The Art of Thrifting: The Advantages of Shopping Secondhand
Thrifting and buying vintage clothing has become increasingly popular in recent years, and for good reason. Not only does it offer a more sustainable and eco-friendly alternative to fast fashion, but it also provides unique and often high-quality pieces that can’t be found in mainstream stores. There’s a wide variety of benefits, and in this article, we’ll explore a couple of the main ones.
Environmental Benefits
Did you know that thrifting and buying vintage clothing has a positive impact on the environment? The fashion industry is notoriously one of the most polluting industries globally, with the production of clothing contributing to the depletion of natural resources, the emission of greenhouse gases, and water pollution (to name a few!). According to the Environmental Protection Agency, textiles account for nearly 10% of all municipal solid waste in the US, with only about 15% of that being recycled or donated.
By choosing to thrift or buy vintage clothing, you’re helping to reduce the amount of waste that ends up in landfills, which can take hundreds of years to decompose. Additionally, you’re not contributing to the demand for new clothing production, which uses valuable resources and creates more pollution. In short, thrifting and buying vintage clothing is an easy and effective way to reduce your carbon footprint.
Unique and High-Quality Pieces
Another benefit of thrifting and buying vintage clothing is the unique and often high-quality pieces that you can find. Vintage clothing is typically well-made, with attention paid to details like fabric quality, stitching, and construction. You’re also more likely to find one-of-a-kind pieces that aren’t available in mainstream stores, allowing you to express your individuality and personal style.
Thrifting also offers the opportunity to find designer and high-end clothing at a fraction of the retail price. You can often find vintage pieces from well-known brands and designers that are no longer in production or were only made in limited quantities, making them even more valuable and unique.
Affordability
One of the biggest draws of thrifting and buying vintage clothing is its affordability. Vintage clothing is often much cheaper than buying new clothing from mainstream stores. You can find great deals on high-quality pieces that would otherwise be out of your budget, allowing you to build a unique and stylish wardrobe without breaking the bank.
In addition to affordability, thrifting also offers the opportunity to find items that are no longer in production or available in mainstream stores. This means that you can get a unique piece that is not only affordable but also rare and special.
Supporting Small Businesses
Many thrift and vintage stores are small businesses that rely on local communities to stay in business. By thrifting at these shops, you’re supporting these businesses, which is particularly important in the current economic climate where many small businesses are struggling to survive.
In conclusion, there are numerous benefits to thrifting and buying vintage clothing. From the environmental impact to the unique and high-quality pieces, affordability, and community engagement, there are plenty of reasons to choose secondhand over new. So the next time you’re in the market for new clothing, consider heading to your local thrift or vintage store instead, or even using BAZAARA – the UAE’s largest community resale fashion platform for buying and selling secondhand fashion.
Not only will you be doing your part to reduce your carbon footprint, but you’ll also be supporting small businesses and your local community while finding unique and stylish pieces to add to your wardrobe.
Bazaara Pledges to Conserve Five Million Gallons of Water by 2022 for World Environment Day
The brand’s users have already enabled the conservation of over 1 million litres of water to date through purchases of secondhand fashion items versus new pieces
Bazaara, the region’s digital platform for thrifting secondhand and vintage clothing, provides insights into the company’s contribution towards sustainable environmental practices. Launched in December 2020, Bazaara has a mission to streamline and simplify the shopping system in the Middle East, combining the accessibility of technology with the values of conscious shopping.
In recognition of World Ocean Day on June 8th and World Environment Day on June 6th, Bazaara shares a few progressive statistics that showcase the positive impact that its users had made on the environment as a whole. Entering their sixth month in the market, the app has successfully registered over 8,000 users on their platform, displaying over 13,000 live listings. The brand has facilitated the transaction of over 650 preloved fashion items, resulting in the conservation of over 1 million litres of water. To put things into perspective, according to WWF, on average every garment takes close to 2,000 litres of water to produce, depending on materials. In addition to reducing water consumption, Bazaara has helped offset over 958 pounds of CO2 emissions – as every pound of clothing bought secondhand instead of new saves 5.9 pounds of CO2 emissions according to The Gaia-Movement.
