To most, fashion is an expense. To others, it’s a lucrative business that can provide a salary, a small fortune or even financial freedom. As a consumer, you may be wondering how you can get a slice of the pie when it comes to a multi-billion dollar industry.

But the reality is that there are a variety of ways that everyday people can make money from fashion. Whether it’s through investment or entrepreneurship, there’s a money-making route for everyone.

Here are five ways that you can make money from the fashion industry with no prior experience.

Investing in Fashion Stocks

Some of the biggest companies in the world belong to the fashion industry. Many of these companies are listed on the stock exchange providing an opportunity for everyday investors to profit.

Despite being around for decades, many fashion brands continue to experience upwards growth in terms of revenue, profit and market value. Stock options range from sportswear brands, like Nike and Adidas, that have stood the test of time to more recent brands such as Lululemon that provide potential for higher gains.

If you are considering investing in fashion stocks, or any other stocks for that matter, it’s imperative you consider the risk as well as the rewards. You should also take time to learn about investment strategies such as the importance of growing a diversified portfolio.

Starting a Fashion Brand

The most obvious way to make money through fashion is by starting your own clothing brand. While this is arguably the hardest way to make money through fashion, it could also be one of the most enjoyable ways if you have a flair for entrepreneurship.

The beauty of starting your own brand is that you can tailor it to your exact passions and tastes. For example, if you have a love for 80s streetwear, you can try to revive this trend by putting a modern twist on your own products. 

While considering your own tastes is important, it’s also crucial to study and research the market. If there isn’t a gap in the market for your brand, it will be extremely difficult to make money from your venture.

Collecting High-Value Items

Investing in high-value fashion items is a great way to make money if you don’t have the luxury of being able to commit a large amount of time to your investment attempts. Purchasing items that have the potential to increase in value over time provides the perfect passive investment opportunity for those with an interest in fashion.

You’ll first need to identify which items are likely to increase in value over time. These are often items from luxury brands such as designer sunglasses and watches. Other items that appreciate over time include limited edition pieces or highly exclusive products.

You may even want to focus on items that were used in movies or worn by celebrities. Depending on the item’s backstory, these could be extremely expensive to collect but may also offer a more secure investment.

Becoming a Fashion Influencer

One of the more modern ways to make money through fashion comes from monetising your online presence. The boom of social media has created a whole new career opportunity for stylish individuals who are able to build a large following.

Platforms such as Instagram and TikTok have become goldmines for brands, and for that reason, they’re prepared to pay large amounts of money to individuals who can promise high levels of engagement for their brand online in return.

If you’re starting from scratch, it could be a long time before you are able to profit from influencing, especially given the saturated nature of fashion influencing today. On the flip side, it doesn’t cost a penny to open an Instagram account and start building your profile.

Flipping Items on Second-Hand Platforms

Another modern way to make money from fashion involves using the growing popularity of second-hand clothing platforms to flip fashion products. Flipping refers to buying items with the intent of selling them on for a higher price to make profit.

The key to fashion flipping lies in sourcing hidden gems for way below their actual value. This might be done by visiting thrift stores to hunt for vintage items or you may even pick up a completely new product in a tracksuit sale for example.

Once you’ve purchased a product at a low price, it’s easy to list on websites such as eBay, Vinted or Depop to the thousands of people who may be prepared to pay slightly more than you did for the same item.