Top 15 Best Sites for the Second-Hand Shopping

Buying second-hand, what is it?

Purchasing "second-hand" refers to acquiring items that have been used in the past, ranging from brand-new appliances to exceptional vintage finds. Second-hand purchases have skyrocketed in recent years due to the boom in the second-hand market and growing environmental concerns. The French Fashion Institute (IFM) estimates that the value of the country's second-hand clothing market was one billion euros.

Top Best Sites For Second-Hand Shopping. Photo: KnowInsiders.com

Purchasing used clothing and other goods is undoubtedly less expensive. However, did you know that buying used goods offers a ton of other advantages? Let's examine the top 15 websites for anyone who enjoys or wants to start buying used goods.

Benefits of shopping second-hand

Extend the lifecycle of a product

We've long argued that you should think about a product's lifecycle even before you buy it.

When we think about a product's lifecycle, it forces us to evaluate its quality, our intended use (assuming it can be repaired), and our disposal strategy after we've used it to the limit.

Giving it away or reselling it is one way to get rid of a product. You may no longer need it, but someone else may. Instead of adding to the amazing waste by tossing products in the trash, this is a far more sustainable option.

Photo Twitter

Slow down consumption

By slowing down the rate of excessive consumption, extending the lifecycle of products also contributes to a reduction in waste, emissions, unfair wages, and animal cruelty.

We're establishing a circular economy by redistributing and repurposing "would-be" discarded goods to prevent waste from being produced.

There would be less of a demand for new products, which would compel manufacturers to cut back on their output.

In the end, thrift store shopping demonstrates our society's increased resourcefulness.

Encourages community building

The risks of handling people-to-people transactions as opposed to people-to-business transactions were previously discussed.

But that only considers the worst-case situation. With second-hand deals, there are ten more good transactions for every one that goes wrong. Well, that figure was entirely fictitious. It feels about right, though.

What, then, makes these transactions so good? Indeed, exchanging goods and services with others fosters a feeling of community.

Top 15 Most Famous Sites For the Second-hand Shopping

1.ThredUP

Photo Forbes

In general, thredUP stands out among other online retailers offering pre-owned goods. When the website was first launched in 2009, it helped spark the online secondhand clothing movement by offering thousands of clothing items at up to 90% off. ThredUP takes pride in having a wide variety of categories and price points, unlike other platforms. This platform has been tried and tested, and it consistently establishes itself as the most well-known online marketplace for secondhand clothing.

Website: thredup.com

2. Retold Vintage

Photo whowhatwear UK

Retold Vintage is the perfect resale site if you have a more minimalistic style. Its collection includes 90s Max Mara and trench coats from Burberry. Weekly drops curated by founder Clare Lewis are quickly snapped up after they appear on the website; to ensure you don't miss them, be sure to sign up for the Retold newsletter.

Website: retoldvintage.com

3. Urban Renewal

Urban Renewal merchandise is a platform within Urban Outfitters that aims to limit production and consumption through four practices: remnants, one-of-a-kind, vintage, and recycled. Urban Renewal, a brand that does not typically engage in sustainable practices, uses vintage collections and deadstock fabrics to create new designs in the brand's signature style. Every week, UO updates the site with products priced under $100. However, given the relatively limited supply of products branded as Urban Renewal: two pages on the UO site, it appears that this site is still in the works.

Website: urbanoutfitters.com

4. Farfetch Pre-Owned

While a growing number of retailers are now integrating resale onto their sites, Farfetch has long been ahead of the game, launching its pre-owned section back in 2010. Fitting in seamlessly with the rest of its offering, the e-tailer allows you to shop second-hand while enjoying the same luxury experience it provides for those shopping brand new.

READ MORE: Top 15 Most Expensive Clothing Brands in the World

5. Cudoni

Launched in 2015, Cudoni was created with the aim of making second-hand buying and selling as seamless as possible – with experts coming to your home to collect pieces that you’re looking to part ways with. From Marni to Issey Miyake, the site offers a range of luxury pieces at a snip of the original retail price.

Website: cudoni.com

6. Luxury Garage Sale

Photo blogeva

Luxury Garage Sale, based in Chicago, is a designer online thrift store for clothing and accessories.

They sell luxury pre-owned clothing, shoes, bags, and jewelry from top brands all over the world at up to 80% off regular prices. And that's not even getting into the clearance section!

