Read our full analysis for a more in-depth look at these trends.
Secondhand fashion creates a closet refresh
Consumers seek value-oriented shopping as clothes spending rebounds, with Gen Z leading the shift to buy and sell secondhand.
April 2026
Key takeaways
- After nearly three years of declines, clothing spending per household has grown steadily since August 2025, rising 5.1% year-over-year (YoY) in March on a three-month moving average, according to Bank of America credit and debit card data. However, most of the growth is concentrated in luxury fashion and discount apparel, while department stores continue to lose ground, signaling increased evidence of a “K”-shaped trend in apparel.
- The number of secondhand fashion transactions per household grew nine times faster than secondhand spending in March, yet consumers across all income groups are spending less on each purchase since April 2025, according to Bank of America credit and debit card data. In our view, this points to consumers turning to resale more often to stretch budgets and shop sustainably.
- The number of Bank of America customers selling secondhand clothing grew 16% YoY in March, with Gen Z accounting for 41% of sellers year-to-date in 2026. While the fastest growth is among those selling more than four times a month, the majority still transact infrequently, suggesting resale is more often a closet clean-out than a true income stream for now.
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