Image: Vestiaire Collective
A mass move towards reducing and reusing has seen carefully curated second hand shops pop up all over the internet. From thrifted finds to vintage gems, our deputy editor Beatrice Murray-Nag shares her pick of pre-loved fashion platforms for the stay-at-home shopper.
In the face of a climate crisis, second hand is the new black. As environment action slides up in everyone’s agendas, there’s been a shift towards prioritising clothes that are already in existence as opposed to buying new. We’re living in a thrifting frenzy – and we couldn’t be happier.
According to the annual retail report by popular pre-loved clothing platform ThredUp, the fashion resale market is set to reach $51 billion in the next five years, overtaking fast fashion by 2028. Conscious consumers around the globe are getting serious about switching, swapping and shopping second hand, and this is more than just a passing trend. The shift in mindset towards revaluing existing clothing is already driving widescale change in our approach to fashion, with millennials and Gen Z leading the charge for more circular industry.
Our slow fashion fixation has seen a whole host of forward-thinking platforms pop up, on a mission to make thrifting accessible to everyone. While the convenience of fast fashion e-commerce means it’s the go-to for many, resale is catching up fast with preloved and vintage treasures now also accruable online. The new generation of companies are changing the perception of second-hand shopping, prizing items with a story to tell and a history behind them. Here are a few of our favourites – from purse and planet-friendly options to high-end resale websites. Thanks to their eye-catching edits and conscious curations, the future of thrifting is cool, covetable, and certainly here to stay.
Manifesto Woman
From thrifted treasures to vintage finds, Manifesto Woman is changing the face of second-hand shopping for the new consumer. From clothing and accessories to books and homewear, the platform offers an aesthetically pleasing alternative to always having to buy new. A boutique-like environment for the stay-at-home shopper, head to Manifesto Woman for unique items for both special occasions and the everyday.
One Scoop Store
One Scoop Store is a hand-picked selection of preloved pieces, chosen by founder Holly Hopkins. After opening as a physical store in 2017, One Scoop Store opened online to offer it’s special second-hand selection to everyone. With 15 years in the fashion industry behind her, Holly now browses car boot sales, charity shops, thrift markets and her network of private sellers to curate her selection of beautiful, wearable pieces for all budgets. Expect sheer feminine blouses and delicate ruffles as well as quirky retro prints.
The Endless Wardrobe
In the true spirit of sharing and re-wearing, The Endless Wardrobe is a clothing rental platform that also offers the option to purchase some of your favourite pieces through their Pre-Loved scheme. Packed with statement prints and dream-worthy dresses, it’s the perfect place to find something special for a holiday or big event that you’ll be sure to wear again and again.
Vestiaire Collective
One of the biggest names in the game, Vestiaire Collective is a resale platform for luxury fashion. With a dedicated in-house team that authenticates all products and checks for quality, this is a true pre-loved paradise for designer fashion devotees. Featuring editorial-esque edits of their favourite picks, Vestiaire sets out of extend the lifecycle of high-end products, making sure that they can be passed on from wearer to wearer and cherished for as long as possible.
Retold Vintage
A Pinterest-worthy pick of vintage finds with a modern, minimal aesthetic, Retold Vintage is our destination du jour for everyday essentials that will last long beyond 30 wears. Born from a desire to support the circular fashion movement, founder Clare Lewis’ careful curations set out to promote sustainable fashion choices within the industry. Our insider’s tip is to follow them on Instagram to always be informed of new arrivals.
The Resolution Store
The Resolution Store cleverly combines the fast-paced phenomenon of influencer marketing with our resolute need for slow fashion. By partnering with bloggers and Instagrammers, it sets out to extend the life cycle of little worn or un-used clothes and find these garments a new home. The carefully curated space challenges conceptions of resale with a real contemporaneity.
Dirty Disco Vintage
As there are already enough garments in the world to meet the global demand, Dirty Disco Vintage wants to repurpose existing pieces and help save the planet. Marrying pop aesthetics with a mindful mantra, playful picks of retro-inspired items make it a go-to destination for daywear.
Loopster
“Kids clothes are the bête noire of sustainability,’ Loopster founder Jane Fellner explains, “which is why it’s so critical to shop second hand for your children where you can.” With this in mind, Jane founded her online children’s clothing resale platform for busy mums who just don’t have the time to rummage through the rails in second-hand stores. With everything from bedwear to bodysuits, it’s the perfect way to make those little worn clothes last a little bit longer.
Depop
A key contributor to the revival of resale, Depop has already got a huge 13 million people shopping second hand. Combining the fun of thrifting with the convenience of an app, the social resale site has put preloved purchasing in the spotlight with one third of all 16 – 24-year olds using it. Our top tip: use specific search terms just as brands or fabric types to make it easier to find exactly what you’re looking for.
Material World
Setting out to reshape the transient nature of the world we live in, Material World offers an alternative to fast fashion fads. By helping users understand and define their personal style, Material World aims to cut down the amount of purchases that end up unworn. A team of experienced in- house stylists will pick a monthly box of authenticated pre-loved picks based on your style profile, with the option to send back anything that doesn’t suit.
Oxfam
All the fun of charity shop browsing from the comfort of your computer, Oxfam online makes second-hand shopping accessible for all. With all money going to helping the charity’s work, it diverts over 14,000 tonnes of clothing from landfill each year by reselling, repurposing and rekindling the love for these used items.
Find out how and where to shop sustainably in London.
Hosting a clothes swap? Read our ultimate how-to guide.
Discover what the Eco-Age team wore this Second Hand September.