Popular resale sites, like Depop and Poshmark, provide simple ways for individuals to sell secondhand clothing online.
Rolling Stone reports that many users on these platforms are resellers who source their clothing from thrift stores, rather than their own closets. For years, there has been controversy online about this practice and whether it’s taking clothing resources away from those who need them more — but some say this conversation may be distracting from the bigger problems with the fashion industry.
What are resellers doing?
Rolling Stone explains that resellers buy inexpensive clothing from secondhand stores, then sell it on Depop at a markup.
To make sure their merchandise will sell, they look for items that are in good condition and may be coming back into style. They may also clean and repair their finds and style them with trendy outfits to show off the pieces in listing photos.
Some crafty thrifters even alter the clothing they buy. They may redesign a long dress into a short one, cut up a large garment into fabric for a smaller one, or add embellishments like ribbons and rhinestones. This approach is popular not only among sellers but also among individual buyers who
