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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Large companies, such as the German SOEX Group<\/strong>, 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 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<\/em>, are usually sold in second-hand fashion boutiques in developed cities such as Berlin and Amsterdam. They are followed by Grade A<\/em>, Grade B<\/em>, and then textiles that are damaged or unsuitable for further use.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 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 <\/strong>and are often more interesting and durable<\/strong> than fast-fashion items found in low-cost clothing stores. In other words, cream quality<\/em> items rarely make their way to our region, but we can still expect many high-quality Grade A and Grade B pieces.<\/p>\n\n\n In other words, it is entirely possible to find excellent vintage fashion pieces here as well with a little patience and a good eye.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 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.<\/p>\n\n\n Source: Freepik<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n If you are still unsure, simply wash your purchase at home at 60\u00b0C. 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n By purchasing second-hand clothing, we directly contribute to reducing waste, CO\u2082 emissions<\/strong>, and the consumption of natural resources. According to UNEP, the textile industry is one of the world’s largest polluters<\/strong>. Producing a single pair of jeans requires approximately 3,781 litres of water<\/strong>, an amount on which the average person could live for more than two years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/sunce-st.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/sajam_razmjene_roba.jpg\")
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<\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\nDoes the best second-hand clothing stay in the North while the “rejects” go south?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/sunce-st.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/sajam_razmjene_odjeca_naslovna-1024x640.png\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\nHygiene in second-hand shops: Infection or misconception?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\nSecond-hand as a fashion and ethical statement<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/sunce-st.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Sajam_razmjene_slagalica.png\")
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