I’ve always said a regret purchase is only made worse by holding onto it out of guilt. Sadly, it’s only costing you more by having it sit in your wardrobe unworn.  The great news is, with the rise of circular fashion, it’s easier than ever to start making money back on these pieces. And also pieces that no longer fit or meet your changing lifestyle needs. Sure, you might not get back what you paid, but it will give you a little bit to reinvest back into something you will wear and the piece will hopefully be found by somone who greatly appreciates it, at a more affordable price.  You’ll also learn that better investment in good pieces will actually be an investment in the future of your wardrobe, rather than just pieces you purchase to be worn and eventually thrown away. Buy less, share more!

There are a few reasons the second hand market is on the rise, most notably as buyers become more sustainably conscious, but also it gives buyers the opportunity to really hone in on purchasing pieces based on their own style rather than trends. With the increased costs of living, budget savvy buyers also know they can find their favourite brands at a half or a third of the price if they are happy to just wait a season or two.

More recently, the second hand market has also shown how well it can respond to the needs of the customer, in a buy-now, wear-now world, as opposed to the fashion industry which is still working to seasonal models.

Keen to find out how you can start moving your pieces on, in a sustainable and rewarding way?

SELL

ONLINE: There are plenty of options to sell online so it’s important to find the one that is right for you. From Facebook Marketplace, and Buy, Swap and Sell Groups to Instagram, eBay and Depop they all have their different benefits and audiences. Research to see where your items might attract the best price. Remember to always go through a secure payment system like Paypal.

CONSIGNMENT STORES: Consignment stores are becoming the new boutiques in our inner city strip shopping areas.  Selling your quality second hand designer goods for you, they take the hard work out of selling, while still giving you a percentage of the sale.  All you need to do is take your pieces in and they will offer you a store credit or a percentage of the sale for any items they think they can sell.  If selling online seems overwhelming, this is a great option to consider. A few consignment stores to check out include Second Mode, Preloved Geelong, ReRock It,  Mutual Muse, Bruce, Secondo. Be sure to read through the store terms and conditions so that you understand what you can and can’t trade before dropping in store.  It’s also a good idea to research a few so that you understand where your pieces might fit best, as all of the stores hit a particular style in the market.

RENT A RACK STORES: These stores are great if you have a bulk load to sell.  They allow you to have the opportunity sell approx 40-60 pieces at one time.  You pay a small price to rent a rack in a store, you will have the rack for 2-4 weeks and the shop staff will look after it. All you need to do is prep and price your clothes. Most rent a rack stores have sophisticated point of sale systems which allows you to be notified as soon as something has been sold.

PRELOVED MARKETS: If you have quite a few pieces to sell, registering for a stall at a preloved market can be a great option as you have the potential to sell quite a significant amount of items in one day and you don’t have to worry about uploading every piece online or delivering parcels.  You will pay a small site fee and will have a stall space to sell from. If you don’t want to bring your pieces back home, I recommend pricing to sell.  Sometimes, selling more pieces at a lower price will bring in a better return and less items to bring home. A few to consider include New to You Markets, Camberwell Sunday Market and Round She Goes Market. However, there ar plenty fo 

SELLER TIPS:

  • Always wash and iron/steam your pieces be photographing them or taking them somewhere to sell, show that they have been cared for and valued. This could greatly maximise the end sale price.
  • Be honest about any imperfections and wear and tear.
  • Do your research to know what pieces are selling for.
  • Presentation is key whether in photos, hanging on a rack or at a market stall.  Consider styling pieces, hanging pieces on the same hangers, colour coding your rack. Its simple things like this that will bring in more sales.

SWAP

When it comes to circular fashion, it’s not all just about making dollars.  If you can swap something you no longer wear for something you will wear, I’d say that’s an awesome investment!  Organise swap parties with friends or keep your eye out to join bigger swap events like The Clothing Exchange.

RENT

If you have something sitting in your wardrobe that you’re not ready to part with, but know that people might keen to get their hands on for a one-off, get in on the rental market.  While I’m sure many of you know you can rent clothing from companies, did you know you can also rent your own pieces out?  This could be dresses, designer handbags, shoes. Renting your items through an online platform can help you reach more customers but also give you some piece of mind as you lend out one of your most prized possessions. One to consider is Rent A Dress.

DONATE

Finally, as the second hand market continues to grow it’s vital to remember the importance of still donating quality items. A feel-good reward is as powerful as any! Your quality donations will help charities reinvest those funds into the community. But, really consider what you are donating and only donate items in good condition. Charities spend so much time sorting through bags of pieces not suitable for the shop floor, it costs money and valuable resources. Get to know your local op shop staff/volunteers as you shop and then when you donate you can let them know your bag contains great items, this will ensure they make them straight to to the shop floor. You can also, keep an eye out for local community collection call outs, ensuring they are going direct to someone in need. However, if you have anything sitting in your wardrobe that requires repair or is beyond repair, leave it out of the donation bag and find an alternative solution for it.

So, what are you waiting for? Go into your wardrobe and have a good honest sort through. Take out the pieces you haven’t worn in a while and if you can’t see yourself wearing them again then get selling, swapping or renting.  Also, remember that every new purchase you make has the potential to be an investment.  So, buy well, choose quality and care for every piece and you might just be able to create a circular wardrobe that eventually pays for itself. And if you’re not already buying preloved, you’ll start to realise how benefical buying preloved is too – finding gems at amazing prices.

Need some more advice? I offer 1-hour coaching sessions, to discuss any of your style questions. Maybe you want some advice on styling an item before you decide to part with it, maybe you have a few bags of clothes and are wanting to check the best option for parting with them or need some advice on how to price them?  Whatever it is, it’s an hour session to pick my brain, and make some decisions about what is sitting in your wardrobe. I’m just an email or phone call away!

Originally written in 202o, updated in 2022 and November 2024