What is FittStory?
FittStory is an innovative marketplace platform specifically designed to nurture and grow a sustainable fashion ecosystem by connecting thrifting enthusiasts who want to trade and give away their pre-loved clothing items. The platform serves as a dynamic hub where fashion-conscious individuals can find new homes for their gently used garments while discovering unique pieces for their own wardrobes.
By placing a strong emphasis on clothing exchanges and giveaways rather than traditional sales, FittStory takes a distinctive approach to reducing fashion's environmental impact.
Problem
The thrifting market has experienced significant growth and popularity in recent years, with various age groups participating in secondhand shopping.
This increased demand has driven up prices for secondhand goods—a shift away from thrifting's original purpose.
Let’s breakdown the numbers...
INCREASED DEMAND
The U.S. secondhand market reached $43 billion in 2023, up from about $23 billion in 2018. This rapid growth has created opportunities for higher pricing.
MARKET EXPANSION
The secondhand apparel market has grown substantially, from $196.56 billion in 2024 to a projected $593.72 billion by 2031, with a CAGR of 15.07% This surge in demand has allowed thrift stores to raise prices.
SHIFT IN PERCEPTION
Thrifting has become trendy and socially acceptable, especially among younger generations, allowing stores to charge premium prices for certain items.
As prices go up more and more companies like Goodwill & Value Village have their revenues increase exponentially every quarter.
Goal
Encourage sustainable practices through its community-centric model, bring together environmentally conscious individuals who share a passion for fashion sustainability. Minimize textile waste but also fosters meaningful connections between members who are committed to making a positive impact on both the environment and their local communities.
User Demographics
18.1%
18 to 24 years old
29.7%
25 to 34 years old
23.8%
35 to 44 years old
16.6%
45 to 54 years old
11.8%
55 to 64 years old
Almost 50% of our market is Teens and Young Adults but what we need to take into account is the older demographics have more clothes/items they want to get rid of. So the design of our interface has to serve both a younger and older audience.
Mia Good 17
High school student
Suburban or small-town area
“Thrifting is the best because I can find cute, unique outfits without spending a ton. But lately, even thrift store prices are going up, and it’s getting harder to find good deals”
Interests:
Thrifting to create stylish outfits on a budget
DIY fashion and upcycling clothes
Social media (Pinterest, TikTok, Instagram) for outfit inspo
Sophie Moore 23
Marketing Assistant - $60,000
Downtown apartment in a bustling city
"I love the idea of giving my things a second life, but these apps can feel overwhelming. I just want a simple way to pass items on without dealing with too much back-and-forth or worrying about who’s picking them up."
Interests:
Thrifting for the latest fashion trends on a budget.
Socializing and attending events in the city.
Sustainable living practices.
Rob Leigh 63
Retired Accountant
Suburban home
"I don’t need all this stuff anymore, and I’d rather give it to someone who can actually use it. Selling is too much of a hassle—I just want an easy way to pass things along and make sure they go to good people."
Interests:
Decluttering and simplifying his life
Donating to those in need rather than throwing things away
Sustainability and reducing waste
Spending time with grandkids
After collecting data through local thrift store visits and surveys in Facebook thrift groups, I created a breakdown that highlighted users' key behaviors and needs.
Problems That Stand Out
Rising Thrift Store Prices: What was once an affordable alternative is becoming more expensive, making it harder to find budget-friendly fashion.
Finding the Right Pieces: Sifting through thrift stores for specific styles takes time and effort.
Balancing Budget & Style: Users want stylish, high-quality pieces without overspending.
Functionality vs. Fashion: Some need clothing that fits multiple roles (e.g., work, outdoor activities, or parenting).
Sustainability Challenges: Ethical and sustainable fashion options in thrift stores can be inconsistent.
User Journey
Landing
User Profile
Post new item
for trade/giveaway
Upload
item picture
Fill Out Item Details
Post Item
Browse Clothing
Is there a
desired item?
Contact Thrifter
Trade/Get Item
The process of designing a marketplace product wireframe requires careful consideration and integration of proven UI/UX patterns that have been successfully implemented across various popular platforms such as Facebook, Kijiji, and other leading marketplace websites and applications.
This synthesis of established design elements ensures familiarity and ease of use for new users while maintaining professional functionality.
The fundamental components of the design should incorporate a meticulously organized and user-friendly layout, featuring a strategically positioned search functionality and an comprehensive system of category filters. These essential elements are thoughtfully arranged to optimize the product discovery experience, allowing users to efficiently navigate through listings and find exactly what they're looking for with minimal effort. The interface should prioritize clarity and accessibility, ensuring that users of all technical abilities can effectively engage with the platform.
Initial Wireframes
Discovery Page
Item Popup
Thrifter Chat
Desktop Flow
Finding an item and contacting thrifter.
The landing page immediately introduces users to the concept of clothing donation.
When you sign in or open the app, you'll see a feed of listed clothing items and accessories, similar to Facebook Marketplace.
Each clothing item opens in a simple popup window. The key feature is a large image of the item displayed alongside the lister's profile and location information.
Users can instantly message the person who listed the item through the built-in chat feature.
Listing a new item and viewing an existing item.
Listing a new item is simple and takes less than four steps. Add a title, select the clothing category, enter your city, and write a description. Then upload your photos and indicate whether you want to trade or giveaway the item.
You can access your profile to view all your posted and active listings. You can also edit or make changes to your posted items.
Mobile Flow
Simply sign in, find the item you want and message the thrifter/person giving away
Login/Sign Up
Find Item
View Details
Message thrifter
You can view some of your own items that you are giving away and also List A Fit for others to find
Profile View
List A Fit
View Chats
Update and view your Profile & Security settings.
Settings Menu
Public Profile Setting
The Prototype
Conclusion
After testing the prototype of FittStory, we can confidently say it addresses both rising clothing costs and sustainability concerns. We’ve created a community-driven platform that makes exchanging and giving away clothes more accessible than traditional thrifting. Though early in development, we’re excited to continue refining it based on user feedback.
“I tested the prototype, and it’s honestly so easy to use. I didn’t think I’d be able to trade clothes so seamlessly! It feels like a virtual thrift store, but even more personalized. I can’t wait for the full version.”
– Maya, 23
“As a mom, I’m always on the lookout for ways to save. The prototype worked well for me, especially with my kids’ growing wardrobes. Being able to trade clothes for new ones was such a great feature, and I can’t wait to see how it improves.”
– Olivia, 42
“The prototype was a solid start! It was easy to navigate, and I love that it’s a platform where we can give clothes new life. I think this could really make a difference in how we approach fashion—more affordable and sustainable.”
– Jake, 35
“Giving away clothes through the prototype was simple, and I love the concept of passing on items I no longer need. I’m excited to see how the app evolves and how it will help others save money, too.”
– Tom, 53
DESIGN
FOR IMPACT
FittStory
A marketplace for people to giveaway/trade clothes
Problem
Encourage people to give away their old clothes directly to others rather than to for-profit organizations and promote sustainability as a lifestyle choice.
Role
Timeline
Product Designer
12 weeks