'This old thing?' How the high street is tapping into the pre-loved clothing market

Scoring a second-hand fashion bargain is easier than ever, but how do the picks measure up to the new-in sections?

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May 14, 2024May 14, 2024, 3:01 PM GMT+1

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A clothing compliment hits different when the piece was destined for landfill before you swooped in and gave it a new lease of life, right?

Making pre-loved fashion look luxe and covetable is an art form, and equally impressive is having the patience to trawl through the popular resale sites.

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Fashion week guest wearing green coat, cream knee-high boots — Several high street brands now offer pre-loved sections on their websites

But it appears that bagging a second-hand bargain is officially easier than ever, thanks to online schemes backed by somewhat unexpected champions: some of the biggest names in retail.

Nearly a quarter (23%) of the average Brit's wardrobe is comprised of pre-loved pieces, rising to 34% among those aged between 18 and 34, according to a recent study conducted by the Westfield shopping centre group.

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READ: 5 Sustainable fashion habits that are actually easy to adopt before Earth Day

Fashion week guests wearing vivid colours outside a show — The hunt for a pre-loved gem is easier than ever

Fast fashion and greenwashing make for hot discourse, but how do these online pre-loved picks measure up in comparison to the new-in sections?

Sustainable credentials have emerged as a major draw, especially among younger consumers, when it comes to brand preference. Perfection is the enemy of progress, and surely any attempt made to encourage a more circular fashion model ought to be welcomed with open arms?

READ: The 9 best London charity shops for designer fashion buys

Hello! Fashion shares the high street brands that are making waves in the pre-loved clothing market:

Zara

Spanish retailer Zara is one of the most influential high street fashion brands, with its finger firmly on the trend pulse. Its website's current pre-loved section offers the option to request a repair, donate to local organisations and buy second-hand pieces, pleasingly grouped by colour.

SHOP PRE-LOVED

Arket

Contemporary Nordic label Arket, renowned for its minimal, affordable-luxe staples, is another of those which has entered the pre-loved market. The Arket Archive offers the option to both buy and sell, and the nearly 200 pre-loved picks span from of-the-moment jean silhouettes to timeless linen shirts.

SHOP PRE-LOVED

Urban Outfitters

Gen Z-approved boho high street brand Urban Outfitters has Urban Renewal, a curation of thoughtfully sourced vintage, from markets and sellers. The line is divided into four key sections: Vintage, Remade, Remnants and One-of-a-Kind.

SHOP PRE-LOVED

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