“Shibuya Fashion Week” was held in Shibuya, Tokyo on the 20th of this month. This fashion show is held on the streets every spring and fall with support from Shibuya Ward and other organizations. This year, the 22nd year of the event, for the first time we have seriously incorporated second-hand clothing.

At the fashion show, costumes created by students from the Fashion College were remade from Tokyu Corporation uniforms. Tokyu Corporation, which will renew its employee uniforms next month for the first time in 16 years, has donated uniforms that will no longer be used as “second-hand clothes.” Some of them have elaborate designs, such as using the collar of a dress shirt to “show off” the shoulders.

Miku Uchida remade her uniform
“I was happy that clothes that had no longer seen the light of day were seen by so many people because I had remade them.”

Onishi, chairman of the organizing organization, says that collecting and selling used clothing has become commonplace.

Shibuya Dogenzaka Shopping District Promotion Association Kenji Onishi Chairman
“We’ve entered an era where it’s normal to work on things. I hope I can help people enjoy mixing and matching old items and digging them out. Shibuya isn’t just about Hachiko. I want to promote fashion as well.”

According to the latest research by Yano Research Institute, the domestic second-hand fashion market has expanded for four consecutive years since 2019. Last year, it reached 1.15 trillion yen and is expected to continue to grow.

The “secondhand clothes” market is rapidly expanding. This momentum is also spreading to major apparel companies.

Last week (25th), Uniqlo began selling second-hand clothing for the first time at a large roadside store in Gunma Prefecture. Prices are set at 20% to 70% cheaper than new products.

For example, a washed fleece costs 1,000 yen, and a wool sweater costs 1,200 yen.

“Secondhand clothing” has been on sale for a limited time until August at two stores in Setagaya Ward, Tokyo and Tenjin, Fukuoka starting this spring, but the period has actually been extended. This is the third store in Gunma.

Why does fast fashion sell “used clothes” even cheaper?

UNIQLO Sustainability Marketing Team Eiko Shelba Manager
“There comes a time when you have to let go of your clothes because you get tired of them or they start to fray. One way to create new value in clothes is to use used clothing. We would like to demonstrate the potential of future business through trials.”

It is said to be an opportunity to attract new customers.

Next month, Fast Retailing plans to add “secondhand clothing sales” to its new business objectives, and hopes to seriously expand “secondhand clothing” sales in the future.

As consumers become more price-conscious due to rising prices, second-hand clothing is once again becoming an option.