thredUP, Depop, Vinted and other resale platforms have made thrifting transactions nearly frictionless, but those online purchases can still disappoint once delivered — not quite the fit, fabric or color a buyer expected. If a garment ends up unworn in someone else's closet, or is resold and reshipped to yet another buyer, sustainability gains quickly become losses.
Presenting those items IRL, on the other hand, allows for fitting and handling. And while some consumers have a sixth sense for unearthing gems in traditional thrift stores, a much larger group will prefer shopping specifically for brands they know and love, with preloved apparel preselected and organized neatly. Time for every brand to set up a dedicated resale section alongside racks of new clothing?
