, then you can be lucky enough to be issued a Cirkel voucher worth up to 70% of the original price. This rental/reselling hybrid is totally unique and offers a new way of consuming clothes. We’re in.
Just listing a few fashion reselling sites here shows how the industry is shifting and if you are not shopping second-hand, you have no excuse now!
Just remember, fashion should be circular, so don’t just use these platforms to expand your wardrobe, sell on old pieces or items that may not fit your body in the same way they did when you first bought them. This way, you make money, make room in your wardrobe and put the planet first too.