Reference page
Pre-owned fashion & resale market statistics
A concise collection of current market figures for writers, shoppers, and anyone tracking the shift toward pre-owned fashion.
Last updated October 6, 2026. Market projections are clearly marked as projections.
What this covers
The market behind the edit.
These figures describe the broader pre-owned apparel and resale landscape, not handbags alone. They give useful context for a category where condition, provenance, and longevity matter as much as the label.
Each figure links directly to its original publisher. Where a source uses a forecast, survey, or a broader textiles category, that scope is stated alongside the number.
$393B
Projected global secondhand apparel market by 2030
ThredUp's 2026 Resale Report, conducted by GlobalData, projects the global secondhand apparel market will reach $393 billion by 2030.
Source: ThredUp, 2026 Resale Report4×
U.S. resale growth versus broader retail
The same 2026 report says U.S. resale is expected to outpace broader retail by four times, reflecting the report's market-growth projection rather than a measure of handbag resale alone.
Source: ThredUp, 2026 Resale Report>70%
Share of projected growth driven by Gen Z and millennials
ThredUp projects that Gen Z and millennial consumers will account for more than 70% of secondhand market growth through 2030.
Source: ThredUp, 2026 Resale Report$2,001
Average annual U.S. household spend on apparel and services in 2024
U.S. consumer units spent an average of $2,001 on apparel and services in 2024, down 2.0% from 2023 in nominal terms.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Consumer Expenditures 202414.7%
U.S. textile recycling rate in 2018
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency estimates 17 million tons of textiles were generated in 2018 and 14.7% were recycled. Reuse is not included in that generation estimate.
Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 2018 materials data11.3M
Tons of textiles sent to U.S. landfills in 2018
EPA estimates that U.S. landfills received 11.3 million tons of municipal solid-waste textiles in 2018. That figure covers more than clothing and includes items such as furnishings and footwear.
Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 2018 materials dataMethod and sources
Use the number in its proper context.
This page selects public figures from primary public agencies and named industry research. The global and U.S. resale figures are projections published in ThredUp's 2026 report and should be cited as forecasts. EPA's textile figures are the latest data currently presented on its material-specific page and refer to 2018.
- ThredUp 2026 Resale Report, published April 2, 2026.
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Consumer Expenditures 2024.
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, textiles material-specific data, 2018 data.
Cite this page
Afford-d’Luxe. “Pre-owned Fashion & Resale Market Statistics, 2026.” Accessed October 6, 2026. https://afforddluxe.com/resale-market-statistics
A closer look
The individual piece still matters most.
Market context can tell you why pre-owned matters. The actual decision belongs with the bag in front of you: its condition, construction, scale, and the clarity of the listing.