From Social Stigma to Secondhand Status Symbol: Why Women Over 40 Are Flocking to Vinted & Depop
CORK,IRELAND – A shift is underway in how women,particularly those over 40,are approaching their wardrobes – and it’s driving a surge in popularity for resale platforms like Vinted and Depop.Once a source of potential embarrassment, accepting or wearing “hand-me-downs” is now being reframed as a savvy, even stylish, choice, fueled by a combination of economic pressures, wardrobe overload, and a desire for control.
The author, writing in a recent personal essay, observes a dramatic change in attitudes towards pre-owned clothing. “Me-down was another way of saying hand-me-a-dollop-of-social-death,please. Now it’s a badge of honor,” she writes, noting how individuals who once avoided admitting to wearing older items are now proudly showcasing their “vintage” finds.
This trend isn’t just about finding a bargain. The essay highlights a growing network of individuals skillfully leveraging resale platforms to fund other purchases.One friend, described as a “dinger” at the process, reportedly finances her children’s designer sportswear habits by reselling items like Penneys puffer jackets and reinvesting the profits.
The author contrasts this with her own upbringing, where new outfits were reserved for special occasions like christmas and Easter. Now, she observes her children casually considering runners priced at €200.
but the rise in popularity among women over 40 appears to be driven by more than just consumerism. The essay identifies three key factors: wardrobe chaos, the appeal of saving money, and a need for personal agency.
After years of accumulating clothes for weddings and other life events, many women find themselves with wardrobes full of “wear once” items, impulse purchases, and clothes that no longer fit changing bodies. “let’s face it, after years of weddings and all the other milestones that make you think you need a brand new outfit, we’ve got a lot of excess in our wardrobes, dresses that fall into the ‘wear once’ category,” the author explains. Decluttering offers a cathartic release, and the ability to monetize that process is a significant draw.
With the cost of everyday items like a coffee and pastry reaching exorbitant prices, the financial benefits of resale are increasingly appealing. the author suggests that managing one’s own clothing provides a sense of control in lives frequently enough dictated by children’s schedules and hormonal fluctuations.
However, the surge in secondhand clothing isn’t without its complications. The author recounts a disturbing encounter with a worker collecting donations for charity, who revealed that charity bins are frequently overflowing, leading to clothes being illegally dumped and ultimately ending up in landfills. ”It’s a holy sin,” the worker reportedly said.
This realization prompted the author to commit to either directly donating clothes to charity shops or creating a Vinted account to participate in the resale market herself, acknowledging the need to find a more enduring solution than simply adding to the growing waste problem.
this trend reflects a broader shift in consumer behaviour towards sustainability and circular economies, where extending the life cycle of products is prioritized. While the initial impetus might potentially be financial or practical, the growing acceptance of secondhand clothing represents a significant cultural change, transforming a former social taboo into a source of pride and empowerment for women over 40.
