- Categories:
- Special Interest
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- AwarenessFashionLifestyle
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- United States
- Date change rule:
- Week starting with the 1st Sunday of February
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National Secondhand Wardrobe Week kicks off the first full week of February, shining a light on the environmental and economic benefits of pre-loved clothing. This observance invites everyone to explore thrift stores, host clothing swaps, and rethink their fashion footprint. Join the movement by donating, swapping, or buying secondhand to extend the life of garments.
Want to sponsor National Secondhand Wardrobe Week? Learn how
Expected National Secondhand Wardrobe Week Deals
National Secondhand Wardrobe Week inspires a range of promotions focused on sustainable consumption. Thrift stores like Goodwill and The Salvation Army Family Stores often run special sales on clothing and accessories, encouraging donations and purchases. Online resale platforms such as ThredUp and Poshmark typically feature curated collections and discounts to boost participation. Many local boutiques specializing in vintage or consignment items, like Buffalo Exchange, will highlight unique pieces and offer incentives for selling. Additionally, sustainable fashion brands may partner with non-profits for donation drives or offer discounts on upcycled collections. We will update this page with confirmed live deals as February approaches.
Platform Guide for National Secondhand Wardrobe Week
Tag @nationaltoday_ and use #SecondhandWardrobeWeek. Share your favorite thrift store finds, before-and-after styling, or tips for sustainable shopping.
TikTok
Tag @www.nationaltoday.com and use #SecondhandWardrobeWeek. Create short videos showcasing thrift store hauls, DIY upcycling projects, or challenges to style an outfit entirely from secondhand items.
Mention National Today (facebook.com/nationaltoday) and use #SecondhandWardrobeWeek. Share local clothing swap events, community donation drives, or discussions on the impact of fast fashion.
National Secondhand Wardrobe Week Hero
Mary Randolph
History of National Secondhand Wardrobe Week
The thrift store, also known as a ‘charity shop’ or an ‘opportunity shop,’ sells used goods of all kinds, including clothing, furniture, music, electronic equipment, and general merchandise. These stores are frequently run by non-profit organizations. The concept is that these NGOs accept donations of usable items and then sell them to the public at low prices.
Shoppers flocked to thrift stores as far back as the Elizabethan period, where second-hand clothing bazaars were common. The Wolverhampton Society for the Blind in Staffordshire, England, was the first organization recognized as a ‘charity shop.’ Citizens donated used items for sale, with the proceeds benefiting the visually impaired. The Salvation Army began its thrift shop operations in 1897. By 1929, these thrift shops were so successful that they accounted for half of the organization’s revenue. By the 1920s, Goodwill, which opened its first thrift stores seven years later, had a fleet of 1,000 trucks. The organization gladly came to donors’ homes to pick up used goods.
Oxfam, a well-known charity supported by its charity store network, was founded in 1947 in Oxford, England. The organization, which is best known for its specialty bookstores, now has over 700 locations in England alone. Consignment shops first appeared in the 1950s, when new synthetic fabrics created a demand for new fabrics while also creating mountains of unwanted used clothing. These stores enabled customers to purchase the latest fashion trends at significantly reduced prices.
National Secondhand Wardrobe Week timeline
The Industrial Revolution sparks widespread consumerism.
The Reverend Edgar J. Helms starts Goodwill in Boston.
Naomi Campbell wears a silver Versace gown to the Fragrance Foundation Awards, which she previously wore in 1998.
Secondhand clothing can now be found on websites and Facebook pages.
How Businesses Can Celebrate National Secondhand Wardrobe Week
Local businesses can celebrate National Secondhand Wardrobe Week by hosting clothing donation drives for local charities or partnering with consignment shops for pop-up events. Retailers can offer discounts to customers who bring in gently used clothing for donation. Fashion brands might highlight their sustainable practices or launch limited-edition upcycled collections. Cafes and community centers could host mending workshops or clothing swap parties, fostering community engagement around sustainable fashion. This week provides an excellent opportunity to educate customers on the environmental benefits of a circular wardrobe.
National Secondhand Wardrobe Week FAQs
When is National Secondhand Wardrobe Week?
In 2027, National Secondhand Wardrobe Week will be observed from Sunday, February 7, through Monday, February 15. This annual event encourages sustainable fashion choices and mindful consumption.
How much textile waste does secondhand shopping prevent?
By choosing secondhand, consumers play a vital role in diverting clothing from landfills. The global secondhand market is projected to reach $350 billion by 2027, signaling a growing shift towards more sustainable consumption patterns and a substantial reduction in new textile production.
How popular is secondhand shopping?
The popularity of secondhand shopping continues to climb, driven by increased awareness of fast fashion’s impact and the rise of convenient online resale platforms. Approximately 70% of consumers have bought or are open to buying secondhand products, indicating a mainstream acceptance of pre-loved goods.
What's the difference between thrifting and vintage?
While both involve pre-owned garments, ‘thrifting’ is a broad term for shopping at secondhand stores for any used item, often for affordability or sustainability. ‘Vintage’ implies a specific aesthetic and age, usually for items that are at least two decades old and possess a certain timeless appeal or cultural significance.
National Secondhand Wardrobe Week Activities
Join a friend who enjoys thrifting
We all have that friend who loves to go bargain hunting in the local charity shops. So if you haven't met them in a while, it’s time to start making plans.
Organize a small fashion show
Throw a small house party for all your friends. Keep the theme as' secondhand outfit looks. ’ Tell each other what looks good on them, what requires stepping up, and share each other’s accessories and shoes.
Spread the word
If you no longer wear your clothes, donate them to your local charity shop so that someone else can enjoy them. What one person considers junk is a treasure to another.
5 Intriguing Facts About Secondhand Wardrobe Week
One-quarter of Americans shop at thrift stores
In comparison, only 21% of them shop at a major department store, and 19% shop at an apparel store.
Antique stores account for 13% of sales
The resale industry in the U.S. generates approximately $17.5 billion in revenue every year.
Indirect estimates tell a different story
The total value of the resale market could be as high as $24 billion per year.
There’s no ‘typical’ customer at thrift stores
Among the rich or middle class, many people enjoy the thrill of saving money while discovering a hidden treasure.
The industry employs about 170,000 people
There’s a 28% increase in employed people between 2007 and 2012.
Why We Love National Secondhand Wardrobe Week
Thrift stores make it easier to dress kids
Take your growing child and visit a thrift store. You are bound to find high-quality children's clothing in excellent condition for a few dollars.
Thrift stores are high on variety
All items at a thrift store are bound to be cheaper than in other stores. This gives us the chance to try out different styles and colors that you wouldn't ordinarily buy.
High-quality items can be found
Thrift store items are usually of higher quality. They've already been worn by one person and have retained their resale value.
National Secondhand Wardrobe Week dates
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | February 2–10 | Sunday–Monday |
| 2026 | February 1–9 | Sunday–Monday |
| 2027 | February 7–15 | Sunday–Monday |
| 2028 | February 6–14 | Sunday–Monday |
| 2029 | February 4–12 | Sunday–Monday |
Social Media Tips for National Secondhand Wardrobe Week
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