Cairns woman Esta Musumeci turned thrift shopping into her full-time job

Queenslander Esta Musumeci turned her side-hustle into a full-time job, as young Aussies find faster ways to make money. See how she did it.

Exclusive: Buying from an opportunity store has become the fastest new way to make money.

Savvy shoppers are scooping up bargains and reselling them online at such huge mark-ups many been able to quit their day jobs.

Some charities running second-hand stores have cottoned to the practice — embraced largely by Generation Z — and have begun marking their goods up to compensate.

Vinnies Queensland general manager Drew Eide said his teams had noticed a big uptake in younger shoppers buying from their stores.

“We have noticed an increase in thrift shopping over the last year and we’ve seen some record breaking sales, even relocating stores to have a bigger location due to this demand,” Mr Eide said.

Esta Musumeci found success on the Depop app, turning it into her full-time job. Picture: Instagram

Vogue Australia fashion writer Jonah Waterhouse said the second-hand trend was not just money-driven.

“As an understanding of the environmental ramifications of fast fashion becomes more widespread, it makes sense that young people are gravitating toward thrift shopping,” Mr Waterhouse said.

“Aside from the sustainability credentials, it also allows a level of individuality that brand-new clothing can’t provide.”

Esta Musumeci. Picture: Instagram

Esta Musumeci, of Cairns, has made more than $200,000 selling thrift shop clothes. Picture: Instagram

Esta Musumeci, from Cairns, has made more than $200,000 in her four years selling thrift-shop clothing on marketplace app such Depop.

In her most successful month, she made around $9500.

“It operates by solely going on one or two trips a week, driving around the area I live to pick up stock and resources for my shop, I source from local shops around my area, thrift stores, garage sales, markets and donations, I also sew clothing pieces from vintage materials,” Ms Musumeci said.

“When it comes to how to price an item, I take into account the price paid for the item, Depop fees, PayPal fees, cleaning the garment, travel and shipping fees.”

Esta Musumeci with clothing that she is flipping from thrift shops. Picture: Instagram

Ms Musumeci discovered Depop through prolific YouTube user Melissa Tati, who would make weekly videos on vintage clothing sales through the app.

“I loved the way she was so creative and loved that it gave life to old clothes that would otherwise be getting thrown to landfill or still in an overfilled thrift shop,” she said.

Esta Musumeci. Picture: Instagram

Esta Musumeci makes money from selling thrift shop clothes. Picture: Instagram

Ms Musumeci best op shop finds include YSL pants and a vintage Versace shirt, which she resold for more than a $100 each.

A survey, commissioned by Buy Now Pay Later service Klarna, found 40 per cent of Australians were spending less on clothing than they were five years ago.

Gen Z led the shift from traditional retail towards cheaper and more sustainable options such as thrifting and renting, with 40 per cent of the younger generation buying second-hand.

Originally published as Cairns woman Esta Musumeci turned thrift shopping into her full-time job