The Guide to Fashion Resale

Today, there is more awareness than ever before on the sustainability of clothing (or lack thereof). Fashion resale – the buying and selling of used clothing and accessories – is growing in popularity largely because of this. With technological advances and apps created specifically for the purpose of selling your used clothes, finding ways to purchase and sell items in a way that aligns with your values has become easier than ever.

Here are a few ways to consider fashion resale:

Donate your clothes.

For many, donating clothes is part of their charitable giving and is a very fulfilling alternative to selling or tossing used clothes. Find a mission-driven organization that upholds your values and gives back to the local community. Donating clothes to individuals in need supports community efforts larger than ourselves. Bonus – it’s easier than selling our clothes.

Buy or sell used clothes.

In its truest sense, fashion resale falls into this category. With apps like Poshmark, the realreal, or even Instagram, buying and selling used fashion items has never been easier. Rather than throwing away old clothes, recoup some of your initial investment by selling them. After all, one man’s trash is usually another man’s treasure. Someone most likely will benefit from and enjoy your loved clothes. Additionally, purchasing items from thrift stores to flip them online can earn you a decent profit.

Finally, purchasing used clothes can make buying designer labels more affordable. When we know we’re wearing high-end brands, we feel good and treat ourselves differently. Purchasing used items is not only more affordable, but it can also differentiate our clothes from others and help us find otherwise rare vintage pieces.

Pro tip: If you are selling, take high-quality photos that show how the item(s) fits including front, back, and both sides. Ensure the photos have as much natural light as possible. Great photos help pieces sell faster.

Check out local resale, consignment, or thrift shops.

Local clothing resale shops offer unique finds and the stores will often purchase or donate used items from you. Sometimes, in return for used clothes, the store will offer a store discount to you for other items. Shopping at consignment or thrift shops is a great way to reinvest in local community, uphold sustainable fashion, and can lead to discovering unrepeatable finds for your closet.

Rent your clothes.

While clothing rental is more popular for women via places like Rent the Runway, it’s an excellent option for those looking to wear pieces once or twice or who want to wear designer clothing without having to pay the designer price. Renting your clothes diversifies your wardrobe month over month and makes it easy to live a fashionably sustainable lifestyle. Subscription boxes are also an alternative to renting since they offer curated clothing options that you can test out before making the final purchase.

Tailor your clothes.

Getting your clothes tailored is a wonderful way to enhance the overall fit of your clothes, maintain the clothes’ lifespan in your wardrobe, and prevent you from getting rid of otherwise decent pieces. Depending on where you live, finding a good tailor can be a challenge, but stores like Nordstrom that have alteration departments will also serve you well. Ensure the pieces you want to be tailored are worth reinvesting in: they should be quality pieces that you want to keep in your closet long-term.

Throw away stuff that’s worn out.

Finally, if an item is worn-out, torn, or has been so used and loved that it can no longer serve someone else, throw it out. Some pieces simply aren’t worth keeping or reselling. Be cognizant that you’re not donating or selling something that should be tossed.

There is a reason that fashion resale is on the rise. There are endless opportunities within this sphere. It allows for increased sustainability in a fast fashion world, earns sellers money on their used clothing, lowers the barrier to entry for purchasing designer pieces, opens doors to exclusive finds, and offers opportunities to give back to the community. If you’re looking for ways to give back, sell old pieces, or invest in your closet and haven’t checked out fashion resale trends yet, it may be the perfect time to try them out.

Stylishly yours,

Leah Nalepa and Anthony Bolognese