Are Resale and Renting the Future of Shopping?
In an age where sustainability is becoming increasingly important, consumers are turning to alternative ways of shopping for clothes. From secondhand resale sites to clothing rental services, people are giving life to pre-loved clothing.
COURTESY OF NUULY
Over the next five years, the secondhand market is expected to double and reach $77 billion. Awareness of the negative impact that fast fashion has on the environment is rising, so people are turning to secondhand. Throughout the pandemic, thrifting and resale became increasingly popular; 33 million people bought secondhand for the first time in 2020. Many people love to find unique pieces for low prices, but another benefit of buying used compared to new is that it displaces 17.4 pounds of CO2 and reduces its carbon footprint by 82%.
There is a new generation of consumers and shoppers changing the marketplace. 45% of millennials and Gen Z say that they refuse to buy from non-sustainable retailers and brands. This generation is demanding a more circular fashion industry. They are choosing quality over the latest trends, and they are putting in research on brands before they choose to shop from them and support them. People are voting with their wallets, and they are choosing sustainability. Shopping secondhand also offers consumers the thrill of the hunt. People are always on the lookout for unique, vintage, one-of-a-kind pieces at a great price point. Thrifting gives people the excitement of searching and finding what could be their new favorite item in their closet.
COURTESY OF THE REALREAL
People looking to shop secondhand or sell their own clothes have so many options. Ebay, Poshmark, Thredup, Depop, Curtsy, and more are all platforms that allow people to buy and sell used clothing. Selling clothing can be as easy as snapping a photo and uploading it to an app or mailing your clothing away. It has become a simple way for people to make a little extra spending money, and for buyers, it provides a cheaper option to new clothes. Thredup is an online consignment shop that aims to educate consumers about the fashion waste problem. They have partnered with designer Zero Waste Daniel to create a collection of upcycled clothes that are made from fabric scraps and used clothes. They also partner with celebrities, like Olivia Wilde, and influencers to raise awareness of the waste issue in fashion. Depop and Curtsy are platforms and apps that allow people to easily upload their used clothing to sell to others. Poshmark is another great option for sellers because it allows you to quickly snap a photo and share your listing online.
COURTESY OF RENT THE RUNWAY
While resale is a growing industry and a great way to divert used clothes from landfills, clothing rental services offer a way to stay up to date on trends without participating in overconsumption of fast fashion. Rent the Runway has a slew of options from J. Crew to Gucci. Sometimes you just can’t convince yourself to spend hundreds of dollars on a dress you’ll wear one night and let sit in the back of your closet, so Rent the Runway allows people to choose a more sustainable and frugal option. Nuuly is another rental service that allows people to try several pieces every month, and even allows customers to purchase and keep pieces that they fall in love with. Other rental services like Style Lend and Gwynnie Bee provide sustainable options for the shopaholic in all of us.
COURTESY OF RENT THE RUNWAY
These days keeping up with the latest fashion trends is a full time job. By the time you decided to try a new trend, the rest of the fashion world could be moving on to the next. Clothing rental services give you the opportunity to try out trends without filling up your closet with pieces that just sit there after only being worn once.