5 Online Thrifting Platforms for Secondhand Fashion (Part 2)
Whether you’re preparing specifically for Second Hand September or are hoping to add more secondhand finds to your closet in general, online thrifting platforms are some of the most convenient ways to purchase secondhand garments at the moment.
Traditional in-store thrifting (especially if you shop at small, locally-owned stores) is always a great way to get secondhand digs, but if you’re concerned about surging delta cases or simply don’t have the energy to leave the house, thrifting garments online can be a more efficient and targeted means of shopping.
We’ve already covered popular platforms like ThredUp, Poshmark, and the RealReal in part 1 of this installment so in this article, we’re going to dive deeper into more specific and niche online thrifting platforms. Without further ado, here are 8 more online thrifting platforms for secondhand fashion.
1. Swap
Swap is an online consignment retailer that features fashion for all people. They were created in 2013 and are based out of Downers Grove, IL with offices in Chicago and Helsinki, Finland.
Pros:
Large selection of clothes across all genres
Cheap finds (I found a BCBGMaxazria bikini top for just $10)
Smoothing shopping experience: website is easy to navigate & filters are easy to put in place
Cons:
Negative feedback on the selling process (items getting lost, poor customer service)
Variable item quality (just make sure that you’re setting the filter for “new with tags” or “like new” quality and it should work out)
2. Bonanza
Bonanza is an online marketplace that highlights new and secondhand fashion, home, gardening, and art items. They put sellers at the forefront and and really encourage the development of long-term relationships between buyers and sellers.
Pros:
Best platform for sellers; easy to navigate for buyers
Great support and communication
Cons:
Difficult to tell if an item is new or secondhand
Because they put independent sellers at the forefront, there’s less uniformity across policies; make sure to read independent store policies before buying
3. Tradesy
Tradesy is an online consignment shop for luxury goods. They authenticate every item that is listed on their platform and you can shop for clothing, bags, shoes, accessories, and more.
Pros:
Every item is authenticated
Streamlined shopping experience
Great customer service
Working towards more equity and sustainability in terms of how they function
Cons:
Only luxury items
4. Ruby Lane
Ruby Lane is one of the best platforms for vintage lovers. They were founded in 1998 and carry not only vintage fashion, but art, jewelry, decor, and collectibles as well.
Pros:
Extremely unique vintage finds. Think Etsy but even more targeted towards antiques and vintage articles.
“Lanebook” section allows buyers to filter by aesthetic or theme
Highlights independent shops and sellers
Cons:
There are a lot of listings and it can be difficult to sort through
Inconsistent reviews on customer service and communication
Takes a large cut from sellers
5. Vestiaire Collective
If you’re into luxury items, Vestiaire Collective is for you. This online marketplace first launched in Paris in 2009 but has since expanded to New York, Hong Kong, Singapore, and Berlin. This shopping platform mostly functions as an app but also has desktop browsing capabilities.
Pros:
Every item is authenticated by experts
Large selection of luxury items
Notification settings to track items you’re interested in
Option to buy locally to reduce shipping emissions
Cons:
They only sell luxury items
Customer service and communication can be spotty
Some negative customer reviews about goods not matching descriptions
One of the trickiest parts about purchasing secondhand is the variability in quality. You don’t always know what you’re getting and sometimes an item will have defects that you don't notice until after you purchase it. This applies doubly to online thrifting.
Small online thrifting platforms don’t always have the bandwidth to check every single listing in detail and so it’s up to you as a consumer to be inquisitive about your potential purchases.
Regardless of the potential downsides, I still think that shopping online for secondhand garments can be a great way to affordably build up a more sustainable wardrobe. Have you ever used any of these platforms before? What were your thoughts?
