It is well known that the underutilization and overproduction of clothing are two of the most urgent problems at the core of fashion and sustainability. Too many clothing are created, too many are purchased, and too many of us have clothes we never wear. The end effect is that too many clothes are thrown away; according to a recent survey, Australians squander 10kg of clothing per person each year to landfills.
Organizations like the Ellen MacArthur Foundation and others have long pushed for a circular fashion sector as a means of reducing these unsustainable levels of waste. Utilizing things more frequently is a significant component of this, which has been made possible by the recent increase in popularity of resale and rental platforms like Vestiaire Collective, Depop, The Real Real, and AirRobe.Every Saturday morning, sign up for the good stuff with our roundup of essential reading, popular culture, and weekend advice.
Fashion Resale
The head of sustainability of Depop, Justine Porterie, claims that “fashion resale… decreases waste, and slows the demand for ‘new new’.According to a McKinsey and Company analysis from 2020, resale will need to represent a substantially larger share of the sector if fashion is to reach its emissions reduction ambitions.The retail market is predicted to develop 16 times slower than the second-hand apparel sector. How to resell clothing for the most money using cult brands and classics
However, despite the fact that companies in the fashion industry, such Stella McCartney and Patagonia, have welcomed resale, there is currently no proof that the rise of resale has led to a decrease in the overall manufacturing of new apparel. (However, Patagonia told Vogue Business that it was undoubtedly an aim for their resale platform to someday displace the creation of new goods.)
Sustainability advocates are also concerned that the popularity of resale is starting to resemble the more harmful aspects of fast fashion consumption by focusing on trends and constant newness due to thrifthauls, a trend that involves purchasing large quantities of used clothing and posting pictures of the haul on social media. “We are aware that there is never a lack of clothing anywhere in the globe… and even if resale is one remedy, we are conscious that it is not the magic fix,” adds Porterie.
To effectively combat textile waste, the fashion industry must use measures to stop unneeded overproduction as well as other circularity-based principles including models for collecting, mending, and recycling clothing.While these are structural fixes, any consumer may resale clothing with taste so that it can be purchased instead of new goods rather than in addition to them, and do so while earning a little additional money.
Maintain your clothing.
It is rare that someone else will want to buy a garment that you no longer want to wear because it is torn, discoloured, or has begun to smell. “Laundering and taking care of your garments will go a long way in keeping their worth,” explains Beth Glancey of AirRobe.
According to a representative for resale marketplace Vestiaire Collective, maintaining the items’ original packaging for designer shoes and handbags can further increase its resale value. They also stress how crucial good storage is before a piece is sold. Avoid prolonged exposure to the sun, especially for leathers. Stay away from corrosive chemicals.
Make your stuff worthy
Listings with excellent photos and detailed descriptions move swiftly when it comes time to sell an item of apparel, according to Glancey. Because the pictures don’t do the item justice, we’ve seen many amazing designer clothes that would normally sell for high sums hang around. She advises against taking pictures with “poor lighting, crumpled clothing,” or not enough pictures.
Vestiaire advises obtaining “closeup photos of crucial characteristics, such as the label with the brand’s name or a size tag, and any locations where there may be damage,” in addition to using many images to display the garment from various angles.If you’re creating a description, go for more rather than less specificity. including the fabric of the outer and lining, whether the fit is true to size, whether there are any extra features like pockets or French seams, and the measurements of the garment when it is laid flat.A thorough listing will also guarantee that your buyer knows exactly what they are purchasing, preventing the item from ending up where it was before unworn in the back of a closet or headed for the trash.
For the season, sell
Timing is yet another consideration when selling used products. According to Vestiaire, items that are suitable for the season sell more quickly. Additionally, they advise posting stuff towards the beginning of the month and by the weekend. The majority of sales occur in the first two weeks of every month. Our neighborhood’s preferred shopping day is on Sunday. Items tend to sell considerably more quickly if vendors make sure they are online at the proper moment.
