A new pre-loved clothing shop is opening in Salisbury

A new pre-loved clothing shop is opening in the city centre this Saturday (30th April 2022).

The shop allows people to buy and sell good condition second-hand clothing and get back 50% of the profits.

Based on Winchester Street, Salisbury, Sisters Wardrobe, was born out of three sisters borrowing clothes out of each other’s closets.

“Our Dad always used to say, when we were borrowing things out of each’s wardrobes, that we should have a shop and call it ‘Sisters Wardrobe’ and that’s where the idea has come from,” explained Katy Shergold, one of the shop’s owners.

Having always worked in retail, and shopped in charity shops, boot sales and thrift shops, Katy and her sisters decided to bring the concept of selling and buying preloved clothing to the high street.

“We have done similar things to this online like eBay and Vinted, but this is our first shop. Everything we sell is thrift and consignment so we take in items from people and sell the clothes for them. It could be brand new with tags but it has been previously bought,” said Katy.

If your piece of clothing sells, the profit is split 50/50 with Sisters Wardrobe.

“We hold items for 8 weeks and then at the end of the 8 weeks if they haven’t sold we can pass them back or pass them on to charity. We’ve got all the brands in one place, from high street brands up to designer names. We have sizes from six to 22 and in children sizes 1-10.”

So far the sisters say they have had a great response from the local community.

“A lot of people have said this is something that Salisbury really needs. This kind of shop is important for sustainability. It gives people the option to be sustainable and it stops things from going into landfills.

“The more I have done the more I have seen and we really need to make changes to the way we shop. We need to do it now.”

For those who may be apprehensive about buying preloved clothing, Katy has one message, “Second hand is not second best.”

“People have lots of new things in their wardrobe in very good condition. They may have only worn it once or twice and you can pick up some really great items and a bargain as well. I am hoping that this shop and the vibe we have gone for will make it a bit different from charity shops, and we have already had that response from people.

“We have tried to cater from all range of budgets as well, there is something for everybody.”

Going forward, Katy hopes the shop will have a community feel.

“When I have done things like this before some people that come in are lonely or they just want a chat. That is us, you don’t have to buy, you can come in, have a browse, we can put the kettle on, it’s a community.

“I am already finding that here on Winchester Street, everybody is lovely and we all come together to be a support group. I love Salisbury and it’s been given some bad press but it is really nice to see it thriving again and once we are open I hope we can add to that.”

Sisters Wardrobe asks that clothes given to them to sell are in a good condition – free from rips, stains and tears, and freshly laundered would be preferred but not necessary.

Clothing drop-offs are by appointment only. Sells will receive payment of 50% of their goods, at the end of the month by their preferred payment method.

Sisters Wardrobe will be open Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday 9.30am-3pm, and Saturday 10am-4pm. Closed Thursdays and Sundays.

Find them on Instagram or Facebook or head on down to 44 Winchester Street, Salisbury.