Education on the adverse effects of fast fashion and its impact on the planet has led to many of us adopting a more thoughtful and conscious approach to our fashion consumption. 

A recent report from An Post found one in five of us have bought preloved clothing with close to half (45%) of respondents having sold clothing online. 

In a cost-of-living crisis, this has the added side-effect of being good for our wallets, but preloved clothing is not just a sustainable or cost-effective choice; it’s also at the forefront of style. 

At this year’s New York and London fashion weeks, eBay collaborated with The Council of Designers America and the British Fashion Council to highlight preloved items on catwalks, with daily drops of the items on the resell site after the fashion shows. 

According to the site, nearly $50 billion worth of secondhand luxury goods were sold globally in 2023. 

The platform also revealed that preloved and refurbished items make up 40% of their gross merchandise volume, with searches for “vintage” averaging over 1,000 times per minute in June 2024.

Archive looks are also de rigueur on the red carpet, with A-list celebrities from Zendya to Kendall Jenner, Nicole Kidman, and Naomi Campbell choosing vintage styles on the red carpet this year. Miley Cyrus’ iconic Grammy 2024 dress? Vintage Bob Mackie.  

Where to shop preloved

Ireland’s preloved offering is varied, catering to both vintage officiants and first-timers. 

If you’re someone who enjoys the thrill of the unexpected and a fashion treasure hunt, thrifting in charity shops is an excellent choice. 

The joy of discovering unique pieces in charity shops like Barnardos, which has over seven stores across Ireland, is unparalleled. 

Not only are you getting a fantastic deal, but you’re also contributing to the community, promoting sustainability, and supporting meaningful causes. Barnardos, for instance, is dedicated to improving the lives of vulnerable children and families in Ireland. 

When you step into a charity shop, keep an open mind – it’s more about the adventure than finding a specific item. 

Regular visits are recommended, as new donations come in frequently, adding to the excitement of the hunt.

If you’re searching for investment pieces, resell stores and sites are a go-to destination. Siopella, Designer Exchange and  No 38 Dunville specialise in luxury fashion and are gently worn, offering a curated selection. 

Try Nine Crows, Miss Daisy Blue, and Retro Workshop if vintage is more your vibe.

If you prefer to avoid rummaging through racks of clothes and prefer the comfort of your home, online shopping for secondhand items is a perfect solution. 

The convenience of shopping preloved online is unmatched, with a plethora of options. Shopping secondhand online requires being more specific in handling the choice and volume. 

Choosing sites like Vestiaire Collective, eBay, and Depop brings a wealth of options, and your best friend should be the filter options. 

When searching for items, filter for price, size, length, brand, and anything that will reduce the numbers and allow a more pleasant browsing experience. 

Ask the seller questions, look for more detailed, close-up shots to see the condition of the garment, and ensure it reflects the price. If you’re bulk buying a few pieces from one seller, ask for a discount and ensure combined shipping. 

It also helps to see the garment’s sizing and fit so you can contact sellers to see if they have additional photos. Fashion retailers are even offering preloved sections on their sites. 

On the online department store Zalando, you can sell previous Zalando purchases back or sell newer pieces. Zara has also started a preloved platform to extend the life of the high street pieces. 

You can repair, resell or donate used Zara garments. Arket, Cos, and Asos also offer a service to sell unwanted clothing.

How to sell your clothing online

If you want to declutter your wardrobe while making extra cash, selling your clothing online is a win-win. According to ThredUp, the top three reasons consumers sell their clothing are to make money, clear the wardrobe, and sustainably remove clothing.

Knowing what to sell, where to sell, and how to sell it to make a return is integral. ThredUp shared the top brands in resale, with Lululemon coming first; Reformation, Zara, Sezane, and Free People also on the list.

Before you start selling, it’s crucial to do your research on the different resell sites and find the one that best suits your clothing. 

For instance, Vestiaire Collective is ideal for high-end designer pieces, while Depop is more suited for high-street or vintage items. 

When you’ve picked your resell site and set yourself up, prepare your items for upload. Make sure they are clean, wrinkle-free, and well-presented. 

Hang them on a hanger or mannequin, or photograph them on you to show how they fit and fall, allowing customers to envision themselves in it. 

The right photo showcasing the garment could be the difference between a scroll past and a sale. Use natural light and a clean, minimal, neutral backdrop to view the clothes clearly. 

Take photos from all angles – front, back, sides, etc and include close-ups of fabric, textures, tags, and fun features like embroidery or buttons. 

If there are any rips or tears, be transparent and let customers know. Give a detailed description, and add a personal touch – give a background to the piece, why you loved it, and why you’re parting with it. 

Whether selling or shopping secondhand, both are fantastic way of expressing your style, all while doing it sustainably.

How exactly does shopping at a Barnardos store help the charity?

Barnardos has seven standard charity shops across the country, with locations in Cork, Carlow, Dalkey, Kilbarrack and Clondalkin. 

The likes of second-hand clothing, household items, accessories and entertainment items can be found in these shops, but the charity also operates two bridal boutiques as well.

Located in Dun Laoghaire and Wexford, these shops operate by appointment only and stock brand new wedding dresses for every taste. These gowns are reduced beyond the original retail price, with savings of up to 30 per cent on many of them.

“We’ve got a lot of donors giving to us on a regular basis so we’ve a wide variety and range available in our two vital stores. [The dresses are] never worn, all brand new – some end of line and some of them sample gowns,” says Colette Miller, Barnardos Retail Operations and Development Manager.

Not only will you be getting a bargain on your dream wedding dress, you are shopping sustainably and supporting the work Barnardos do for vulnerable children, with 100 per cent of the money made going back into the charity.

This means that by snapping up a new sustainable garm to benefit your own wardrobe, you’re helping vulnerable children.

In this world of trying to be more sustainable and mindful when it comes to clothing, make sure to appease the fashion gods with your own donations, too.

As Miller says: “Good quality donations from the general public are absolutely critical to everything that we’re doing. We really couldn’t keep the shops going without the support of the general public.

“The Irish public are very generous and they generally donate really good condition items to us.” Like their bridal shops, wholesalers and retailers donate brand new items to Barnardos charity shops across the country.

A whopping €200,000 is made from these stores every year, making a huge impact to the charity’s work.

“People want to support the work that we’re doing in communities because they understand the difference and the positive impact we’re having across the country with their work. It’s a great sustainable choice for people to consider coming in and giving something a second life.

“Obviously, there is a huge positive impact on people, profit and the planet,” Miller says.

• Barnardos are using their social channels to get the word out there about what’s in store, allowing people to have a quick browse of the stock from the comfort of their homes. 
• On Instagram, @barnardosbridal showcases wedding dresses, while @barnardosirldalkey has bargains, tips and news from the south Dublin shop.