Parents looking to affordably keep their children looking fashionable may have a new and unexpected source: Instagram. Closet shops are accounts held by creative moms seeking a quick and simple way to get rid of their children's gently used clothes, and they seem to be gaining popularity on Instagram. Sellers have the convenience of not paying a percentage like they might at a consignment shop or on eBay, and buyers can shop for great prices simply by checking their feeds.
Most of these closet-clearing Instagram users, like @ohhadaleelee and @shoprainemonet, run their shops the same way: by posting a picture of the item with a short description and the price (which usually includes shipping), then emailing a PayPal invoice to the first commenter. Some shops even run daily specials or drop prices periodically, so if you follow these users be sure to check your feed often.
The only catch seems to be that there is no common hashtag for the photos, so finding listings or shops can be tricky. (Though many shop owners do comment on others' listings and have the word "shop" or "closet" in their account names, so finding one shop can lead to finding others.)
Tell us what you think about this Instagram trend. What experiences have you had with shopping these users' closets? Have you tried this yourself to declutter your own closets?
(Images: 1. Rashel, @shoprainemonet. 2. Heather, @ohhadaleelee.)
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One of the reasons I have a blinding hatred for Instagram is that you cannot see colors clearly with most of the filters. This seems like it would be a major handicap for selling clothing. See photo 2.
Apparently the people who think this is a great new way to buy used clothes have never heard of Craigslist.
Be like Tom Haverford and rent those clothes out, haha.
@Jess13, Craigslist can be great for large cities, in my small city, there's nothing but overpriced garbage on there and I get more spam than actual responses or replies. It doesn't do it for everyone.
People have been doing this in Facebook for years and the photos are way better quality.
"Instagrammed" photos are totally absurd when you're trying to sell something like clothing. If I can't see the actual colors of the garment, I'm not going to buy it. Of course, all digital representations are inaccurate, but intentionally filtering the image on Instagram is pointless.
I just use our local neighbourhood listserv - no shipping costs!
Instagram shopping is a great way to help out other moms and getting great clothing items for your children! its a wonderful idea that we have going on! nobody uses filters on the pictures of the clothes unless its to show true colors! its a lot better than craigslist! and way cheaper than ebay! dont bash something your not apart of and dont know anything about!!
As both a seller & a shopper, I can vouch for the amazing things to be had via Instagram closet shopping. I've scored some AMAZING vintage pieces for much less than I would have spent elsewhere on sites such as Etsy or vintage focused boutiques. I've found it to be a much more (semi) profitable route than selling through Facebook groups where the appreciation towards certain items is not always found (for example: Misha Lulu or similar trendy labels & quality vintage toys & clothing). The ONE hang-up IS that capturing the color of items CAN be tricky if you don't capture them during the day in normal sunlight however I ran into that same hang-up when I used to take photos with my d-slr as well & sold on Facebook. Most shops will openly state if they used a filter to bring make the items color more true or to accentuate a flaw the item might have & they want to be seen. Not only is it great from a commercial aspect but as a community as well. My daughter is a member of a small group of moms who came together & started a pen pal club & I text frequently with multiple mothers I have met through selling on there! We support each others shops as well as each others families. Have your doubts but I am the biggest fan through & through!
I LOVE Instagram shopping for my kids! I have bought and sold a lot and I have found many items (especially vintage) that I would have never found elsewhere (Craigslist is definitely a bust where I live as well). Most shops that I frequent, my shop included, don't use filters on the photos they post so that has never been an issue. Being able to sell outgrown baby clothes has been amazing! The town where I live doesn't have a decent consignment and Instagram is much less time-consuming than Ebay for me. I've been able to use the money from selling and turn around and buy from the other shops, clothing both my kids for the next year or longer and it feels good to support other moms that you come to know through the network of Instashops. I hope this lasts for a long time!
