For Millennials and Gen Zs, preloved items are all the rage
Secondhand clothing businesses are growing in Cardiff now that more and more young shoppers opt for cheaper and more sustainable fashion.
On February 2nd, a long queue formed outside the sidewalk of the Cornerstone as people wait for the start of a vintage clothing event–The Vintage Kilo Sale.
Emily Hughes, brand manager of the Vintage Kilo Sale, said, “last year has been our busiest year ever…we’re seeing a new influx of customers who care about where they’re buying their clothes from…we want people to be able to buy amazing things for an affordable price. And obviously one of our main things is sustainability.”
“Our most popular age bracket is 16 to 30. That’s probably about 75 percent of our customers.”
Young people’s attitude towards secondhand clothing shops are more positive than ever.
Polls conducted by BusinessWaste.co.uk in 2019 showed a similar result. It found that 80 percent of sixteen to twenty-one-year olds said they were happy to shop secondhand.
“I’m trying to shop mainly at Vintage clothing or charity shops for things now,” a university student at Cardiff named Emily said, “I really like the idea of reusable fashion and stopping mass consumerism in shops…There’s all these clothes in here that have another life in them.”
Oscar Princeton, another university student said, “I’m kind of into recycling. At the same time, I don’t really see the difference in new clothes and old clothes. I am a uni student as well. So, I have to live on the cheap.”
“Each year we’re doing the events. They do get more popular.” Hughes said.
According to Thredup, a US secondhand clothing retailer, the value of the secondhand market is doing very well, everywhere.
Currently, the market is worth $24bn (£18bn). It is expected to reach $51 billion (£39bn) in five years.
Follow more events: @thevintagekilosale