The Preloved Edit: A Stylist’s Guide to Shopping Secondhand
Featuring Mel, Personal Stylist & Founder of Style Revive
In this feature, we spotlight Personal Stylist Mel, founder of Style Revive, as she shares her passion for preloved fashion and the inspiration behind launching Albury’s newest preloved fashion markets.
Meet Mel…
Hi, I’m Mel — Personal Stylist and founder of Style Revive and the Style Revive Preloved Fashion Markets.
After 10 years of living in Albury, NSW, I found myself missing the incredible preloved clothing markets I used to love in Sydney. So in May 2025, I decided to fill that gap locally and create something I felt our community was craving — a space to buy, sell, and celebrate preloved fashion.
Did you know?
✨ Australians are the second biggest fashion consumers in the world — each person buying 56 new items on average a year and throwing away 23kg of clothing each.
♻️ On average, we buy one new clothing item every week. That’s a huge environmental impact — and shopping preloved is one small but powerful way to change that.
Bringing the pre-loved markets to life are my way of helping mums, students, fashion lovers, and the wider community access unique, affordable fashion while also slowing down our collective consumption.
Why Preloved?
For me, it’s the thrill of the treasure hunt. You never know what you’ll find — it might be a vintage gem, a designer piece at a fraction of the price, or even something brand new with tags still on it. I love that it makes fashion feel playful, individual, and more sustainable.
Where to Shop Preloved
If you’re new to secondhand shopping, there are so many ways to dive in. Personally, I love a mix of local and online finds:
Local to Mel (Albury, NSW): The Style Revive Preloved Fashion Markets (of course!)
Preloved Markets per State: See the link here for the list
Instagram sellers I love: @thehighlow.edit, @ellie.preloved.designer, @ontothenext_brunswick, @venla.shop
Facebook: Buy/Swap/Sell (BSS) pages are a goldmine for affordable pieces as well as Facebook Marketplace
How to Shop Preloved Like a Stylist
It can feel overwhelming at first, but here’s how I approach it:
Keep a Wishlist → I always have mine saved in my phone so I can shop with purpose.
Look for fabrics → Choose natural fibres you love the feel of and know will last.
Think timeless → Quality cuts, classic silhouettes, and neutral tones will give you more wear.
Try things on → Especially in-store, because preloved sizing can vary. Online, ask sellers for measurements — and know your own.
My Favourite Find
I’ve had so many amazing scores, but two standouts are:
💛 A Blanca full-length canary yellow wool coat from Venla — such a statement piece I’ll wear for years.
💗 A set of hot pink & cobalt blue Sheike Portfolio pieces from a BSS page — colourful, versatile, and such a bargain compared to retail.
Quick Tips for Mums Who Want to Shop Preloved
As a mum myself, I know that finding time to browse & shop can be a challenge, so here’s my mum-friendly advice:
Do:
Have a list ready before you shop
Allow extra time in-store — preloved shopping isn’t always a quick dash
When shopping online, know your measurements and ask sellers for details
Don’t:
Buy just because you “love it” if it doesn’t suit your lifestyle or body shape
Forget proportions, colour, and fit — these matter just as much secondhand as they do brand new
Stylist’s Favourite Preloved Buys (So Far!)
Here’s a peek at some of the best pieces I’ve scored secondhand:
Blanca Canary Yellow Wool Coat – $200 (Venla)
Sheike Hot Pink Pants with Belt – $100 (BSS page)
Sheike Pink Sequin Dress – $120 (BSS page)
Purple Wool Coat – $200 (Depop)
Country Road Blue & White Set – $150 (BSS page)
Gorman Red & Pink Knit – $100 (@ellie.preloved.designer)
Moschino Yellow Sweater – $100 (@ellie.preloved.bazar)
Feather & Noise Pink Arizona Pants – $50 (BSS page)
H&M Hot Pink Coat – $20 (@ontothenext_brunswick)
Mel’s Market Details
The next Style Revive Preloved Fashion Market hosted by Mel is happening soon:
🗓 Sunday 26 October 2025
📍 Splitters Creek Community Centre, Albury NSW
⏰ 10am – 2pm
Stallholder applications will open soon — follow along on Instagram for updates.
💬 What’s your best ever preloved fashion find? Drop it in the comments — I’d love to know!
Mum Mode x