Fashion, Industry and Education

The Costume Culture Association (복식문화학회)
권호 표지
DOI QR코드

DOI QR Code

Examination of Two Decades in Used Clothing Trade: The Case of the United States and Selected Developed Economies

  • Lee, Youngji (Dept. of Apparel, Events, and Hospitality Management, IowaState University) ;
  • Zhang, Ling (Dept. of Apparel, Events, and Hospitality Management, IowaState University) ;
  • Karpova, Elena (Dept. of Apparel, Events, and Hospitality Management, IowaState University)
  • Received : 2016.03.25
  • Accepted : 2016.09.27
  • Published : 2016.12.30
Download PDF
⟨ Previous Next ⟩

Abstract

This research examined two decades of the U.S. used clothing exports to the world. All countries (209) were classified into four groups based on the level of economic development. Between 1996 and 2012, U.S. used clothing exports shifted away from low-income economies to high-income economies. For the first time, our research demonstrated that the majority of used clothing discarded by American consumers is exported to high-income economies instead of poorest nations of the world. Next, used clothing exports and imports by volume and value in seven high-income countries were analyzed. The high-income countries not only exported but also imported significant amount of used clothing, which indicates a growing demand for worn apparel in developed nations. The demand might be at least partially attributed to the popular vintage clothing trend and increasing consumer environmentalism. Implications regarding development and implementation of a new classification system of worn clothing and recommendations for future research are presented.

Keywords

References

  1. Allwood, J. M., Laursen, S. E., Rodriguez, C. M. & Bocken, N. M. (2006). Well Dressed? University of Cambridege Institute for Manufacturing. Retrieved from http://www.ifm.eng.cam.ac.uk/sustainability/projects/mass/UK_textiles.pdf
  2. Brooks, A. (2013). Stretching global production networks: The international second-hand clothing trade. Geoforum, 44, 10-22. doi: 10.1016/j.geoforum.2012.06.004
  3. Cervellon, M. C., Carey, L. & Harms, T. (2012). Something old, something used: Determinants of women's purchase of vintage fashion vs. second-hand fashion. International Journal of Retail & Distribution Management, 40(12), 956-975. doi: 10.1108/09590551211274946
  4. Ha, J. E., & Hodges, N. N. (2008). Socially responsible consumer behavior?: Exploring used clothing donation behavior. Clothing and Textiles Research Journal, 27(3), 179-196. doi: 10.1177/0887302X08327199
  5. Hansen, K. T. (2000). Other people's clothes? The international second-hand clothing trade and dress practices in Zambia. Fashion Theory: The Journal of Dress, Body & Culture, 4(3), 245-274. https://doi.org/10.2752/136270400778995499
  6. Hansen, K. T. (2004). Helping or hindering? Controversies around the international second-hand trade. Anthropology Today, 20(4), 3-9. doi: 10.1111/j.0268-540X.2004.00280.x
  7. Hustvedt, G., & Dickson, M. A. (2009). Consumer likelihood of purchasing organic cotton apparel: Influence of attitudes and self-identity. Journal of Fashion Marketing and Management, 13(1), 49-65. doi: 10.1108/13612020910939879
  8. Mhango, M. W., & Niehm, L. S. (2005). The second-hand clothing distribution channel: Opportunities for retail entrepreneurs in Malawi. Journal of Fashion Marketing and Management, 9(3), 342-356. doi: 10.1108/13612020510610462
  9. Nanto, D. K. (1998). CRS report: The 1997-98 Asian financial crisis. Retrieved from http://fas.org/man/crs/crs-asia2.htm
  10. Office of Textiles and Apparel. (2013). Trade data: U.S imports and exports of textiles and apparel [Data file]. Retrieved from http://otexa.ita.doc.gov/msrpoint.htm
  11. Official Harmonized Tariff Schedule. (2013). United State international trade commission. Retrieved from http://www.usitc.gov/tata/hts/
  12. Rivoli, P. (2009). The travels of a t-shirt in the global economy. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons.
  13. UN Comtrade. (2013). Database [Data file]. Retrieved from http://www.UNComtrade.org/database
  14. U.S. Census Bureau. (2007). Industry statistics samper [Data file]. Retrieved from http://www.census.gov/econ/industry/current/c453310.htm
  15. U.S. Census Bureau. (2010). Database [Data file]. Retrieved from http://factfinder2.census.gov/faces/tableservices/jsf/pages/productview.xhtml?fpt=table
  16. Used merchandise stores. (n. d.). HighBeam business. Retrieved from http://business.highbeam.com/industry-reports/retail/used-merchandise-stores
  17. Wetherille, K. (February, 2011). Japan turns to cheap chic. WWD. Retrieved from http://www.wwd.com/markets-news/markets-features/japan-turns-to-cheap-chic-3455902
  18. World Bank. (2012). How we classify countries. Retrieved from http://data.worldbank.org/about/country-classifications