Reselling vacation clothes after one wear sparks debate in South Korea

A unique consumption pattern is emerging among South Korea's 20s and 30s during the summer vacation season: buying outfits solely for social media photos and then reselling them online.

From summer dresses to swimwear, various vacation wear is being listed on secondhand platforms at reduced prices. The trend involves users taking 'proof shots' at vacation spots, then quickly reselling the worn items. Descriptions often state, "worn only once at the vacation spot" or "tried on only." Prices typically range from 9,000 to 10,000 won (about $6.50 to $7.20), though some designer items can fetch 30,000 to 40,000 won ($22 to $29).

This behavior is driven by a desire to maintain a fresh image on social media without the recurring cost of buying new clothes for each trip. For those who find purchasing new outfits for every vacation burdensome but still want to capture memorable photos, reselling offers a seemingly economical solution. One netizen commented, "Buying needed clothes cheaply and reselling them immediately is a very economical and rational choice that reduces resource waste."

However, the trend also faces criticism. Concerns are raised about the superficiality of consuming solely for online validation. "It seems a bit futile to consume clothes just for SNS proof shots," noted another observer, adding, "It feels like a bitter reality created by a culture of showing off."