Looking to de-clutter your wardrobe? You're not the only one.
Whether you are running out of closet space like I am, losing a few pounds, or following Marie Kondo's advice to keep only what sparks joy, you've inevitably come across clothing that needs to go. If you’re short on time, your first thought is probably charity donation. And if you could use a couple extra bucks, you may be leaning more toward a garage sale or local online marketplace. But your audience is extremely limited.
But finding someone who will treasure your trash can be about as fruitful as online dating. The EPA estimates that 84% of clothing donations end up in a landfill. And staying within your local perimeter limits your audience. But this doesn’t mean your clothing is unwanted. It just means you’re having trouble finding the perfect match. If you’re anything like me, you want your pre-loved clothing to go somewhere it will be loved and appreciated. After all, you were the one who first saw its value.
This past year has set the stage for what will inevitably be a renaissance of re-sale clothing. Market research firm Global Data reports the resale clothing market is growing 11 times faster than traditional fashion retail, and they estimate resale markets to be worth more than twice fashion retail in less than 10 years. But why?
Second-hand clothing is a more sustainable option than buying new, something of particular interest to Millenials and Gen Z. And the “sustainable” options manufactured by clothing brands can be pricey and ambiguous, leaving consumers feeling wary.
The more likely catalyst of the resale boom is the rise in online marketplaces that make it easy for consumers to buy and sell secondhand clothing. This allows the average seller to expand their reach and helps buyers find just what they’re looking for. With some experience buying and selling on craiglist, Ebay, or OfferUp under their belts, consumers feel more comfortable testing the waters with specialty resale sites of interest.
Aside from name-brand fashion, one of the best ways to find the perfect match for your pre-loved clothing is in costumes. You may be one of the exceptions who wears the same beloved costumes over and over, but when it comes to Halloween, performance, or children’s costumes, it’s usually “one and done.” And when costumes can often outprice our everyday wardrobe, it may leave you scratching your head.
I get it. Halloween is fun. It’s one of my favorite holidays and absolutely worth spending the money on. (My boyfriend and I raided the Spirit Halloween store on November 2 to gobble up all those 50% discounted decorations.) But when it’s all said and done, why not pass on your one-and-done costumes to the next fanatic, and make a few bucks in the process?
photo credit: Bent Objects by Terry Border
http://terryborder.com/bentobjectspage1/