Bazaara is also announcing a new pledge to help conserve more than 5 million gallons of water this year. With the new initiative, the brand will partner with its users to ensure that enough secondhand sales are facilitated instead of new fashion sales, to translate into more than five million gallons of water conserved by year end.
According to Alyssa Mariano, co-founder of Bazaara, “On average, 60 percent of a person’s closet is unused. This ‘trapped inventory’ is the equivalent of $36 billion worldwide; what’s more is that up to $500 billion is lost due to clothing being underutilized or thrown away each year. We wanted to provide a platform to directly reduce these numbers,” she said.
The fashion industry is responsible for more than 10% of global carbon emissions, ranking them as thesecond-largest consumer of the world’s water supply, in addition to being accountable for 20% of all industrial water pollution worldwide. According to EcoWatch, it is estimated that 70% of rivers and lakes are contaminated by the 2.5 billion gallons of wastewater produced by the textile industry. Concern for the industry’s heavy contribution to environmental disintegration is the driving factor in creating positive change through Bazaara.
After downloading and registering on the Bazaara app, individuals can instantly list their secondhand fashion items for sale and choose their own sale prices, while buyers can make their own offers. After the buyer’s payment is completed, the courier is automatically dispatched for pickup and delivery, after which the seller receives payment to their Bazaara wallet.
For more information on Bazaara please visit www.bazaara.ae. Keep up with them on social media @bazaara.ae. The app is available to download through the App Store for iOS and the Google Play Store for Android.
A Thrifting Digital Marketplace Set to Change Consumer Habits
The app aims to make sustainable living more accessible through technology and offers flexible terms for buying and selling
Bazaara is a homegrown, digital platform for thrifting, buying and selling preloved clothing, championing slow and sustainable fashion. With a mission to redefine the shopping experience in the Middle East, the app combines the ease of technology with the values of living and dressing sustainably.
As the concept of thrifting gains popularity amongst younger generations, the demand for vintage and preloved items has shot up in recent years. While modernizing thrifting as a movement in the region, Bazaara offers a platform to showcase distinct and unique items that can only be found in their digital marketplace. In four simple steps, users can effortlessly declutter their wardrobe by passing on preloved items to buyers. The app offers convenience for the customers and sellers, taking care of the delivery and the payment - ensuring security on both fronts.
“We recognized a niche in the region for thrift shopping, especially since decluttering has become a priority for many, which typically starts from the closet,” said Alyssa Mariano, Co-Founder of Bazaara.
According to Mariano, on average, 60 percent of a person’s closet is unused. “This ‘trapped inventory’ is the equivalent of $36 billion worldwide; what’s more is that up to $500 billion is lost due to clothing being underutilized or thrown away each year. We wanted to provide a platform to directly reduce these numbers,” she said.
With the fashion industry producing more than 10% of global carbon emissions, being the second-largest consumer of the world’s water supply, and responsible for 20% of all industrial water pollution worldwide, Alyssa is passionate about creating positive change.
“Bazaara was founded to make a difference within the industry by providing a user-friendly, all-inclusive platform to thrift, buy and sell preloved and vintage fashion. We hope to contribute to reducing the industry’s carbon footprint and building a more sustainable approach to fashion,” she added.
Through a bidding system that satisfies both the seller and the buyer, the app charges a minimal transaction fee in order to keep the sellers incentivized. After downloading and registering on the Bazaara app, sellers can instantly upload images and descriptions of the items they wish to sell. The seller receives the payment only once the item has been received by the buyer and they are satisfied.
For more information on Bazaara please visit www.bazaara.ae. Keep up with them on social media @bazaara.ae. The app is available to download through the App Store for iOS and the Google Play Store for Android.
Meet Our Sellers: INO.AE
"Meet Our Sellers" is a new series featuring our top sellers of vintage and preloved clothing in the UAE on BAZAARA. Download the app to shop their looks today.
Why did you start ino.ae?
