Growing appetite for pre-loved affordable designer clothing

Kiwis are turning away from high-end fashion when it comes time to refreshing their wardrobes, with op shop chic likely to be a big look this summer. Figures from Stats NZ show retail sale volumes per person have been falling for the last two and a half years, and some clothing retailers are feeling the pinch. New Zealand designer Kate Sylvester will be closing down next year; Juliette Hogan has closed its Ponsonby store; and iconic Auckland retailer Smith and Caughey's has closed its Newmarket story and significantly downsized its CBD operation. At the same time, the appetite for pre-loved more affordable designer clothing is fastly growing. Louise Ternouth reports.