How Selling My Clothes Is Making Me Buy Less | The Truth About Selling Your Second Hand Clothing
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- Опубліковано 29 чер 2024
- As I've started the process of starting to let go of clothing I don't wear and declutter my wardrobe, I've started trying to sell some items, to try and recoup some of the silly amounts of money I spent in the past.
But as I begin selling my second hand items, I'm having some thoughts and feelings about how the experience is simply making me want to buy less, and to not have this hassle again. The truth about selling your second hand clothing is often not talked about here on UA-cam, it's often presented as an easy way to make extra cash, but the reality is quite different.
Over the last few years, I've come to the realisation that whilst a certain level of material things do add to your life, more stuff will not necessarily make you happier. This realisation hit me when I looked around my home that was filled with stuff (so much so I felt I needed a bigger house) and couldn't say I was particularly happier than when I lived in Spain (in 2008) when everything I had with me fit in one large drawer and a very small wardrobe.
These days I prefer to adopt a buy less, buy better approach, with a focus on quality over quantity, removing the clutter, adopting aspects of minimalism, and utilising my money in the best way possible.
#buylesschoosewell
WHERE ELSE TO FIND ME:
Instagram - / kirstyloukirby
Blog - www.kirstykirby.com
MAKE UP WORN:
ABH Modern Renaissance Palette
Estee Lauder Sumptuous Extreme Mascara
Benefit Brow Powder
Estee Lauder Double Wear Foundation
Estee Lauder Double Wear Concealer
RCMA No Colour Powder
MAC Bronzing Powder in Refined Golden
MAC Lip Liner in Stripdown
MAC Lipstick in Cherish
NAILS:
Chanel Le Vernis Nail Colour in Washed Denim
CLOTHING:
Shirt - Jack Wills (several years old)
LIGHTING:
Natural Light (ie Daylight)
DISCLAIMER:
All products were purchased with my own money and this video is in no way sponsored. Should a video ever be sponsored, or should I receive goods for free to review I will always aim to disclose this either in the video or in the video description. My views will always remain honest and my own.
Items marked with an asterisk were received as a gift or as PR.
I do sometimes use affiliate links in my description, these links do not cost you any more to purchase, often you will receive a discount, but I may earn money from these links.
Thanks for speaking to truth about selling online. The second hand market is flooded with clothes and things. It’s giving me a really sickening feeling. I am not in any way a saint when it comes to being environmentally friendly but it bothers me more and more, how we are treating this planet and in the long run ourselves. I appreciated this video.
I know the feeling completely. I’m far from an eco warrior and I often have to explain in the comments that my motivation when addressing my shopping habits is more financial than environmental. But I find the proliferation of plastic EVERYWHERE and the insane landfills full of synthetic clothing in places like Chile really troubling. If we stay on the same trajectory it’s not good.
I’ve watched The True Cost and similar but one programme I found fascinating was one on landfills (sounds dull I know) but they dug up a covered over landfill from the 80s. The presenters pulled out a babies dress and a pair of C&A trousers. They were literally PERFECT. You could have thrown them in the washer and put them on. Absolutely no deterioration in over 30 years. Really made me think.
Thank you for watching. X
So true! I feel that the increasing popularity of thriftstores, apps like Vinted and Depop are seen as excuses to keep stuck in the buying and decluttering cycle. That’s sickening indeed. It’s all about being mindful about what we bring into our closets. My goal is to only toss items because they’re completely worn out! 🙏🏻
Thank you for your amazing videos! This really makes me think about my own shopping habits too. I’m already doing so much better, but in the past I was so impulsive about it and my closet was filled with random items that didn’t go well together. Apart from the financial benefits, I’ve also seen The True Cost and was shocked by how we are treating our planet and other people 😢 That needs to stop. I had my colors done, know my bodytype and know what I love wearing the most. From now on I can be very mindful of what deserves a place in my wardrobe and what doesn’t. My goal is to only buy items that I will get a lot of wear out of. Love from The Netherlands! ❤
Thank you so much! I needed this right now. I totally agree with you, selling second hand stuff on the internet is not a pleasure...
