Thrifting the Future: How Resale Is Reshaping Fashion Economics
Thrifting the Future: How Resale Is Reshaping Fashion Economics
Embedded Files
Fashion Meets Economics
Fashion Meets Economics
Rising costs are reshaping how consumers approach fashion.
It's no secret that life has become less affordable. I'm defintely not an economist, but you don't need to be one to see it. From nights out with friends, to hobbies like bowling, to the clothes we buy, luxuries have started to feel out of reach. Fashion is one of the clearest examples of this shift. As prices rise, people are searching for new ways to shop, and this is where the resale market comes in.
Customers and consumers are often used interchangeably, but they represent different roles. Customers are the people who purchase an item, while consumers are the end-users. Sometimes these overlap, but in fashion today, platforms like Depop, Poshmark, and Mercari have blurred the lines. A person might buy a designer jacket secondhand (customer) and then resell it again later (becoming both consumer and seller). This shift shows how economics, demographics, and lifestyle changes are transforming the traditional definition of fashion consumption.
Why Resale Is on the Rise
Why Resale Is on the Rise
Several forces drive the growth of resale in fashion:
Economic pressures: Rising prices and inflation make secondhand appealing as a budget-friendly alternative.
Generational shifts: Gen Z and Millennials value sustainability and individuality.
Cultural influences: Thrifting is now a lifestyle choice, not just a necessity.
Shared economy: Apps like Depop and Mercari thrive on peer-to-peer trust and community.
Global secondhand apparel market growth projected to $367 billion by 2029.
According to ThredUp’s 2025 Resale Report, “The global secondhand market is expected to double by 2029, reaching $367 billion” (ThredUp, 2025).
For me, the rise of resale also reflects something more personal: a change in how I view value. It is not just about getting the lowest price. It is about the feeling that an item has lived a life before me and that I am giving it a second chapter.
The Blurring Line Between Budget and Luxury
The Blurring Line Between Budget and Luxury
I know this personally. When I was 18, I thrifted a “Born Again Christian Dior” shirt made by Chinatown Market. It was not an actual Dior piece, but at the time it felt like a treasure. To me, it represented the excitement of resale — the feeling of finding something unique and stylish that carried meaning beyond its original price tag.
Resale puts thrifted finds and luxury fashion side by side in the same marketplace.
As I have gotten older, I have been able to buy true luxury pieces on resale platforms. On Depop, I picked up a Yves Saint Laurent quarter-zip and a vintage Christian Dior sweater, both items that would have been out of reach if I had tried to purchase them brand new.
What makes this especially interesting to me is how much I personally prefer vintage. I think society is leaning in that direction too. Pop singer-songwriter Slayyyter said something similar in an interview about her song BEAT UP CHANELS (a very fitting title for this conversation), where she admitted she dislikes the fresh-out-of-the-store look: she feels that it "has no soul." I feel the same way. There is something boring about buying brand new, perfectly untouched clothes. Vintage, on the other hand, carries history and individuality.
Slayyyter’s single BEAT UP CHANEL$ highlights the cultural shift toward valuing worn-in, vintage aesthetics.
Platforms like The RealReal, Vestiaire Collective, and Grailed have made luxury resale mainstream.
Depop and The RealReal
Depop and The RealReal
Depop thrives on community and individuality, while The RealReal offers authenticated luxury.
Depop and The RealReal might seem like very different platforms, but together they show how wide the resale economy has become.
Depop feels like a digital thrift store mixed with Instagram. It is social, colorful, and full of personality. Sellers curate not just clothing but entire aesthetics, often using carefully styled photos and creative branding. I like Depop because it makes shopping feel like a community experience rather than a transaction. Browsing through sellers’ pages feels like scrolling through friends’ feeds, and sometimes I even message sellers about styling tips or sizing. That sense of connection is something I never feel walking into a big-box retailer like Macy's.
The RealReal, on the other hand, represents the polished side of resale. Everything is authenticated, photographed professionally, and categorized in a way that feels almost like browsing a department store online. What makes The RealReal so appealing to me is that it takes the risk out of buying luxury secondhand. I know the Yves Saint Laurent quarter-zip or Christian Dior sweater I see there has been vetted, and that makes me feel confident about investing in something that is otherwise out of reach. It also reflects a bigger shift: resale is no longer just for bargain hunters. It is also for luxury consumers who care about sustainability and value.
The difference between Depop and The RealReal shows that resale is not one-size-fits-all. It can be playful and experimental, or it can be professional and aspirational. Personally, I like having both options because it means I can shop depending on my mood, my budget, or the kind of story I want a piece of clothing to tell.
Consumer vs. Customer
Consumer vs. Customer
In traditional retail, the customer and the consumer were often the same. You bought something, you wore it, and that was the end of the story. In resale, the line is blurred.
Customer: Buys secondhand with intention to resell.
Consumer: Wears and uses, but might also become a seller later.
Hybrid role: Many people today cycle between both identities, depending on need, budget, and trends.
In resale, customers and consumers often overlap, creating new hybrid roles.
I think this shift matters because it reflects how younger generations, including me, see ownership differently. Clothing does not feel permanent anymore. It feels more like an asset. Something that can be traded, resold, or repurposed when it no longer fits your style or lifestyle. In that sense, every purchase feels more flexible. If I change my mind, I know I can list the item on Depop or Poshmark and give it another life.
For me, the blurred line between consumer and customer is exciting. It means fashion is not a one-way street. It is a cycle where everyone can play multiple roles. That flexibility makes me feel like I am not just a passive shopper but part of a bigger system of exchange and creativity.
Research Snapshot
Research Snapshot
The resale market grew 7x faster than retail clothing in 2023 (ThredUp, 2024).
52% of Gen Z say they are more likely to shop secondhand (Business of Fashion, 2023).
Luxury resale is growing faster than fast fashion resale (McKinsey, 2023).
Branded resale continues to expand, with 31% growth in 2023.
Why This Matters for the Future of Fashion
Why This Matters for the Future of Fashion
The economics of fashion will keep evolving as consumers prioritize value, identity, and sustainability. Resale is not just an alternative. It is becoming the center of fashion’s future. For me, vintage and resale are not just affordable - they feel more meaningful and more authentic.
Resale platforms are shaping the future of fashion consumption.
References
References
Business of Fashion. (2023). Gen Z and The Rise of Resale Fashion. Business of Fashion. https://www.businessoffashion.com
Benissan, E. (2023, April 5). Gen Z will drive explosive growth in secondhand sales, says Thredup. Vogue Business. https://www.voguebusiness.com/sustainability/gen-z-will-drive-explosive-growth-in-secondhand-sales-says-thredup
McKinsey & Company. (2023). The State of Fashion 2023. McKinsey. https://www.mckinsey.com
ThredUp. (2025). 2025 Resale Report. ThredUp. https://www.thredup.com/resale
Page updated
Google Sites
Report abuse