Redefining Fashion: 6 Welsh businesses bringing pre-loved clothes back to life

Once a small corner of the high street, second-hand fashion is now a major force in the UK - worth over £7 billion and accounting for around a quarter of all fashion transactions. This growth is driven by sustainability, affordability, individuality, and a shift towards more responsible retail. Buying pre-loved clothing can reduce climate impact and energy use by 42%, and cut water scarcity footprints by over half.

In Wales, second-hand is already part of everyday life. A Welsh Government survey (April 2022 - March 2023) found that 90% of people sold or gave away items, 78% donated to charity shops, and 70% received or bought second-hand goods. A third of Welsh citizens have recently bought pre-loved clothing, and 60% are open to doing so.

The 25th of August marks Second-hand Wardrobe Day, a celebration of clothes with stories and fabrics given a second life, highlighting the creativity, craftsmanship, and sustainability behind pre-loved fashion. Across Wales, independent makers, menders, and curators are reimagining style by repairing, upcycling, and curating pieces that might otherwise have been discarded. Here are six Welsh businesses leading the way…

The Topian Den

Based in Carmarthenshire, The Topian Den transforms pre-loved and leftover fabrics, such as knitwear, corduroy, denim, and wool, into unique clothing, bags, and accessories, giving old materials a new life. The creator draws inspiration from the natural beauty of south west Wales, folk art, and local traditions. By transforming pre-loved textiles, The Topian Den reduces waste while celebrating the character and history of each material.

Beyond the products, The Topian Den shares tutorials and patterns, encouraging people to try upcycling for themselves. This hands-on approach helps more people explore sustainable fashion in their own homes.

For Second-hand Wardrobe Day, the studio is a reminder that creativity and sustainability can go hand in hand, and that old fabrics can be reimagined into something entirely new.

The Circular Studio

Caerphilly’s The Circular Studio is more than a shop - it’s a place where fashion meets creativity and sustainability. The studio combines second-hand clothing with workshops on repairing and upcycling, helping people give their clothes a second life. Whether you’re popping in to pick up a reworked jacket or learning how to fix a small hole in your favourite jumper, the focus is on enjoying fashion without creating waste.

Founded by Samantha Eastcott, The Circular Studio is a lively community hub where people can explore sustainable fashion in a hands-on way. Their Second Hand Saturday events let people swap pre-loved items for in-store credit, encouraging reuse and sharing. Workshops and sewing sessions teach practical skills for repairing and transforming clothes, making sustainability accessible and creative.

For Second-hand Wardrobe Day, The Circular Studio is a perfect example of what the day celebrates: extending the life of clothing, reducing waste, and building a community around pre-loved fashion. It shows that thoughtful, creative choices can make our wardrobes both stylish and sustainable.

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Lima Lima Vintage

Based in Denbighshire, north Wales, Lima Lima Vintage specialises in curated vintage clothing for wholesale and small retailers. Their stock includes jackets, sweatshirts, hoodies, and accessories, often organised into themed bundles such as “USA Nylon Jackets” or “Disney Sweatshirts”. This makes it easy for businesses to source unique vintage pieces and helps keep clothing in circulation.

Lima Lima also offers a “Handpick” service, allowing customers to select specific items from their stock. They ship internationally, serving customers across Europe, North America, Asia, and Australia, ensuring that pre-loved garments find new homes worldwide and extending their life far beyond local markets.

By focusing on quality, variety, and accessibility, Lima Lima Vintage promotes sustainable fashion on a larger scale. Their approach shows that second-hand clothing isn’t just for individuals - it can be part of a bigger system of reuse, helping reduce waste while supporting responsible consumption.

Déjà Vu

In Cardiff’s Pontcanna neighbourhood, Déjà Vu gives pre-loved fashion a second life. The boutique focuses on timeless, high-quality womenswear from brands like Jaeger, COS, & Other Stories, and Anthropologie, with each piece selected for its condition and lasting style.

The shop operates on a 50/50 consignment model. Customers drop off clothing, which is displayed in-store for four weeks. If an item sells, the profits are split evenly between the shop and the seller. Unsold items can be collected or donated to Cancer Research Wales, helping keep garments in circulation while supporting the local community.

Déjà Vu also encourages thoughtful shopping by highlighting versatile, durable pieces that can be worn season after season. This approach helps reduce textile waste, extend the life of clothing, and promotes a slower, more sustainable way of consuming fashion.

For Second-hand Wardrobe Day, it demonstrates how pre-loved fashion can be practical, stylish, and community-focused.

Velvet Sunflower Vintage

Located in Merthyr Tydfil, Velvet Sunflower Vintage offers a carefully curated selection of clothing and accessories from the 1960s to the 1980s. Their inventory includes dresses, tops, skirts, trousers, jackets, and menswear, with an emphasis on bold prints, vibrant colours, and unique textures.

The shop frequently updates its stock, ensuring there’s always something new for vintage enthusiasts. They also ship internationally, giving vintage lovers around the world access to their distinctive pieces. By promoting the reuse and recycling of clothing, Velvet Sunflower Vintage supports a more sustainable approach to fashion and helps reduce textile waste.

For Second-hand Wardrobe Day, Velvet Sunflower Vintage demonstrates that pre-loved fashion can be stylish, diverse, and sustainable. Their focus on quality and character shows how old garments can find a new audience and a new life.

DATI

Based in Cardiff, DATI Clothing reimagines second-hand and vintage items through upcycling and zero-waste design. The brand works with leftover fabrics, recycled cotton, and pre-loved garments, transforming them into one-of-a-kind pieces that are stylish, functional, and environmentally conscious. By reworking materials that might otherwise be discarded, DATI keeps clothing in circulation and reduces textile waste.

The brand also collaborates with local and national organisations to highlight sustainable fashion practices, using its designs to raise awareness about the environmental impact of fast fashion.

For Second-hand Wardrobe Day, DATI Clothing embodies the spirit of the day: extending the life of fashion, promoting mindful consumption, and showing that pre-loved materials can be transformed into something new, exciting, and distinctly personal.