INO.AE is a concept that has been more than 10 years in the making. I started my own mini shop at the age of 14, selling jewelry I’ve made and clothes my peers at the time, liked. But every time I’d think about the style and wardrobe of two of the most elegant and classy women in my life: my mother and her mom (my grandmother), I’d think, “I wish I could make/sell stuff like that instead!” They’ve always had an eye for the classics: from music and the arts, to clothing and furniture. I owe much of my taste to them. I’ve always kept this in my heart and fast forward to now, INO.AE is born out of an intense brainstorming session that involved Katy Perry’s song “It’s Never Really Over” on repeat, all because a little girl refused to give up on that dream. INO is my way of sharing the love for all things inspiring in the decades past, finding like-minded vintage-loving friends, and promoting a fierce individuality amongst women and their style of choice.
Tell us about your love for vintage items?
“How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.” - Elizabeth Barrett Browning, Sonnet 43
I love vintage and inspired items so much so that my house is filled with them! And no, it’s not a pile up of hoarded things, but very select pieces that have much of a sentimental value to me. As much as I love it, I also don’t believe in unnecessary hoarding. But if I were to count the ways vintage is a part of my life, I’d say from clothing to furniture, books and music.
Do you think vintage shopping is popular in the UAE and will it continue to gain in popularity?
People will always have their own idea of “vintage” because it’s such a personal journey. You pick a past era/decade, decide what it means to you, and you wear that style according to your preference. I hope that vintage shopping will continue to gain understanding more than popularity because there’s such a big difference in things like material used, techniques employed, cultural reflection etc. VS. modern clothing.
What are your favorite vintage pieces?
- A working phonograph I got from an old vendor who only had it as prop in his shop
- An original Polaroid camera
- Dresses I’ve inherited from my mom
How can we shop ino.ae vintage pieces?
Find INO on Bazaara & Instagram: @ino.ae
Bazaara is the Side Hustle We All Need
Declutter your closet while making money with the Bazaara app, available on iOS and Android
In with the new, out with the old. Declutter your closet and your home while earning extra cash with Bazaara, an easy-to-use app where you can buy and sell pre-loved clothing and home decor.
Bazaara is a peer-to-peer social marketplace app where you can buy or sell almost anything; including clothes, books, home decor, cosmetics, and more.
Here’s why you need to kickstart 2021 with Bazaara:
You'll have more space
Reduce your clutter by selling some of your gently-used clothing and home decor items and making space for new purchases. Bazaara keeps your pre-loved possessions out of the landfill.
You’ll appreciate what you have
A decluttered space leads to a decluttered mind. It can be a great way to learn what is truly important to you. By owning fewer things, you are more inclined to appreciate what you have, which in turn, helps create a happier life.
You can make money
Bazaara is a safe and smooth platform to make some extra money while decluttering your home. The app’s easy-to-use features allow for a seamless transaction and experience for both buyers and sellers.
How to use the Bazaara app
To sell:
Step 1: Download the Bazaara app on your mobile phone.
Step 2: After registering, click the camera icon at the bottom of the screen, upload images and a description of the item(s) you would like to sell, and click submit.
Step 3: Your item is listed. Once you receive a sales request from a buyer, you can either accept or decline the request.
Step 4: Once the order is confirmed, pack your item for pickup by the courier and get paid.
To Buy:
Step 1: Download the Bazaara app on your mobile phone.
Step 2: After registering, browse the categories or search for items you are looking for.
Step 3: Make a purchase request or an offer on any item you would like to purchase and wait for it to be accepted or countered.
Step 4: Once your order is accepted, you will receive a notification with tracking information from the courier. Your new item will arrive at your doorstep within 24 hours.
“Decluttering, especially during the beginning of a new year, can help set you up for success with a fresh space and a fresh mind,” said Alyssa Mariano, Co-Founder, Bazaara. “Bazaara can help you do just that — all while earning extra cash.”
Bazaara is available for iOS and Android and can be downloaded from the App Store and Play Store. Visit www.bazaara.ae to download the app today.
Turn Preloved Clothes into Cash with Bazaara
Launching today, Bazaara is a peer-to-peer online marketplace app for preloved clothes, accessories, and home goods in the UAE
Launching just in time for the festive season, Bazaara is an online haven for preloved clothes, accessories, and home goods. From exploring vintage gems to selling that untouched pair of shoes you never got around to wearing, Bazaara is a safe and easy place to turn clutter into cash or do some holiday shopping on a budget.
