Debunking the Myths That Keep Shoppers Away from Pre-Loved Fashion

For us, this is great news. We know exactly how amazing it is to bag a bargain, support circular fashion and protect the planet all in one go, and we also know that a lot of the myths people hear about pre-loved fashion are pretty outdated, and not something to worry about in 2025.

Especially when you shop at Reskinned.

We set out to do pre-loved differently from the start. To make it something that feels just as good as buying brand new, and doesn’t come with any of the misconceptions people have about shopping secondhand.

Let’s face it. Even though lots of us are embracing pre-loved fashion and all the good things that come with it, we all know someone who just can’t seem to get onboard.

We’ve heard all sorts of things about pre-loved (dirty, smelly, broken, too old-fashioned and so on). Some of these pre-loved myths might have had some stock once, but they just aren’t valid any more, and the ones that still check out, we’ve tackled head-on since day one.

We use ozone cleansing to eliminate all odours and bacteria, offer a 30-day return policy to make sure you don’t get stuck with something you don’t love, and we photograph every item with precision and care - down to accurate flatlays and close-ups of all the details.

We just want to make pre-loved feel just as good (and as easy) as buying brand new. Because when it feels like that, it’s a no-brainer. Don’t you think?

Let’s get down to debunking some of these outdated myths, shall we.

Myth 1: “Pre-Loved Clothes Smell Weird”

Truth: Not when they're ozone-cleansed.

We’ve got to be honest, the secondhand smell is real. Maybe it’s the smell or someone else’s laundry detergent, or clothes that smell like someone else’s house, and that feels kind of… weird. It’s one of the most common reasons people avoid buying pre-loved clothes online. And honestly, we get it.

That smell usually comes from a mix of things: body oils, fragrances, damp storage, or fabrics that have absorbed air pollution over time. Traditional laundering doesn’t always cut it, especially when clothes are stored or shipped in bulk.

When we launched Reskinned, we knew this was one of the first barriers we needed to break. Pre-loved shouldn’t feel second best, and nobody wants to pull a jacket out of a parcel and be met with a scent of someone else’s life.

But at the same time, we didn’t want to rely on industrial washing, which uses huge amounts of water, energy, and detergent, something that only adds to the fashion industry’s environmental cost.

So we looked for a better way. And we found it in ozone cleansing.

Ozone is a powerful, eco-friendly oxidiser that neutralises bacteria and odours at a molecular level, without the need for water or harsh chemicals. It’s a high-tech, hospital-grade cleaning method that leaves clothes fresh, sanitised, and scent-free. It's how we prep everything that passes through our system, and it's not something you'll find on most resale platforms.

What sets Reskinned apart is that clean, neutral feel. No perfume cover-ups. No weird musty scents, just pre-loved pieces that feel new, without pretending to be.

Myth 2: “You Can’t Return Pre-Loved Items”

Truth: Yes, you can, with us.

We’ve all been there.

You spot the item. A coat you’ve been eyeing for months, now half the price because it’s pre-loved. You check the photos three times. You love it. You buy it.

But then it arrives, and… it just doesn’t work. Maybe the fit’s off. Maybe the colour doesn’t suit you. Or maybe it’s just not feeling like you once it’s on.

With most secondhand sites, that’s where the story ends. No returns policy, no refund. And another item gathering dust at the back of your wardrobe, or posted online with no bidders.

We don’t want you to be stuck with something you don’t love. That’s why we offer a 30-day return policy on everything we sell. Because if you’re building a wardrobe you actually want to wear, you need room to change your mind.

The thing is, returns are already a huge issue in fashion.

Most high street brands don’t have the capacity to resell customer returns, meaning many of those items go straight to landfill or incineration, even if they’ve only been worn once (or not even at all). Returns platform Optoro estimates that only 50% of returns are able to be resold. The waste is huge - products, energy and potential.

At Reskinned we work with your favourite brands to take back returned stock that can’t be resold as “new.”

Things like a white t-shirt with a little makeup around the collar from someone trying it on in-store. You know the kind: it’s probably fine after a wash, but no one wants to pay full price for something marked.

So we take it, clean it up, ozone cleanse it, and give it a second life, at a lower price, and without sending anything to landfill.

You get something that’s essentially brand new, minus the waste (and the cost).

And when you return something to Reskinned?

It goes through that same process again. It’s checked for wear, re-cleansed, and put right back on the (digital) shelf. The beauty of circular fashion is that it doesn’t stop moving, it keeps clothes in use, and out of the bin.

We set out to make pre-loved shopping feel as easy and seamless as buying new. But more than that, we want you to love everything in your wardrobe. If you don’t, send it back. We’ve got it covered.

Myth 3: “They Look Different Online Than in Real Life”

Truth: We obsess over accuracy.

One of the biggest frustrations with buying pre-loved online is the guessing game.

You’re browsing a peer-to-peer selling site. The item looks almost right… but it’s hung on the back of a door, the lighting’s off, and the photo’s a bit blurry. Is that shirt long-sleeved or ¾ length? Is it navy or black? You squint, zoom in, check the comments. Still unclear.

The truth hits once it arrives.

You thought those white shoes would be perfect with your dress, only to open the parcel and realise they’re actually more like grey. Or you finally find a great deal on a dress, only to turn it around and discover an enormous bow stitched across the back, conveniently cropped out of every photo.

We’ve been there. Which is exactly why we built Reskinned differently.

