Amid rising costs, manufacturing disruptions and a fluctuating economic system, one side of retail nonetheless appears to be thriving: the secondhand market. As soon as related to cut price hunters and classic lovers, thrifting is now turning into mainstream as a wiser, cheaper option to store.
Based on a 2025 resale report by ThredUP, the secondhand attire market ought to attain $367 billion globally by 2029. Fueling this progress is a mix of financial warning, environmental consciousness and a need for individuality in what we put on and the way we adorn our properties. Along with this, Capital One Procuring experiences that 93% of Individuals store on-line for second hand gadgets—and as of 2024, this market within the U.S. is price an estimated $50 billion, up 30% from 2023.
This shift has paved the best way for a brand new wave of unbiased classic and resale companies, typically with inventive, curated approaches that meet the rising demand for distinctive, inexpensive and eco-conscious finds.
Ardour meets objective
For profitable resalers, thrifting is greater than saving cash—it’s additionally about establishing significant connections and discovering items that evoke nostalgia and pleasure. These enterprise homeowners should even have a eager eye for the correct stock—however that’s solely a part of the equation.
Dallas-based reseller Brittany Roman—who turned her vogue interest into Tribute to My Closet, a full-time enterprise that helps individuals discover timeless type with out the waste of quick vogue—says that she tracks what’s trending and builds stock round seasonality and demand. “It’s not nearly what’s cute,” she explains. “It’s about staying forward of what individuals will likely be craving subsequent and guaranteeing that I’m stocked with items that really feel each well timed and timeless.”
In the meantime in Skokie, Illinois, Midge “Cheez” Ripoli and Lucy Rendler-Kaplan turned years of competition and market finds into Chez Lu’s Extraordinary Finds, a brand new storefront with a fast-growing native following. Ripoli admits that sourcing continues to be an evolving strategy of studying what individuals need and, extra importantly, what they don’t need. For him, there’s extra trial and error concerned—however in the end, he chooses items that appear like they might be a part of somebody’s story.
“We do a variety of on-line auctions, and we’re on an property sale e-mail checklist so we all know when and the place the good property gross sales are,” he says. “Plus, attending to know the those that run them is a bonus too.”
The cyclical nature of retail
As we’ve all seen in recent times, retail traits are famously cyclical. Types like ‘90s cargo pants, Y2K rhinestone tops and ‘80s outsized blazers have all made main comebacks, proving that what was as soon as outdated typically turns into the subsequent large factor once more in vogue. This displays a tradition that’s wanting to reclaim its id via private expression and nostalgic consolation.
Roman notes a big uptick in boho and western vogue particularly, like fringe jackets, concho belts and embroidered denim. “These types are rooted in classic, and most mass retailers aren’t providing the true deal except it comes with a hefty price ticket,” she says. “[But] I can supply genuine, one-of-a-kind items that nobody else has—and supply them at an accessible worth.”
In the meantime, Chez Lu’s has seen a wave of curiosity in ‘90s gadgets. “I feel there’s a ton of demand as a result of all people needs that one factor they’d as a child or their buddy had [that they can afford now],” Ripoli says.
However this emotional connection isn’t nearly vogue. Ripoli and Rendler-Kaplan typically stage gadgets in playful, themed vignettes—like a bit ‘70s breakfast nook or a wicker yard chair with matching wicker furnishings—to assist individuals visualize how secondhand will be cool, cohesive and enjoyable.
Digitizing thrifting
Know-how has additionally streamlined the resale course of, in line with each Ripoli and Roman, providing new methods to scale companies and attain broader audiences. Instruments like saved search alerts, AI-generated pricing recommendations, and social commerce options on Instagram and Fb Market have made discovering and flipping classic finds simpler than ever.
Roman, who sells totally on platforms like Depop and Instagram, makes use of Pinterest to remain forward of vogue cycles. She additionally leans closely on her Notes app to trace shopper preferences, want lists and stock. “I exploit saved searches to trace particular manufacturers or items I do know my purchasers need, however the true magic nonetheless lies in understanding your buyer,” she provides. “It’s not simply reselling—it’s curating.”
For Chez Lu, social media is each an inspiration and a studying device. “Now we have discovered lots by different classic shops’ Insta[gram] accounts or Fb accounts for ways in which we may do issues higher,” Ripoli says.
Epic thrift scores
Each reseller has that one unforgettable second when a dusty secondhand gem turns to gold. For Chez Lu‘s, it was a beat-up bamboo birdcage chair that Ripoli and Rendler-Kaplan fastened and posted on-line. A buyer who got here to see it informed them it was a uncommon ‘60s piece that was price 5 occasions greater than they’d listed it for.
“She really paid us much more than we had it up for when she actually didn’t should. However that was a recreation changer as a result of we actually began the whole lot lots in another way,” Ripoli says.
Roman’s greatest flip was a $300 leather-based Cuyana bag that she discovered for $4.99. She resold it for $150 to a buyer, who then posted a video sharing how excited she was to get a luxurious merchandise for much less. “I may inform it made her really feel elevated and classy—and that’s the form of second that makes this work really feel particular,” Roman provides.
Thrifting suggestions
Listed here are a couple of suggestions from Roman that can assist you rating some epic items in your subsequent thrifting journey:
- Go in with a guidelines of things you need.
- Don’t get caught on sizing—attempt on items which may not be your dimension or in your regular clothes part.
- Store the entire rack, not simply what’s at eye degree.
- Examine material labels on clothes gadgets, particularly for high-quality manufacturers.
Why resale is right here to remain
As each Roman and Ripoli have seen, thrifting’s best power is its relevance. And it isn’t only for the funds customers or households which are making an attempt to make ends meet, both. Main manufacturers like Zara, Levi’s and Lululemon have launched their very own pre-owned applications, whereas luxurious labels like Coach additionally supply refurbished resale items.
“It’s not nearly saving garments from landfills—it’s about making a slower, smarter option to store,” Roman says.
In any case, as Ripoli provides, “persons are all the time going to need to eliminate their stuff, and different persons are all the time going to need these gems.” And for the resellers who’re using this cycle, the fun of the hunt by no means will get outdated.
Photograph by AnnaStills/iStock.com
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