Buying and selling second-hand clothes: the ultimate guide

The fashion industry is one of the most polluting in the world. Fast fashion encourages overconsumption, leading to mountains of textile waste and a huge burden on natural resources. Fortunately, awareness is growing and we’re seeing a shift towards more sustainable alternatives. One of the thing that play a crucial role in this are second-hand clothing and accessories. They extend the lifespan of products, reduce the demand for new production and save valuable energy and water.

At COSH!, we strongly believe in the power of second-hand. It’s more than just a trend: it’s an essential pillar of a more sustainable lifestyle and circular economy. By choosing second-hand, you directly contribute to less waste, a smaller ecological footprint and fairer consumption. But there’s also a downside. How sustainable are second-hand clothing apps like Vinted and Depop? And are popular vintage shops like Think Twice and Episode truly a more sustainable alternative to fast-fashion chains like Zara and H&M?

In this article, we dive deeper into the world of second-hand, revealing why it’s so important, what the downsides are and how COSH! helps you to find the best second-hand treasures. Whether you’re looking for vintage clothing, pre-loved furniture,or recycled accessories, at COSH! we’re committed to connecting consumers with more sustainable options. Our mission is to make sustainable shopping as simple and accessible as possible, so everyone can make a positive impact.

Why is second-hand clothing more sustainable? The benefits for you and the planet

Choosing second-hand is a win-win situation. It offers benefits not only for the environment, but also for your wallet and your personal style. Let’s explore why more and more people are choosing second-hand.

Environmental benefits of second-hand

• Less waste: Every year, tons of clothing ends up in landfills. This is partly due to fast fashion chains that rapidly produce and sell large quantities of clothing at low prices. The oversupply and low quality of fast fashion clothing leads us to see clothing as disposable. By buying second-hand, you give items a second life and prevent wearable clothing from being thrown away.
• Reduction of CO2 emissions: The production of new clothing and goods requires a lot of energy in the form of fossil fuels such as oil, coal and gas. This releases the greenhouse gas CO2 into the air, which is harmful to the environment. By choosing second-hand, you reduce the demand for new production and thus emissions.
• Conservation of resources: Clothing production requires many raw materials, such as cotton (which consumes a lot of water) and synthetic materials (which are often made from fossil fuels). By choosing second-hand, you help reduce the demand for these raw materials.
• Fewer chemicals: The textile industry frequently uses chemicals that can be harmful to the environment and workers. With second-hand you avoid the impact of these new production processes.

Economic benefits of second-hand

• Affordability: Second-hand items are often significantly cheaper than new products, making more sustainable living more accessible to a wider audience.
• Unique finds: In second-hand shops, you’ll often find unique (vintage) items that you won’t easily find in regular stores. In specialised vintage shops, you’ll sometimes find unique, original items in good condition from, for example, the 60s, 70s, and 80s. These items make your style more personal and original.
• Quality: Many second-hand items are of excellent quality and made to last. The proof: the clothes were made decades ago and still look great! This is in contrast to many fast fashion clothes, which look worn after just a few wears.

The role of second-hand goods in a circular economy

The circular economy is a system in which products and materials remain in use for as long as possible by being reused, repaired and recycled. Second-hand products are a prime example of how these principles can be put into practice. They contribute to a closed loop, minimising waste and maximising the use of resources. Read more about a circular supply chain in fashion here.

Second-hand shopping with COSH!: our tips

Want to shop more sustainably? Then second-hand shopping is definitely a step in the right direction! Of course, it’s still important to think carefully about the clothes you buy. Second-hand clothes are often cheaper than new, which increases the risk of impulse buys, resulting in bad purchases.

Want to shop second-hand? We recommend doing so at a physical store. This way, you can try on the clothes and reduce the risk of a bad purchase. The good news is that second-hand and vintage stores are on the rise. This means the selection is constantly expanding, making second-hand clothing increasingly accessible.