A quick glance at how Bazaara works
Say goodbye to the hassle of driving around town to make a 20-dirham sale. All you have to do is upload a picture of your item to the app, along with a description and your desired price, and list it. Once your item has been bought, Bazaara sends a courier service to your doorstep to collect and deliver your item, then the payment is pinged to you. Shipping fees are included in the listing price, so buyers and sellers don’t have to meet – it can all be done from the comfort and safety of home.
From trendy to timeless, find it on Bazaara
Bazaara is creating a buzzing community with all the hustle and bustle of a traditional marketplace but with digital perks. From connecting with friends on the app to liking, commenting, and sharing listings - it’s a shopaholic’s dream.
“As we hurtle towards a more digitally-inclined future, I wanted to bring the excitement of finding a steal at the mall or a thrift shop to online shoppers. I also wanted to bring fashion and decor enthusiasts together in a safe and social online community to discover, create, and inspire new trends,” said Alyssa Mariano, Co-founder of Bazaara.
Teeming with new styles, rare vintage pieces, and timeless trends - there’s something for everyone on Bazaara. In addition to landing some extra cash in your pocket before the festive season, Bazaara’s “passing on preloved” concept saves perfectly-usable items from ending up in landfills.
“The term ‘fast fashion’ has become more prominent in conversations surrounding fashion, sustainability, and environmental consciousness, as the fast fashion industry is, unfortunately, responsible for 10% of all greenhouse gas emissions,” Mariano continued. “We hope to decrease the impact this industry has on the environment by providing a seamless experience to trade preloved and vintage treasures.”
Bazaara is available for iOS and Android and can be downloaded from the App Store now.
Circular Fashion - A Passing Trend or New Way of Life?
Sustainability seems to be on everyone’s mind these days and rightly so. If there’s one lesson 2020 has taught us, it’s this—We have to do everything we can to save the planet. We’ve become more cautious about what we’re spending our time, money and energy on, and we’re one step closer to being mindful of our planet too. Sustainability is not just a trending buzzword anymore. It’s a way of life. It has led us to ‘circular fashion’ - an authentic and ethical way to look at the fashion industry as conscious consumers. Let’s take a closer look.
So what is circular fashion?
The Circular Fashion industry is designed with the aim of eliminating waste and reducing our carbon footprint by revamping the entire life cycle of an item – from design and sourcing to production and end usage – to make it sustainable forever. The term was first coined by Green Strategy founder Anna Brismar, in a bid to make the global fashion industry more circular in its impact.
It has made us rethink our fashion spend to source more ethically using recyclable resources that are non-toxic, biodegradable and reusable. It produces fashion items that can be shared across multiple users in its lifetime and be used in the real world for as long as possible. Once it reaches the end of its life cycle, it goes back into the ‘circle’ by getting recycled or composted as nourishment for plants and other organisms in the ecosystem. In other words, circular fashion should bring zero harm to the environment while making a positive contribution to our planet.
Are there any circular fashion brands yet?
Yes, there are! The first name that comes to mind is, of course, Stella McCartney. Her fame has been associated with sustainable fashion for years now, and she continues to be a pioneer and fighter for ethical sourcing of material across her labels. According to McCartney, the future of fashion is circular and will be created to be restorative and regenerative from design and inception itself. The luxury fashion house has also come up with innovative ways to reuse material like polyester and nylon and educate customers on how to care for their garments so they last much longer.
German fashion heavyweight Hugo Boss is one of the newest members to hop on to the circular fashion bandwagon. Boss was one of the first mainstream brands to adopt the use of Piñatex, a leather alternative made from discarded pineapple leaves, for a line of their limited-edition footwear. Other noteworthy brands include Netherlands based MUD Jeans who produced the world’s first circular denim line, Everlane’s ReNew collection that uses a fleece made from recycled plastic bottles, BEEN London who recycles waste to make handbags and accessories and so many more! The list is growing and we’re excited to see what’s going to come out next.
How can you support the circular fashion industry?
The world is changing fast and we need to keep up. Luckily, most of us have realised that fast-fashion is no longer the solution. It’s time we invested in the long-term life of our closet and our planet. Here’s how:
- Look at labels before you buy. Supporting ethically sourced material that can be recycled or composted is a key step in going circular.
