More and more people prefer vintage clothes to fast fashion items. That's why vintage clothing shops have become the newest sustainable movement.
But many businesses take it a step further, turning to vintage reselling.
The appeal of vintage clothing lies in its sustainability and rarity. Not to mention that many pieces are one-of-a-kind.
Following the rise of eco-friendly fashion, vintage resellers have become the newest type of sustainable business.
If you're wondering how to become a vintage reseller, you've come to the right place.
Starting your vintage reselling business is no different from launching any new company.
You need to acquire the right products, find people interested in buying them, and sell those products to make a profit.
But there are some tricks of the trade that might help make your vintage reselling business more successful.
This guide will walk you through the steps to start your vintage reselling business.
A Quick Note on Vintage Reselling
When we say "vintage," we are referring to items at least 20 to 30 years old.
These pieces are often valued for their unique style, quality, and connection to past fashion trends. There's also something appealing about owning a one-of-a-kind piece of clothing.
Aside from second-hand clothing shops, vintage resellers have been on the rise. Vintage resellers buy and sell second-hand clothing and accessories.
They may get their stock from various sources, such as:
- Thrift stores
- Wholesale sellers
- Estate sales
- Auctions
- Directly from individuals looking to sell their older items
Resellers also curate, clean, and sometimes restore the clothing. Then, they offer it for sale through their business.
This is often done at a markup, through physical stores, online platforms, or pop-up markets.
Vintage reselling is not only about style and fashion. It's also a more sustainable alternative to fast fashion.
This practice extends the lifecycle of clothing. It also reduces the negative environmental impact of the fashion industry.
It's also important to note that the demand for vintage items has grown in recent years. Shoppers would simply like to have unique fashion pieces.
The push for more eco-conscious shopping habits has also influenced this change.
How to Become a Vintage Reseller
Vintage clothing reselling has evolved from a niche passion into a thriving business opportunity.
The focus on sustainable fashion and ethical consumption is growing.
More and more fashion enthusiasts are turning to vintage pieces. While the timeless style is definitely a factor, the reduced environmental impact is far more important.
Consumers are slowly moving away from fast fashion. Because of the growing interest in eco-conscious alternatives, vintage reselling is booming.
(You can order this item on the Aus Vintage Wholesale online shop)
It has become an exciting business opportunity for entrepreneurs.
If this is something you're interested in, make sure to follow these vintage reseller tips:
- Research and define your niche
- Source your inventory
- Set up your reselling business
- Create a selling platform
- Price your products
- Make a marketing plan
- Start selling your vintage clothes
Researching and Defining Your Niche
Before launching your business as a vintage reseller, you need to do some research. Covering these steps should be your starting point:
- Identifying your niche market
- Understanding the trends
- Studying the competition
The first step is to determine what kind of vintage items you want to sell. You can do this by learning about different vintage eras and styles.
The vintage market is broad. It spans from clothing and accessories to jewellery and furniture.
For example, you could specialise in:
- Specific eras in fashion (1950s dresses or 1980s streetwear)
- Specific items (like vintage denim or retro handbags)
- A certain gender or demographic (women's vintage workwear or men's suits)
In any case, you should do research on current fashion trends to see what's in demand.
Some items are timeless. Others can become trendy based on pop culture, influencers, or the changing seasons.
For example, '90s fashion is becoming popular again. This trend may lead to higher demand for items from that decade.
You can also look at successful vintage resellers to understand their niche. This is called competitor analysis.
Doing this also helps you figure out which pricing and branding strategies to use.
Don't forget to identify gaps in the market you could fill. This can include offering rare pieces, lower prices, or specialising in underrepresented eras or styles.
Sourcing Your Inventory
One of the most important aspects of vintage reselling is sourcing your inventory.
Vintage resellers get their clothes from various sources, including:
- Thrift stores and op shops
- Estate sales and auctions
- Online marketplaces
- Wholesalers and flea markets
- Personal networks
As you can see, you have more than one option to choose from.
Start with local charity shops, thrift stores, and op shops. These are all great places to find unique, low-cost vintage pieces.
Estate sales can be gold mines for finding high-quality, older vintage clothing and accessories.
Auctions may also offer bulk vintage lots.
You can also use online marketplaces to find vintage items. These platforms include eBay, Gumtree, and Facebook Marketplace.
You may find individuals selling large amounts of vintage clothing at discounted prices.
Some wholesalers deal exclusively in vintage clothing. They sell large quantities of items for a lower price per unit.
Aus Vintage Wholesale offers quality vintage clothing for over 500 Australian and international businesses.
(You can order this item on the Aus Vintage Wholesale online shop)
Flea markets also provide a mix of vintage goods.
Lastly, do not underestimate the power of word-of-mouth. Let friends, family, and acquaintances know you are sourcing vintage clothing. They may offer or sell items to you directly.
Whatever you choose, make sure to source quality vintage clothes. Quality is key in vintage reselling.
Setting up Your Reselling Business
Once you've found your source of inventory, it's time to set up your business. This process involves the following steps:
- Registering your business
- Legal considerations
- Deciding on your business structure
- Setting up a workspace
- Inventory management
This is finally time to choose a name for your business name. Choose a unique business name that aligns with your brand identity.
