Focusing on high-end second-hand items would cost 33% less than new fast fashion

Of course, thinking twice before purchasing a fashion item is essential. But when the price is extremely low, the thinking system can be quickly short-circuited. It is partly on this that the success of fast fashion and especially ultra fast fashion such as SHEIN and TEMU is based. The prices are so low that making the purchase may seem trivial and irrelevant.

But the repercussions are very real for the planet. We are increasingly aware of this, especially in France where a bill is being studied to limit its devastation. But the long-term consequences are also economic for individuals, as illustrated in Vestiaire Collective’s 2024 Circularity Report.

Published on April 22, 2024 on Earth Day, it highlights the concept of cost per port (which you may already know, and which is common sense, I’ll grant you, but fashion can make you lose your mind quickly). Why this ” cost per wear » makes you think differently about fashion prices.

Opting for high-end second-hand goods would cost 33% less than new fashion items, depending on the cost per port

The cost per port (or “ cost per wear ” in English) indicates the price of an item divided by the number of times it has been worn. The longer we wear an item of clothing or an accessory (because its quality allows it and we continue to like its design), the less the item will cost us, depending on its cost per wear.

This is another way of talking about value for money. A division that we don’t always think of making with disposable fashion items whose prices are so low we could care less about how many times we wear them.

However, turning to quality second-hand pieces that cost more than ultra-fast new fashion items could prove much more profitable in the long run. Because disposable fashion items are worn less on average, are kept for less time and have a lower resale value.

Vestiaire Collective then partnered with Vaayu (automated calculation software designed for brands and retail companies to monitor and reduce carbon and environmental impacts in real time). guide an international study.

In total, 13,400 people responded (of which 2080 who have not used Vestiaire Collective, 5620 who have already sold on the platform and 5743 who have already purchased there). The research team analyzed 250,000 transactionsand conducted 28 qualitative interviews in the United States, France, Italy, the United Kingdom, and Germany. And this, in the clothing, accessories, bags, shoes and jewelery categories.

We will wear more, longer and sell high-end fashion better

The result is that, in all the categories considered, buying used fashion items from high-end brands on the platform costs 33% less than buying brand new fast fashion items.

“Already loved clothes are worn 8 times more: the average cost per item is 1.56 dollars compared to 5.66 dollars for fast fashion alternatives.

Used designer bags offer approximately 72% lower per-carriage costs than fast-fashion alternatives.

[Les adeptes de Vestiaire Collective] they wear their pre-loved items almost twice as much as fast fashion owners wear them, and keep them 31% longer. »

— Collective changing room.

“Neither people nor the planet can afford fast fashion”

Sure, we can find these calculations wacky (#GirlMath as they say on TikTok). And remember it items from high-end or luxury brands do not necessarily rhyme with quality.

AND Even among low-cost brands you can find quality clothing that lasts for years, especially if you take care of your personal belongings and pay attention to their maintenance..

That said, we can to a minimum I appreciate this emphasis on the concept of value for money, or cost per door, which is rarely appreciated by most brands. Because the latter prefer to communicate about their centuries-old heritage, about the codes that make up their DNA, or about the trendiest innovations of the moment (which will be out of fashion the day after tomorrow…), rather than about the idea that we could keep their pieces for decades ( except perhaps in some luxury homes).

Fanny Moizant, president and co-founder of Vestiaire Collective, expressed in the press release accompanying this 2024 Circularity Report:

“In the current inflationary climate it is obvious: neither individuals nor the planet can afford fast fashion. This report raises the alarm about the devastating impact of fast fashion and should be a wake-up call for everyone to put an end to overconsumption and overspending. »

“Fast fashion is a false economy”

So much so that the slogan of this campaign is read as “ Think first, buy later “. This might seem like common sense to you, but to many fashion enthusiasts it means a lot, as Douna Wone, Chief Impact Officer of Vestiaire Collective sums up:

“Fast fashion is a false economy. Buying cheap fast fashion is misleading because you end up replacing items again and again. We support circularity because it not only benefits consumers’ wallets, but also protects our planet. Second-hand luxury items are more profitable over time and have a longer lifespan. Our mantra “Think first, buy later” makes more sense than ever. »

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