Business ideasCreative
Start a vintage clothing business.
Good secondhand clothes are a treasure hunt people love. You find them. Your team builds the shop and sells them.
- Where
- From home
- Sells
- Online, anywhere
- Busiest
- Autumn and spring
- You do
- Find, clean and post
- Your team
- Shop, photos, posts, email, orders
Why it works
Secondhand is now mainstream: 59% of shoppers bought secondhand clothes last year, and US resale grew 19%, its fastest in four years. Every piece is one of a kind, so people check back often.
What you need to start
- A good eye and sources
- A steamer
- A rail and hangers
- A tape measure
- Mailing bags
- A clean wall for photos
Measure every piece. Honest sizes mean fewer returns.
Who does what
You
- Find the pieces
- Clean and measure
- Post the orders
- Decide in your Review
Your team
- Name, logo and labels
- The website and shop
- Photos and posts
- Emails and orders
A sample launch plan
- Day 1You send one line about your vintage clothes.
- Week 1You pick a name and a look from three.
- Week 2The shop opens with your first twenty pieces.
- Week 4Your first Review: what sold, and what to try next.
Things to watch
Returns.Show flaws in photos and give exact measurements.
Stock runs out.Plan a regular buying day.
Your one line could be
Change it to your own words. That is all your team needs to begin.