17 Secondhand Stores to Thrift Clothes Online
The global secondhand market is expected to grow 127% by 2026. With consumers becoming more conscious about the effects of fast fashion on the environment, animals, and workers, they are shifting towards a circular economy that supports regenerative, restorative and renewable business models, in which products are seen as something that is made, used, and reused, instead of disposed of. As 92 million tons of clothes end up in the landfill each year–the equivalent of a garbage truck full of clothes every second–there is no doubt that taking distance from fast fashion, and getting closer to a slow fashion mindset, led by secondhand clothes, sustainable clothing brands and renting clothes, is the future of fashion.
For this reason, I prepared this eco-friendly guide with a list of stores to shop for secondhand clothing online (with a bonus track of physical stores at the end of the list!).
WHERE TO BUY SECONDHAND CLOTHES ONLINE
1.DEPOP
A social shopping app, Depop has globalized Gen Z fashion culture and has been a promoter of young designers and upcycling clothing. You can list items that you are selling, or buy garments from other users.
Its accessibility and “hip” nature, as well as its fusion between shopping app and social media, has made it one of the most popular online thrift stores. In Depop, you can find specific and edgier items. In 2023, the top searches were ballet flats, gazelles, and COS, and the trends were Barbiecore, Gorpcore and Quiet Luxury.
The app is very intuitive, and you can search by category or price range, in addition to the fact that you get recommendations in your feed. Overall, a great option to sell or buy secondhand clothes online.
2. POSHMARK
Just like Depop, Poshmark works as a peer-to-peer social shopping app that’s community-focused, where you can buy and sell used or new clothes. It rests more on the modern or classic side, and even though it’s also used by Gen Z, it’s more popular among Millennial shoppers.
Posting an item to sell is equally easy: you take pictures, you write a description/fill details on that item, and you post your listing. Just like with Depop, you can also sell or buy other items besides clothing. I’ve sold a couple of books through these platforms, for instance, but you can also find home décor, electronics, office and party supplies, home organization products, among many other categories.
3. THREDUP
ThredUp is an online consignment and thrift store, which means it works differently than Depop and Poshmark. In this online secondhand shop, Thredup sends the seller a bag with a prepaid shipping label, which will be send back to them with their gently used clothes, accessories, and shoes that should comply with their accepted brands list. They will proceed to review the seller’s items, choose what they will sell, and send them an offer. The seller has 10 days to accept it or decline it. Whatever’s accepted, will be listed online and you will get certain percentage of the sale when it is purchased. Those products whose offers have been declined, are either donated or recycled by ThredUp.
It can therefore be said that ThredUp is a more curated app that takes care of the whole selling process, from running the website, photographing garments, listing them, storing them, customer care, and returns. This means that buyers are purchasing directly from them, and not to an individual seller. It offers premium brands, mid-priced brands, and low-priced brands, so there’s something for everyone!
4. THRIFTED
Thrifted is a vintage clothing and retro style online shop, that specializes in designer, collectable and unique vintage clothing items. When you buy via their website, you’re buying directly from them, unlike a peer-to-peer model. They don’t usually buy clothes from individuals, unless you have a unique collection of clothes available. Thus, this online thrift shop is more targeted for buyers who want to refresh their closet in an environmentally-friendly way, and not for those who are doing a spring clean.
5. LUXURY GARAGE SALE
Luxury Garage Sale is an online secondhand store to buy & sell authentic pre-owned luxury brands, including Chanel and Christian Louboutin. Their categories include clothing, shoes and jewelry, and all products have a guarantee for authenticity.
This is another platform that sellers can use. The process involves sending the products for their expert team to authenticate them, they send a buyout offer, and proceeds to pay them.
A great secondhand luxury shop to invest in timeless and high-quality pieces that are already circulating!
6. SWAP
Swap is an online secondhand shop where you can find high quality but affordable clothing and shoes for women, men, kids, and babies. Their inventory consists of products from 20,000 different brands, and they add 25,000 new items every day.
