Third Wave Fashion // JULY 2013 // THE WEDDING TECH ISSUE | Page 19

T R E N D WA T C H

Recommerce
Out with the old, in the with
the new, as the saying goes. Recommerce
startups are doing just that. is
innovative trend comes with a smart
inventory level: zero. e customers own
the items and exchange, purchase, or sell
them in different ways. Shoppers get the
thrill of a good deal, while the feel-good
aspects of reselling used merchandise
sweeten the transaction.
We recommend to companies
that explore this business model that they
feature a strong community aspect.
Current successful recommerce
businesses have robust followings and
bustling communities of devoted buyers
and sellers. A good example is Bib +
Tuck; the members-only marketplace to
resell used goods features virtual currency
earned by trading-in clothes. e online
“bucks” can be used to buy new things.
Users are encouraged to post their social
media contact and real names to
encourage a real-life community feel. e
young company’s efforts have begun to

pay off as Bib + Tuck announced a
$600,000 seed round just last month.
Poshmark, the recommerce
company from the Bay Area, keeps
community a top priority and is known
for their highly popular “posh parties”,
on-app or offline events where online
users meet to buy and sell their favorite
items.
Other notable startups in the
space feature luxury or exclusivity as
mainstays. Vaunte lets users shop closets
of “influencers” including celebrities,
stylists, and editors, and feature numerous
charities linked to notable closets.
Meanwhile e RealReal sells
au t h e nt i c at e d p r e - o w n e d l u x u r y
merchandise at 90% of retail and gives
buyers the piece of mind that their
purchase is not a fraud.
Another interesting player in
the space is redUP which lets
customers buy and exchange used
children’s clothing to help them keep up
as their child grows. Similarly named
readflip has a thriving community

aspect but also focuses on editorial by the
addition of featured bloggers and style
personality features.
Wedding planning is made easier
with two of the brightest bridal
recommerce companies: Nearly
Newlywed, featured on Shark Tank, lets
brides buy and sell their lightly worn
wedding dresses. Customers near New
York City can even stop in for in-person
try-ons. e company even guarantees a
sell-back price of at least 30% of the
original. Founder Jacqueline Courtney
gets to know her brides through Pinterest
inspiration boards, adding a personal
touch to this social media powered
startup. Hustle Your Bustle adds an eBay
element as sellers on their site pay a fee to
sign up and list a dress. Sellers are not
only brides, but also can include indie
designers, bridal boutiques and more.
As of press time there were 54 companies
categorized as Recommerce in the TWF
fashion tech database.