- Donate, borrow and share. We live in a sharing economy where we’re happy to call an Uber and stay in an Airbnb. Why not make our closets shareable too? Host annual clothes-swaps with your friends and give preloved pieces a new home by selling or donating them.
- Spend less, but spend better. Invest in key pieces that you know won’t go out of fashion quickly. Blacks, whites, neutrals and denim can be mixed-and-matched to create new outfits each time.
Ready to join the circular fashion revolution? Tell us how in the comments below and sign up to Bazaara today to learn more.
How to Become a Top Seller on Bazaara
Becoming a top seller on Bazaara can help you increase your following and engagement on the app, therefore leading to higher sales! Wondering how you can make this a reality for you and your Closet on Bazaara? Don’t worry - there are many ways to help you earn a position as a top seller, and we’ve outlined them below for you.
Take Great Pictures to Show Off your Items
Take great pictures and videos of your item that really shows off the true beauty of each item. Doing so will lead to higher interaction with potential buyers and will help you sell your item quicker. Don’t be afraid to style your outfits to show the buyers how they could style an item.
Communicate with Potential Buyers and Users
Communicate with other users often! Always communicate with potential buyers through comments on listings to see if they have any questions and to answer any questions. Even if a user ‘Likes’ one of your listings, feel free to say Hello in a comment! You can also communicate with the buyer in the comments about the shipping status. Responding to comments will help you sell your item quickly. But, don’t spam or self-promote on other user’s listings in the comments – doing so could lead to a permanent block on your account.
Upload a Variety of Preloved Items
Add a variety of items to your closet! The more items you have listed, the more users will follow your Closet. You can always decline any purchase request you receive on any of your items if you change your mind (but try not to do this too often).
Engage with Other Users
Search, follow, like and comment on other user’s Closet’s and listings. Doing so will help build a community of like-minded users around you, and spreading the ‘likes’ will enable you to get some in return – leading to more views on your items.
Double Check your Address and Phone Number
Make sure your address and phone number is up to date in your Bazaara profile. This is how the courier will contact you to schedule pick up and where the courier will come pick up the package. If your address is not correct and the shipment is delayed, it could lead to you receiving a lower rating from the buyer or a cancelled order.
Categorize your Listings Properly
Ensure your categorizations on your items are correct and thorough. The better you categorize your item, the easier it will be for the perfect buyer to find it! For example, if you are selling a small blue and white striped maxi dress, don’t only categorize it as a blue dress, categorize it as a small maxi dress, that is both blue and white.
Write a Thorough Listing Description
Be thorough in your listing descriptions so that buyers know what the item looks like, how it wears, its fabric/materials, if there are any defects or damages, and more. If you don’t describe your item properly, it could lead to the buyer rejecting the item and it being returned or a low rating.
Sell Clean and Undamaged Items
Ensure the items you are selling are thoroughly cleaned and not damaged before packaging for delivery (unless the damage is stated in the listing). If your item is damaged, do not try to cover it up in the pictures and ensure it is stated in the description. This will lead to a bad experience for the buyer and they will rate you poorly. We have a list of partners who use eco-friendly products and can help dry-clean and repair your clothing:
Prepare your Items for Shipment
And finally, when packing your item for shipment, try to pack it neatly into a clean box or gift bag. This will lead to a higher rating! Bonus points if you send a thank you note with your package – buyers will love to see a personal touch to the packaging of their item. Don’t accept a purchase or offer if you are not ready to ship your item. The courier will pick up your item within the next day, so if you do accept a purchase offer, ensure that your item is ready for pickup by the time the courier arrives at your location. But, don’t wait too long to accept a purchase as this could lead to a cancelled order.
If you follow all of the tips outlined above, this will lead to higher interactions, engagement and ratings for you and your profile as a seller on Bazaara, ultimately leading to higher sales and profits. Always remember - a first-time customer could lead to a long-term customer. Happy selling!
How to Take Pictures and Videos that will Sell your Item Right Away
Great pictures of your items for sale can increase your chances of selling your item to a potential buyer. Bright, curated pictures and videos will really show off the true beauty of each item, and users are naturally attracted towards items that have bright, in-focus images. Doing so will lead to higher interaction with potential buyers and will help you sell your item quicker. If you don’t know where to begin, we’ve outlined some tips on how to take great pictures and videos that will sell your item right away, below!