7. RETRO AND ME
A vintage shop on Etsy? Yes, please! Retro & Me is a Staunton, VA-based secondhand store, managed by Kristin Redifer, who offers a wide range of clothing, eyewear, accessories, shoes, handbags, toys, books, and more! It has been featured in many TV shows, and the Huffington Post. My favorite items are a few 1960s cat-eyed sunglasses that look as timeless as ever, but every single product is super unique.
8. BEYOND RETRO
Beyond Retro is the largest vintage retailer in the UK, Sweden and Findland. They been selling vintage goods since 2002, mostly focused on trend fashion but with a circular mindset!
They have several stores across these three countries, but they also have an online shop, and you can buy from anywhere, given that they offer international shipping.
You can shop by sport, era, trends, gender, category, and brands, and they also have a Sales section where you can even find items for £10 and under.
9. THE REAL REAL
The Real Real is a consignment online secondhand shop focused on giving a new life to luxury items, that’s why they have a large collection of authenticated designer pieces, from brands like Prada, Gucci, and Burberry. It has more than 34 million members, and sells a variety of products including handbags, boots, scarves, neckties, jewelry, watches, and clothing.
10. RETYKLE
One thing about maternity, baby and kids’ clothes is that they are as short-lived as a sunset. Kids outgrow them, and suddenly you’re left with a bunch of clothes you no longer need. This affects both sellers and buyers. Sellers because they may want to make a profit out of these clothes and keep them circulating in the name of sustainability. Buyers will want to support a circular fashion model because of its affordability and to lower their environmental impact.
Retykle comes to rescue them! With pre-loved and new designer children’s clothing, this platform prioritizes style, quality, and affordability as a commitment to sustainability.
11. WORN WEAR PATAGONIA
It’s not all about trends and cocktail outfits. From one of the most sustainable outdoor brands comes Worn Wear Patagonia, an initiative by this eco and adventurous brand that allows people to trade in or buy gently used Patagonia products for women, men, and kids, as well as packs and gear.
For those of you who are looking to trade in the clothes or gear they no longer use, you can send them to Worn Wear Patagonia. If the items are eligible, you can receive up to 50% of the resale price through credit to use in store or online at both Patagonia or Worn Wear. In contrast, if the items aren’t accepted, they can return it to you or recycle them.
12. EBAY
Ok, this one seems obvious, because they’ve been at our service since 1995, not to mention they were pioneers in the e-commerce and secondhand world. Anything that can be given a second chance can be bought on Ebay, but even with its pristine reputation and long years in the market, it’s worth to mention it. This way, when you are looking to thrift clothes (or whatever product comes to mind), you don’t forget about this online thrift shop.
Another peer-to-peer platform, that offers buyers protection with their policies, as well as real reviews from previous buyers, there’s no doubt why Ebay has withstood the inclemency of time, and the change that comes with it, with firmness.
13. AIRROBE
AirRobe is committed to a more conscious consumption of fashion, and proposes a platform with pre-owned clothing, footwear, and accessories from top brands like Zimmerman. This online secondhand store allows you to buy, sell, rent, or recycle your entire closet! What differentiates them enormously from other thrifting platforms is the use of technology to promote a circular model, which they do by connecting brands and costumers, and providing the user with a virtual wardrobe. This means that, for example, for sellers, they can save their purchased item details and images to their account, and avoid a manual listing.
14. REBAG
Another alternative for luxury secondhand shopping is Rebag, an online store where you can find (or sell!) luxury bags, shoes, clothing, and accessories from more than 50 brands, including favorites like Cartier and Rolex.
They offer three easy selling methods for anyone who wants to give their items a second chance with a new owner: consign, trade, or buyout. They also have retails stores, which means you can buy or sell in-person.
