The Art of Secondhand Style: Sara Crampton on Building a Sustainable Wardrobe

As secondhand shopping continues to reshape the fashion industry, Designer Wardrobe, a leading marketplace for pre-loved items, has officially launched in Australia.

Its mission? To help Aussies sell their designer items, earn extra cash on the side, and create a platform for us to shop sustainably. 

Known for her minimalist and intentional style, Sara Crampton is one of the most influential voices on the Australian fashion scene. She has amassed over 500K followers on her Harper and Harley platform and is the founder of The UNDONE, a multi-brand e-commerce store focusing on lasting style. 

So, when Sara was announced as the Australian ambassador for Designer Wardrobe, it was a match made in sustainability heaven. In an exclusive chat with Sitchu, the fashion expert shares her top tips on curating and trading pre-loved fashion. 

How to Perform a Wardrobe Audit 

Parting with our clothes can be harder than we think. The next time you’re doing a wardrobe clean-out, Sara has three reflective questions that help you determine whether a piece should stay or go.

1. Does this item represent my personal style as it is right now?

2. Would I wear it today, tonight, tomorrow? If no, why not?

3. Is this piece part of my dream wardrobe?

If you're still unsure, she recommends making a 'maybe' pile of clothes and then checking back in on them later. For Sara, selling items that no longer align with her current style makes it an easy way to do an audit. "If it’s not part of my dream wardrobe, it’s time to move on,” she admits.

Designer Wardrobe’s mission aligns with this thoughtful approach, offering sellers a chance to earn from items they no longer wear while buyers can find top brands at up to 60% off retail prices. Each purchase means the item stays out of landfill and goes to a loving home instead. This is feel-good fashion at its best. 

Nail the Pitch

Now you've got the clothes you want to sell; the most crucial part is the visual merchandising of how you present them online. 

For sellers, Sara emphasises the importance of presentation and care in maximising sales. “Clean, steam, and iron your items so they are in their best possible condition before photographing them,” she advises. 

She also recommends showing items on the body whenever possible, as it helps potential buyers see how the pieces look when styled and worn in situ. "Some items have zero hanger appeal but look amazing on, so make sure you show them that.”

Clear photos with no messy backgrounds and detailed descriptions, including photos of brand names and care labels, can make a huge difference in making a listing really pop. Put yourself in the buyer's position and ask yourself if the photos and description would entice you. 

Intentional & Strategic Shopping

For shoppers searching for good-quality secondhand finds, Sara says to make a list of investment pieces you need to buy for your wardrobe instead of going in without a plan. Once you've tracked them down, sleep on it. 

"Add pieces to your wishlist and favourites and think them over for at least 24 hours before adding them to the cart," she shares.

“Buying second-hand and pre-loved isn’t an excuse to shop to excess,” she cautions. “You should still approach with a careful and considered lens, building a wardrobe slowly and with a personal style that is true to who you are.”

Knowing which brands and materials hold up well over time is key to building a lasting wardrobe for shoppers. “Get to know brands you love and their quality,” says Sara, who often seeks items from brands she’s already familiar with.

A Little Research Goes a Long Way

Pricing can sometimes be the hardest part of the purchase. How do you know it's actually good value? Or are you just getting excited because it's a designer dress with one less zero on the amount? 

Sara suggests doing some homework on pricing to help find quality brands. “When shopping pre-loved, do a little of your own research. Try to find the original RRP and see if the item has been marked down,” she says.

Designer Wardrobe’s counter-offer option allows buyers to negotiate, helping them potentially secure items within their budget.

Change Your Shopping Habits

By now, there's no excuse not to know how damaging fast fashion is to the planet, and we can all do our bit to change our shopping habits. Sara's best advice to become a more mindful consumer is to avoid impulse shopping online and not to be lured into the trap of buying something just because the price is appealing.

A longtime advocate of sustainability, Sara has found that wearing pre-loved and vintage pieces has enriched her style, giving her looks an original and unique flair.

“Incorporating pre-loved and vintage items into my wardrobe gives my personal style more depth and interest. There is this extra layer of personality and detail that can’t be emulated with purely new items,” she explains. 

Sara's best pre-loved find is her beloved Chanel tweed jacket. "It’s quite amazing what some people are ready to part with. There are always treasures to be found," she muses. 

Her go-to platforms for unearthing rare gems are platforms like Designer Wardrobe and international favourites Vestiaire Collective and The RealReal. 

Sara's collaboration with Designer Wardrobe is emblematic of the shift toward thoughtful consumption and a more curated style. “If we made an effort to shop pre-loved for even a quarter of the new items that come into our wardrobe each year, it would significantly impact our sustainability goals,” the ambassador reflects.

Has this interview with Sara Crampton inspired you to unveil more one-of-a-kind finds? Take a look at our edit of the best second-hand furniture shops in Sydney and our wrap-up of the best markets in Sydney.