You will need to register a business name with the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) if it is different from your own personal name.
You'll also need an Australian Business Number (ABN).
Make sure you're aware of all taxation rules. This includes whether or not your business needs to register for Goods and Services Tax (GST).
The next step is to choose your business structure. For example, sole trader, partnership, company, etc.
Most small resellers start as sole traders. You can consult with an accountant to choose the best structure for your situation.
You also need a dedicated area for your business.
Whether it's a spare room or an office, create a clean, organised space. You will need it for sorting, cleaning, and storing your inventory.
Speaking of inventory, you should also invest in a system to track your inventory.
Use spreadsheets or specialised software to keep track of what you have, where it's listed, and whether it has sold.
Creating a Selling Platform
Choosing the right selling platform is very important for reselling vintage clothes. These are some options to choose from:
- Online marketplaces
- Social media
- Website
- Physical markets or pop-up stores
Start by setting up a shop on platforms like Etsy, eBay, or Depop. These are all popular platforms for vintage clothing sales.
The idea is to use more platforms at once. This helps you reach a wider audience.
They offer built-in audiences. What makes them even better is that you don't need to build a website from scratch.
Make sure to take advantage of social media.
Instagram or Pinterest can help you showcase your pieces visually. Instagram, in particular, is a powerful tool for selling clothing directly through posts and stories.
As you grow, you may want to build your own e-commerce site. You can use platforms like Shopify or WooCommerce to do this. These platforms will give you more control over branding and sales.
Selling at local markets or through pop-up shops is another good idea.
This gives customers the chance to feel and try on the clothing in person. This is a significant advantage for vintage items.
Pricing Your Products
Pricing can be tricky.
If you price your vintage products too high, it will deter potential buyers. People who shop for vintage clothes aren't expecting high prices.
To make sure you've chosen the right prices for your products, you need to do research on:
- Pricing vintage products
- Factors that affect cost
- Competitive pricing
- Pricing models
For starters, look at other vintage resellers to understand the market value of similar items. The condition, brand, rarity, and era of the clothing will affect its value.
When setting the final price, you need to cover the costs of acquiring that item.
This includes cleaning and restoring costs. Platform fees, shipping, and packaging materials should also be added to the total price.
Decide whether you want to position your business as offering affordable vintage or premium, high-end pieces.
The more unique and rare an item, the higher you can price it. But you still need to remain competitive.
Some sellers use auctions for high-demand items, especially on platforms like eBay.
You can also set fixed prices that reflect the item's condition and demand.
Making a Marketing Plan
Marketing is a key aspect of starting any business, including vintage reselling. Take the time to come up with an effective marketing plan. This includes:
- Building a brand identity
- Content creation
- SEO optimisation
- Influencer collaborations
- Customer reviews and word-of-mouth
Start by creating a distinct brand that reflects the type of vintage items you plan to sell. This includes:
- A logo
- A consistent colour schemes
- Your brand voice
Your brand should appeal to your target audience. It can be quirky, nostalgic, elegant, etc. It's up to you and your vision.
It's vital to create engaging content around your inventory. This can include photoshoots, styling guides, or blog posts on vintage fashion history.
If you're taking photos yourself, make sure they're good. Take clear, high-quality images that show details.
(You can order this item on the Aus Vintage Wholesale online shop)
Next, use social media channels to create a community of vintage lovers around your brand. For your online store, invest in search engine optimisation (SEO).
When describing your products, include key terms. For instance, the era, style, and material; anything that buyers might search for.
If you can, partner with influencers or bloggers in the vintage fashion niche. Doing this is sure to increase your visibility.
Finally, build trust through positive reviews and testimonials. Encourage satisfied customers to leave reviews or share their purchases on social media.
Selling Your Vintage Clothes
Once you have completed all these steps, you can finally start reselling vintage clothing.
From this point on, it's up to you to get your business off the ground. Always look for ways to grow your business.
To do this, you have to track sales and adjust your strategy accordingly.
To boost sales, consider running discounts or special offers.
For example, you might offer a limited-time discount for new customers. You can also offer free shipping on orders above a certain amount.
Make sure to monitor what items sell quickly and which don't. Adjust your sourcing, pricing, and marketing strategies based on which types of products are performing best.
As your business grows, look into new sourcing opportunities.
This includes bulk buying, partnering with other vintage sellers, or even travelling to source rare vintage items.
Reselling Vintage Clothes - How It's Done
Starting a vintage reselling business offers an exciting opportunity to blend fashion, sustainability, and entrepreneurship.
But this venture isn't as easy as it seems. You need to carefully select your niche, source quality items, and build a solid business structure.
That way, you can tap into the growing demand for eco-friendly, unique fashion.
If you're a vintage reseller looking for a quality wholesale business, Aus Vintage Wholesale could be what you're looking for.
With over three years of experience, we offer high-quality clothes to different businesses in Australia and beyond.
(You can order this item on the Aus Vintage Wholesale online shop)
We stock famous brands like Nike, Carhartt, Adidas, Dickies, Reebok, Tommy Hilfiger, Ralph Lauren, Nautica, Lacoste, and more. You can shop in bundles or pick separate items you like.
If you'd like to know more, feel free to reach out to us.
