New to preloved? Start with a visit to a rent-a-rack store

I still remember the first time I stepped into a rent-a-rack store.

It was back in early 2022, I’d heard whispers about this new preloved space that had opened nearby and was curious to see what it was all about. Like I often do when walking into any secondhand store, I felt that familiar mix of excitement and trepidation.

Will I find anything?
Is today going to be my day?

A few racks in, my calm browsing turned into a passionate dive. You know that feeling — when you stumble upon the unicorn piece that makes your heart skip? Suddenly, every hanger holds possibility.

That day, the treasures kept coming: an Isabel Marant blouse, a SPELL dress, a Flannel jacket. My dream wardrobe — all hanging there within reach, and within budget. Some brands I knew, others I didn’t, but I could tell the rack belonged to someone with my kind of style. And that’s the beauty of these spaces — you don’t just shop brands, you discover kindred wardrobes.

Sometimes you’ll find five pieces on one rack that feel like they were made for you. Other times, you might wander in before an event and find the complete perfect outfit waiting. Once, on my way to an interstate conference, I dropped in for a quick visit and picked up an Alpha60 dress, a classic leather belt, and buttery soft leather boots — all for under $140. Retail value? Easily over $500. It was the perfect outfit for the conference and went straight into my suitcase. I’ve worn that outfit on repeat ever since.

It was one of those deeply satisfying moments where you realise: you could never have had this much luck shopping new.

The Rise of Rent-a-Rack

That first store I visited was one of the pioneers in Victoria. Since then, rent-a-rack stores have been popping up across the state — breathing new life into local main streets and helping people discover the joy of circular fashion.

Take ReRockIt, for example. Opening in Yarraville just over two years ago as a consignment store for preloved children and women’s fashion, it quickly became a local favourite for those seeking quality designer fashion at an affordable price. Earlier this year, owner Tunya introduced a rent-a-rack option — and it took off instantly. The store has since moved to a beautifully curated new home in Seddon, reopening just two weeks ago. The energy on opening day was palpable: racks brimming with gently worn, on-trend designer pieces, the store buzzing with customers and shoppers scoring multiple pieces they are excited to give a new life to.

Talking with Tunya, it’s impossible not to feel her deep care for community, clothing and the planet:

“I’ve been passionate about preloved clothing, sustainability and style since I was 18. I used to buy and sell at Camberwell Market during uni. Opening ReRockIt was about creating a community-driven space where people could refresh their wardrobes affordably while being part of the circular fashion movement.

Seeing sellers’ excitement when they cash out, and hearing customers tell us they’ve found their new favourite piece, is the best! I also love knowing that we’re giving clothes a second life and keeping fashion out of landfill.”

Tunya, ReRockIt

Why Rent-a-Rack Stores Are the Perfect Starting Point

Whether you’re shopping or selling, rent-a-rack stores are a win for everyone.

For shoppers:

• If you’re new to preloved it’s an easy introduction. Great prices, quality pieces, gently worn, easy to browse through. And once you find your first piece, you’ll be hooked, because the second probably won’t be far away.

• As the cost of living rises, access to quality pieces at a fraction of the price still makes style accessible.

• Stores and racks are very curated. There is no Anko and Shein in sight, in fact fast fashion in general is a hard no, with most stores owners only allowing premium brands.

• The in-store experience can feel very much like shopping in a boutique. Pieces are displayed with pride and easy to browse. So if you find op shops overwhelming this is a welcome step over to the preloved world.

• You can find racks that align with your aesthetic — from minimal classics to eclectic prints — there’s always a sense of discovery. This can also really help you develop your style further.

• Stock turnover is quick. Most racks stay in store for about three weeks, with many sellers offering price drops in the final week — meaning there’s always something new to uncover (and a bargain to be had).

• Whether you love trends or love unique finds, you’ll find something. I personally feel there is more variety in these stores, than shopping new. There just feels so much repitition in new these days.

• Many sellers are stylish early adopters, parting with gently worn, high-quality pieces to fund their next finds. This is something to take advantage of.

• Larger sizes (12+) are increasingly represented — a refreshing shift in a market that can be hard to track down when shopping preloved. As a size 14, finding a whole rack of stylish and fashion forward pieces in my size is truly exciting.

