News

An Arbroath businesswoman has launched a second-hand vintage shop to tackle fashion waste.

Marianne Davidson officially opened Baggy Trousers Vintage from her home near the Angus town at the weekend.

Her pre-loved clothes business will repair and sell second-hand items at markets and online.

Marianne, 53, previously owned successful retail shop Rosie’s Boutique in the seaside town for seven years.

She decided to close the business in December 2024 and take a step away from what she calls “the consumerist side of fashion”.

She said: “I have always been more interested in vintage stuff and second-hand clothes and our mum always used to take us to the junk shop.

“I decided to go back to that, mainly because there’s too much waste and I didn’t really want to keep contributing to that.

“I want to recondition pieces of clothing that are already in existence.

“There’s some lovely things out already in circulation, so I’ll bring items back to life and sell them on.”

Baggy Trousers Vintage officially launched at the Charleton Farm market, near Montrose at the weekend.

Marianne plans to sell clothes in person and online via eBay, Vinted, and social media.

She says the demand for vintage clothes has grown significantly since she first entered the clothing business and that vintage is a massive industry these days.

She explained: “People used to be a bit sniffy about wearing second-hand clothes, but the younger generation is really focused on being good to the planet.

“It’s great to see that.”

She believes the increasing popularity of second-hand goods is being driven by people’s environmental awareness, financial changes and a resurgence of retro fashion trends.

Marianne says that people are now realising the value of garments again.

Baggy Trousers Vintage will share future updates on Facebook and Instagram.

This article appeared in The Courier on 27 March 2025.