With thrift stores still closed in many states due to COVID-19, thrifting online has become a great alternative. It’s a great alternative to buying new in all instances, and it provides a much larger inventory, allowing you to find more specific items. Whether you are looking to buy a luxury item or simply a few new staples, there are a variety of sites to choose from. In addition, we’re sharing some of our insider tips to help simplify your experience and find exactly what you need.
1. Understand your personal style
One of the most impactful things you can do before shopping online or in person is to identify your signature style. You can use your signature style as a filter to help you shop more strategically and only bring in things that you absolutely love and represent who you are today. If you’d like to fine-tune your signature style and your vision for your best self, be sure to sign up for the waitlist for the Sustainable Wardrobe Academy, which will open again in August.
2. Know your color palette
Along with refining your personal style, you’ll also nail down your own unique color palette. This is helpful for many reasons, especially when you are thrifting online, which can become overwhelming. The color palette will help you stick to colors that work best for you, so you will maximize wear and also have more versatility since items mix and match more easily.
3. Shop strategically
Know your wardrobe inside and out. Decide which key pieces are missing and then shop specifically for those items only. Don’t get sidetracked into buying something you don’t need.
4. Leverage online shopping tools
Filter the apps to match your sizing, price range, brand preferences and even color palette. This allows you to remove some of the noise and prioritize what will work best for you.
5. Don’t rush
Take your time and check in often. A great thing about online thrifting is that many platforms receive new things everyday, so sometimes it pays to wait if you don’t see what you want. Don’t rush to fill a gap in your wardrobe if you can avoid it.
6. Read the fine print
Check the return policies. If you are shopping from a specific seller, make sure you check their return policy and read the fine print! You don’t want to get stuck with an item that doesn’t work well for you.
7. Follow specific users
On sites like Poshmark and Depop (more on those below), if you find someone who sold an item you liked, continuously check back to see what they are selling. If you follow them they will show up in your feed and it will be easy to find items you are looking for.
8. Consider Instagram sellers
While this is a more labor intensive process, there are a lot of great vintage sellers on instagram as well. Same goes for following users you like, if you like someone make sure to check in regularly.
Now for the sites! Here are some great platforms to get you started, whether you are looking for a t-shirt or a vintage ball gown we’ve got you covered.
thredUP: The world’s largest online secondhand shopping destination with thousands of like-new styles from your favorite brands at up to 90% off estimated retail. thredUP functions similarly to most online shopping platforms, you can search by brand or item type. In addition to being able to browse the site for items, they also have “goody boxes” where you can take a style quiz and receive a box tailored to your style.
Poshmark: An app that sells through individual sellers. You can follow specific users to shop their feed and it is very easy to sell items as well.
Depop: Where bloggers, models, and trendsetters shop secondhand. There is also a large vintage reseller community and luxury community. With a bit of searching, you can find unique pieces here.
If you are looking for a more high end experience, there is also a burgeoning market for luxury goods:
The RealReal: One of the more popular high-end pre-loved sites, The Real Real keeps the bar high for the condition of their items. Their stock is constantly updating and they have items ranging from handbags and jewelry to apparel. If you are looking for a designer item, but want to purchase it more sustainably and not spend as much money, this is the place for you.
Vestiaire collective: Vestiaire Collective is the global version of The Real Real, with more unique selections from global sellers. They feature coveted and hard to find items, adding more than 3,000 items daily.
Tradesy: Tradesy is a similar model to The Real Real, featuring designer bags, shoes, and clothes. Everything is authenticated and they have great prices.
Treasures of NYC: This is a high-end secondhand designer store that is curated with unique, vintage pieces. Truly treasures! They have a range from apparel to bags, but this is a great place to check out if you are looking for something a bit more funky.
What Goes Around Comes Around NYC: A blogger favorite, this shop is built on the premise that luxury vintage should be preserved and appreciated for years to come. Their buyers travel the world in order to curate the most unique designer pieces. They feature amazing clothing and bags, and their store in Soho is a great place to visit once things are safer.
As you can see, there are a variety of stores to choose from when looking at thrifting online, so there is something for every budget and taste. We’ve only scratched the surface here, but it’s a great place to get started. You can feel good about thrifting online, as it is one of the most sustainable ways to shop (aside from shopping your closet)! Sign up for our newsletter for more sustainable fashion and lifestyle tips and resources.
