Katherine Ryan: "I Rewear Stuff on TV All the time"
Katherine Ryan Talks Saving Money, Mum-Guilt and Imposter Syndrome
Image Source: Photo by John Phillips/Getty Images for eBay UK
Beloved Comedian Katherine Ryan has many talents; comedy, presenting — and apparently she's also a wizz at selling pre-loved fashion on eBay. We sat down with the comedian ahead of hosting the first ever eBay Live where she'll be selling some of her own pre-loved items and designer wear, to talk selling tips, mum-guilt and imposter syndrome.
When Did You Start Selling Your Pre-Loved Clothes on eBay?
Katherine: When I when I was living in Toronto, I was a hustler. I was very drawn towards different ways that I could make money. I was a self—starter and I felt like a little baby entrepreneur. So I started selling things on eBay, probably around 2002, 2003. At that time you had to take photos on a camera, plug the camera in and download the photos to the laptop and make your listing. I always wanted to have extra money and it was wonderful. Now, I'm really excited to be working with eBay just really organically. I've always really leaned into sustainability and pre-loved clothes. A lot of the things that I wear on TV and stage are pre—loved, and I don't keep them.
I think if you're looking to sell things on eBay, there couldn't be a better time because there are no selling fees for pre-loved clothing. Spring is here and I think so many people are doing a wardrobe clear-out. I certainly open my wardrobe sometimes and I feel like I have nothing to wear because it's all, like occasion wear or tracksuits, and I think this is my big opportunity to get rid of a lot of that for a good cause. Obviously, the proceeds from what I'm selling go to charity, but in your own life, if people want to tune in and get something really special or just revamp their wardrobe or be inspired to sell and clear-out their wardrobes, now's the time.
Image Source: Photo by John Phillips/Getty Images for eBay UK
What Are Your Top Tips For Selling Clothes on eBay?
Katherine: On eBay, I would make sure have a really clear photo of the garment, I would also have a really flattering photo of the garment on, it's sort of like when you're shopping online. There are ecommerce sites where I can really see what I'm buying. I like to see it moving, pictures and a really detailed description. Things are a very different from when I started selling, there's AI now that basically writes the listing for you and it will even find similar listing so you can compare and get a really good idea of what your price-point should be. It's really really simple. So, I think the strength lies in just having a clear description, reasonable market price for what you have, and beautiful clear photos.
We Really Admire Your Honest Approach to Motherhood - Do You Ever Feel 'Mum Guilt' When You're On Tour?
Katherine: Oh, yeah. So, I just released a series called "Parental Guidance" where I met loads of families and I found that no matter what's going on in your life, be it professional or personal, so many mums have guilt. Dads seem to forget they have a family — they just check out a lot easier!
It has been challenging but I don't mean to whine or complain about it. I know how much privilege I have — I have a babysitter, now I have a stay-at-home husband so, I know that I have a lot of support. Also, it's 2024 and I have a really creative job where I'm allowed to bring my children sometimes. That wasn't always available to every mother in every industry and it still isn't. I know that I'm lucky, privileged and even I struggle. So, that's why I talk about it because I think other mothers will be like, "Okay, she has everything and she still hasn't slept in two and a half years. So, I'm not going to be so hard on myself."
I like to go all-in with everything that I do. I want to do the best tour that I can do and I really want to work hard. I want to say "yes" to every job, to every corporate awards event, to everything. But I also sleep with my children at the foot of their bed like a dog and I want to hang out with them as much as I can.
"I know that I'm privileged and even I struggle with mum-guilt."
I think it's a really mean lie to tell feminist women, "You can have it all" because I don't think you can have it all at the same time. I think there are seasons in a woman's life. If you choose to be a parent and you do it the way I do it, being a parent will take away from your professional life for a while. It will take away from your autonomy, friendships and maybe even your marriage — but not forever, you can get all those things back on track. So, I think it's just about leaning into the honesty of that, which will hopefully make women feel better about it.
Being a Comedian, We Can Only Imagine, Takes a Lot of Confidence. Have You Always Been This Confident?
Katherine: I certainly wasn't always this confident — I used to be in my 20's. I don't think that is like a peak time for confidence. I think it's very difficult because you're still finding out where you fit. You're just really beginning your career throughout your 20s and everybody, for some reason, thinks they should have achieved more. That was my most difficult time I think, of feeling the most lost and your frontal lobe is still developing. I definitely had confidence crises and anxiety all the time back then.
