Could this be a death knell for fast fashion?

I’ve recently started selling my unwanted clothes via an excellent full-service company called Marrkt. They are one of many in this space, of course, and they are particularly good. Once I realised how capable they are I did a deep clean of my stuff, finding things that I hadn’t worn for years, maybe decades. Not all will sell, but a lot will.

It is so satisfying and I am so into it; as one of my observant children said, ‘so you’ve found your latest obsession’. She is right; nothing is safe, no peg will go uninvestigated, no drawer will not be turned upside down.

I was talking about this with a mother of young children this weekend. She told me that all of her friends buy most of their baby clothes on Vinted or similar. That way they can get great stuff for a few pounds and not waste money on cheap rubbish that is only used for a few months. A pair of perfect 1990s Osh Kosh dungarees, made in the US, for £6? Yes please!

I do/did have way too many clothes. I have really cared about what I wear since I was a nipper, and although this was a source of some amusement for the more boorish boys at my school, I have always been happy to own it.

My mantra has long been ‘buy really well, buy a lot’. And now I can pass these things on to someone else who appreciates what I do and make some money to boot. And, in due course, they can do the same.

Some interesting things here are:

First, this seems like an excellent antidote to fast fashion. A company like Marrkt is so good because it only sells good stuff and, critically, takes on all of the boring tasks. Truly, why not look at it, or one of its competitors when you next want something? A lot of stuff that they sell is deadstock.

Then, in due course, I can buy more, but I’ve decided to only spend what I get from my sales. More, but this time, less of it. Clearing out has made me realise how stupid I have been; I mean how many blue jumpers or white shirts does one human need? It has really made me think.

And, I have always looked after my clothes well and that has been useful here. Things that are hung properly, or whatever, do have more value than things that have been mistreated.

Fourth, buying good quality pays. Good stuff is always desirable and so there is an element of investment here.

Fifth, Marrkt is partly so clever because its proposition is very clear. It sells good stuff from clearly defined, decent brands, and not much else. Unlike some of its competitors, it is not a muddle of everything and anything. I mean, I do love eBay, but successful searching is unbelievably hard because of how much crap fills the gaps. Markkt understands the value of a niche.

Truly, this trend could slow down the march of fast fashion. It will take time, but it is real.

There are lots of lessons here for us and all of them are relevant to Gladstone / Hellen. Here are two.

First. If you buy from us, you will get really good stuff and, in due course, should you wish to sell it, that will be easy.

Second. We have a niche, and we will stick to that. Great stuff, made by artisans in Great Britain. We will not muddy the waters. I think that now, more than ever, in a world full of stuff, this is important. Reminding ourselves of the value of the niche helps us to understand what we do, and you to do the same.

Have a look here.