Its a necessary evil sometimes, but the suggestion that it’s fun and not without hassle is far from the truth. The actual annoyance of it is really making me want to never have anything I need to sell ever again! 😂
I filmed this on my 'better' camera and yet I feel like I look a little weird in comparison to the other camera lol! Hope the message I'm trying to convey still comes across well :)
You looked lovely Kirsty and I agree with everything you said ❤️ 3.32 ahhh 😱 I’d never want to sell anything again!! I get anxiety waiting for strangers to show up to my home when I’ve sold items as pick up.
@@RosesandBlingPapercrafts It’s honestly so annoying! And yes I feel the same, I sort of weirdly feel on edge until they’ve been and gone.
I thought you looked great. Video quality is really good.
@@aprilblossoms4 thanks so much!
Excellent point! I have a difficult enough time posting FREE stuff on FB marketplace. Brand new puzzles that I'd collected, nice paperbacks and the kitchen gadgets that I decluttered. So many people wanted them, but never showed up to pick them up. Can't imagine the frustration of trying to sell.
The not showing up stuff is beyond annoying. I find when I’ve agreed to have someone collect, I’m sort of on pause, I don’t get stuck into anything or even fully relax as I know I need to be on the lookout for someone’s arrival. It’s such a shame as it’s great to pass things on to someone for free, especially now so many are struggling with the cost of living, but sometimes it feels like more hassle than it’s worth. X
Well said. I have tried selling things in the past but I think now its not worth the bother. You don't make that much anyway. I don't have a lot of clothes these days, there is only so much you can wear at a time. Jeans that lose their colour I just dye and get another whike out of them. Most of my clothes I now wear till they are falling apart😄
It’s disheartening really that good condition items are worth almost nothing. I agree, as I declutter I often say to myself you can only wear so much of this at a time. I have a dress I love that’s faded a bit that I’m going to dye too 😊 x
It's good that you address this, I tried it at first but it just takes soo much energy. I either give things to a friend or donate them to a shelter.
Dealing with the stuff we declutter is also part of the process and it always makes me think that I do not want to buy clothes anymore.
It really does. I'd love to recoup some of the money I've spent in the past, particularly for items that are almost new (or actually new!) but its so much effort. Now when I see something I might like I ask myself if I will truly wear it enough times that I can give it to the charity shop or if I might end up feeling like I need to sell it because it's not been worn enough. If its not a yes I will wear this again and again and again, it stays in the shop!
Gosh this is so true. I've been reselling some books just to get them new homes because I'm willing to be patient
Oh yes I think if you can it’s great to do so, I’ve just found that the experience is making me want to buy less in general. I get value from books and try to ensure I read them, clothes I clearly wasn’t so good with in the past 🤦♀️ x
My thoughts exactly. You are right in saying that no one talks about the drawbacks. I have a few things in very good condition in my wardrobe, some with the tag on. I see the same thing listed for less than £5! It is not worth bothering, really.
I know some people do really well, I have done in the past, but the last few years seems to have really changed what items are worth and buyers can be, let’s say challenging... I have some beautiful dresses, more going out type stuff and I look at what similar is achieving sale wise and like you think no chance. I’m almost tempted to put some of my nicer stuff into a storage box rather than sell for almost nothing.
Hi Kirsty. I used to be in a local selling group on Facebook but got fed up with people wasting my time. So I picked three reliable people who had collected a few times and created a WhatsApp group just for them. I left the Facebook group and offer stuff only to them now. It's gone really well and I've decluttered loads, including furniture. I give it away as I just want it out and it feels great knowing the stuff is going to a good home. That story about the underwearless jumpsuit is gross. 🤢🤢🤢 It reminds me of the time when I was little. I went to a jumble sale with my mum and was happily rummaging through when I discovered a pair of worn knickers. I felt absolutely sick and that's probably why I'm quite OCD now. 🙄🙄🙄 Have a good weekend when it arrives!
Yes I’ve tried a few of the local selling groups on Facebook after a friend of mine was raving about it. But so far I’ve not been all that impressed, I’ve listed things as little as £2 for brand new items and no takers and some bits I’ve ‘sold’ but had no shows. It’s such a waste of time for such little money.
I do find furniture does well and goes fast on marketplace when priced correctly. I bought a fab solid wood bookcase for £15 recently.
The jumpsuit was gross. Was one of these slinky ones that were all the rage a few years back. The buyer had also put her heel through the bottom of the trouser leg. Pictures sent to eBay but they weren’t bothered. I recall being really really angry about it at the time lol. Have a lovely weekend too x
Thank you for your honesty. You are the only person so far, that really makes me reflect about my shopping habbits and foremost the emotional link to pieces of clothing.
