Thirds, like this in Charlotte, in North Carolina, could see an increase in sales in the midst of economic problems. But experts say that supply could also become a problem.
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Lindsey Nicholson / UCG / Universal Images Group via Getty Images
In the midst of prices, trade wars and general economic uncertainty, many Americans think very carefully about how to spend and save their money.
Consumer confidence dropped in March, with the Conference Board expectations index – depending on the short -term perspectives of consumers on businesses, income and the labor market – falling to 65.2 out of 100, the lowest in 12 years.
And it was before President Trump announced a new series of radical prices, which caused reprisals from several countries – including China and the European Union – and fueling concerns about a possible recession. While he announced a period of 90 days this week, a reference rate of 10% remains in force on the goods of all countries.
Prices are ready to increase the price of all kinds of goods, from grocery store to technology, including clothing. The United States imports almost all of its clothes and shoes from other countries – including China, which is not exempt from prices and is now faced with a rate of 145%.
“The current situation is unprecedented because, simply in terms … All the main clothing suppliers on the American market, they will face a price hike,” explains Sheng Lu, professor of fashion and clothing studies at the University of Delaware. “Most likely, these additional supply costs will go to consumers.”
Price increases may encourage wise buyers to buy more second -hand items, whether in person in savings or consignment or online retailers like Poshmark, Ebay and Thredup.
Many people – especially members of the Z generation – already do so. A 2025 capital report One Shopping Research revealed that around a third of all clothing and clothing bought in the United States in the past year was used.
A record of 58% of buyers bought second -hand clothes in 2024, according to the annual resale report of Thredup, published in March.
The report provides that the market will only continue to develop worldwide and in the United States, at least in part because of new government policies concerning prices and trade which should provide a healthy back wind. “
The Thredup study revealed that 59% of consumers – and 69% of millennials – would look for more affordable options, as the occasion, if new government policies make clothes more expensive. Used purchases have historically seen increases during periods of economic uncertainty, as during the Pandemic COVID-19.
“Whenever there is an economic slowdown, a recession or something like that, there are more people who will start to shop for resale that may not have bought resale before,” explains Adele Meyer, executive director of Narts: the association of Resale Professionals, a commercial group with around 800 members.
Meyer and the retailers she is talking about expect it to be true this time. The second -hand purchase certainly has its advantages – but, as several experts have warned NPR, it is not exactly a miracle solution.
“It is reasonable to see or expect the boom in the second -hand clothing market, or more consumers may wish to buy used clothes,” said read. “But I don’t think used clothes will be sheltered from pricing impacts.”
People may not want to buy – or make a donation
In order for something to happen in a second -hand store, it must first be acquired. Read and the experts predict that in tighter times, the Americans will probably be more hesitant both to buy new clothes and to give their old ones.
This could possibly limit the offer of used clothing and, in turn, increase prices.
“I do not think that the tariff war is something good or exciting for the used clothing market,” reiterated read.
But Meyer, of the commercial group, has minimized the prospect of a second -hand offer by decreasing, saying: “This has never happened in the past”.
Indeed, some people can be newly motivated to sell their unwanted clothes and accessories, whether online, in consignment stores or directly through retailers that offer credit in exchange for used products (such as Madewell and Patagonia).
Be that as it may, experts say that it could take months or even years to see the effects of tariffs on the secondary market – whether positive, negative or negligible.
“The rates of our consumption for articles like clothes are so historically raised compared to the previous decades that it could be a drop in the bucket, whatever happens,” explains Jennifer Le Zotte, professor of history at the University of North Wilmington, specializing in material culture.
It could be a chance to completely rethink purchases
Economic pressures can force people to rethink not only where they buy, but what – and how much – they buy.
The used market and the purchase habits of Americans have changed considerably in recent decades, says the Zotte. There are more and more specialized places to buy clothes – and more pressure to do it.
“The fashion industry after the Second World War was really good in planned obsolescence and accelerating seasons for fashion clothes,” she said. “So you can’t wear the dresses last season or the 2019 Pantone colors.”
To follow, many Americans buy clothing at cheap fast fashion sales points of fashion like Shein. The products of Chinese electronic commerce like Shein and TEMU should become even more expensive after an executive decree of Trump closes the flaw of the expedition “of minimus” on May 1.
Quick fashion items have not been designed for the secondary market, said Zotte, as they are not likely to sell much less and probably do not hold as well through several owners.
She would love to see this economy moment change the way people think about buying clothes.
“It may be a pile wish, but it could stimulate greater attention to things like slow fashion, where people decide to buy more durable and durable clothes but do not have as many different clothes in their individual cupboards,” she added.
Read it is suitable that the moment presents an opportunity for reflection.
“If it reminds consumers their real clothing needs or if they really need to spend so much money to buy new clothes … Maybe it could be a silver lining of all these (prices),” he said.
It encourages consumers to do their homework, whether revisiting the size of their clothing budget, purchases in their own closets or price fluctuations for the things they really need.
He says stores want people to continue to shop and that consumers will always have options even if prices are higher.
The Zotte encourages buyers to think of shopping in the long term – and not only in the environmental sense. She recommends that people choose items that they can wear for a long time, both because the quality is durable and because they are not only a passage of passage.
“It’s a good idea for people to cultivate and learn what seems to them … and to hang on to them,” she added. “Even if someone tells you that he is not fashionable, someone or advertising tells you that it is not the jeans or color cup that is this season – if that suits you aesthetically and physically, hang on.”
Discover the NPR life kit for expert advice on the culture of a sustainable closetmake the most of thrift store And regiment (in the right direction).
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