Your Route to Real News

Why the cash-grabbing craze celebs use to 'look more relatable' is backfiring

17 May 2024 , 08:57
456     0
A PR guru has revealed the reasons behind the trend in the clip above
A PR guru has revealed the reasons behind the trend in the clip above

WITH the cost of living going through the roof, many of us have turned online to flog our pre-loved clothes for cash.

But Vinted's 16 million UK users are not just ordinary people - celebs such as Katie Price and even millionaire Molly-Mae Hague are also selling their old gear.

Bankrupt Katie Price is just one of the starts flogging their old garments eiqeuidexidqeprw
Bankrupt Katie Price is just one of the starts flogging their old garmentsCredit: Supplied
Some of the items Katie's fans can find on her profile include her ex's designer gear
Some of the items Katie's fans can find on her profile include her ex's designer gearCredit: Supplied
Molly Mae-Hague may live in a £3.5million mansion - but that hasn't stopped her from selling designer gear on Depop
Molly Mae-Hague may live in a £3.5million mansion - but that hasn't stopped her from selling designer gear on DepopCredit: Supplied

Most recently, fans also saw Towie's Billie Faeirs, worth an astronomical £4million, join the cash-grabbing craze on the platform to sell baby buys for a whopping £75.

Since clearing out her wardrobe, the mum-of-three has also publicly promoted her Vinted page to her 3 million Instagram followers, showcasing just some of the items she's managed to sell.

These included sexy forest green heeled boots sold for just over £21, a knitted Topshop set in a UK size 8 sold for almost £40 and a sparkly Karen Millen dress.

How to tackle thorny first date subjects… and why you should watch the waiterHow to tackle thorny first date subjects… and why you should watch the waiter

There were also EGO boots priced at £20 despite them usually retailing for anywhere between £50 and £80.  

Her efforts seem to have paid off as the TV star made more than £150 in just 24 hours.

Although Billie, 34, has insisted that all of the proceeds from her Vinted sales will go to charity, not everyone has such pure intentions.

Speaking exclusively to Fabulous, PR expert Edward Hopkins said: ''Celebrities selling their old clothes on platforms like Vinted definitely sparks some interesting discussions.

''There's often a mix of motivations at play."

According to the celebrity guru, some may assume famous faces are using this as a clever tactics to ''appear more relatable''.

''By engaging in the same activities as their fans, like selling clothes on second-hand platforms, they can seem more down-to-earth and connected to everyday life.

''Plus, it's a way for fans to own a piece of their favourite celebrity's wardrobe, which can create a sense of closeness.''

What's more, just because most celebs are ''indeed wealthy'', ''it doesn't mean they wouldn't want to make some extra cash''.

''And why shouldn't they?

Secret way Tesco staff bag freebies & it’ll have you desperate to work thereSecret way Tesco staff bag freebies & it’ll have you desperate to work there

''Selling their old clothes is an easy way to do that, especially if they have a large following willing to buy.''

''That said, there's potential for backlash," he added.

Edward also explained how raking in from their pre-loved gear could lead to criticism amongst the public, especially as more and more Brits are forced to turn to food banks.

"Critics might argue that since these celebrities are already financially comfortable, they should donate their old clothes to charity instead of profiting from them.

''This criticism often comes from the perception that celebrities should use their wealth and influence to give back to their communities rather than just accumulating more money.

''A lot of celebrities do tend to do this privately, as well as publicly.''

Molly-Mae's designer gear

The Love Island star, worth a staggering £6million, is known to regularly flaunt her wealth - whether that's jetting off to France for a skiing holiday or posing in a £20k outfit.

Despite living in a £3.5million mansion and earning an eye-watering £10k per sponsored social media post, Molly-Mae Hague was seen uploading some of her designer gear on Depop last year.

The mum-of-one, who recently ditched her engagement ring again, was offering fashionistas Gucci loafers for £40, Louis Vuitton trainers for £180, as well as the on-trend Nike Jordans that usually go for more than £430.

Molly-Mae Hague was flogging Louis Vuitton trainers for £180
Molly-Mae Hague was flogging Louis Vuitton trainers for £180Credit: Depop

The star told her Instagram followers: "Guys I've just been sat in the car for like an hour doing a huge upload session on Depop, it's that time again, but this time I've done it a little different.

"I'm actually selling a lot of my old luxury pieces that I want to give to a new home."

She continued: "You guys know I've had a huge, huge wardrobe clear out, and I've basically restarted, so I had so many things to get rid of.

"I've also uploaded more high street things on there too, some sports bits, there's a whole array of things, I'll leave the link to my Depop on the screen.

"As you guys know this stuff sells out so quickly, but I'm really excited to be doing a bit of a different upload this time so I hope you guys enjoy it. Happy shopping."

The mum-of-one, who's won an impressive five-star rating on her page, has previously claimed that all profits are donated to charity.

Paying high Price

Most of us could do with a little bit of extra cash right now - especially bankrupt Katie Price who's being evicted from her Mucky Mansion.

The former glamour model has been on second-hand sites for a few years now, flogging creased PJs with her name for a tenner on Depop, worn socks for £50 and old bras for £200.

She reportedly made a staggering £2.5k in just five days.

Katie's Depop reportedly made a staggering £2.5k in just five days
Katie's Depop reportedly made a staggering £2.5k in just five daysCredit: Supplied

Even some of her former boyfriend Carl Woods' garments are thought to be on the platform, as fans spotted a used Burberry men's shirt for £50.

According to the description online, the shirt is in good condition but has two buttons missing on the main front section and on the cuff.

In a desperate bid to rid herself of the items for good, the mum-of-five is not offering any refunds or returns.

Katie Price was also reported be selling old bras for a whopping £200
Katie Price was also reported be selling old bras for a whopping £200Credit: Supplied

Olivia Buckland's high street gems

Another Love Islander taking to Depop to sell her cast-offs is Olivia Bowen, 30, who is worth an estimated £4.3million with husband Alex Bowen.

As of 2021, the reality TV star had managed to get rid of 1,391 items, generating an astronomical £41k in the process.

Her Depop page boasted trendy high street buys, including cult favourite New Look, Missguided and Coast, some of which were going for under a fiver.

Olivia's Depop page is full of high street gems, selling for as little as £4.50
Olivia's Depop page is full of high street gems, selling for as little as £4.50Credit: Supplied

Gemma Collins' plus-size clothes

The telly star has been flogging her old size 24 clothes which no longer fit her thanks to her incredible three stone weight loss.

A source said: “Gemma is so savvy and flogging the clothes that don’t fit her anymore has made her a mint.

“All in all she’s made around £100,000 through selling her stuff on Depop.

The reality TV star started selling her pre-loved wardrobe after her incredible weight loss
The reality TV star started selling her pre-loved wardrobe after her incredible weight lossCredit: Supplied

“She has sold 4,750 items on the website and sells her stuff for around £21 per item.

“Gemma is clever with her cash and won’t miss up on an opportunity to raise some funds.”

Gemma Collins has reportedly raked in a whopping £100k by flogging her plus-size clothing
Gemma Collins has reportedly raked in a whopping £100k by flogging her plus-size clothingCredit: DEPOP

Kate Kulniece

Print page

Comments:

comments powered by Disqus