I love IG shopping! the key is to buy from a seller you trust. Either through a trusted referral or previous experience buying from a seller. For example, I've purchased LOADS of items from @ohhadaleelee because I had a great referral to purchase through her. I know that every item I get is going to be in stellar condition. The key is to be willing to ask if you have any concerns on the coloring because I understand colors aren't going to translate perfectly through this format. I also find it hard to see what size the item is through these pictures. Most good sellers will note the size and the true size of the items in the comments. So go for it! Ask around and get a referral on a seller you know you can trust. Obviously I'd give my recommendation to check out @ohhadaleelee as I have had an incredible experience buying from her.
Same experience for CL in my small town too.
I've purchased a few things from IG shops. And specifically, from @ohhadaleelee and have been more than pleased. Where else can I get a Ralph Lauren dress and Stride Rite shoes both shipped for $30?! They both look brand new. It's a great avenue. It's so easy and straight forward. Very few sellers use filters. You don't have to use a filter on any of your IG photos. It would only take one unhappy customer due to a filtered photo to wreck a shop. The ones I've purchased from are honest and just trying to make an extra dollar to help out their families. I'd much rather purchase from IG shops than ebay or CL. No question about it. Research your shop. Read their comments from past sales. Check our their "feedback blocks" where customers are welcome to give feedback, positive or negative. This isn't a get rich scheme. It's just real people passing on their goods to others. I think it's great and will continue to shop!
I am pretty sure I've seen like 20 of those exact jeans at the Goodwill for $1.29.
i don't buy my kids second hand clothing.
I shop the end of season sales, plan ahead with next size up clothing. I buy most things for the kids from childrens place, and a new fave is Joe Fresh (Canadian woohoo!) because the quality is ok, and the clothes are cute enough. i'm not hung up on name brands.
i resell the clothes through consignment.
my kids don't have to wear someone else's lefovers.
this might not be everyone's cup of tea, but it works for me. :)
I love shopping and selling (@shopthefoxandthebee) on Instagram! Having an IG shop is an easy way for moms or dads to make a few extra bucks for their families and when you buy from an IG shop you're helping out another family. IG is another way to reuse and recycle clothing, toys, home goods and books, just like Craigslist, thrift stores and FB, etc.
I agree with the other commenters that the keys to shopping IG are to find trusted sellers and ask lots of questions. Most shops, mine included, don't use filters on their photos unless it helps to show the true color, but I always disclose this info. In addition, the InstaShop community is incredibly supportive and a lot of fun!
" i don't buy my kids second hand clothing."
"i resell the clothes through consignment.
my kids don't have to wear someone else's leftovers."
wow. so, someone else's consignment is just leftovers that aren't good enough for your kids, but your kids' old clothes are consignment items that someone else should be happy to buy? stay out of the rain honey, you might drown.
@nisiepie Do you even hear how ridiculous you sound?
There are sites out there devoted to providing small style at big savings. I own and operate www.babyoutfitter.com and have been hand-selecting both new and second hand baby clothes for the website since 2003. I love the idea of selling via instagram. I wish it were around when my oldest sons were young. There weren't as many children's consignment events and internet options to sell your gently used items when you children had outgrown them. So, getting your hands on NICE previously worn pieces was a bit of a miracle.
Your statement about your kids not having to wear someones 'leftovers' is pretty snooty sounding Nisiepie. Quite often you can get higher quality clothes by buying well made used clothes versus disposable clothes through chain stores that will tear and fall apart quickly.
Clothes are clothes and the fact that a single pair of quality kids jeans could serve multiple children through reselling not only helps the environment but it also helps families save money. A 2 yr old doesn't care if his clothes have never been worn. He's quite possibly going to pee or poop in them at some point.
I assume you don't pity the children who will have to wear YOUR children's 'leftovers' through the clothes you sell by consignment?
I own a Children's Resale Shop at www.willowandjune.com. Using instagram is such a neat idea! I love how many fantastic resources there are these days as far as buying and selling for everybody. The options seem to be expanding so quickly!