The mums swapping finance for fashion giving a second life to unwanted clothes in Gosforth

Style Social has been set up to boost sustainability around clothing with people able to buy second hand items for bargain prices

15:52, 20 Jun 2026Updated 17:31, 20 Jun 2026

If you have passed Gosforth Central you may have seen their latest shop Style Social. Previously occupying the pop-up space in March this year, the duo were back this month giving a second life to clothes that have been sitting in bags in the back of wardrobes waiting to see the light of day again.

Style Social was a dream brought together last year by friends Katy McKinlay, 35 from Wideopen, and Victoria Catherall, 44 from Benton, who have both worked over 15 years in the finance world before deciding to take the leap into this new venture together. Katy said: “We wanted to do something that we knew we would enjoy and be passionate about.”

Victoria said: “We both had an Ikea bag in the corners of our bedroom full of clothes we wanted to sell but didn’t because of children and work we didn’t necessarily have time to put them on Vinted. So we thought we could be those people, the middlemen.”

The two working mums are now giving other women the freedom to resell their clothes and make money back whilst giving others the chance to buy items they never would have found otherwise.

Second hand clothes and reselling items have lost the stigma from years ago with websites such as Vinted. Finding the time to put things online, sort through items and send items can be time consuming meaning many either go to charity, sit in bags collecting dust or, even worse, end up in landfill. Katy said: “It’s about being able to find second homes for beautiful items that just don’t deserve to be thrown away.”

The process is simple for clients to send an email to arrange a collection date. Victoria and Katy will then pick up the items and begin to sort through what will sell and what won’t. The open dialogue and consignment with clients is what helps develop the trust that has kept clients loyal.

Katy said: “We are always quite upfront and say this is our criteria because we want to be able to have a good collection, we want things to be in good condition.” Victoria said: “We’re actually going through items and choosing what we think will sell well. We do a lot of research to get the best price for the client.”

It’s been a learning curve for them both but a year on, they feel like they know what will sell best for clients and potential online and pop-up customers. Katy said: “When we started we did take everything because we didn’t know what would sell. We are learning as we’re going through and we’ve managed to refine what we take. We’re looking for quality stuff that we know will sell.”

Their first drop-off at Great Park was a huge success as she said: “Ever since that day we’ve never had to do another specific drop off.” Clients keep the girls filled, with only the two of them many have had to be put on a waiting list, but the rotation of stock is a healthy one throughout the range of seasons and sizes meaning there is something for everyone.

Victoria said: “We get a good range of items so sizes fall from 4 to 24s at every age range.” Katy added: “It’s amazing the amount of stuff we’ll take in where it was for an occasion, you change your mind and get something different then couldn’t take it back and it’s sat in the wardrobe for ages. It’s good because it’s got such a mix, not just current trends.”

The ability to sell online and in the pop up shops gives clients the best chance of getting their items sold but also allows the women to reach a wider audience of local ladies, the social and community style of the shop being just as important to them as well the sustainability side.

Victoria said: “That’s why we called it Style Social because we are wanting to sell pre-loved clothes for the sustainability but also we want to have the social side which is why we’ve done one or two day events and had tables set up for people to go to and get a glass of wine or a hot drink. That’s why we love to do this, meeting people, customers and clients.”

For the pop-up shops, Victoria and Katy can give a bespoke experience to customers who pop in as they know their products intimately and are there to help find what they are looking for or even keep an eye out for something that may well just come in. In the shop there are styles that will appeal to everyone that suit those looking for comfort over trend.

Victoria said: “We’re trying to get timeless pieces, stuff that has never gone out of fashion and trying to give that item a second home.” Whilst for those more expensive designer and high-street pieces, Katy and Victoria have found that online is where they sell best.

The ability to try on clothes right there has been more of a struggle for many after Covid with fewer fitting rooms and an increase in online shopping. This part of shopping is something that Victoria and Katy knew they wanted to bring back to their pop-up shops as Katy said: “It’s quite important that people are able to try stuff on.”

Victoria added: “People like to come and see the clothes and try them on and that’s the difference between selling on Vinted and the pop-up shop and events. It’s much nicer to see and try on.” This sense of community is what gives the Style Social its own unique feel, a bespoke sustainable experience for the community, from two working local mums to others.

Victoria said: “It’s given money back to local ladies and it’s helping mums sort their wardrobe and get a bit of extra cash. It was equally important to us, creating a space where women support women.

“We’re proud to be a part of the local community where women can shop, connect and build confidence whilst supporting each other.” While the latest pop up shop has finished, the two are excited for a summer event in July that readers can watch out for on Style Social’s social media.

The two have come a long way from their original idea just over a year ago with their first one day pop up store last June. They have now just finished their fifth pop up event; two housed at the Gosforth Hotel, one in the back room of the café One Eleven, now home to Say When, and their second time visiting Gosforth Central.

The two now have over 100 clients, with many being based in Gosforth and have rehomed over 1,200 items between the pop-up shops and Vinted. The dream is to have a shop of their own. Katy said: “That’s what we want, we want somewhere permanent where people know they can go all the time. That’s the dream.”

Victoria and Katy are proud of the work they are doing but mainly of their community, clients and customers they have met over the last year as Katy said: “We’ve met some amazing people, clients and customers who trust us with their things.”

Victoria said: “Our customers are not only making a sustainable choice but are also helping strengthen the local community and economy. You’re helping the environment but you’re also getting a bargain.”