It’s rags to riches
Savvy Gen Z thrift shoppers making a motza off tr ashion
A SAVVY Queensland shopper has turned thrifting into a fulltime job earning over $200k in just a few years as second-hand clothes sales skyrocket among the Gen Z population.
Depop seller Esta Musumeci from Cairns has made her shop on the app her full-time job, earning over $200k in four years.
Ms Musumeci said her earnings vary, but during her most successful month she made about $9500 selling secondhand clothing.
“It operates by solely going on one or two trips a week, driving around the area I live to pick up stock and resources for my shop, I source from local shops around my area, thrift stores, garage sales, markets and donations, I also sew clothing pieces from vintage materials,” Ms Musumeci said.
“When it comes to how to price an item, I take into account the price paid for the item, depop fees, paypal fees, cleaning the garment, travel and shipping fees. “I discovered Depop through Youtube, there is a user on there called Melissa Tati she would weekly make videos on being a Depop seller and I loved the way she was so creative and loved that it gave life to old clothes that would otherwise be getting thrown to o landfill or still in n an overfilled d thrift shop.”
Ms Musumeci’s finds include YSL pants and a vintage Versace shirt found in op shops and resold for more than $100 each.
Vogue Australia fashion writer Jonah Waterhouse said the second-hand trend was not just money-driven.
“As an understanding of the environmental ramifications of fast fashion becomes more widespread, it makes sense that young people are gravitating toward thrift shopping,” he said. “Aside from the sustainability credentials, it also allows a level of individuality that brand-new clothing can’t provide.”
A survey commissioned by afterpay service Klarna to understand shopping trends, found 40 per cent of Australians are spending less on clothing than they were five years ago.
The results show Gen Z are leading the shift from traditional retail towards cheaper and more sustainable options such as thrifting and renting, with 40 per cent of the younger generation buying second-hand compared to 19 per cent of Baby Boomers.
Vinnies Queensland general manager Drew Eide said he had noticed a big uptake in younger shoppers buying from Vinnies stores.
“We have noticed an increase in thrift shopping over the last year and we’ve seen some record breaking sales, even relocating stores to have a bigger location due to this de
mand,” mand, Mr Eide said.