The fashion industry is experiencing a major transformation, driven by the rising popularity of second-hand clothing. This shift is not only about affordability but also about sustainability.

Entrepreneurs Ana Luiza McLaren and Sarah Dean, who specialize in the second-hand clothing sector, highlight the appeal and impact of pre-loved fashion in a BBC World Service interview.

“Many people want great brands but at a more affordable price. This is something really considerable when buying second-hand,” Ana remarked.

Sarah affirmed McLaren’s statement saying, “I find it’s the same here in UK.” 

She elaborated on how second-hand clothing allows people to wear the styles they want without breaking the bank.

Beyond accessibility, the rise of second-hand fashion reflects a broader shift in consumer behavior—one closely tied to increasing awareness of sustainable fashion.

“I think studies have been done and there’s a lot of numbers flying around, but it’s predicted that second-hand fashion will overtake fast fashion by the year 2030,” Sarah said. 

She added, “It just goes to show the popularity of what we’re doing now is only going to continue to grow.”

Sarah also noted how this trend is reshaping shopping habits:

“It’s changing people’s shopping habits to come away from the fast fashion sites into the sites selling second-hand.”

Emphasizing the emotional and ethical impact of second-hand fashion, Ana shared:

“When you get used to it, you feel the difference in your heart. So when you buy something that’s been already used and when you send something you don’t want anymore to someone who will reuse [it]. This act, when you feel it, changes you internally.”

She then elaborated, “We don’t use sustainability to sell… This is not a selling argument. This is something that happens once you get into the movement.”

Sources: (1)

---

Keep Reading: Success Story of Penny Pairs: A Jewelry Brand That Grew Since the Pandemic