VINTED is the go-to app for bargain hunters looking to snap up some pre-loved fashion finds – but beneath the surface lurk seedy sellers and even seedier buyers.
A shocking trade in unconventional items is quietly thriving, and it’s making one mum £300 a month to splurge on holidays.
Michelle Lopez flogs dirty socks and unwashed pants on online platforms including Vinted[/caption]
One Vinted user is selling a red ‘slinky nightie’ with the hashtags #ifyouknowyouknow #iykyk, a code to tell buyers that items have not been laundered[/caption]
While the majority of sellers focus on vintage dresses, worn trainers and outgrown denim, a growing number have discovered a lucrative market catering to niche interests.
From used socks to worn intimate nightwear, the hashtag #iykyk (or #ifyouknowyouknow) has emerged as a discreet signal to some users, sparking discussions about the hidden darker side of the platform.
Seller Michelle Lopez, 39, from Ealing, West London, confesses: “I sell my pongy pop socks, unwashed pants and well-worn gym bras on online platforms including Vinted to make cash.
“It’s a naughty work around and I can make up to £300 a month if buyers DM me on Vinted or use Telegram with special requests.
“It’s not seedy, it’s building up my savings. I am proud of making quick money this way. It helps with the bills and for holidays.”
Items like slips, lingerie, and even nightwear are often accompanied by cryptic hashtags, directing buyers to private messaging accounts for further transactions.
‘Smellier the better’
One user is currently selling a red “slinky nightie” with the hashtags #ifyouknowyouknow #iykyk #iykykfeet for £15, along with their Telegram — similar to WhatsApp — handle, facilitating off-platform communication.
Despite selling unwashed clothing being against Vinted terms and conditions, Michelle reveals just how easy it is for covert sellers like her to go under the radar.
She says: “You describe the item as ‘worn’ and post a picture and list the brand as ‘worn’. Vinted members know they can haggle for prices and ask questions.
“Sellers like me add ‘DM me for questions or Telegram for details’.
“But Vinted is just one platform I use. The buyers are polite and easy to deal with. I don’t have to pay up to 20 per cent on Vinted, like I do on some specialist selling platforms.”
The actress, who lives with husband Juan Lopez, 36, a sound recordist, as well as her 17-year-old daughter and nine-year-old son, has no time for anyone who judges her for the side hustle.
“I am not ashamed of my unconventional side gig. No one’s getting hurt,” she says.
“People who buy the items know what they’re getting, and the dirtier or smellier the item the better. I price my well-worn and distinctive smelling items from a fiver to £30. It all helps.
“I am cashing in from clothing I’d be chucking in the bin. I know some people will criticise, but I don’t care.
“I’m just like many other Vinted sellers using the secret work-around code and posting methods to sell well-worn and unwashed items.
“I sell normal second-hand clothes as well, I’m not too worried Vinted will boot me off.”
Michelle is certainly not the only one. Fabulous has discovered numerous posts that appear to be advertising unwashed clothing.
One seller, for example, had listed a pair of worn socks with a seemingly innocent description: “New pink ankle socks nice and soft.”
But the addition of #iykyk at the end signals a transaction far removed from thrifty fashion.
An account features a pair of feet with pink toenails standing next to trainers and listed for £5[/caption]
Another user has listed a pair of worn socks with a seemingly innocent description[/caption]
Another account featured a pair of feet with pink toenails standing next to white trainers, clearly worn and listed for £5.
The description read: “White trainers have been worn as you can see from pics. Perfect summer shoe IYKYK.”
Similarly, a pair of pink thong bikini bottoms were on sale for £4, with the description revealing: “Pink high-waist bikini bottoms. Holiday Dubai Ibiza iykyk festival rave ravefit creamfields.”
It’s a naughty work around and I can make up to £300 a month if buyers DM me on Vinted or use Telegram with special requests
Michelle
The string of location and event tags, combined with #iykyk, strongly hints at where it was worn.
Nelsi Diaz, Intimacy Coach and Sex Expert at AI platform HeraHaven, explains: “For some people, doing this through platforms like Vinted, which are not made for it, can add to the excitement.
“Using ‘iykyk’ codes and swapping to Telegram might make buyers feel like they’re part of something secret, and that can be half the fun.
“The kind of hush-hush vibe can be more exciting than just going to a fetish site where everything’s out in the open.
“For some, secrecy is part of the turn-on.”
Michelle admits she caters to the specific needs of buyers who follow her on platforms like Vinted.
She explains: “I sell to foot fans — some have a foot, a stinky sock or clothing fetish.
For some people, doing this through platforms like Vinted, which are not made for it, can add to the excitement
Nelsi Diaz,
“I never meet them, and I can sell a pair of smelly socks or underwear for up to £20. That’s three times what I paid for the item.
“Others have a pheromone fetish, which is a love of body odour. If I can pay the gas and electric bill flogging dirty socks like this, I will.”
A quick search of #iykyk on Vinted reveals countless suspicious listings, with some sellers openly advertising their availability for “extras” or directing buyers to other platforms for more discreet purchases.
Podcast Girls Overheard also spoke about this phenomenon in a video that has gained more than 240,000 views.
In the comments section, one viewer wrote: “Someone I know (air hostess) who has been kicked off Vinted multiple times, sold used tights and shoes. Has repeat buyers who contact directly and make good money!”
This growing trend has sparked fierce debate, with opinions ranging from outright disgust to acceptance of it as a harmless side hustle.
But it isn’t without risk, as Vinted claims to actively monitor and remove listings that violate its terms.
Yet the persistent presence of these items suggests this underground market is unlikely to cease any time soon.
Consent and hygiene
But beyond the platform’s rules, there are also broader ethical and safety concerns.
The lack of regulation and the discreet nature of these transactions could open doors to exploitation and raise questions about consent and hygiene.
Dr Philippa Kaye, a GP and author says: “There are dangers either wearing unwashed underwear or using unwashed underwear in any way.
“Underwear is often in a very warm, humid and moist environment so it’s a breathing ground for fungi and bacteria and other microorganisms which can cause infections.”
Michelle adds: “I know some people consider it seedy and gross. But people do know what they’re buying.
I know some people consider it seedy and gross. But people do know what they’re buying
Michelle
“I started doing it after lockdown, and haven’t stopped since. It’s great for making an extra bit of cash.
“Plus, I can do it from home and it’s completely safe.
“Last year I made £4,000 from it, this year I am on track to possibly doubling that figure.
“I know others will think it’s manky and gross.
“I am just trying to put my best foot forward, pay the bills and measure how my side hustle keeps growing.”
Vinted failed to respond to a request for comment.
She says she’s made £4,000 from selling her dirty clothes[/caption]
Vinted rules
THE Vinted website states users should not sell “fetish-related items or items promoting sex services.”
Prohibited items include: “Worn underwear, handmade underwear bottoms, shorts worn as underwear, corsets, body shapers and shapewear with bottom parts, protective underwear bottoms for sports.”
It states: “For hygiene reasons, only new underwear and nappies can be sold – you must clearly show the attached tags and/or original packaging in your item’s pictures.
“Worn bras, swimming costumes, tights and socks can be sold as long as they are properly washed and the description clearly states that the item has been worn.
“Only new swim nappies and reusable swim nappies can be sold; you must show the attached tags and/ or original packaging in pictures.”
