McKinsey's "State of Fashion" report data shows that the global secondhand clothing market has grown 20% over the past five years, with its scale now exceeding $240 billion; the market is growing at roughly four times the rate of traditional retail. Secondhand shopping is shifting from a money-saving measure to a fashion choice, and resale platforms like ThredUp, Poshmark, and The RealReal have turned this trend into a business, driven in part by young consumers' active pursuit of unique pieces. (Source: Los Angeles Times report)

Key Points

  • McKinsey data: the secondhand clothing market exceeds $240 billion, growing 20% in five years.
  • The secondhand market grows at roughly four times the rate of traditional retail.
  • Resale platforms such as ThredUp, Poshmark, and The RealReal offer online buying, selling, and consignment services.

There was a time when browsing thrift stores was mainly about saving money: wanting to buy a reasonably decent pair of jeans, a winter coat, or something you didn't need to pay full price for at a lower cost. Finding a vintage designer piece was a pleasant surprise, but the reason for walking in was usually the budget.

Today, secondhand clothing itself has become a trend. Consumers are looking for one-of-a-kind pieces, celebrities wear vintage on the red carpet, and resale companies have turned buying and selling old clothes into a sizable business. A recent Los Angeles Times report, citing McKinsey's "State of Fashion" report, said the secondhand clothing market has grown 20% over the past five years, with a total scale exceeding $240 billion. This growth reflects a shift in how people view old clothes—it is no longer just a cheaper alternative to buying new; for many shoppers, it is a way to find personal style.

Buying secondhand has shifted from saving money to wanting to show it off

The appeal of thrifting has long gone beyond "getting a bargain." Consumers are drawn to retro styles, uncommon designs, and clothes that aren't easily seen on someone else. The report noted that the audience for secondhand fashion has extended to students searching for specific vintage accessories on resale websites on college campuses, as well as celebrities wearing designer pieces from decades ago on major occasions. An old garment may be sought after precisely because it is hard to find brand new.

Social media has made this change visible: thrift hauls, vintage finds, and old-clothes upcycling have all become ways for shoppers to show off "the good stuff they discovered," rather than simply showing off clothes just bought from the latest season.

For veteran secondhand buyers, the excitement of a lucky find is nothing new; what has changed is that this experience is shared more widely, and more companies are working to make secondhand shopping more convenient.

Resale platforms have moved secondhand transactions online

Finding secondhand clothes used to mean rummaging through the racks of thrift stores, garage sales, or consignment shops. Today, consumers can browse thousands of old clothes online, search by brand, and wait for delivery to their doorstep. Several California-based resale companies have played an important role in this shift: platforms such as ThredUp, Poshmark, and The RealReal each have their own way of buying and selling secondhand clothing—from sending idle clothes to a resale service to directly listing items for other consumers to order. This convenience has brought into the secondhand market people who don't have the time or patience to dig through physical stores, while also giving people more opportunities to make money from idle clothes. Shoppers are no longer limited to whatever a nearby thrift store happens to have; instead, they can search a much larger range for a specific size, style, or vintage piece.

Young consumers are pushing secondhand fashion into the mainstream

For a growing number of young shoppers, buying old clothes is not a stopgap when money is tight, but may be the first choice when looking for a unique jacket or a piece they spotted online. The Los Angeles Times report pointed out that what attracts them includes lower prices, reduced waste, and finding something different from the current season's retail trends; the report also mentioned that, according to McKinsey data, the secondhand market grows at roughly four times the rate of traditional retail.

This shares a similar pleasure with the generation that rummaged through thrift store racks decades ago: finding an unusual jacket, or a pair of jeans worn just right, was always part of the process. What's different is that the image of secondhand clothes is being reshaped—it is no longer just a practical way to save money, but has become a way for some consumers to express their taste.

Saving money still matters, but it's no longer everything

There are now more ways to participate in the secondhand market. You can rummage through the racks of a local thrift store, or search online for vintage designer pieces. The prices for these two experiences can differ enormously, but what you buy is something someone else once owned. For longtime buyers, the industry's growth raises an interesting question: as more people buy secondhand for style rather than simply to save money, will it still be as easy to find cheap gems as it used to be?

The Los Angeles Times report did not confirm that the resale boom has driven up prices at local thrift stores. But it clearly showed how much public perception of secondhand clothing has changed: something once tightly tied to saving money now attracts fashion-conscious consumers, tech companies, and large amounts of investment.

Source: Thrifting used to be about saving money. Now it’s a major fashion trend, and resale companies are cashing in on a $240 billion industry · Originally published on 2026-10-02