Where to Find Second-hand Studio Nicholson, Issey Miyake and more
7 of the best pre-loved shops on the internet.
It’s official: Buying second-hand is the new new. According to an article in The Guardian, the clothes resale market in the UK grew by 149% between 2016-2022 and trends predict that we’ll see even more growth over the next couple of years. It’s not just limited to the UK, either. In a 2023 report, resale site ThredUP found that the global second-hand market is expected to reach $350 billion by 2027. That’s some big numbers.
It’s a move I very much welcome. We’ve revelled for too long in fast fashion and quick, easy, over-consumerism and many of us (myself included) have been guilty of not considering the impact these behaviours have on our planet. So a move towards resale taking a bigger slice of the pie is a positive step - not just for the planet but in a time of dodgy economies and a cost of living crisis, for our bank accounts too.
But when I open up Depop or scroll through Vinted, there is still so much fast fashion out there in the mix. I do wonder how big of a trend it is to buy something, wear it a couple of times, then sell it on when people get bored - or, inevitably, trends change and that item is no longer ‘it’. It begs the question of how much resale sites are helping combat fashion pollution… But that’s a much bigger question for another day.
Tips for second-hand shopping
It’s easy to get carried away with second-hand shopping. Like sales and big discounts, we can get sucked in with a ‘good price’ or we can convince ourselves that it’s ‘sustainable’ so it’s ok (and I say this with first-hand experience).
Like with any new purchase (second-hand or otherwise), I say take your time to decide whether you really want and/or need it. I always like to think up at least three different outfits in my head with pieces I already have in my wardrobe. If I’m not instantly inspired, that’s a sign I’ll struggle to find ways to wear it and it’ll probably end up being a wasted purchase. I also think about the quality of the piece: Is it from a brand that I trust and know the piece will last for years?
So, with all that said and done, here are the second-hand stores I regularly turn to. I’ve personally bought from most of these and know that there’s always a good selection of pieces from brands I love - and the quality from every store has always been high.
For Studio Nicholson and Jil Sander
If I could recommend just one online second-hand store, it would be Curate and Rotate. They drop new pieces (what they call a ‘rotation’) every Sunday evening and it’s always full of impeccably chosen pieces of high quality. I’ve bought some Cordera trousers from them in the past and they regularly have pieces from the likes of Jacquemus, Khaite, Mother of Pearl etc.
I had a browse on Curate and Rotate the other day and it’s currently packed full of goodies: A Jil Sander cotton poplin blouse, an Isabel Marant khaki coat, a long wool Studio Nicholson skirt, and a cream Louisa Charlotte Oates coat.