Oxfam’s Second Hand September came and went in 2019, but with fast fashion continuing to wreak havoc on the environment in 2020, we mustn't stop there. The inaugural campaign saw 62,000 people say no to buying new clothes for the month, and with a staggering 11 million items of clothing ending up in landfill every week, we’re all for extending the life cycles of our clothes. As sustainability continues to dominate conversations around the world, the resale sector has exploded, and with research* showing that the second-hand market will be 1.5 times bigger than fast fashion by 2028, turn to Depop not Topshop and trade Selfridges for Vestiaire Collective to satisfy your shopping needs without the negative repercussions. Welcome to the world of pre-loved fashion.
“A classic remains a classic. Even if it changes hands,” as the Rewind Vintage website states. Specialising in unique, luxury pre-owned handbags and jewellery, Rewind Vintage prides itself on its mastery of vintage items, and boasts labels such as Gucci, Hermés and Yves Saint Laurent. Where Rewind Vintage really sets itself apart from the rest is with its one-of-a-kind customisation service, ‘Emotional Baggage’.
A household name for second-hand shoppers in the know, Vestiaire Collective is brimming with lustworthy, pre-loved luxury labels and has a huge international community of over 7 million followers. Offering a range of access to much-desired designer goods with up to 70% off retail prices, the Parisian powerhouse boasts the likes of Balmain, Chanel and Louis Vuitton (to name a few) and cult favourites such as Lazy Oaf, Levi’s and Reebok. Vestiaire Collective is a site you can trust due to its quality and authenticity experts - no fakes there. In response to the COVID-19 outbreak, they've created a global charity campaign fundraising for local charities where 100% of the proceeds, including their commission, are donated. Participants include Kate Moss, Caroline Issa, Bella Freud, Fanny Moizant and Carine Roitfeld, plus many more. Search @alice123 on Vestiaire Collective's website to discover all the participants. Find out more at vestiairecollective.com.
For both top quality designer finds and flash sales, try The RealReal. Shop pre-loved women's, men’s and kids' fashion, accessories, fine art and even homewear. The popular consignment site prides itself on being the “most trusted marketplace for authenticated luxury”.
West Sussex based boutique EditSecondhand only stocks items that the Edit team would choose for their own wardrobes, turning away on average four times what they are offered. Fortunately the Edit team have great taste, resulting in a carefully curated pre-loved site. Expect a mix of contemporary, mid-priced collections from labels like ba&sh, Longchamp, Jonathan Saunders and Erdem. EditSecondhand is also the only resale site to buy products directly off vendors, making it far easier on the selling individual.
The the go-to site for those who swoon over accessories, offering iconic, designer wardrobe essentials including Burberry scarves, Prada sunglasses and Missoni gloves. The German marketplace has an unbelievable, extensive selection of second-hand, high quality luxury goods and the team always verify authenticity and quality. Plus, Rebelle guarantees 48-hour delivery service for concierge products.
Originally known as Hardly Ever Worn It, the London based fashion consignment site is a treasure trove of coveted designer clothing and stylish, sartorial must-haves for men, women and children. Vera Wang and Balenciaga are just a few of the labels up for grabs, with most of the 71,000+ items new or hardly ever worn - as it says on the tin. HEWI has a tight approval process, insisting on receipts for top-end items, and the easy to use site allows shoppers choose to ‘buy it now’ or make an offer.
Depop is an easy-to-use app where you can search for pretty much anything you want, from a designer bag to a pair of leggings, and find a pre-loved version. Collate a good selection of 'likes' so that when you feel like shopping, you can go straight to Depop to pre-pick from a page of clothes, shoes and accessories that you've got on your wish list.
*research found by online thrift shop ThredUp
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