Second Hand Clothing in Bangkok
What's second hand clothing?
In 2019, the global apparel market today is worth around $672 billion. An industry driven by new trends, celebrity endorsements, and fuelled by fast fashion, we consume so much clothing – and ends up either in the furthest corners of our closet or at the bottom of a suburban landfill. But an emerging sector that has actually been around for some time is the buying and selling of second hand clothing. Some prefer to call it pre-owned or pre-loved, but however you may want to call it, it's part of the growing solution of re-using clothing waste, and there are some profits to be made.
Is it a long term trend?
Buying and selling second-hand clothes have been around for decades. In Bangkok, there are clothing markets dedicated to selling second hand clothes. As second-hand clothes are becoming more popular, so is the rise of Instagram accounts promoting them, leading to an increasing awareness for more sustainable clothing consumptions.
Second-hand clothing is not your latest trend nor will it be sounding the alarm of what's hot and what's not. But in the next few years, second-hand clothing is no longer just about fashion but part of a lifestyle. As fast fashion continues to dominate the retail industry as a prime business model leading to a clothing waste crisis; second-clothing fashion seeks to reverse it. Alternative lifestyles like minimalism, anti-consumerism, and environmental activism are becoming more mainstream, bringing with them a set of ideologies that further fuel the re-use of everyday items like clothing.
Studies show that second-hand clothing as a sector is anticipated to reach $51 billion by 2029. People all over the world are re-using and purchasing used clothing.
A used clothing business succeeds when resellers satisfy consumer choices in price, variety, and durability. Below are reasons why more and more people are considering buying, selling, and wearing clothing.
Why should you consider buying second hand clothing? What are the opportunities and challenges?
Often clothing is resold because the person who bought it no longer needs it or it no longer suits them. Second-hand purchase tends that the asking price is a big slash off the original price, translating to potential savings.
Our clothes contain a lot of water and chemicals. About 1800 gallons of water is needed just to create a pair of blue jeans. Re-using pre-owned clothing reduces the environmental impact of clothing manufacturing.
It takes a certain character and mindset to embrace a lifestyle of re-using and reducing waste. You might be comfortable in re-using other things like furniture or household items but not clothing, when in fact, these are items that have been barely used, if at all.
A few tips to make the most of buying used clothing
Call the store to find out when was the last batch of deliveries and if they have upcoming ones. This gives you a better sense of choice and selection and have more control over the buying process.
When in the store, you can approach the selection process in a number of ways. Once you've chosen the clothing category and narrowed down your selection, make sure you do a thorough quality check of the fabric, buttons, stitches, and any embellishments – no stains, holes, or fog on clothing. The devil is truly in the detail. Lastly, check for wash instructions and do a thorough wash of your purchases.
A rack of second hand clothing in Bangkok.
Where to buy second-hand clothing in Bangkok?
My top 5 picks where to buy second-hand clothing in Bangkok.
Chatuchak Weekend Market
This Chatuchak Weekend market is a famous place for buying second-hand clothing. There are many Second-hand clothing stores, and there are people interested massively. It is a very old weekend market, and people visit every weekend. Chatuchak Weekend Market Open 10:00 am - 6:00 pm, open Wednesday - Sunday.
Ramindra Express Market
This market is located along with the express market," within the market will be divided into 4 zones. The interesting zone is the food zone and clothing zone. There are many stores where you can buy second-hand clothing easily. At the market, they have a car deposit service. This market is also very old, around ten years and opens daily from 17: 00-02: 00 hrs.
Train Night Market Ratchada
The train market is located on Ratchadaphisek Road, in the back of the Esplanade mall. The most convenient way to travel is by taking the subway. This is also a good place to buy clothes. This market opens every Tuesday – Sunday at 17.00–01.00 hrs.
Sports Night Market Taladnad
Sports Night Market has a lot to sell, including second-hand clothes, second-hand clothes, shoes, bags at an affordable price. There will be a variety of restaurants, tasty, but also inexpensive. Most products in this market will be used in daily life. The market is open from 5:00 pm - 9:00 pm, closed on Wednesday.
Indy Market
The Indy market is also famous for buying clothes and shoes. People like to travel and eat in this market. People also like all the shops in this market. Inside this market, there are more than 700 stores for different accessories. Fashion Zone and Container Zone Shoppers are the most important parts of this market. This market is located on the edge of Suksawat 2 Road, Chom Thong Subdistrict, Chom Thong District, and Bangkok. This market is open from 8 Am to 9 pm.
