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Shortcut to Sustainable Style – Curated Secondhand Bundles
Canadian Maddy Kriese creates curated secondhand packages for people who don’t always have time to thrift themselves.
“I started my thrifting business, Backroad Bundles, when I encountered my first real lull in my acting career. I had no work lined up and really thought… How am I supposed to support myself? I’ve been an avid thrifter since I was a teen – a 14-year-old’s desperate attempt to be different and ’not like other girls’, which I’ve happily outgrown. I am exactly like other girls now!
I decided to take this thing that I love, get creative with it and start making videos, and offer my skills to the world, and it’s turned into something I never anticipated. I turned a lifelong passion into an unexpected entrepreneurial journey because I felt inspired by others who did the same and decided to just go for it.
My concept revolves around highly personalized curation. Clients fill out my order form where they tell me all about their sense of style, the aesthetics they’re loving currently and wanting more of from their bundle, and of course all of their measurements and sizing. They can ask for me to try and find specific pieces, or it can be more vague and up to my vision, I get a wide variety of orders. And lastly, I get a photo vision board from my clients that I ask for them to curate through Pinterest.
With all this info, I’m now ready to head out to the thrifts and hunt for what I can find. It’s so creative for me, I love the styling aspect, and discovering all these new aesthetics and curations.
My pricing is based on the size of the bundle. Standard Bundle with 4-6 pieces is $375CAD ($262USD) and Deluxe Bundle with 7-9 pieces is $425CAD ($297USD). I ask that my clients keep in mind the cost of the items, the volume and demand, my time shopping and prepping, and my styling eye in the pricing. It takes hours and hours to create a bundle. I usually take on 6 orders at once every 2-3 weeks, of which I’m usually at the thrift 4-5 times a week.
I’ve probably had over 100 clients at this point, and my current waitlist is well over 100 people. I’ve had all genders as my clients. It’s a scale that continues to both humble and inspire me. I think the business truly resonates with people because it marries sustainability with personalization in a way that traditional retail simply can’t.
People are so eager to be more mindful with their consumption, and want to prioritize secondhand, but it’s time consuming.
Also, people want to feel excited about their wardrobe again.
I commonly get clients that are new moms, wanting to find that confidence again in their newer body. I love those bundles – I have so much respect for those women and feel such joy knowing I’m finding them things that will make them feel amazing.
I have a beautiful repeat customer who is a concert violinist. She’s asked me to put together bundles for her performances. So, all black, modest silhouettes, elevated fabrics, timeless design elements. I love putting together these bundles; it feels so cool knowing I am finding pieces that will accompany her in her musical expression.
Another client reached out who does queer line dancing, and they wanted a line dancing bundle. I found a remarkable vintage country tee, paired it with perfectly worn-in cowboy boots, and completed the bundle with a vintage denim skirt for movement and style. These pieces were gonna be boot scoot boogying, and a part of a communal expression of joy, and that brings me such purpose.
The best part of my work is knowing that I’m extending the life of these items, quality pieces that are going to somebody who wants to shop small and make an impact with their consumption. I’m extending not just the garment’s lifespan but also its story. And it’s so much more gratifying doing this in such a personalized way rather than mass marketing solutions.
And lastly, I love doing bundles for bachelorettes. I’ve had a few girls reach out for bundles as gifts for brides-to-be before their bachelorette celebrations – focusing on white palettes, delicate lace elements, flowing maxi silhouettes, and luxurious silks. It is such a sweet idea to do a bundle as a gift, and as a future 2025 bride myself, I have so much fun putting these together for these women in such an exciting time in their lives; all I want is to make them feel radiant and beautiful in these pieces that I find.
The biggest challenge is the sizing. It’s just an inherent risk in the business model, particularly with vintage pieces that predate standardized measurements. I do my best and it doesn’t happen often, but if there’s ever a problem with a fit, I always tell clients it’s a great option to support more local and take these quality pieces to the tailor.
Alterations are not a disappointment but an opportunity to further personalize a piece and support additional small businesses in your community.
In the future, I want to start hosting events like thrifting hangs and clothing swaps. Ways for local people to meet other people in their area who share the same passion for thrifting and vintage. I want to create and nurture a real community that encourages each other to approach fashion with intention, creativity and environmental awareness.
What I have learned during this time is that as a reseller, it is best to trust your sense of taste.
Your clients aren’t just purchasing clothing – they’re investing in your vision! The moment you begin chasing what you think might sell rather than what genuinely excites you, your authenticity disappears. So stay true to that eye, it’s what will set you apart from other sellers and build your brand.”
Follow Backroad Bundles on Instagram @backroad_bundles
Karl Lagerfeld loafers