LuxuryNews

The Growing Allure of Secondhand Designer Fashion for Gen Z

The luxury fashion landscape has witnessed a notable shift towards the pre-owned market, driven predominantly by Millennials and Generation Z.

Published: Jul 12, 2024 12:17 PM

By Jeanel Alvarado

LuxuryNews

Add RETAILBOSS as Preferred Source

LuxuryNews

The Growing Allure of Secondhand Designer Fashion for Gen Z

Credit: The RealReal

The luxury fashion landscape has witnessed a notable shift towards the pre-owned market, driven predominantly by Millennials and Generation Z. These younger consumers are actively reshaping the perception of luxury, refusing to conform to traditional paradigms and heralding a new era of sustainable, digital, and individualistic consumption.

Sustainability is a crucial factor influencing Gen Z and Millennials’ fashion choices These generations are acutely aware of the environmental impact of their consumer behaviors and are motivated to reduce their carbon footprint.

A report from Kering highlights that young consumers appreciate the value of pre-owned luxury items because they come with a history and a reduced environmental footprint. Furthermore, according to The RealReal’s annual report, 32% of its consumers shop pre-owned primarily for sustainability.

Rarity is more important than the price tag For younger consumers, luxury is no longer just about the latest seasonal trend or a high price tag. There is a burgeoning interest in items that offer uniqueness and a story.

According to a Boston Consulting Group (BCG) and Vestiaire Collective study, over 50% of secondhand buyers are motivated by the desire for originality and variety…

Members-only article

Unlock the rest of this story

Join free to keep reading RetailBoss luxury coverage, industry analysis, and market intelligence.

Company

Account name Used publicly if you comment. We encourage your real first name.

Password

Send me RetailBoss newsletter emails through Substack. I can unsubscribe anytime. Confirm that I want to create a free RetailBoss account.

Free access. No credit card required. Your account is created after you verify your email.

RetailBoss is an independent global news publication and business insights platform built for executives, founders, operators, analysts, marketers, investors, and brand leaders. Our reporting covers the retail shifts across luxury, fashion, beauty, technology and marketing strategy.

Since: 2011
Audience: 50 Million+
Coverage: Global Markets

Our editorial stance

We prioritize news value, evidence, attribution, and practical relevance to retail decision-makers. Sponsored work is identified, and editorial coverage is kept distinct from commercial partnerships.

More from Luxury

LVMH Names Italy’s 2026 Maestri d’Eccellenza Winners at Bvlgari Hotel Rome

LVMH has named the honorees of the fourth Premio Maestri d’Eccellenza, recognizing established, emerging and innovative craftsmanship in Italy at a final held at Bvlgari Hotel Rome.

LuxuryNews

Ifrah Nadeem2 days ago

Louis Vuitton Puts AI and Organizational Culture on Its Manager Forum Agenda

Louis Vuitton brought headquarters managers together for its annual Manager Forum, placing artificial intelligence and organizational culture on the agenda as the house considers how leaders guide teams through change.

CareersLuxury

Sam Ohemeng2 days ago

Wisdom Kaye Receives the LVMH-Presented Virgil Abloh Award at Harlem’s Fashion Row

Wisdom Kaye received the Virgil Abloh Award presented by LVMH at Harlem’s Fashion Row’s 19th Annual Fashion Show & Style Awards in New York on September 8, 2026.

LuxuryNews

Jeanel Alvarado2 days ago

Loro Piana Americas Retail Summit, view 1

Loro Piana Centers Americas Retail Summit on Leadership and Client Experience

Loro Piana brought colleagues together for a three-day Americas Retail Summit focused on leadership, collaboration and development. The program combined learning sessions, workshops and activities aimed at connecting business strategy with day-to-day execution and the client experience.

CareersLuxury

Alyssa Jade Mann3 days ago

View all Luxury

Recommended Articles

Jaeger-LeCoultre Valley of Inventions exhibition in Shanghai, view 1

Jaeger-LeCoultre Opens Shanghai’s Valley of Inventions Exhibition With 10 Limited-Edition Debuts

Jaeger-LeCoultre is using its Valley of Inventions exhibition in Shanghai to connect new watches with the engineering and craftsmanship behind them. The exhibition at Zhangyuan includes the global launch of 10 limited-edition timepieces, alongside demonstrations and interactive displays.

EventsLuxury

Alyssa Jade Mann4 days ago

Audemars Piguet Creates a White Ceramic Royal Oak Chronograph With Serena Williams

Audemars Piguet has introduced a Royal Oak Selfwinding Chronograph “Serena Williams” Limited Edition, translating its longstanding relationship with the tennis champion into a dedicated watch. The 38 mm model pairs a white ceramic case and bracelet with a pink-tinted mother-of-pearl dial and the manufacture’s new Calibre 6401.

