Sauntering through the lanes of Hauz Khas Village in Delhi, one can spot several stores—ordinary looking from the outside, but a treasure trove of one-of-a-kind clothes, shoes and accessories. These are thrift stores, selling second-hand clothes, and export surplus from brands budget and luxury—making fashion accessible to all while doing their bit for the environment.
The rising number of offline and online thrift stores are in consonance with the demand, as indicated by reports too. A recent report by ThredUp, a global thrift retailer, says the global second-hand apparel market grew by 18% last year to reach $197 billion, and is projected to grow three-fold faster than the overall apparel market to reach $350 billion by 2028.
Huckleberry Hangers is one of the most popular thrift spots in Hauz Khas. Stocked with various garments, it also sells Mary Janes, chunky loafers and cowboy boots. “I grew up in Darjeeling, where thrifting is a major thing. So my idea of a thrift store stemmed from there, and we eventually started during the Covid pandemic in 2020,” said Neha Butt, founder and curator of Huckleberry Hangers, which operates both offline and online, with over 12,600 followers on Instagram. It essentially sells export surplus goods, Butt specified, clothes with minor defects that are discarded by factories. “We bring these clothes from the factories and do our bit by not letting these clothes go to the landfill,” she added.
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A few metres away from Huckleberry Hangers is Shop With Love, another multi-storied thrift store offering tops, jeans, dresses, jackets, trousers, and funky T-shirts. Along with the store, it has over 183,000 followers on Instagram and sells online as well.
In Mumbai’s Bombay Closet Cleanse, run by sisters Sana and Alfiya Khan, the business stemmed from a garage sale. “I was a shopaholic and had over 700 pieces in my closet gathering dust—some still with tags that I had never used. It was in a conversation with a friend who enlightened me about the impact of fast fashion on the environment. So I thought of doing a small garage sale for my friends and family, the response to which was massive. And that’s how the business was born,” said Sana.
“In 2019, we started doing small-scale pop-ups across the city. But our business really blew up online during the pandemic, when thrifting became very popular on Instagram,” added Sana.
According to Sana, thrifting is an upward trend in India. “We have observed that GenZs are more conscious and aware customers who pay attention to their lifestyle choices and shopping habits. Secondly, thrifting in general has become a ‘cool’ thing, mainly because of its popularity on Instagram. And thirdly, it’s easy on the pocket,” said Sana.
“Catering to the global demand, India is a manufacturing hub for fast fashion,” said Shruti Singh, country head of Fashion Revolution India, an advocacy group that works towards sustainable fashion. India also has a textile waste problem, as it generates 7.8 million tonne of it annually, making it the country’s third-largest source of municipal solid waste, as per Amsterdam-based consultancy Fashion for Good.
Here is where thrifting comes into the picture as it “significantly contributes to environmental sustainability by reducing waste and greenhouse gas emissions associated with the fashion industry”. Choosing to buy pre-owned items instead of buying new ones not only lessens the strain on the planet’s limited resources but also keeps quality clothing in circulation, preventing them from ending up in landfills prematurely, thus fostering a circular economy in fashion, said Singh. In fact, as per the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, extending the life of clothing by just nine months can reduce carbon, water and waste footprints by 20-30%.
“Thrifting is gaining popularity in India, primarily driven by urban millennials and Gen Z,” said Singh. “People are seeking new and unique clothes—they want to look good without burning a hole in their pocket or harming the planet. Increasing awareness about sustainability and the rise of online thrift platforms and events have democratised second-hand shopping, making it not only accessible to a larger audience but also trendy,” she added.
Along with offline stores, there are numerous thrift stores functioning online, such as Vintage Laundry, with over 18,000 followers on Instagram, Lustthrift, with over 38,400 followers, and Bodements, with over 16,300 followers, among others.
“Business is good,” said Sana, adding, “This is a great time for being a thrift brand in the country.”
From: financialexpress
Financial News
