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.
With Patagonia, Levis, Lululemon and many others launching stateside in the last twelve months, we can see the resell economy growing through 2023 this side of the pond too. Watch this space.
This Second-Hand September, we round-up five 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.
Nuuly Thrift
The latest resell marketplace app from URBN (the parent company of Anthropologie, Urban Outfitters and Free People), Nuuly allows users to upload and sell their preloved fashion and earn ‘Nuuly Cash’ - worth 10 per cent more than the face value at their retail stores. Or, simply sell and pocket the cash in a simple in-app bank transfer. With 18,000 listings across brands and vintage fashion, it’s an easy way to invest in and sell your wardrobe, smartly and sustainably.
By Lydia Mansi
September 2022
