How To Buy And Sell Pre-Loved Fashion

Being the second owner of something is a blessing, not a curse. Especially when it has been cared for and well tended to by the previous owner. Pre-loved before mass-produced, any day.

Some still believe that owning hand-me-downs and pre-loved items means you aren’t doing too well. That simply by owning them or wearing them you can be considered poor. Or that it at least announces to the world that you have a strict budget to stick to. Neither of which is anything to be ashamed of.

As it happens, most families have to run a tight ship these days. Every bit counts and anything non-essential must go. For the environment as well, it is far better to go for a slow alternative than a mass-produced one. Whether you choose to make your own clothes, redesign hand-me-downs, acquire them second hand or purchase them from a slow, sustainable business, it is the better option.

The waste and environmental as well as unethical impact of the fashion industry is vast. A love for fashion doesn’t mean one must support the wrongdoings of the fashion industry.

And to be fair, pre-loved items are often far more interesting than anything bought new. In my opinion, the appeal of pre-loved fashion is similar to the thought behind the Japanese technique of mending with gold. The same idea stands. The idea that something is more precious when it has once been broken and has since been mended.

How Do You Go About Buying Something Pre-Loved?

The first thing you need to consider is what you need and if you are certain that you indeed need it. If you do, then you need to make a list of your requirements for that which you need. When you have that list, you simply need to go through the usual channels. Ask friends and family if they have any clothes that can be altered or redesigned into the piece you need. Or if they are about to donate anything that already matches what you need.

If no friends or family have what you need, then it’s time to go one step further. Make a post or write in a group on social media requesting the item. You may choose to request it at a price, for free or to be traded for an item of equal value. It is also a good idea to take a good look at online shops and online groups. See what people are giving away, and whether or not that matches the item you need.

If none of these methods pan out, it is time to go to physical stores. Second-hand shops, thrift shops, yard sales, charity shops – whatever you have access to in your local community.

How Do You Know If It Is A Good Find?

It depends on what you are looking for, and what you would consider a good find. Is a good find an item that is sold for less than it is worth? An item that is in prime condition? An item that has barely been used? Or is it a good find because it matches that which you are looking for?

If the former, then it is important to know your materials and brands. With practice, you will be able to tell by touch alone if a fabric is of good quality or not. Denim, especially if is from the nineties and prior, is always a good find. It has a good re-sell value and there are so many projects you can make with it. Denim today simply isn’t what it used to be. It is washed out, and can contain more elastic materials than actual denim, all so that the garments can be as stretchy and forgiving as possible.

Cotton and linen are two materials I tend to look for when I buy pre-loved. They are long-lasting and fairly easy to mend and dye.

Curdoroy, especially if it is a garment made before the millennia, is also a good find, in my book.

Essentially, any sustainable and sturdy material that can be kept as is, altered and turned into new pieces, are good finds. That being said, if you can find a more priced item, from a famous or at least well-esteemed designer, and it is moderately priced, then could be a profitable find. Do your research, and if it is indeed authentic and well-priced, by all means, make the purchase. You can choose whether to wear it or sell it for what it is indeed worth.

If you intend to make something new or alter the garment, I wouldn’t go for synthetic materials. However, if you intend to wear it as is, then it is far more sustainable to buy synthetic garments second-hand.

Ultimately it is up to you, what you are looking for and what you intend to do with it that dictates if the find is good or not. Go with your gut.

Are There Any Guarantees?

Depending on the shop, you may get your money back, a gift certificate for the same value, or another garment if you make a complaint about the quality of your purchase. The same applies to certain online stores. But you won’t have that safety net when you purchase from an individual. Then again, most pre-loved items are very reasonably priced and while it is up to the seller to report any faults in the item, it is also up to you to check it before you make the purchase.

How Do I Go About Selling My Pre-Loved Fashion?

There are many ways to sell your pre-loved fashion, and most of them are online. Here is a list of the most common methods:

• Make a post in a social media group with photos, information and price.

• Create a temporary online shop and sell your items there.

• Make sales posts on Craigslist, eBay and similar sites.

• Use a service that sells your pre-loved clothes for a percentage of the profit.

• Sell them at a yard sale.

• Sell them on social media through a live post on Instagram or TikTok. Best to have a good following or at least good keywords if you do. And best to market it beforehand as well.

• Sell them to friends or family.

Good luck!