Fall is right around the corner and as we approach this seasonal shift, you might be considering a few new items for your closet. However, before you head straight to your favorite sustainable brand, ask yourself if the items you’re looking for can be purchased secondhand. 

With Slow Fashion Season still going strong and Secondhand September right around the corner, shopping secondhand first can be a great opportunity to support individual secondhand sellers as well as try on new styles that you might be looking to explore.

Given that thrift shops might still be closed in your region, or if you’re like and are anxious about returning to traditional methods of in-person browsing, secondhand shopping online can be a great alternative. Here are 8 online thrifting platforms for secondhand fashion. (In this post, we’ll be covering platforms that are popular in the US, but in future posts, we will explore alternatives in other countries as well as niche services for your thrifting needs.)

1. ThredUp

If you’re from the US, you’ve probably heard of this San Francisco-based resale company already. ThredUp is an online platform that deals specifically with women’s and kids’ clothing. They’re known for having a large variety of brands and for their Clean Out Kits.

Pros:

• Large selection of clothing across multiple brands and sizes

• Garments are clearly displayed on mannequins and professionally photographed

• Clean Out Kits are a great resource for when you’re looking to organize and minimize your closet

• Option to change settings so that you shop within the local warehouse or option to browse offerings from all locations

Cons:

• Overwhelming to browse because of so many listings. Counter this but inputting very specific searches.

• No detailed images of tears or damages

• Limited to Women’s and Kids clothing

For a more-detailed review of ThredUp, you can check out this post comparing it to Poshmark.

2. Poshmark

Poshmark is arguably ThredUp’s biggest competitor in the US. This platform however, functions less like your traditional online shop, and provides the user with a more community-based experience. While you do have the option to browse through general listings, the magic of Poshmark is the capability to look through a seller’s “closet” for a more curated experience or participate in Posh Parties for niche listings.

Pros:

• Fun, interactive experience if you choose to participate in it

• Option for bargaining with sellers to negotiate your preferred price

• Bundling options give you the experience of purchasing more for less

Cons:

• Only available in the US and Canada

• Larger variation in image and listing quality - you have to spend more time reading about details or checking for damages

• Can be a little time-consuming depending on how involved of a shopper you are

For a more-detailed review of Poshmark, you can check out this post comparing it to ThredUp.

3. Depop

Depop is a cross between social media and online shopping. It is a unique and creative platform that connects users with a strong aesthetic sense. If you are already on Instagram, using Depop will be an intuitive experience.

Pros:

• Simple and intuitive platform (especially if you’re already on Instagram)

• Available in Europe as well as in the US

• Creative and individualized shopping experience

Cons:

• Scammers exist -- it’s not as secure of a platform as something like ThredUP, for example

• Demographic of users tends to be younger

• Quality of clothing tends to be lower

4. Ebay

An oldie but a goodie. Ebay is still going strong as a secondhand marketplace. This platform has been around since 1995 and offers much more than just secondhand clothing. Sure, listings might be confusing to browse, and quality might be a gamble, but if you’re willing to put the time in to browse, you can certainly find some secondhand gems. 

Pros:

• Unique secondhand listings 

• Huge selection of offerings

Cons:

• Difficult to use and disorganized to browse

5. Patagonia Worn Wear

The perfect platform for anyone looking for athleticwear! Patagonia is committed to sustainability and their secondhand shop is just another manifestation of it. Worn Wear allows users to trade in their used Patagonia gear for store credit and gives shoppers access to clothing and technology that still works but at a discounted price. 

Pros:

• Quality gear at a discounted price!

• Option to shop for outdoor gear as well as clothing

• Sustainability built into the company model--we stan!

Cons:

• Specific to Patagonia items

• International shipping dependent on country

6. Facebook Marketplace

This is a platform that I used a lot in college but have since forgotten about. Facebook Marketplace connects individuals or businesses locally and is an intuitive platform to use. It seems that a lot of the secondhand selling on this platform has moved into the form of Facebook groups. A handy way to find communities of sellers in your region is to simply search “online thrift” or “quarantine closet” in the groups search bar.

Pros:

• Localized shopping! You can utilize drop-off and opt out of paying for shipping

• Intuitive platform to use if you’re already on Facebook

Cons:

• More for home-goods and electronics than clothing

7. Etsy

While Etsy is more commonly associated with handmade crafts, you can find your fair share of secondhand (and especially vintage) clothing on this platform. Clothing styles do tend to cater towards a more feminine aesthetic however. 

Pros:

• Unique vintage listings

• Intimate shopping experience

Cons:

• Limited selection of clothing styles, brands, and sizes

8. Mercari

Mercari is a Japanese e-commerce app that currently operates in Japan and the US. It is one of the easiest ways for individuals to sell their secondhand goods.

Pros:

• Simple and streamlined process

• App-based so you can take your shopping experience on-the-go

Cons:

• Small community of sellers 

• Varied listing quality

There you have it--8 online thrifting platforms where you can browse secondhand listings from the comfort of your own home. Remember, that with Slow Fashion Season and sustainable fashion in general, the key is to be mindful of your consumption. This goes with any sort of shopping, but before you make your purchase, give yourself a few days to really ponder over whether or not a garment is something that will really bring you joy.

What are some online secondhand shopping platforms that you’ve used in the past?

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