• My tips for shoppers:

  Visit regularly and visit different stores. You might find a particular area has more of your favourite brands than others. Once you find a rack that has a few pieces that have caught your eye really look at each piece on the rack more closely, you might find yourself open to something you’ve never tried before. If this seller shares your style aesthetic and size chances are you might like their other pieces even though you don’t know the brand. Always chat to the staff! They know the stock in store best. Let them know you’re size and what you are looking for and let them help you find pieces. They will also let you know when the next rack changeover is.

  
  For sellers:

• Once again, with the rising costs of living, the opportunity to sell a bulk load of clothes and make money from pieces just gathering dust in your wardrobe, is a welcome relief. Tunya says many sellers can clear about $1000 during a rack rental period with a few over $2,000. As she says it really depends on the quality of pieces you bring in. What cash have you got sitting in your wardrobe?

• Not sure where you’d even start on selling your clothes? These stores guide you a long the way, making the process really simple and even providing pricing advice. No taking photos and loading multiple pieces onto online platforms and no need to stand a market all day.

• It’s a great opportunity to edit your wardrobe and really assess what is no longer being worn, providing those pieces an opportunity to be reloved by somebody else.

• It’s minimal effort for the financial reward. All you need to do is prep your items, price them and take them in. The stores will do the rest.

• At ReRockIt, the system even notifies you each time something sells — a joyful little reminder that your clothes are finding new homes and new stories.

• It’s also a powerful lesson in value: quality pieces truly hold their worth. So, if you’ve invested in your wardrobe well, you will sell well.

• Tunya’s advice for sellers is simple but golden:

“Curate your rack as if you were shopping it yourself. Bring in current, seasonal, excellent-condition pieces priced to sell — those are the items that move quickly and deliver the best returns. Reload as your items sell. And remember, pieces from mid-lux brands like Aje, Zimmermann, Scanlan Theodore and Camilla and Marc do especially well.

Everyday staples from trusted labels like Country Road and Witchery also perform consistently — and it’s always worth considering the season. Coats in winter, dresses in spring — they’ll fly off the racks.”

All that glitters, finding that unique piece

The Circular Wardrobe Mindset

Rent-a-rack stores are more than just preloved shopping — they’re part of a bigger shift toward conscious consumption and the rise of the circular economy. They remind us that style isn’t about constant newness; it’s about connection, creativity, and giving beautiful things another chapter. They help us buy better, because we can see that the clothes have a future beyond our wardrobes, it’s no longer a linear mindset.

Owners like Tunya are leading that movement, building spaces that feel as inspiring as they are practical. Creating a modern and fresh boutique experience, where clothes feel cared for and are showcased in all their beauty.

“Our beautiful store combined with curated, high-quality clothes and experience are a big part of what our customers love. In-store experience is a big focus for us. Our sold-out season-launch nights have been an amazing experience – racks brimming with fresh stock, music, bubbles, and a buzzing room of like-minded fashion lovers.

ReRockIt is more than a preloved fashion store — it’s a movement,” she says. “Every seller and shopper who walks through our doors is part of reshaping the way we buy, wear, and value clothing.”

The sense of community is unmistakable. From the seasonal launch nights, to the quiet joy of finding the perfect piece when you’re wandering through your local village strip, these stores for me are bringing soul back to how we buy fashion and reminding us that it doesn’t have to cost the earth.

And for what doesn’t sell? Many sellers will take these pieces straight to the op shop, providing quality donations to the local op shop too. Another win for the seller, shopper and community.

Ready to Explore the Circular Fashion Movement?

If you’ve been curious about exploring the preloved world — whether through shopping, selling, or reshaping your own wardrobe — rent-a-rack stores are the perfect place to start.

You’ll find them dotted across Melbourne — each with its own charm, community, and aesthetic.

And if you’d love support in curating what to keep, style, or sell, I offer 1:1 Style Strategy Sessions and Wardrobe Edits to help you create a circular wardrobe that reflects who you are today.

Because when you let go mindfully, you make room for what truly reflects you — and that’s where style becomes something deeper than fashion.