SECONDHAND NEWS
Gone are the days of searching high and low in small , stuffy , and crowded stores looking for the best of the best thrift at the perfect price .
Secondhand market places and thrift stores have now evolved to a different platform : the internet . With constant technological advancements , this is a ( really ) long time coming . Secondhand online retailers have taken to the internet to resell and therefore recycle gently used clothing . Before many retailers took initiative , the only issue with online consignment was that it takes more time and resources to sell only one size of one unit . Now , online secondhand retailers are sourcing their products from customers who are not only getting a portion of the revenue , but also taking the pictures for the site themselves . Cutting out all that intermediary work saves time and money .
It ’ s important to remember that these retailers are not comparable to your local Goodwill . One key quality that they all have in common is that they are not selling low quality secondhand items . Instead , they are selling pieces from luxury designers and upper market retailers . By doing the curating and buying themselves , customers no longer have to dig through bins or sort through racks to find a coveted luxury piece . This not only allows people to afford luxury items without breaking the bank , but is also good for the environment . The fashion industry is one of the top waste producing industries in the world . From the manufacturing to the care of clothing , each aspect causes large amounts of waste and pollution . Even if an item of clothing is ethically and sustainably made , that does not mean that the care and disposal of the garment will be sustainable . Just think of the gallons of water that it takes to wash a load of laundry . These retailers are making a small step in the right direction to aiding our current environmental situation . BY RAE CRESCAS /
PHOTOGRAPHED BY KEVIN DOOLY / CC BY 2.0
The RealReal Most known for their vast collection of luxury consignment garments , The RealReal has one of the best collection of upper market clothing . Selling everything from Yeezy to Chanel , they have a vast collection of clothing . The bar to sell to The RealReal is high . They will not sell lower market clothing . They operate mainly online but also have their own brick and mortar store in New York City . Tradesy Tradesy is more linnet than The RealReal when it comes to the brands they carry . Although they still have a selection of designer brands , they carry an even wider selection of lower market and even unnamed brands . However , Tradesy has more competitive pricing on designer items than The RealReal , with their clothing being more gently worn .
Grailed Specializing in streetwear designers rather than luxury , Grailed has a great selection for men . Grailed also allows selling from customer to customer , meaning that prices are negotiable , and with international shipping , Grailed is available to shoppers outside of the United States .
@ thrift _ queen _ nyc This Instagram account specializes in pulling clothing from thrift stores around New York City and selling them through Instagram . With a mix of luxury and exclusive finds , Thrift Queen is attracting a social media following and works directly with their customers , who have the option to request different sizes and brands . It basically acts as a personal thrift shopper .
Secondhand online retailers are taking off , and the market is a huge opportunity for not only businesses , but also for customers looking for luxury at a less expensive price point .
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