The second hand clothes market is dead.

I mean I have to completely disagree… the second hand textile market is actually booming. I think what you mean is that you can’t buy what you want anymore at the price you want… that is capitalism!

The second hand clothing industry is bigger than ever before and growing faster than traditional retail.. and for good reason - people need to start rewearing more so we reduce the production of new clothing.

Im sorry to tell you that this is the way forwards and actually the second hand textile industry extends far far far beyond vinted and eBay.. these are actually tech companies and are not the driving force behind the used clothing boom. It’s actually peoples choice as consumers that drives it forward.

You have to click on the photo, then you can zoom.

I have bought so many second hand clothes on Vinted. I buy lots of preloved clothes for my kids too. Good quality Boden for the kids at a much cheaper rate. I also sell clothes on Vinted too. It's been such a money saver and seems more ethical (though I'm sure the delivery of clothes adds immensely to pollution and climate change). I love it.

Another couple of points - I used to volunteer in a charity shop and we would see a lot of BNWT. People will go into town, buy something in the sales, get it home and decide they don't actually like the colour, or it doesn't fit. Or they will put it away around now for next summer, get it out again in May and wonder what the hell they were thinking buying it in the first place. Returning to a shop in town means 30 minutes each way and at least £5 for bus/train/parking - not worth it. I do get suspicious of the people who have 10 pairs of identical jeans, all BNWT in multiple sizes though.

There has been a lot of discussion about Chinese companies representing themselves as British brands who are closing down, usually with names like Katie London, Jemma of York, Jones and Stewart. When you pay your £50 or whatever for a dress from them, what is delivered is a piece of purely made absolute shite which is nothing like the online pictures. Many of these are ending up on Vinted. The seller is often not going to be honest about the brand so it is listed as brand unknown or similar. Just be careful if it's a brand you don't recognise.

A long list of BNWT, I assume stolen. When you say that on MN people often come along and claim to have lots of BNWT stuff that they've bought but never worn. I don't believe it.
On vinted I'd rather buy something that looks in good condition where the seller says they've worn it a couple of times but don't like it or it doesn't fit.
I've sold stuff myself like that.
I do wish people would be more honest about condition. Everything is "very good" , you can often tell by photo that's is very worn.

For me, I never trust anyone selling a weird range of sizes,.all from the same shop and /or brand new with tags

I never understand why people think I will want to pay more than a few pounds for something second hand that I can't see or try on in advance- even if it's nice quality and advertised as in good condition.

If people dropped their prices I would only buy second hand.

I like loads of stuff on vinted but I am not going to gamble more than a few pounds on it

Just curious, how do you suspect with some buyers? I must be very naive as that hadn’t occurred to me 🙈

Charity shops are also overflowing. With Anglo I just leave things on my doorstep. They can process everything. I volunteered in a charity shop and lots goes to rags but equally lots gets binned. I don't want to pay to park to find the charity shop will take one bag only.

The better option is the local Facebook clothing banks. You just advertise for free or send it to central volunteer to deal with.

The real saving is buying only what you need in the first place and right now im working on that basis. Noticed dd joggers are getting short but she has worn them for months and noticed they are therefore stained. So they will go in recycling bank. Buy four pairs of trousers for less than 335in total that get worn to death and recycled saves more than buying eight and reselling them for £2 each which I'd be pushed to shift.

Buying less in the first place is the real saving. Like with a expensive bag mentioned up thread. Buy just one lovely bag a year. Enjoy it and use it a lot, then once is unfit for resale as no longer pristine, what you you really lost?

I wanted a Bayswater. Rather than buy new, i got a pristine one from Vinted that im not scared to use as im not going to resell. The seller sold it for £260. Its a £1200 bag. The seller hasn't made £260. She has lost £940 by buying a bag and keeping it in the wardrobe. That's what im trying to avoid from now on. Unless its going to be worn times plus its not coming home with me. Some things I have worn weekly for over ten years so I know for me I don't need more. Growing kids are more tricky.

Also agree I have Primark stuff that's years old, but im not of the age to buy the latest weird trend on impulse. I get basics that never go out if fashion. Dd has primark shorts bought on Vinted and sold on again so survived at least three owners.

I only got into Vinted a year ago but since then I’ve sold over 200 items on there and cleared my wardrobes completely! My average sale price was £10 an item, so made a nice amount too. Good quality clothes sell well but I’ve also sold cheap stuff I’ve only worn once too with no problem. Loads of photos and item info and most sell quickly. Anything not sold within 3 months goes to charity. I’ve also had a few bargains off there. I always use eBay to sell anything over £100 though.

I buy in Vinted, but charity shop anything I no longer want. I can’t be on with selling stuff.

It isn't stopping people buying endless fast fashion hauls though. Where do you think all the stuff on Vinted comes from in the first place?

I can't?

That’s everywhere unfortunately, lots of designer bags and watches, branded jackets are stolen and resold on all big platforms ,

I do find vinted a phenomena that needs to be studied,

I think That the idea of buying something for £5 is more appealing than the product it self.
buyers won’t notice replacing items if they are cheap.

It's true, but sometimes I wonder. Is it so great for the planet all these items being transported back and forth across the country?

Far less damaging to the planet than buying endless hauls from Zara, Shein or Primark.

Home bargains sell postage bags for about £1 for 10. They are brilliant

I used to buy most of my clothes on eBay but now buy them on Vinted. Why? The same clothes, the same quality and a fraction of the price. From where I am looking, the secondhand market is thriving but not on eBay.

A postage bag.

I've never once used eBay to buy clothes (in fact i've used it maybe 3 times to buy refurbished tech) but I have used Vinted on countless occasions for clothes. Both buying and selling. I would say the second hand clothes market is booming right now.

How do people deal with sizing though (as buyers)? I would like to buy more from Vinted but I find that when online shopping I have to send back at least half because it doesn't fit, so I feel like I would just end up with a lot of stuff I can't use

that's the risk indeed, you can't send back items just because they don't fit. But you just put it back up on Vinted.

You can buy plastic postage bags in bulk online, or at Poundland ect

You have to be realistic about the price you’re asking (don’t forget the buyer also pays for postage). Some things are seasonal too.

my stuff usually goes quickly but there are some items which attract no interest, maybe there are too many similar things in better condition, or some items maybe niche or passé. But you get a feel for stuff which will hold value and things which won’t.

Vinted is a piece of piss, eBay is not. I hate eBay with a passion.

I buy and sell on Vinted almost every week, it’s easy and simple and far easier to navigate. Not bought anything from eBay in over 15 years.

You can zoom in on photos. I do it all the time on knitwear to check for pilling.

I've used the same type of agencies in the UK for decades. The second hand designer market is thriving as it always has.