1. The most important step – but always the easily forgotten one – is make sure your camera lens is clean! This will ensure that you take in-focus pictures of your items. To do so, take a cloth, a tissue, or even the sleeve of your shirt, and rub your camera lens gently on the back of your phone. This will clear the lens easily and within seconds!
2. Take your pictures of your items during the natural daylight, if possible. Daylight at the middle of the day is the brightest, and early afternoon will give your items a nice glow. Even if you’re taking the pictures inside your home, put your items next to a window for optimal sunlight. If sunlight is not possible, try to have as much lighting as possible on your items for their close-ups. As a last resort, take pictures with the camera flash on.
3. Ensure your item is centered in the pictures. If you have other items in the picture, make sure that the buyer will understand which product is for sale by having it centered.
4. If you are listing a clothing item or accessory, try to take some pictures and/or a video of the clothing item on, so that potential buyers can see how the item looks on.
5. Style the item in your pictures. For example, if you are selling a pair of shoes, try putting them on a table with a scarf and some accessories around them to style the photo. But, always make sure the item you are selling is in the center and is the main focus.
Tips and Tricks for Decluttering your Wardrobe and Home
Whether you want to organize your home, or earn some extra cash from your unused items, decluttering your home can have many benefits, including de-stressing, clearing your head and finally getting around to that much-needed “spring cleaning”. While these are all great benefits, there’s no better feeling than coming home to an organized and simplified home.
In addition to these, there are even more benefits to decluttering your home: as consumers, as much as 75% of our clothes are never actually worn within the last year, and up to 85% of all textiles go to landfills each year. When done in the right way – by selling, donating, mending or upcycling your unused items – decluttering makes sense.
But where to begin? Decluttering your home and your closet may sound like it’s a huge task, but don’t worry. We’ll talk you through some of the quick and easy ways you can start to declutter your closet and home. Read on for some tips and tricks!
Sorting through your Items
Step one to decluttering your home is sorting through all of your items. It will take time to declutter both your closet and your home goods, so choose a weekend to tackle one section one day and the other section on the next day. You’ll want to look through your items to see which items you can mend and upcycle, which items you can sell, and which items you would like to donate. Try to grab as many items as you can that you haven’t used during the last year – these are the items that can be decluttered.
Mending your Clothing and Home Goods
Next – take a look through your items that you’ve separated for decluttering, and see if there are items that you absolutely want to keep, but they have a bit of wear and tear, such as small strings hanging off the bottom, or a scuff in the wood of a table. These items can be mended for future use (for keeping, selling and donating!). Especially if it’s a tiny hole or small fray, as this can add years back into your garment or item. Take these items to your local tailor or a furniture repair shop for a quick mend job, and your items will look as good as new!
Donating Gently Used Items
Donating gently used items is a great way to help support those in need. Once you’ve repaired any item that needed mending, reach out to local organizations that support people in need in your region. They’ll guide you to where you can drop off your clothing and home items. Some organizations even have a pickup service!
Selling your Clothing and Home Goods
For the rest of your clothing and home goods that you haven’t donated, you can sell them! As they say, “one person’s trash is another person’s treasure,” so go ahead and upload your items to Bazaara for resale. In addition to earning extra cash, selling your gently used items also has great environmental benefits! Doing so will help reduce the amount of items being discarded to landfills, as an estimated 140 million pounds worth of clothing goes into landfills each year!
Upcycling
For those items that are too far damaged beyond repair, don’t worry. These are perfect items for upcycling! Upcycling is the process of repurposing your unwanted or used items into brand new products. Upcycling can help your item live beyond its years and give it a brand-new life, with better environmental value. It’s a great way of creating unique garments and items to brighten your wardrobe and home. Talk about conversation pieces!
Since up to 85% of textiles go to landfills each year, the environmental benefits of upcycling are huge. Upcycling can greatly reduce waste that ends up in landfills. For example, you can take an old scarf or t-shirt, and turn it into a throw pillow or chair cushion. You can DIY your upcycling projects, or you can find local upcycling specialists to help you. Custom furniture creators or your local tailor is a great place to start.