Be aware that, just like supermarkets, second-hand clothing stores also have diverse supply chains. Vintage clothing often travels a longer distance than clothing from a local thrift store. This also affects the environmental impact. When you walk into a second-hand clothing store, you can ask yourself: Is my purchase supporting a multinational, a non-profit organization or a local entrepreneur? We’ll discuss this later in the ​“Downsides of Secondhand Shopping” section.

At COSH!, we make it easy to make more sustainable choices. Here you’ll find a wide selection of sustainable shops and brands offering second-hand, vintage or recycled items. This is your guide to a more conscious consumption pattern: discover our selection of more sustainable brands and (secondhand) stores near you.

Discover second-hand shops near you

Whether you’re shopping in Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Antwerp or other cities, COSH! offers city guides for more sustainable shopping that will point you to the best (second-hand) stores. You’ll find a diverse selection here, from vintage boutiques to thrift stores and specialty second-hand shops.

Discover vintage shops with a unique offering

With unique and special finds in vintage shops, you can add character to your wardrobe. This contrasts with standard fashion chains, where everything is mass-produced. This makes second-hand shopping an adventure full of surprises. Dive into the world of vintage with its unique collections and be inspired by the wealth of gems in numerous cities: from the retro and contemporary gems in Rotterdam to the creative second-hand fashion in Arnhem, and from the charming boutiques in Bruges to the eclectic selection in Ghent. For lovers of luxury second-hand clothing, Antwerp offers a world of high-end designers, while Amsterdam provides you with dedicated vintage shops for women and men. Don’t miss the hidden gems in the Zwaanshals district in Rotterdam Noord, which guarantees unique vintage finds. With each city and shop, you open the door to original styles, more sustainable choices and stories waiting to be discovered.

Discover thrift stores for every budget

If you’re looking for affordable finds and hidden treasures without breaking the bank, thrift stores are the place to be. In Aalst, you’ll find a diverse selection of budget-friendly shops filled with unique items, from clothing to homeware, perfect for updating your style more sustainably and affordably. Antwerp also boasts a wide selection of affordable second-hand gems, with something for every budget.

Why shop at a thrift store? At a thrift store, the clothing supply chain is transparent and local. Locals bring in the clothes, and the thrift store staff sorts them before putting them on the shelves. This way, you can be sure the clothes haven’t traveled far. Moreover, thrift stores often operate through the social economy and offer employment to people distanced from the labor market.

Discover second-hand children’s clothing

Shopping for second-hand children’s clothing isn’t just a smart way to save money; it’s also a good choice for the environment. Amsterdam boasts a vibrant selection of second-hand children’s clothing stores where quality and style go hand in hand, from adorable outfits to cool everyday looks. If you’d like to explore a wider range of options, this guide to more sustainable second-hand baby and children’s clothing in the Netherlands will inspire you to make more responsible choices. By choosing second-hand, you give clothes a second life, save money and contribute to a more sustainable world for little ones.

Selling second-hand clothes

Do you have quality clothes in your closet that could use another spin and you’d like to earn some extra money with? Then we recommend bringing them to a local thrift store that will sell them for you. This way, you avoid unnecessary transport of clothes and support a local retailer. Plus, you don’t have to worry about packing and shipping your packages. Nothing but advantages, if you ask us!

Looking for a second-hand store to sell your clothes? Take a look at the second-hand clothing stores near you in our shopping guide.

Donate second-hand clothing

Be aware that there’s a large amount of textile waste. Want to ensure your clothes get a more sustainable second life without having to earn any money with them? You can donate them in a textile container or at a thrift store in your area.

Where is the best place to donate your used clothing?

In Belgium, you can find these services at organisations like Oxfam, De Kringwinkel, Cirkels and Wereld Missiehulp. Curious where your donated clothing ends up after you put it in a textile container? Read more about it here.

In the Netherlands, you’ll also find several recycling centers where you can drop off your used clothing. Think of De Lokatie, Reshare Store, Het Goed and La Poubelle. Curious about how Amsterdam, the circular fashion capital, handles textile collection? Read more about it here.

