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Second-hand clothes and sustainable consumption

by Sofia venegas
13 replies
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Hello, I recently developed a business idea on the transformation and marketing of second-hand clothing through e-commerce. I would like you to tell me, what opinion do you have about second-hand clothes? Would you be willing to buy and recommend this type of product that encourages sustainable consumption?

I will read your comments, thank you!
#clothes #consumption #secondhand #sustainable
  • Profile picture of the author Kay King
    Like poshmark and thredup?
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    • Profile picture of the author Sofia venegas
      Yes, something like that, although my idea is based more on the transformation and design of second-hand clothes, using the latest fashion trends, which aim to improve and elevate the experience of buying second-hand clothes. Tell me your opinion on that!
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      • Profile picture of the author RebeccaOgden
        Hi dude. Previously, I also thought about creating a website with my own benefit and various ideas where you can help to buy and resell things. But I found the How to sell things very profitably with apps, where you can sell all unnecessary things without composing different business ideas. This site will help you deal with your things, that is, where they can be sold profitably and quickly, moreover, without loss. This article, as well as its creators, are focused on helping people, let's say, with the sale of things and I was able to sell all unnecessary things there without risking losing them.
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  • Profile picture of the author Kay King
    Sounds time consuming - would prices remain competitive?
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    • Profile picture of the author Sofia venegas
      Yes, of course, the clothes would be bought at a fairly comfortable price, which would make production costs low and we can offer a fairly competitive price, time-wise, the design team is quite efficient then we hope that the production does not take longer than normal in the textile industry. What do you think about this?
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      • Profile picture of the author DABK
        Not trying to nitpick, but you seem to be glossing over the costs of production.

        Just because you get a shirt for a low price doesn't mean the production costs are going to be low. They'll be lower than if you did not.

        But transforming that shirt has a price. Combined, they might be too high for you to be profitable even if the cost of the shirt itself is low.

        I am trying to get at this: have you done one such shirt? How much did you pay for it? How much work did you put into converting it? (Or how much did it cost you if someone else did the work?).

        Then there's the shopping for used clothes costs and the costs of bringing them to wherever they're going to be transformed.

        Then the cost of holding them till you sell them. (How are you going to sell them? Online? Then, you'd probably keep them in your house... No dollars leaving your pocket, probably. But you have to put up with the mess. Maybe buy/ rent a bigger place.)

        Then there is the cost of management, finding buyers, etc.

        Have you a plan that addresses all that?

        I mean, you might end up selling shirts that cost you $5 to buy for $25 (which seems like a winner), yet lose money, when everything is accounted for.

        By the way, when you're done with adding up all the costs, add 10% for contingency reserve and $10% for profit.

        You'll be better off if you do that than if you do not.

        Much better off, even.


        Originally Posted by Sofia venegas View Post

        Yes, of course, the clothes would be bought at a fairly comfortable price, which would make production costs low and we can offer a fairly competitive price, time-wise, the design team is quite efficient then we hope that the production does not take longer than normal in the textile industry. What do you think about this?
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  • Profile picture of the author Kay King
    So - you would buy used clothing, 'redesign' it and then sell it as used clothing?

    Won't know how it will work until you try it - and there may be a good audience there. Not sure the 'sustainable consumption' argument is the best to use but that may be region specific.

    I have purchased clothing from thrift and consignment shops for many years...for two reasons: 1) I think well made clothing is too costly, and 2) I HATE to shop and prefer a smaller choice rather than cruising big stores. I would probably not be interested in 'remade' clothing simply because I've been able to find quality items that are current and in style for very low prices.

    An advantage for me is that I'm average ht. and wear smaller sizes often associated with 'shopaholics' - I frequently find new or high end like-new second hand clothing.

    One thing you might consider (don't know where your target market is located) - is to have a section that focuses on 'larger' buyers. There is a huge market there that is being courted by 'new' clothing stores but appears to be ignored by many consignment/thrift shops.
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  • Profile picture of the author SofienParisien
    Yes! It seems to be a good business. wish you all the success!
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  • Profile picture of the author Naheed
    @Sofia,
    It will be a time taking and laborious job to first buy the used clothes, then restyle it and sell.
    May success attend you.
    Best.
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  • Profile picture of the author mrwynix
    Seems like an awesome concept. I saw some of those sites on Instagram already. Second-hand, vintage stuff is getting more and more popular every day!
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  • Profile picture of the author dobry2020
    This is a very good business idea. The ecological aspect is important here, why produce so many new things. It seems to me that if the price is low, people will buy used clothes.
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  • Profile picture of the author Oscar K
    Take a look at Beyond Retro (UK/Europe based). Part of their business includes refurbishing or redesigning vintage clothing. I love vintage clothes and would pay £50 for a good old jumper or sports jacket.

    Vintage can include up to 2000 I would say. T-shirts and hoodies seem popular as well as jackets coats and knitwear. Vintage denim is good, especially jackets. Haven't really sold much of this myself online but I know enough to say "avoid selling shoes". Unless you specialize in shoes.

    On the subject of the above named: I should be blunt but won't be. Let me just say that vintage clothing, especially tops, can be date verified by design of label/country of manufacture. Logos change and they change on a specific date (more or less) and so do the locations of production.

    If you do get into selling vintage T-shirts and so on you need to be able to accurately date them. Not many people would notice if the Gildan logo on the label doesn't align with the supposed vintage of the item and that applies to other companies too. There are other ways to date vintage clothing including the way it is stitched, printing style, feel, the material, the look, the way it is finished etc. But if a hoodie is listed as 90s but has the updated logo which wasn't in existence until 2001 we have a problem.

    It's at least a solid idea from this retailer's point of view but if I had a good supplier of vintage clothing I'd be straight on Etsy.
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  • Profile picture of the author smih65
    I have a business in which we have been collected the secondhand clothes specially the clothes that one is made of drug rug then we burn it and then make jackets from it.
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