Have you ever wondered where all the clothes on the shelves of second-hand shops come from? Are you one of the curious ones? Behind every second-hand garment lies an interesting story about recycling, global trade, and a more sustainable approach to fashion. The journey of a second-hand T-shirt begins far away in Northern Europe and ends right in your wardrobe. In this article, we reveal how the second-hand clothing market works, what quality of clothing actually reaches Croatia, whether used textiles are hygienically safe, and why wearing second-hand clothing has become both an ethical and a fashion statement.
Who sells clothes to second-hand shops?
By reusing clothing, we make a positive impact on the environment and give our old clothes a new life.
In many Western European countries, such as Germany, Switzerland, the Netherlands, and Sweden, clothing is regularly placed in dedicated textile collection containers, donated to charitable organisations, or taken to specialised recycling centres.
Huge quantities of sorted clothing are sold wholesale. The second-hand clothing industry has operated as a well-established global business for years. However, those clothes do not automatically end up in a local second-hand shop.
Large companies, such as the German SOEX Group, purchase tonnes of used clothing, sort it by quality, and then distribute it further. Some of it becomes raw material for recycling, some is sold in shops in Germany, and a large share is exported, most often to Eastern and Southeastern Europe, Africa, and Asia.
Does the best second-hand clothing stay in the North while the “rejects” go south?
The story is not quite that simple. It is true that there is a hierarchy within the second-hand textile industry. According to the quality grading system for second-hand clothing in the United Kingdom, the highest-quality items, known as cream quality, are usually sold in second-hand fashion boutiques in developed cities such as Berlin and Amsterdam. They are followed by Grade A, Grade B, and then textiles that are damaged or unsuitable for further use.
It is often the case that countries such as Croatia, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, and North Macedonia receive lower-grade clothing. However, this does not necessarily mean that the clothing is “bad,” explains Danish zero-waste expert Gittemary Johansen. In fact, these are often simply items with older designs, fewer well-known brands, or clothing that is out of season. They are still perfectly wearable and are often more interesting and durable than fast-fashion items found in low-cost clothing stores. In other words, cream quality items rarely make their way to our region, but we can still expect many high-quality Grade A and Grade B pieces.
In other words, it is entirely possible to find excellent vintage fashion pieces here as well with a little patience and a good eye.
Hygiene in second-hand shops: Infection or misconception?
One of the most common myths we hear whenever second-hand clothing is mentioned is: “Who knows who wore that… you could catch something!” In reality, this misconception is harmful because it spreads unnecessary fear and stigma.
All clothing distributed through these channels undergoes strict sorting and disinfection. According to European Union regulations, imported second-hand clothing must be accompanied by a certificate of disinfection. Most textiles are treated with high-temperature washing or special disinfecting agents to ensure they are safe before reaching stores.
Source: Freepik
If you are still unsure, simply wash your purchase at home at 60°C. That temperature is sufficient to kill bacteria, viruses, and fungi. In addition, second-hand clothing has been washed more frequently than new clothing, meaning it contains significantly fewer chemicals such as formaldehyde, dyes, and fabric softeners that remain from the manufacturing process.
An interesting fact: studies have shown that new clothing often contains chemical residues that can cause skin irritation, especially for people with sensitive skin. In that respect, second-hand garments, having already been washed and worn multiple times, may actually be safer for your skin.
Second-hand as a fashion and ethical statement
Once, second-hand clothing was seen as a symbol of poverty. Today, the story is completely different. The fashion world views it as an expression of personal style, creativity, and sustainability. It is a statement, an aesthetic, ethical, and environmental one. It is a decision not to support an industry that consumes, pollutes, and exploits, but instead to value clothing as something that has a story, character, and a second life.
By purchasing second-hand clothing, we directly contribute to reducing waste, CO₂ emissions, and the consumption of natural resources. According to UNEP, the textile industry is one of the world’s largest polluters. Producing a single pair of jeans requires approximately 3,781 litres of water, an amount on which the average person could live for more than two years.
In addition to visiting second-hand shops, be sure to visit Sunce’s monthly Swap Fair! Starting in September, the first Tuesday of every month is once again reserved for Swap Fairs at Klub Zona. Bring a well-preserved item of clothing you no longer wear, exchange it for something new to you, and refresh your wardrobe in a sustainable way.
When you buy a pre-owned item of clothing, you are not contributing to the demand for new, mass-produced products, and in doing so, you actively help create a more sustainable fashion system.
The next time you walk past a second-hand shop, remember: there might be a T-shirt waiting inside that has travelled across half of Europe, survived changing fashion trends, and fits you perfectly.