Additionally, they have a wholesale program for B2B buyers or sellers, that offers several benefits, as well as an Infinity Exchange program, where you can buy your dream item and enjoy it for up to 12 months. Afterwards, you can exchange it for store credit worth 50-70% of the purchase price. This way, they keep it circular!
15. VESTIAIRE COLLECTIVE
Vestiaire Collective is a secondhand luxury online shop, to buy and sell designer fashion. They offer a large collection of pre-loved luxury and add more than 35,000 items daily, from clothing, to watches, jewelry, accessories, and kids’ garments. Some of the brands they offer include Bottega Veneta, Chloé, Celine, Balmain, and Hermѐs.
They boast about their team of experts and the six authentication academies across the world, that ensure the items sold on their website are genuine.
If you’re interested in selling through their platform, you can schedule a meeting with their team, who will pick them up, suggest a listing price, and pay you once it is sold.
16. CERQULAR RESALE
Cerqular defines itself as a “circular, sustainable, and ethical marketplace”, where you can find unique eco-friendly products, from vintage, to repaired to made-to-order. Their catalog doesn’t only include clothes, shoes, and accessories, but also tech, wellness, pet, home, food, cleaning, beauty, and kids products. There is a pre-loved section, where you can filter by brands, gender, or trends.
Every item on their platform adheres to a sustainability standard, meaning they are recycled or upcycled products, are from an ethical or eco brands; are cruelty-free, non-toxic and organic; use recycled or compostable packaging; support slow fashion; and create resale and take-back programs.
At Cerqular, you can also find locally made, hand-crafted, and small-batch artisan products, small businesses, and companies who have give-back programs.
17. FARFETCH PRE-OWNED
Farfetch Pre-Owned is Farfetch’s edit to shop for secondhand designer fashion. Make sure to search for whatever you’re looking for in the “pre-owned” category in their website.
You can find the classics like a Birkin bag in its thrifted version, or a Chanel tweed cardigan, but also accessories, shoes, jewelry, and clothing from top luxury brands.
BONUS TRACK: WHERE TO THRIFT FOR CLOTHES IN-PERSON
In case you’re old-school, or prefer to feel, touch, smell, or try your clothes before buying them, your best bet is to go to a physical store. Wherever you are, these are probably good options:
1. Local thrift store
Nothing like your local thrift store to find some secondhand gems! They are the perfect combination of sustainability, affordability, and community, and it’s a great way to support local. Maybe you’ve walked or driven past them, and it’s time you go in. Another way to find that sustainable clothing haven would be to open Google Maps, and write “thrift store” in the search bar, so you can discover new places in your area.
2. Goodwill
A classic. Goodwill is a nonprofit organization that has more than 3000 stores nationwide. They also sell some items online, so they could just be included in the first list. However, I think you can find a lot more if you go to a physical store. The experience itself is thrilling: getting lost in the clothes racks, hunting down those perfect pair of jeans, coming across a one in a million piece. Besides, you will find so much more than clothes: decorations (even for festivities), books, home goods, among many other items.
3. The Salvation Army
Similarly to Goodwill, The Salvation Army is a charitable organization. In their thrift stores, you can donate your things, or buy something you’ve been looking for or need. This charity operates in more than 100 counties, and it has about 8,000 locations in the U.S. only. You can search for their locations on their website, or by writing their name in the Google Maps search bar.
4. Garage sales
These usually arrive to your life by pure serendipity! Perhaps you’re driving, windows down, wind against your skin, and suddenly you see a sign that reads “Garage Sale, Right Around the Corner”. And then you end up with a pair of unique earrings, or a gorgeous red coat.
Wherever you decide to thrift, secondhand clothes are the future! A win-win for you and the environment. I hope these were useful, and you can let me know in the comments if you would add any other tip, or if you’ve shopped at these stores before, and what your experience was like.
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Hi, I’m Melina,
I’m the creator of Sustainable Rookie, and my goal is to share what I learn throughout my sustainability journey, so that I can help other people live a more conscious life.
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