The downsides of the second-hand clothing market

Is selling second-hand clothes online good for the environment?

If you want to sell second-hand clothes, there are plenty of options. Besides local thrift stores, there’s a whole world of second-hand platforms online. Think of Marktplaats, eBay and 2ehands​.be, but there are also websites that focus specifically on clothing and accessories. Well-known second-hand clothing apps include Vinted and Depop, and the second-hand clothing websites Thredup & Vestiaire Collective, where you can buy and sell second-hand designer clothes and handbags.

The advantage of these second-hand websites is that they extend the lifespan of clothing. However, there’s also a downside. Second-hand clothing apps like Vinted are the place to be for fashionistas who use their Vinted account to fuel their shopping addiction. We hate to break it to you, but you’re not reducing your environmental impact if you use the proceeds from your sales to restock your wardrobe with new fast fashion items (that you might never wear anyway).

Moreover, online second-hand clothing platforms also ensure that a huge number of packages travel from door to door. This transport also has an impact on the environment and places a high workload on transport company staff. Want to sell second-hand clothes? Do so at a local second-hand store in your area, as we believe that’s much more sustainable than online second-hand clothing apps and platforms!

‘If you don’t wear it, sell it’ is certainly a good slogan. But a more sustainable clothing choice starts in the store. Shop more consciously and think carefully about the clothes you buy. This way, you can avoid bad purchases and truly have a positive impact on the environment.

Where does Episode and Think Twice’s vintage clothing come from?

At large second-hand chains like Think Twice and Episode, it’s often unclear where the clothing comes from. Want to read more about the opaque supply chains of second-hand clothing chains? Read more about it here.

Fast fashion clothing chains that offer second-hand clothing

Fast fashion chains are also jumping on the second-hand trend. For example, Zalando launched Pre-Owned by Zalando a few years ago. This allows Zalando users to resell their clothing through the well-known e‑commerce platform. Other examples of fast fashion companies offering resale are H&M, Zara and NA-KD.

While this is a step in the right direction, it’s even more important that fast fashion chains fundamentally address their business model and working methods. These companies primarily want to produce as much clothing as possible and sell it at the lowest possible price to maximize their profit. This is detrimental to garment workers in low-wage countries and results in unethical working conditions. Furthermore, fast fashion naturally has a significant impact on the environment. Want to shop for more sustainable and fairer fashion? Then definitely avoid the large fast fashion chains!

Is swapping and renting clothes more sustainable?

Want to buy less clothing and reduce your carbon footprint? Then renting or swapping clothes is a great solution!

Discover clothing libraries near you

At a clothing library, you can rent clothes for a special occasion or an everyday outfit. You can rent clothes for a set period and return them after a while (just like a regular library with books). Sound like something for you? Be sure to check out the best clothing libraries in the Netherlands and Belgium: Lena Library in Amsterdam, Dressr in Antwerp, Outfit Library Less in Arnhem or Fashion Library Zest in The Hague. Or rent a unique party outfit at RENTGLAM in Amsterdam.

Go swapping at a clothing swap shop

Another fun way to keep clothes in circulation longer is by swapping clothes. In Amsterdam and Rotterdam, you’ll find The Swapshop, where you can hand in your second-hand clothes in exchange for swaps. This allows you to buy ​‘new’ second-hand clothes from other swappers! Curious how this works? Read more about the concept of clothes swapping.

Join the second-hand movement with COSH!

Choosing second-hand is a concrete step towards a more sustainable lifestyle. It’s an act of awareness that extends beyond the purchase itself. At COSH!, we’re here to support you on this journey. By using our guides, participating in events and getting inspired by our articles, you’re directly contributing to a better world.

Want to stay up-to-date on the latest news, new stores and inspiring stories about second-hand and sustainability? Subscribe to our newsletter. Together we’re making a difference, one second-hand purchase at a time!