Oh that’s incredibly kind of you to say, that makes me really happy to hear that my content has had a (I hope) positive effect.
Those stories lol 👀 I 100% agree with you. Reselling can be a huge hassle! I'm starting to air on the side of purchasing less too. It's not easy to get rid things these days.
I still LOVE clothes and will probably always have more than I need - but I’m soooo much more selective about what I bring into my wardrobe now. Unless I’m certain I’ll wear it again and again it stays in the shop - in fact I returned a jumper I loved the other day as I’d had it a month and not worn it. Despite loving it, if I’m not feeling great enough in it to wear it in 30 days, it’s unlikely to be a hard working garment in the next 365! 😂 xx
You are absolutely amazing!❤ Thank you for your content❤
Thank you so much for watching!
Really interesting thank you. I’ve been thinking the same thing about eBay etc. The prices some people are charging for Zara items is ridiculous the same if not more that what it is in store !
It’s such a shame, eBay in particular used to be amazing for reselling things. If you took the time to take great photos you could get money that made it more than worth your while.
Zara pieces are like the resale unicorn. So many listed for ridiculous prices. I don’t get it personally, they have some nice things but whilst I have a few tweed blazers that have been fantastic, most of what I’ve bought hasn’t stood the test of time 🤷♀️
This is so true. I think if u don't make at least £4/£5 it's hardly worth it. It's all a bit of a hassle! I think just now people are worried about all the price hikes so are buying less.
Yes I definitely think this is a factor at the moment. I know I've certainly considered if I need to purchase certain things with this winter looking like it will be challenging with energy and food prices for many. I've found most things are achieving very little for a few years now, probably the last 5 years. I think its one of the reasons I ended up holding onto things I'll never wear, it was worth so little to pass on, at the time I thought I might as well keep it in case I want it at some point in the future!
That was a very enlightening insight into selling second hand clothes and how the market has changed. Thank you
I’d still try to sell if you can Caroline, but I’ve found it’s hugely changed in recent years. I think a lot of people will be reconsidering if they need any new clothes, even second hand ones as things get more challenging too 😢
@@KirstyKirby I used to sell on ebay but the fees can be high and your right about it bring a lot of hassle. Thinking twice about buying in the first place is definitely the better option.
A very informative video thank you.
Thanks for watching Anne x
Great video im in the same mind set since working from I to refuse to buy more clothes. Im going to try sell mine on ebay or another platform. I have clothes with tags on too the guilt I feel for buying these. Its definitely a mind shift change, no more consuming on stuff I dont need 😊
I love clothes, I have done since I was young, but I definitely need a buy less, choose well approach or you end up trying to sell things for very little return. Glad the video resonated 😊
How true, I've had similarly negative experiences of selling online and have come to the same conclusion as you.
Everyone in the comments seems to have had similar experiences, what a shame. I’ve had issues when selling via Facebook groups or local selling pages too, people not turning up or things selling for such a small amount it wasn’t really worth the time spent hanging around for someone to turn up and collect.
@@KirstyKirby Oh yes, there are so many unreliable people on there.
Great video
Thanks for watching 😊
Yes some people are so annoying🤦🏻♀️ But i’m always happy when i sell something even when it took some time😂
Oh yes as I say in the video I’m not suggesting people don’t try to sell items, from a financial perspective it’s a good choice, but if we didn’t overbuy in the first place we would likely have less to need to sell 😊
I completely agree with you. It’s much simpler to buy less. I’ve never been much of a shopper but I still have more clothes than I need. Selling on Poshmark has been easier than EBay. Also ThredUp is easy - you don’t get much money 🤷🏻♀️ but they do all the work for you and whatever clothes they don’t sell they recycle or donate.
I think I mentioned eBay a bit too much in this video as I've tried a good few platforms not just there, and I agree some other platforms can be better for various reasons. ThredUp doesn't operate in the UK (you can send stuff here from the US, but there's no platform we can use to sell from here), but glad to hear its worked well for you. :)
We used the bootfair to sell a lot of clothing and household things. It was fun the first few times but became a chore. Now i cant pick up an item in the store without thinking buy for £10....try and sell for £5...haggled down to £3 or less. May as well save time and throw that £7 down the drain now!! It has def curbed my nick nack or home furnishings spending!
