Secondhand Shopping Surges as Americans Buy More Used Clothing

More Americans are buying used clothing instead of new, according to a report from KOTA Territory News. The report frames secondhand buying as a growing habit rather than a one-time blip, part of a broader move away from buying everything new.

The outlet does not break down the shift by state or age group in the portion available through Google News, so specific percentages and dollar totals are not included here. Readers who want exact figures should check the full KOTA Territory News report directly, since this desk will not attach numbers that are not in hand.

Why are more Americans buying secondhand clothes?

The report ties the rise to shoppers looking for lower prices and more unique items than they find on a typical retail rack. Used clothing has long been a budget option during tight financial stretches, and secondhand racks also give shoppers a chance to find styles that are no longer sold new, including vintage pieces and discontinued runs.

The shift also lines up with a longer conversation about how clothes are made. HTT's Ethical Elegance desk recently looked at how natural and recycled fibers compare on durability and environmental cost, a factor that matters directly to secondhand shoppers. Clothing made from sturdier natural fibers, such as wool or heavier cotton, tends to hold up longer on the resale rack than items made from cheaper synthetic blends that wear out fast.

Where are people finding used clothing?

Secondhand shopping covers a wide range of options: thrift stores, consignment shops, estate sales, clothing swaps, and online resale platforms where individual sellers list items directly to buyers. Each channel serves a different kind of shopper. Thrift stores tend to offer the lowest prices and the widest variety, while consignment shops and online resale sites often charge more for curated or brand-name pieces that have already been inspected for condition.

What does this mean for the environment?

Buying used clothing keeps garments in circulation longer instead of sending them to a landfill or incinerator. Every piece of clothing that gets a second owner is one fewer piece that needs to be manufactured from scratch, which matters because clothing production uses water, energy, and raw materials at every stage, from growing fiber to dyeing fabric to sewing the final garment.

Designers have taken notice of this shift too. A separate HTT Ethical Elegance feature examined how designer Vivienne Westwood's practices have shaped ethical fashion standards, including an emphasis on buying less and buying better. That philosophy lines up with what secondhand shoppers are already doing by default: stretching the life of a garment instead of discarding it after a season.

How does fabric choice affect resale value?

Not all used clothing holds up the same way. Fabrics matter. A wool coat or a pair of raw denim jeans can often be worn, washed, and resold for years without falling apart. Cheaper synthetic fabrics, by contrast, tend to break down faster, lose their shape, and end up in the donation bin sooner rather than the resale rack. Shoppers who want their secondhand purchases to last, or who plan to resell clothing themselves later, have reason to pay attention to what a garment is made from before buying it, whether new or used.

What should someone know before buying secondhand?

Shoppers new to secondhand buying should check seams, zippers, and fabric wear before paying, since most thrift and consignment sellers do not offer returns. It also helps to try items on in person when possible, since sizing on older or vintage garments does not always match current size charts. For higher-priced items bought online, checking seller reviews and return policies before buying protects against paying for damage that was not visible in photos.

A short timeline of the coverage

• Sept. 16, 2026 — HTT's Ethical Elegance desk published its fiber comparison piece, laying out tradeoffs between natural and recycled materials.
• Sept. 16, 2026 — The same desk published its feature on Vivienne Westwood's influence on ethical fashion practices.
• Oct. 3, 2026 — KOTA Territory News reports a rise in Americans buying used clothing, the trend covered here.

For the full numbers behind the secondhand shopping trend, readers should go to the original KOTA Territory News report.