How To Get The Most Out Of Your Old Clothing
Selling Tips With TheCoedit’s Vic Binns
Being a newcomer to mainstream online marketplaces like Depop and Vinted, you’ll likely experience two thoughts: excitement at the prospect of raking in some earnings for your unwanted wardrobe, and a little lost at where to start. This interview should hopefully further fuel the former and make the latter clearer.
Meet Vic Binns - sustainable stylist and founder of preloved and vintage resale business The Coedit. Launched in 2020 with friend and co-founder Hannah Jenkins, the venture serves as an extension of the pairs’ own changing consumer habits and an ongoing mission to streamline sustainable shopping. Each edit is curated through a contemporary aesthetic, creating a non-judgemental space accepting people at all levels of their responsible fashion journey.
Vic, why do you believe it's important that, as consumers, we look to keep our unwanted clothes circular and prioritise shopping second-hand?
Where do I start? There are so many reasons to shop secondhand and keep our clothes circular. Something that really hit home was discovering that there is enough physical clothing in the world right now for the next six generations to wear, which to me was just insane to hear.
There is no shortage of clothing, and a huge amount of it is currently going to waste, at the time of writing this in the UK alone, we threw away £140 million worth of clothing to landfill last year. We simply can’t keep consuming at our current rate, so approaching our wardrobes with a circular mindset and crucially slowing down has never been so important.
My hope for the future is to see a world where we prioritise shopping secondhand first. At The Coedit, we would love to see a value shift where secondhand is valued just as much as new. There’s still a place for new items, just not at the levels we currently consume them at present.
As a professional reseller, what key advice can you offer for those looking to sell unwanted clothing on digital marketplaces?
Get the price right
3 things are important when it comes to price and that’s the original selling price (the price the item was originally sold for), the last selling price (the price the item was sold for if it was discounted or went on sale) and the current selling price (how much the item is selling for now or on resale sites) because that will really dictate how much you should be pricing your items for. Ideally, you want your item to align with the current selling price on resale sites.
Product name is essential
Getting as close to the original name the item was sold with will help your product stand out when people search for that brand or product. If you can’t find the exact product name, include the brand with descriptions like category, shape, colour and fabric. Google is a great place to find these ‘descriptors’ - try and describe your item and see what comes up, and if it looks similar to your item, it can help guide you on the product name.
Include clear photos
Putting time into taking great photos will make your items stand out. Prioritise shooting on a clear background, for instance, shoot against a wall or on a clear surface. People also love to see clothing modelled where possible, so they can get an idea of fit, shapes and silhouettes.
Choose the right marketplace for your item
This goes back to the research tip and can really increase the chances of your item selling and the price it sells for. Research the brand your item is from on various marketplaces and note down the varying prices to decide which platform is best to sell your item on.
Make your listing specific
Most people don’t spend time on the description, but the more personal and descriptive you can be in this section the better! Shoppers want to feel like they are buying from people. For example, how many times have you worn the item? Note any key selling features of the item that might not be noticed from the picture but also, do point out any defects or marks so that buyers can be clear on the item’s condition.
What is the most rewarding aspect of reselling and shopping second-hand?
The most rewarding part of the secondhand shopping experience, as someone who sells secondhand clothing and purchases it, is knowing that you’re giving an item a second life. It’s such a great feeling when we get pictures from customers wearing their Coedit purchases or when I help a personal styling client source the perfect item secondhand, you just feel like the shift is happening and people are realising that shopping secondhand is just as good if not better than always buying new.
