PUBLISHER: The Business Research Company | PRODUCT CODE: 1760429
PUBLISHER: The Business Research Company | PRODUCT CODE: 1760429
Upcycled fashion involves the creative process of transforming discarded or unused clothing and textile waste into new, higher-value garments or accessories. This approach promotes sustainability by minimizing environmental impact, conserving resources, fostering innovation, and encouraging conscious consumer behavior within the fashion industry.
The main categories of upcycled fashion include apparel, accessories, footwear, and other items. Apparel refers to clothing such as shirts, dresses, jackets, and trousers. In upcycled fashion, apparel is made by repurposing surplus or discarded textiles into new garments, thereby reducing waste and supporting sustainability. These items are distributed through both offline and online channels and cater to various end users, including women, men, unisex, and others.
The upcycled fashion market research report is one of a series of new reports from The Business Research Company that provides upcycled fashion market statistics, including the upcycled fashion industry's global market size, regional shares, competitors with an upcycled fashion market share, detailed upcycled fashion market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the upcycled fashion industry. This upcycled fashion market research report delivers a complete perspective of everything you need, with an in-depth analysis of the current and future scenarios of the industry.
The upcycled fashion market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from$7.40 billion in 2024 to $8.12 billion in 2025 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.7%. The growth during the historic period can be attributed to increased environmental awareness, the rise of ethical consumerism, the emergence of eco-fashion brands, the influence of sustainable fashion movements, the growing demand for unique fashion pieces, and a heightened focus on reducing textile waste.
The upcycled fashion market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to$11.66 billion in 2029 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.5%. The growth anticipated in the forecast period can be attributed to the expansion of circular economy initiatives, the growth of resale platforms, government regulations on textile waste, brand collaborations focused on sustainability, the rise of conscious millennial and Gen Z shoppers, and the integration of upcycled fashion into mainstream retail. Key trends expected in this period include designer-led upcycling collections, subscription-based fashion rentals, upcycled fashion entering the luxury segment, corporate sustainability partnerships, fashion weeks featuring upcycled designs, and the use of storytelling in marketing upcycled products.
The growing demand for sustainable fashion is expected to drive the expansion of the upcycled fashion market. Sustainable fashion refers to clothing designed, produced, and consumed in ways that minimize environmental impact and promote social responsibility throughout its lifecycle. As consumers become increasingly aware of the negative environmental effects of fast fashion, there is a shift toward eco-friendly alternatives that align with personal values. Upcycled fashion plays a crucial role in sustainable fashion by reducing textile waste and encouraging more resource-efficient production. For example, a report from Clear Channel, a UK-based media company, published in October 2024, revealed that clothing is the second most popular sustainable purchase, with 34% of consumers preferring sustainable apparel brands. The report also highlighted a greater preference for sustainable fashion among non-binary individuals (44%) and women (32%), compared to men (32%), indicating a gender-based shift toward conscious consumerism, fueled by increased awareness of the environmental and ethical impacts of fast fashion. This rising demand for sustainable fashion is propelling the growth of the upcycled fashion market.
Key players in the upcycled fashion market are focusing on innovative fashion mail-in services to improve sustainability and operational efficiency. These services allow customers to mail in their garments to be transformed into new, customized pieces through upcycling, often accompanied by design consultations and personalized styling. For example, in August 2024, Newless, a UK-based fashion upcycling service provider, launched two upcycling services on-demand and pop-ups. The on-demand service allows customers to send in old garments or select vintage pieces, using a design kit to customize size and style. Designers then upcycle these garments into new outfits, such as skirts from trousers or blazers from jackets, with delivery within five days at prices ranging from $90 to $190 (£70 to £150). Pop-up events offer a live, social upcycling experience, where designers create bespoke pieces in under 90 minutes, priced between $50 and $115 (£40 and £90), often in collaboration with sustainable brands.
In August 2022, Ecologyst Outfitters Inc., a Canada-based natural fiber clothing manufacturer, acquired Frankie Collective for an undisclosed amount. This acquisition is aimed at expanding Ecologyst's sustainable fashion offerings and bolstering its e-commerce presence within the growing circular fashion market. The move aligns with Ecologyst's commitment to reducing waste and encouraging environmentally conscious practices through innovative upcycling and natural fiber clothing production. Frankie Collective, a Canada-based women's streetwear manufacturer, specializes in upcycling vintage and unsold garments into unique, high-quality pieces.
Major players in the upcycled fashion market are Urban Outfitters Inc., TOAST Inc., Patagonia Inc., Salvatore Ferragamo SpA Company, Eileen Fisher Inc., Saitex, Farm Rio, RE/DONE, Rothy's Inc., Beyond Retro Ltd., Royal Robbins LLC, Outerknown LLC, Colville, Adsum, Fabric For Freedom Limited, Carter Young Inc., E.L.V. Denim Ltd., Zero Waste Daniel, LOTI, and Antiform Ltd.
Europe was the largest region in the upcycled fashion market in 2024. Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period. The regions covered in upcycled fashion report are Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East and Africa.
The countries covered in the upcycled fashion market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.
The upcycled fashion market consists of sales of reworked denim jackets, patchwork dresses, handcrafted bags, jewelry from discarded materials, upcycled t-shirts, repurposed footwear, outerwear from vintage fabric, and hats and scarves. Values in this market are 'factory gate' values, that is, the value of goods sold by the manufacturers or creators of the goods, whether to other entities (including downstream manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors, and retailers) or directly to end customers. The value of goods in this market includes related services sold by the creators of the goods.
The market value is defined as the revenues that enterprises gain from the sale of goods and services within the specified market and geography through sales, grants, or donations in terms of the currency (in USD, unless otherwise specified).
The revenues for a specified geography are consumption values that are revenues generated by organizations in the specified geography within the market, irrespective of where they are produced. It does not include revenues from resales along the supply chain, either further along the supply chain or as part of other products.
Upcycled Fashion Global Market Report 2025 from The Business Research Company provides strategists, marketers and senior management with the critical information they need to assess the market.
This report focuses on upcycled fashion market which is experiencing strong growth. The report gives a guide to the trends which will be shaping the market over the next ten years and beyond.
Where is the largest and fastest growing market for upcycled fashion ? How does the market relate to the overall economy, demography and other similar markets? What forces will shape the market going forward? The upcycled fashion market global report from the Business Research Company answers all these questions and many more.
The report covers market characteristics, size and growth, segmentation, regional and country breakdowns, competitive landscape, market shares, trends and strategies for this market. It traces the market's historic and forecast market growth by geography.
The forecasts are made after considering the major factors currently impacting the market. These include the Russia-Ukraine war, rising inflation, higher interest rates, and the legacy of the COVID-19 pandemic.