Heaptalk, Jakarta — The practice of buying and selling preloved fashion items is becoming common and increasingly accepted among people in Indonesia. Besides being affordable, buyers often seek specific luxury brands that match their style.
Buying and selling secondhand items has been going on for a long time. In the past, most people looked down on buying and wearing used goods. But now, many buyers, including millennials and Gen Z, are looking for certain used fashion items to meet their clothing and lifestyle needs.
Extending product lifespan
Alya Rohali, a public figure in Indonesia, has long been familiar with buying secondhand items, especially luxury-brand bags. Over the past two years, she has been actively decluttering her wardrobe by selling clothes she no longer uses at various preloved bazaars. Alya shared that some clothes she hasn’t worn in 1–2 years often remain in their original packaging. She realized that such items weren’t essential to her; hence, she opted to sell them at preloved bazaars to give them a new purpose.
Despite her status as a public figure, Alya admitted that she doesn’t frequently change her fashion. She often reuses clothes that are over five years old. For her, buying secondhand clothing is about adding new wardrobe options and making functional choices. Alya emphasized that preloved fashion has become part of her lifestyle.
Beyond its practicality, Alya sees selling unused clothing as a contribution to sustainable fashion by extending the lifespan of her clothes. Her nieces and nephews, predominantly Millennials and Gen Z, have also shown interest in preloved fashion, hosting preloved bazaars for their age group. “This might be one way I contribute to supporting sustainable fashion,” Alya told Heaptalk.
Increasing the value of the resale market
According to a Statista study, the global market value of secondhand and resale apparel was estimated to be US$197 billion in 2023. This value is projected to rise rapidly in the coming years to roughly 100 billion dollars by 2026.
GlobalData reported that the apparel resale market size was estimated at $193.7 billion in 2023. The market is expected to achieve a CAGR of more than 12% from 2023 to 2027. The clothing category led the apparel resale market in 2023, and Asia-Pacific led it. In 2023, China surpassed the US as the largest revenue contributor to the apparel resale market.
In Indonesia, 6Wresearch estimated that the secondhand apparel market would witness steady growth over the forecast period driven by increasing demand for pre-owned apparel and rising disposable incomes. However, the research agency did not detail the number of growth forecasts. The country has seen a shift in consumer preferences towards sustainable fashion, with an increasing number of people purchasing quality used clothing from thrift stores or online platforms.
Local brands start to take off
Preloved fashion is typically associated with luxury brands, encompassing clothing, bags, shoes, watches, and more. However, a new trend in Indonesia is emerging, where preloved fashion is not limited to global luxury brands but increasingly includes local brands. Preloved bazaars are introducing numerous MSME (micro, small, and medium enterprises) brands to a broader audience.
One of the event organizers supporting this trend is De Corner Events, which regularly hosts pop-up markets for preloved fashion items from local brands. These preloved bazaars showcase MSME products and promote waste reduction as part of achieving sustainable fashion. “I organize preloved bazaars as I originally enjoyed thrifting, which extends the lifespan of clothing and ultimately reduces waste,” said Dini Susistianti, the owner of De Corner Events.
In some of De Corner’s popup markets, there has been strong interest in preloved fashion from MSME brands. This indicates high brand awareness and the quality of MSME products, allowing them to compete with luxury clothing brands. One famous MSME brand frequently featured at pop-up markets is Salaga. Dini noted, “Local brands are thrilled now. The people buying thrifted items from me aren’t just my friends anymore but people from outside the city.”
Developing relevant regulations
The MSME sector plays a vital role in supporting Indonesia’s economic growth. According to data from the Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs, MSMEs contribute 61% of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), amounting to Rp9.58 trillion, approximately US$602.8 million (US$1 equals Rp15,892), and employ 97% of the workforce.
Based on data from the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy, the creative economy sector contributed Rp1,300 trillion, around US$81.8 billion, to Indonesia’s gross domestic product in 2023. Of this amount, the fashion subsector ranks second after culinary, contributing 17% of the total contribution of the creative economy sector.
Given the significance of MSMEs in the economy, the government should take the initiative, in collaboration with the private sector, to support the continued growth of MSME fashion, especially in the resale market. The government can play a role by developing relevant regulations to facilitate the resale market. With regulatory support, private sector entities, such as De Corner Events, as event organizers, designers, and MSME players, can scale up these preloved fashion items from MSME brands. Ultimately, consumers will have access to assured quality local products.
