By launching their own in-house resale programmes, or ‘pre-loved’ collections, it allows their customers to cash in their old threads for store-credit, thus creating a circular economy for the brand. It enables them to keep loyal customers’ money in-house and away from resell platforms, whilst extending the life-cycle of their garments and reducing carbon emissions. It is also a way of allowing new customers to buy into previous collections at a fraction of the price, ensuring they are getting their hands on authentic second-hand goods and even snapping up previously sold-out styles.
Here, we round-up the fashion brands and stores offering a resale service online to help you shop your new season wardrobe more consciously.
Baukjen
B Corp-certified fashion brand Baukjen has launched its own in-house pre-loved and rental collections this year. Simply trade your previous season Baujken buys in and receive a £20 voucher towards your next purchase. Fifty per cent of proceeds from the sales are donated Oxfam and any unsold items are recycled sustainably.
Selfridges
Dubbed Re-Selfridges, the retail giant is now offering ‘fully authenticated’ designer accessories via its new resell portal. Currently limited to bags, watches and jewellery, the collection forms part of its wider ‘Project Earth’ sustainability initiative. Besides the resell offering, it has also launched a rental service in the London and Manchester stores, as well as in-store repair services for shoes, accessories, eyewear and timepieces to maximise the wear of your wardrobe.
COS
COS has always had strong re-sell value on platforms such as eBay, Vinted and Depop. But now the utilitarian fashion brand has launched its own resell offering; taking only a 10 per cent commission, Cos puts the power is in the hands of the seller, who upload their own garments, set prices and send the sold items to their new homes. A great site to check if you have missed out on a previous season purchase you can’t stop thinking about – especially since items sell for roughly half their original retail price.
Net-A-Porter
Net-A-Porter has teamed up with resell platform, Reflaunt, to enable its fashion-forward customers to trade in last season’s looks in exchange for online vouchers or even a straightforward bank transfer. Expect a level of customer service associated with NAP – items can be picked up from your home and taken to be listed and photographed, ready for resale once a price has been agreed. The best bit? Designer items don’t even have to have been purchased from the site originally, as long as they are in excellent condition and with authentication paperwork. If you are a fickle fashion lover, this could help fund your next fix.
Arket
Arket’s Archive platform is a resale site dedicated to selling on pre-loved Arket items that still have plenty of wear left in them. And, do keep an eye out for further incentives: it sometimes runs offers that get shoppers 20 per cent off their next purchase when they list one or more items. The perfect way to promote a circular economy while giving buyers access to previous collections.
Toast
The always-beautiful Toast has launched its ‘Toast Reworn’ initiative, where customers can resell worn Toast garments via their platform. The brand, in fact, runs a number of initiatives – from its ‘Renewed’ offering, which sees old pieces creatively repaired, to ‘Exchange’, where customers may swap items for others’ pre-loved pieces, each of which comes with a little hand-written history. This initiative encourages longevity, offering a space for sustainable fashion and we applaud it heartily.
Patagonia
Known for its environmental activism, Patagonia has long been a champion of sustainability. As it says on its website, ‘repair is a radical act. Because the best thing we can do for our planet is cut down on consumption and get more use out of stuff we already own — we’re making it easier than ever before to fix your Patagonia gear.’ It has a permanent Worn Wear outlet in Berlin – but do look out for London pop-ups too. In the meantime, check online for its comprehensive guides to repair, as well as its largely free repair services, to extend the life of its clothes.
