Have you ever shopped at Goodwill or any type of second-hand store? If so, you know what a goldmine those can be. The first time I shopped for second-hand clothes was when I was in college. I think I was putting together a Halloween costume.
Shopping at second-hand stores has come a long way since I was in college. All sorts of people shop for gently used items. Go into any Goodwill and you’ll see people from all walks of life. When my kids were little, I used to shop the church consignment sales like it was my job. I mean seriously, if you’re in the market for baby or toddler clothes, there’s no reason to shop at a retail store. The amount of barely worn or not even worn baby and toddler clothes was insane. Now that they are older, it’s harder to find clothes that are still in decent condition that they’ll wear.
No time to read it now? Pin it for later.
So why all the interest? Any number of reasons:
- trying to shop within a budget and keep costs down
- enjoy older fashion
- can find clothes that have never been worn at a fraction of the price
- pricing can’t be beat
- looking for something specific
- environmental concerns
- makes good sense with constantly growing kids
- brick and mortar shops usually support a charity
- it can be a fun and not costly challenge
Whether you’re looking for clothes, books, shoes, jewelry, accessories, bags or even makeup, second-hand stores shouldn’t be overlooked. There are a few things I draw the line at. I won’t buy used makeup, underwear, bathing suits and shoes are iffy. Maybe it’s a mental thing but hey, every girl’s got her boundaries.
Second-hand Clothing Websites
Second-hand shopping is no longer just limited to brick and mortar stores, a quick Google search will yield a bunch of websites where you can find any number of things. I was familiar with several and discovered a few that are new to me. I also discovered a few that sell things that are still way out of my price range. They also don’t appeal to me but it just goes to show you, you can put together a new outfit in no time and at any price point. *Always check websites for most up-to-date information*.
Swap.com
This website has been around for 6 years, I think this is the first ‘online resale store’ I discovered. I first discovered them when looking for second-hand clothes and toys for my small children. They have kids, mens and womens clothing as well as toys, movies, books, outdoor equipment and more. Ready to browse and see what you can find? Start here.
Pros:
- large selection
- easy to navigate website
- they have an app
- free shipping on orders over $60
- returns for store credit on items you changed your mind on or didn’t fit
- returns for refund if items were damaged, misrepresented, incorrect, missing, etc.
- transactions are direct with Swap.com
Cons: This is the most similar to shopping at a regular online retailer.
ThredUp
I discovered ThredUp a few years ago when I was searching for a cocktail dress for an event. The dress was most likely going to be a ‘wear it once and then let it sit in the closet’ piece of clothing so I didn’t want to spend a lot of money. The dress arrived, I’ve now worn it three times and it’s now named my ‘little black dress’. ThredUp also has a “Goody Box” option that’s the same concept as Stitch Fix, if you’re familiar with that. You set up a profile and they send you a box of clothing, keep what you like, send back what you don’t. I tried it twice and wasn’t pleased with either box I received.
Pros:
- large selection
- easy to navigate website
- they have an app
- 20% off first purchase when you sign up
- free shipping on orders over $89
- 14 days to return items
- goody box option available
Cons:
- $1.99 per item restocking fee for returns
Poshmark
I first heard of Poshmark on Pinterest. Poshmark is basically an online consignment site where transactions are handled between buyer and seller. You can buy and sell clothing, shoes, purses, accessories, makeup? I’m going to have to draw the line at makeup but if you want it, you can get it. Ready to browse and see what you can find? Start here.
Pros:
- large selection
- easy to navigate website
- they have an app
- you can sell your own items and then use those credits for purchases
- buyers can leave feedback/ratings on sellers
Cons:
- All sales are final. But maybe not quite. When you receive your purchase, if it’s not what was described, you can work with Poshmark to return the item to the seller for a full refund
- you do have to pay for shipping
- sellers have up to 7 days to ship
Vinted
I had never heard of Vinted before I decided to hunt for second-hand clothing. It’s another online consignment site. Ready to browse and see what you can find? Start here.
Pros:
- large selection
- easy to navigate website
- they have an app
- buyer can message with the seller before purchase
- buyers can leave feedback/ratings on sellers
- you can save on shipping by choosing sellers that are located near you
- you can swap items with sellers
Cons:
- sellers have up to 5 days to ship
- you do have to pay for shipping as well as a ‘buyer protection fee’
- sales are final unless what you received wasn’t what was described in the listing. returns will be handled through Vinted.
Tradesy
Time to go upscale y’all! If you’re looking for a higher priced item, check out Tradesy. It’s a luxury online consignment site for women – no mens or children’s items but they do have wedding stuff. Ready to browse and see what you can find? Start here.
Pros:
- large selection
- easy to navigate website
- they have an app
- any returns are handled through Tradesy and not the individual seller
- you can message with the seller before you purchase
- items are authenticated by Tradesy however if you feel your purchase is a replica, you can send it to Tradesy for review
- they offer personalized (in your own home) styling services
- shipping charges are included in the price of the item
- can return items
Cons:
- sellers have up to 10 days to ship
- returns for site credit, not money back
Vestiaire Collective
More upscale stuff y’all! Vestiaire describes themselves as a luxury resale store and they have more than just clothes. They’ve got decor, pet stuff, technology, etc. I’ll be honest, this is way out of my budget. Ready to browse and see what you can find? Start here.
Pros:
- $20 off your first order
- authenticity and quality checked
- you can negotiate the price
Cons:
- you must establish an account (give them your email address) before you can start browsing
- returns depend on if you purchased from an individual seller or a professional seller
- you do have to pay for shipping and in some cases, customs fees (if the item is from an international location)
I’ve been shopping online long enough to know I can’t buy pants or jeans online. I definitely have to try them on first and if you have a short return window or don’t get a full refund, it makes sense to know your limitations. I must have a wonky shape or something because my pants size is different from one store to the next and it’s extremely rare for me to find a pair of pants that actually fit correctly.
When shopping online, I recommend paying attention to the name brand and the price. I’ve seen plenty of items for resale that are Target, Kohl’s, Old Navy brands that are priced higher than what you’d find in the store. Just be aware.
When your own clothes and shoes have served their purpose, don’t throw them away. You can discover some out of the box solutions for used clothes and shoes in this post.
If you’ve never given second-hand clothing a shot, I encourage you to take a look at some of these websites to see what’s available. Which one are you going to start with? If you’re accustomed to shopping online for second-hand clothing, which is your favorite site? If it’s one I didn’t mention, don’t keep it a secret, let me know in the comments!
Make it a green day!
~ Heather
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