eBay’s Head of Fashion on the rise of pre-loved wedding attire

“I sold my wedding dress, and for me, it was really about the connection between seller and buyer… you have this shared link to the dress and evidently, both want a similar look for your wedding.”

There’s been a serious rise in the popularity of pre-loved fashion for quite some time, in brick-and-mortar stores we know and love (Hi Vinnies if you’re reading this), but particularly online. 

A good chunk of my TikTok feed, when it’s not clouded by tarot readings that assure me “He’s coming back”, is dominated by envy-worthy thrift ‘hauls’ and content built around how to style and wear a secondhand find to a big event or to someone’s special day. 

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As we become increasingly conscious of the fashion industry’s impact on the environment and the extensive problems with fashion waste, coupled with a cost-of-living crisis to boot, affordability and sustainability are front of mind for a growing majority of consumers. This is particularly the case when it comes to buying a stand-out garment for a wedding, whether you’re a guest or the one getting married. 

It’s no longer feasible or responsible to fork out hundreds (or thousands) on a shiny new frock for your bestie’s wedding in the spring, when more often than not it will be worn once and then condemned forever to the far right side of the closet. 

eBay is one of the platforms that’s consistently turned to in order to resell or source these pre-loved garments for weddings. To find out a little more about Australia’s pre-loved shopping habits, I picked the brains of eBay’s Head of Fashion, Brooke Eichhorn. Below, we chat about the rise of the ‘resale’, particularly for brides and wedding guests, as well as some tips on how to resell your own pre-loved bits or source something for an upcoming big day.

What are the main reasons people are currently turning to pre-loved fashion on eBay?

Number one is saving money. Affordability is a big driver for purchasing pre-loved. About 70 per cent of eBay users resonate with that sentiment. But it is also about being sustainable. Particularly I think, you know, with the amount of events people are going to as we edge closer to the warmer months. 

What are people searching for when it comes to event dressing?

Dresses are our number one category. We also know through some consumer research that brands like Zimmermann and Scanlan Theodore are shopped every two minutes on eBay. I think that’s really reflective of the scale of pre-loved event dressing that is taking place on-site.

Luxury handbags are also really strong on eBay, too. Brands you would know like Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Prada. It says to me that people are beginning to turn more and more to secondhand sourcing as a way into those luxury brands at a lower price point. 

Interestingly, we also had people telling us that it was around 30 days after they bought something that they were open to reselling it. This shows just how quickly we’re parting with those garments and the need to prioritise buying and selling pre-loved items.  

What advice do you have for people purchasing pre-loved wedding attire?

Just have fun with it! When you’re shopping pre-loved, you can find so many more unique items than when you go to the shops. Keep adding things to your watch list and trying to curate a kind of wishlist for what you’re going to wear. 

It’s also worth noting that when it comes to shopping for vintage, the sizing can run smaller than sizing runs today. So be mindful of that when purchasing. Feel free to connect with the seller on our messaging platform and ask them any questions you have. Are there any stains? Defects? Has it been cleaned? Has it been dry-cleaned? This can make sure that you’re going to receive a dress that fits properly and is ready to go for the event.

If what arrives is not what was in the picture or in the description, you do have the coverage of eBay’s money-back guarantee. Then, with luxury handbags to accessorise your ’fit, say, if you want that little itty bitty Chanel handbag to go with the look, we authenticate all bags over $350. So they’ll come to our Sydney authentication facility and be verified before they continue onsite. 

What’s the best approach to selling a wedding dress or something you’ve worn to a wedding on eBay?

It’s easy! Just use the eBay app. Take some photos on your phone and choose up to 24 for the listing. My tip is to do it in natural light, rather than under a harsh fluorescent light. Add as many photos as you can. Take ones of the front and back, and any stitching or beading detailing, particularly for wedding dresses or high-end items that have those intricate details. 

Then, add the description and really do your research on price. If you’re stuck, you can search for similar dress brands and filter by items that have sold. This will tell you what the current market is valuing that brand and that type of dress for.

Have you ever sold or bought any special pre-loved wedding attire on eBay?

This is kind of a lovely story. I sold my wedding dress, and for me, it was really about the connection between seller and buyer. Me and the woman who ended up buying it were chatting back and forth. It’s nice because you both have this shared link to the dress and evidently, both want a similar look for your wedding. 

Mine was a Marchesa dress and had the most beautiful beading. It was one of only six that were made globally. So even for me to source it there was this process of tracking it down, and now knowing that someone else was going to go on and wear that beautiful dress made it so much better!

Anything else to add?

I want to really encourage people who are wedding guests (or brides!), if you do want to buy a new addition to your wardrobe, to have a look at pre-loved first before you go and buy a brand new one. And for those who have things sitting in their closer gathering dust, you may as well sell it on. For the planet, and for your pocket. 

For more tips on buying and selling pre-loved fashion, head here.