BeautyLuxury

Jeanel Alvarado4 days ago

Harry Winston Rare Jewels of the World exhibition gallery in Shanghai, view 1

Harry Winston Brings More Than 165 Creations to Shanghai in a Heritage-Led Exhibition

Harry Winston’s “Rare Jewels of the World” exhibition brought more than 165 high-jewelry and timepiece creations together in Shanghai, placing the house’s heritage at the center of a public brand experience. Held at the Shanghai Exhibition Centre, the exhibition’s public viewing period ran from September 7 to 13, 2026.

LuxuryNews

Ifrah Nadeem4 days ago

RIMOWA — Artist Case and drawing accessories — photograph 1

RIMOWA and Faber-Castell Turn the Aluminium Case Into a Portable Artist’s Studio

RIMOWA and Faber-Castell have introduced a limited-edition Artist Case, extending the luggage maker’s aluminium design into a portable home for drawing tools. The partnership brings together a case manufacturer and an art-supplies specialist around a shared use: carrying and organizing the materials needed to create.

LuxuryNews

Jeanel Alvarado4 days ago

Van Cleef & Arpels Brings an Artist-Designed Spring Garden to Sydney

Van Cleef & Arpels has brought a spring-themed garden to Martin Place in Sydney, collaborating with French artist Charlotte Gastaut on an installation running September 3–13. The house is pairing the illustrated setting with creative activities and special events in the city’s central business district.

FashionLuxury

Shipra Bohara7 days ago

Gucci Joins Kering’s Fifth Caring for Women Dinner in New York

Gucci brought friends of the House together in New York for the Kering Foundation’s fifth Caring for Women dinner, connecting its fashion community with fundraising for organizations supporting women and children affected by violence.

EventsLuxury

RETAILBOSS Team7 days ago

NET-A-PORTER Incredible Women New York Fashion Week event — image 1

NET-A-PORTER Connects Its NYFW Party With PORTER’s First Printed Zine

NET-A-PORTER connected its New York Fashion Week presence with a new print format on September 10, hosting an Incredible Women celebration where guests received PORTER’s first printed zine. The gathering brought talent, press, brand collaborators and the retailer’s EIP customers into the same setting.

LuxuryMarketing

Jeanel Alvarado1 week ago

Kim Chang-ok Traces of Comfort exhibition at MCM HAUS — image 1

MCM Opens Kim Chang-ok’s Traces of Comfort Exhibition During Frieze Week Seoul

MCM is opening its Seoul cultural program to the public with Kim Chang-ok: Traces of Comfort, a free exhibition at MCM HAUS in Cheongdam running through September 27, 2026. The presentation forms part of the brand’s official partnership with Frieze Week Seoul and its 50th-anniversary celebrations.

FashionLuxury

Alyssa Jade Mann1 week ago

View all Luxury

Top 10 Brands Expanding into the US in 2026

The Growing Allure of Secondhand Designer Fashion for Gen Z

The luxury fashion landscape has witnessed a notable shift towards the pre-owned market, driven predominantly by Millennials and Generation Z.

Unlock the rest of this story

More from Luxury

LVMH Names Italy’s 2026 Maestri d’Eccellenza Winners at Bvlgari Hotel Rome

Louis Vuitton Puts AI and Organizational Culture on Its Manager Forum Agenda

Wisdom Kaye Receives the LVMH-Presented Virgil Abloh Award at Harlem’s Fashion Row

Loro Piana Centers Americas Retail Summit on Leadership and Client Experience

Recommended Articles

Jaeger-LeCoultre Opens Shanghai’s Valley of Inventions Exhibition With 10 Limited-Edition Debuts

Audemars Piguet Creates a White Ceramic Royal Oak Chronograph With Serena Williams

Harry Winston Brings More Than 165 Creations to Shanghai in a Heritage-Led Exhibition

RIMOWA and Faber-Castell Turn the Aluminium Case Into a Portable Artist’s Studio

Van Cleef & Arpels Brings an Artist-Designed Spring Garden to Sydney

Gucci Joins Kering’s Fifth Caring for Women Dinner in New York

NET-A-PORTER Connects Its NYFW Party With PORTER’s First Printed Zine

MCM Opens Kim Chang-ok’s Traces of Comfort Exhibition During Frieze Week Seoul

What are you looking for?

Start exploring

Unlock the rest of this story

More from Luxury

Recommended Articles

Sign up for RetailBoss Daily Newsletter