We wanted pre-loved shopping to feel just as clear, detailed, and trustworthy as buying new.
No surprises, no weird lighting or accidental ¾ sleeves when you thought you were getting full length.

Every item we list goes through our dedicated photo beds for clean, flatlay shots with consistent lighting and true-to-life colours. Our 360° photobooths capture every angle of footwear, so you can see the backs, soles, stitching, and texture with zero guesswork.

We don’t just snap a few quick images and upload them, we obsess over how something looks because we know that you’re going to, too.

Our listings are often more accurate than many fast fashion sites. You get multiple angles, proper measurements, and an honest, up-close view of what you’re actually buying. No filters, no tricks, no model-figures that make it hard to imagine what it’ll look like on you.

We even collect our brand partners’ photos, so you get the official pictures from their website. We told you, it really is just like shopping brand new!

So there’s definitely no blurry bedroom mirror pics.

Myth 4: “Pre-Loved Clothes Are Damaged”

Truth: Not with us.

Sometimes clothes do get damaged, because they’re meant to be lived in.

And we want to make sure they’re lived in as well as possible, for as long as possible.

We want to wear our favourite gym leggings until the seams start to give out. We want to take our outdoor gear on spontaneous hikes, even if that hike turns out to involve scrambling over a rock we didn’t see coming. We want to wear the dress we looked and felt incredible in, even if it ends the night with a splash of red wine that wasn’t part of the plan.

That’s just clothes doing their job.

But the frustrating thing is that in many pre-loved models, any damage, even tiny things, means an item ends up getting thrown in the bin.

At Reskinned we do the opposite. We believe that if something can be revived, it should be. And we’ve built the systems to do that. Even though it takes a lot more time and care.

We professionally clean everything to remove marks and stains (our stain removal methods are basically trade secrets at this point) and then our in-house repair team works their magic.

Small tears, split seams, popped buttons, pulled hems - all fixed properly by professionals who know what they’re doing.

We don’t hide the fact that an item was repaired, we make it clear if something’s had the repair-love. But our standards are so high, you might not even notice unless you look at them really closely.

We also celebrate repair with visible mending - so if something needs a repair that we know you’re going to see, we do our best to make it feel special, with embroidery, patches and a little bit of extra love, to give you something totally unique (just like you).

Of course, not everything can be saved, and that’s okay too.

We’re not about sewing up a pair of saggy, stretched leggings and pretending they’re good as new. If an item’s truly past its best, our in-house recycling team steps in. They sort and process materials responsibly so that nothing goes to landfill.

And the things that make it to the Reskinned website - that’s all the good stuff. Clean, repaired if needed, quality-checked, and ready for someone else to fall in love with it all over again.

Bonus Myths: Let’s Clear These Up Too, while we’re here

Even as pre-loved fashion becomes more mainstream, a few lingering myths still hold people back from embracing the lifestyle. Let’s set the record straight:

“Pre-loved clothes are out of style.”

Not here. At Reskinned, we stock a curated mix of stuff that’s very much in style, and things that will never go out of style - the timeless staples. Plus the occasional wow-piece that is always going to be a vibe. We’re all about making sure there’s something for everyone, whether you’re looking for comfy basics, high-quality fabrics or something to turn heads.

“It’s hard to find my size.”

We hear this a lot. That’s why we’ve built in detailed size filters, and are constantly expanding our range across sizes. We’re committed to making pre-loved fashion accessible and inclusive for absolutely everyone, and we want it to feel easy to quickly see what’s available in the sizes you wear. As well as giving you the sizes on the labels, we measure everything, so you’re never caught out with a size 10 that feels more like a 6.

“Only people on a tight budget shop secondhand.”

That’s an outdated notion. Today, shopping pre-loved is a conscious choice that’s embraced by the people who value sustainability, uniqueness, and quality. It’s about making thoughtful decisions, not just saving money. Though it will save you money as well - to the tune of up to 60% off RRP of your favourite brands

How Reskinned Is Breaking The Barriers to Pre-Loved

At Reskinned, our mission is simple: to make shopping pre-loved feel as seamless and satisfying as buying new.

We’ve reimagined every step of the process to remove the friction and uncertainty that often comes with secondhand shopping. Let me break it down for you.

Sourcing

We partner directly with your favourite fashion brands to take in their customer returns, unsold stock and the pieces you’re finished with (takebacks). Instead of these pieces going to waste, we clean them up, show them some love in the repair studio if needed, and resell them at a fair price, so they can have the second life they deserve.

Cleaning

The Reskinned ozone cleansing system eliminates all odours and bacteria without any water or harsh chemicals, making it eco-friendly, highly effective, and ensuring that every single item feels fresh and ready to wear.

Repairs

Our in-house repair team meticulously restores garments, fixing everything from loose seams to missing buttons to bring anything that’s not quite perfect back to life. We’re all about being transparent, so any repairs are always clearly noted, though you probably won’t even notice them.

Photography

We use professional photo beds for flatlays and 360° photobooths for shoes, giving us consistent lighting, true-to-life colours, and multiple angles. This means you know exactly what you’re getting, with no surprises.

Returns

We offer a 30-day return policy because we want you to love every piece in your wardrobe. If something doesn’t work out, return it, and we’ll process it responsibly, cleaning and inspecting it before making it available for someone else.

Ready to Rethink Pre-Loved?

Are you ready to see for yourself that the pre-loved myths are just that?

Shop good as new, only cheaper at Reskinned.

Try pre-loved for yourself.