One of the best online thrift stores in the United States, they provide complimentary stylists and ensure that each item is inspected and verified as authentic by in-house experts.

They use a consignment model for sellers and offer pre-paid shipping labels and pickup service in some cities.

Website: luxurygaragesale.com

7. eBay

eBay has been around for a long time and is one of the best online thrift stores ever. While you can buy new stuff there as well, there are plenty of opportunities for thrifting.

Some sellers allow you to return, and others don’t. So, always double check if you’re not sure what you’re buying will fit.

Website: ebay.com

8. Swap

Swap is a standout among online thrift stores because it offers "premium & designer finds, $15 or less."

While that price does not apply to everything in Swap's selection of secondhand women's, men's, plus-size, children's, and babies' clothes and shoes, it does apply to affordability.

It's not difficult to find sweaters and shoes for less than the price of a soy latte.

There's something for everyone with over 2 million unique items and thousands of new items added daily—including those that don't fall into the high fashion category prioritized by other online thrift stores.

Website: swap.com

9. Beyond Retro

Photo sustainablejungle

UK-based Beyond Retro brings the runway show to a close with disco-worthy attire and vintage dazzlers.

The women's and men's online thrift store is a boho fashionista's dream, with clothing ranging from the 1960s to the 1990s. Every week, thousands of items are added, and 90 million items find new homes.

In order to increase that number, they also offer a Reworked Vintage line of upcycled clothing.

Get access to: beyondretro.com

10. Vestiaire Collective

Vestiaire Collective is an online thrifting shop for vintage and high-end clothing and accessories that rescues luxury secondhand goods from the dustbin.

They have one of the most diverse selections of vintage designer clothing online that we've seen, ranging from vintage Levis to eveningwear. While prices vary depending on what you're looking for, there are some great deals to be had.

Vestiaire carefully curates its catalog and checks for authenticity after each sale to ensure quality.

Menswear, kidswear, bags, eco-friendly watches, jewelry, shoes, and athletic gear are all available for thrifting, making them an excellent online thrift store for men.

All pieces include the item's location, allowing you to shop locally and reduce shipping emissions.

Website: vestiairecollective.com

11. Poshmark

Photo From Pennies to Plenty

Poshmark, one of the most popular online thrift stores, is a peer-to-peer thrifting website with an even more popular iPhone/Android app that makes buying and selling used clothes as easy as raiding your older sister's closet.

Simply take a picture, post it, and profit!

Poshmark has over 200 million items from over 5,000 brands and is definitely geared toward the more modern side (with a few gem retro pieces here and there).

They sell everything from Prada to Forever21 and cater to men, women, children, pets, and online thrift store home decor. Although the selection is extensive, you can search for specific items.

Website: poshmark.com

12. Hardly Ever Worn it

Hardly Ever Worn It (HEWI) was founded in 2012 after CEO Tatiana Wolter-Ferguson, her mother Sharon, and sister Natalya realized there were so many pieces in their wardrobe that they had hardly worn. From Chanel minidresses to Jacquemus bags, the website is brimming with treasures just waiting to be discovered.

Website: hardlyeverwornit.com

13. 1stDibs

For those looking to snap up a piece of fashion history, 1stDibs is the site for you. Whether you’re looking for a rare Jean Paul Gaultier dress or a Vivienne Westwood corset, the platform is particularly popular amongst vintage dealers and collectors.

Go shopping at: 1stDibs.com

14. The RealReal

While The RealReal may be based in the US, its vast selection of luxury pieces mean that it’s well-worth trawling through, even from the UK. Just make sure you bear in mind any additional import taxes and custom duties that will need to be paid when buying from the site.

Website: therealreal.com

15. Depop

Depop is one of the most popular online marketplaces for used clothing. It enables users to list their items at a fixed price that can then be purchased via PayPal; sellers then ship the items directly to their customers.

The app and website are designed in the same way that social media platforms are. You can follow friends and other users, and you have a feed that shows you items from your following as well as recommended items based on what you buy and search for.

Website: depop.com

Conclusion

In summary, the proliferation of second-hand shopping platforms in the market can be attributed to consumer efforts to adopt more sustainable lifestyles. For individuals who espouse the principles of zero waste and aspire to adopt a sustainable lifestyle, it is recommended to consider engaging in second-hand shopping as a viable option.

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