I know people do really well at the car boots and so on, but I can totally understand the shine coming off it. Our local one is expensive to even try and sell stuff at too! I have to admit a family member suggested it to me and I just thought I can’t be bothered with people knocking me down on things that were already super cheap!
I relate to your questioning when in shops too. It’s so easy to spend on a whim, but unless you REALLY want it, it’s probably better in someone else’s home! Xx
Oh dear, I am sorry to say I just cannot be bothered now selling stuff online.🙄 I offer things to family, friends and then the charity shop. I look at it as not a loss but my way of helping the charities 🥰xx
I know the feeling and I think a lot of people are feeling the same after these experiences combined with not attracting a good amount of money for the time invested.
My mum has just taken a pile of things I’ve decluttered to a family friend this evening and between family and extended family we post stuff to one another to try and give things another life.
Good quality and especially new items I think do genuinely help the charities as they are likely to actually sell. Xx
You have made some great points. Selling online can be quite frustrating. I don't know if vinted has made it to the uk but if it has you should really give it a go. 😉
Yes Its here, I've tried Vinted and again wasn't overly impressed, similar issues to other platforms. Glad its working for you though.
It's not just online either - I've used Facebook marketplace as I mentioned in the video, and also local selling groups - lots of no shows and time wasters or stupid messages. I just prefer to buy less so that in the future I rarely need to sell items! :)
@@KirstyKirby same. Buying less is definitely the best solution. I feel like the high I used to get from buying I now get from declutering, curating my wardrobe and ultimately selling what no longer serves me.Im sorry vinted didnt work out for you. Ive been relatively lucky there.
@@DiRiSaTe Vinted has a truly awful rating on Trustpilot here so I’m not alone. It ranks as one of the poorest reselling platforms. Super pleased it worked for you though! X
@@KirstyKirby oh dear! So crazy how different our experiences can be. Anyway the takeaway really is to buy less and avoid all this mess. Thanks for the video. Im always happy to have u pop up on my screen.🤗
@@DiRiSaTe couldn’t agree more, if I’d just bought less in the first place I wouldn’t need to be negotiating the hassle of trying to sell lol xx
Hi Kirsty
I have the same feelings with you about eBay
I use to sell quite a bit,but then people didn’t/couldn’t pay the price
That I had listed which would be way under.
But then by the time you paid fee’s etc….it just wasn’t worth it.
The only place I sell things now is Facebook and being a bitch 😂
If someone try’s to knock me down to silly money,I just won’t sell it too them.
I’d rather take it to the charity shop.💐
It’s such a shame isn’t it, not just that we can’t personally recoup some of the money, but that there’s so much hassle associated with it that it doesn’t seem worth it. I’ve found Facebook pretty good for certain things like furniture, both for buying and selling. But yes, fees on various platforms really mean you need to achieve a certain amount or it becomes unviable. Such a shame.
Are you selling on Vinted?
Tried Vinted, found it to be very poor. If you’ve had a good experience that’s amazing, but the nationwide reviews are terrible so it’s not just my experience sadly.
I completely disagree with fast fashion however I'm very guilty of buying this for the kids. I feel they grow out of clothes and shoes so quickly. I teenage son loves named brands and I've noticed when it's to small it doesn't sell. I've given up and give it away to charity
It’s a really tough one. I’m leaning away from buying fast fashion for myself, and I definitely think it’s devalued second hand clothing for sure, but at the same time I don’t think I can truly say I will never buy anything again. I love Joules clothing and I think by some that would be considered fast fashion even though I find they last years and years so will certainly buy again.
I know kids grow so fast and it’s so expensive to be purchasing all the time, then the more affordable retailers do come in handy. From reading a lot on the clothing that ends up in these massive landfills, a large percentage is adult clothing.
It’s weird isn’t it, certain things do really well, yet others are a complete waste of time. I feel the same - I can’t control what something might sell for, but I can control how much I buy so my approach is to simply buy less in the first place from now on. Xx
@@KirstyKirby that was meant to say disagree sorry
But I'm guilty of buying
@@kkirsty7905 don’t worry I knew what you meant. I hate some of the exploitation in the supply chains and the environmental impacts, I too am guilty of purchasing myself sometimes though. X