Image Source: Photo by John Phillips/Getty Images for eBay UK
Then one day, I just found gratitude. When I had nothing, I was a single mom with my daughter, and I didn't have very much but I just thought, "Okay, this negative thinking is just gonna lead you down like gravity and if you look down you're gonna fall over." So, I thought, "What can I look up about and be grateful for?" I was really grateful to have my mental health, youth and physical health because I was only 25 at the time. I thought, "Well, I'm young, beautiful, mentally well and I can do anything. Yeah, my relationships a mess, I have very little money, I can't go back my home country and I just quit my job to take maternity leave — but what can I do?"
"If you choose to be a parent and you do it the way I do it, being a parent will take away from your professional life for a while. It will take away from your autonomy, friendships and maybe even your marriage — but not forever, you can get all those things back on track"
I think that attitude of abundance just attracted more abundance into my life. Now, when I go on stage and I do comedy, I don't care about that. I'm not nervous because if it goes badly, no one gets hurt. It's not the end of the world if people don't think I'm funny — all I really care about is that the people that I love are safe and well. I know it might sound really silly but I took that attitude on when I was 25, and I've never lost it. The more gratitude I have, the more wonderful things come into my life and nobody cares more about your sh*t than you! So, if you think "Oh, everybody's talking about me, nobody likes me." I promise you, no one's thinking about you actually, they are thinking about themselves and their own journey.
Many of Us Have a Bad Habit of Buying New Outfits When There's an Event. How Can We Combat This Urge and Be More Sustainable?
Katherine: It's tricky because the nature of social media makes us feel like we can only wear something once. There is fast fashion that's readily available and affordable, that you can just rush to buy and get that buzz from buying something new. But a lot of the times the piece just sits in your wardrobe forever and eventually goes in a landfill. So, I think trading occasion wear certainly for events around the office with colleagues or with your group of girlfriends is a great way to prevent that.
I do this with my girlfriends all the time, I just got a courier delivery from (comedian) Aisling Bea because I dressed her for Jonathan Ross two weeks ago, but I'll be wearing that dress again. So, we trade outfits all the time, we're very sustainable. But I think the biggest thing too, is to invest in quality pieces. When you're buying clothes really think, "Is this an everyday piece that I can wear again and again?" Don't feel shameful about wearing a beautiful dress twice. So, you've worn the dress to two weddings this summer or you have a lot of friends, and you've been to 40 weddings in the dress this summer. You're not Kate Middleton, what are you going to do?
"I certainly wasn't always this confident — I used to be in my 20's. I don't think that is like a peak time for confidence."
I rewear stuff on TV all the time, I don't even care anymore. I feel like at first, there was this idea that you had to have something new. Now, I think that the trend has changed and people are thinking about things from a sustainable viewpoint. I think that there's more prestige in wearing something twice and having the confidence to be like, "You'll see me at this at every wedding this summer!"
As a Female Comedian, You've Had to Navigate Being The Minority in a Male-Dominated Space. Are There Any Lessons You've Learnt From This?
Katherine: I think in every industry, you'll never be a success doing an impression of someone else. So as difficult as it can be, maybe being from a socio-economic background that's different, an ethnic minority that's different or gender identity that's different — or anything different — I think leaning into those differences are the key. They're the things that make you authentic and make you special. There is a woman online, Chidera Eggerue, who hosts the "Slumflower Hour" podcast. I'm obsessed with Chidera, she's so much smarter than I am. I think it's important to listen to a podcast like that so that you hear those positive affirmations repeated again and again. I think she's an angel. I would say to anyone who feels like they have impostor syndrome, they don't belong or if they need to feel lifted up and inspired, you should listen to Chidera and no one else!
Why Did You Decide to Donate the Proceeds From eBay Live to the Women's Health Information and Support Centre (WHISC)?
Katherine:I became a bit disenchanted with charities for a while because I started really looking into where the money really goes and what some of the top CEOs get paid from it. I started thinking it was a little bit confusing but that's when I turned to grassroots charities. I think really small, local charities get the most work done. They are the most generous, honest and where the most change happens. I also thought about Liverpool because I've always loved performing in Liverpool. I feel a sense of kinship there for some reason. Obviously, I also wanted my charity to be female-focused and I chose them as my favourite charity years ago now. I've seen some of the work that they do and I love them.
Join the live to grab items like Katherine Ryan's Racil floral blazer, previously worn on set for her Netflix comedy-drama series "The Duchess". There will also be pieces from the eBay archive sourced by pre-loved stylist Amy Bannerman, including a D&G vintage rare archive co-ord, "Love Island's" Tasha Ghouri's pink finale dress, Vivienne Westwood orb print cotton jacket and a vintage Varsity jacket.
Aaliyah Harry (she/her) is the associate editor at PS UK. She writes extensively across lifestyle, culture and beauty. Aaliyah also has a deep passion for telling stories and giving voice to the voiceless. Previously, she has contributed to Refinery29, Grazia UK and The Voice Newspaper.
