Remember the days of shopping second-hand meant browsing through dusty thrift shops? Those days are gone. Celebrities are now turning their closets in to gold mines, and it’s more than just clothes. This is a revolution that has changed the way we view second-hand shopping.

Why would a celebrity with a closet full of designer clothes choose to sell them to the public? Is it only for the money? Is it just for the money? It’s both. Celebrities such as Chloe Sevigny, Jenna Lyons and others are tapping into an emerging trend that is not only stylish but sustainable. They give fans a chance for them to own a bit of their style, and, in the process, change how we shop.

Secondhand shopping has boomed in recent years. Consumer Edge reports that the resale sales market grew by +6% year-over-year in December 2024, and +7% within the first three weeks in 2025. Platforms such as Grailed, Depop and Vestiaire Collective, which have seen growth of over 160%, are leading the way.

It’s not all about the numbers. Celebrities use their influence to encourage more people to buy secondhand. Sevigny’s first closet sale was a small affair in Chinatown. Fast forward to today and you’ll find these sales everywhere: online, in pop up shops, even through rental services such as Nuuly.

Celebrities don’t just sell clothes, they also sell a connection. Fans want to have a piece of the style of their favorite stars, whether it is a T-shirt by Jemima or a jacket by Olivia Rodrigo. Agus Panzoni is Depop’s Trend Expert. “Celebrities recognize fashion as a form not only of personal expression, but also a way to connect to their fans on a more intimate level.”

It’s working. Depop’s top celebrity stores sell out in minutes, and sometimes seconds. It’s not about the clothes, it’s about experience and connection.

But this trend has another side. The resale industry is growing and becoming an important part of the circular economic system. Celebrities are helping to solve the fashion industry’s overproduction crisis by reselling and leasing clothes. Some might argue that it is still a form consumption, but it’s a positive step.

Michael Gunther is VP of Insights for Consumer Edge. He notes that “the diversity of winners on the resale marketplace, from online platforms to thrift stores, highlights the broad appeal and lasting power of this trend.”

What does this mean for fashion in the future? Celebrities are leading by example in making secondhand shopping cool, accessible and cool. They are not just selling clothes, they are changing the way we think about fashion. By embracing resale they are helping to build a circular and sustainable economy.