Hayley Curtis, Renee Dixon launch Barely Worn clothing market in Coolum

Two Sunshine Coast mums have put their heads together to tackle the fast-fashion industry and put money back into the pockets of families, by launching a second-hand clothing market.

Sharing a close bond through motherhood and an obsession with op-shopping, two Sunshine Coast mums have realised a dream of starting their own second-hand clothing market.

Renee Dixon and Hayley Curtis became friends three years ago and quickly discovered they both had a passion for community and fashion.

“We are always stunned by the amount of clothes that get thrown out and turned into landfill, when there is already so many clothes in the world,” Ms Curtis told the Sunshine Coast Daily.

“We have always wanted to create something that gets women and the community together and incorporating fashion and the environment makes it that much sweeter.”

Barely Worn second-hand market is held at the Coolum Civic Centre on most months.

The duo’s first market was just between friends who got together to swap and buy each other’s clothes, but by the third get-together they realised more people should have the opportunity to get involved.

Ms Curtis and Ms Dixon decided to launch Barely Worn in March and it has already gained momentum, with regular stallholders joining waitlists and customers lining up for the monthly markets.

Held at the Coolum Civic Centre, the preloved market joined others in the region, including the Fishermans Rd Markets, which all promote recycled wardrobes and allow residents to make some extra cash.

Items start from as little as $2 depending on the stall and include hats, bags and shoes as well as clothing.

“More and more people are starting to become aware of the impact waste has on the earth. We want to try and spread that awareness to every area of our lives and fashion has got a big part in that,” Ms Curtis said.

The lack of community events and engagement in Coolum was another reason the pair decided to go through with their idea.

Mountains of clothing bags are also being donated to a women’s shelter op shop at the end of each market.

Renee Dixon (left) and Hayley Curtis, founders of Barely Worn in Coolum.

“We always encourage not-for-profit local community groups to be involved on the day and we keep a stall available for fundraising or community awareness to those groups,” Ms Curtis said.

Aside from snapping up bargains, Ms Curtis said Barely Worn was the place to go to find on-trend and vintage items, such as late ‘90s pieces that are back in fashion.

“Short-strap shoulder bags, flare jeans, flatforms, you are guaranteed to find a whole outfit of this trend at an op shop or a thrift market,” she said.

Barely Worn has had an “amazing” response from the community.

The event has sparked an “amazing” response from the community, with many stallholders happy to clear out their wardrobe and shoppers excited to find hidden treasures.

“Most have said they feel good about their clothes going to someone else who will get great wear out of them, and knowing they have done their part to help the waste issue,” Ms Curtis said.