These Are the Best Websites and Apps to Buy and Sell Secondhand Fashion

Posted by admin on Mar 18, 2020

I remember when I was a kid, we would go to the thrift store to buy clothes and I felt ashamed. Back then, shopping secondhand was looked down upon (at least in my experience).

That’s not the case anymore. Consignment is now incredibly trendy, with even Nordstrom hopping on board. A 2019 report from thredUP states that there are more secondhand shoppers than ever before, and projects that the secondhand market will reach $51 billion in 2023. They even go as far as to say that the secondhand market will be larger than fast fashion by 2028 (which seems like a stretch, but fingers crossed?).

Around 80% of a clothing’s environmental impact comes from productions. So buying secondhand means you’re lopping off four-fifths of the emissions and water impact of a typical garment. Buying secondhand also keeps something from going to the landfill, or being shipped back across the world when it doesn’t sell here in the U.S.

Plus, shopping secondhand is not only sustainable, but it’s accessible too. When so many sustainable brands are not able to offer their products at low prices due to the quality and transparency of their supply chains, shopping consignment is a really great option—you can find something no matter what your budget is.

We’re not saying you have to buy everything used, but maybe the next time you’re shopping for something specific, you could check the sites and apps below first to see if you can find what you’re looking for. If all of us transitioned just a portion of our wardrobe to consignment items, that would make a big difference.

So, below are our favorite websites and apps to shop secondhand. Each one is a little bit different, so you’ll probably find one or two that fit best with your budget and style.

thredUP

Website and Mobile App

thredUP is the largest online consignment store and they check their clothing for quality and functionality before shipping them to you. You can expect to find a wide variety of jackets and coats, but they have a lot of filter options to make shopping easier. The most popular apparel and accessories bought and sold on thredUP are mid-range brand names like J. Crew, Free People, Burberry, and more.

To sell on thredUP, you can request a Clean Out Kit—they’ll send you a bag for free, you’ll fill it up with the clothing and accessories you no longer want, send it back to them, and then you get the money once the items are sold.

What makes it different: thredUP has the widest selection of clothes for women and kids at really affordable (read: cheap) prices.

TheRealReal

Website and Mobile App

If you’re looking for luxury, TheRealReal is the place to look. There have been some questions about the effectiveness of its authentication system, but if you receive a fake, you can return it no questions asked. But also, make sure to avoid brands that are the most widely replicated, like Louboutin shoes or a Fendi purse.

To sell on TheRealReal, you get either get a free pre-paid label or schedule a free home pick-up if you’re in one of their 20 approved metro areas. Once their team authenticates your items and they’re sold through the site, you get your commission. Items are sold through the website rather than directly from seller to buyer.

What makes it different: Authenticated luxury with a special emphasis on circularity.

REI Used Gear

Website

We’re big fans of REI’s Used Gear section. You can shop from brands like The North Face, Marmot, Merrell, and their own REI Co-Op brand—all of which have been vetted for their quality and durability. As of right now, you have to bring your old gear to their brick and mortar stores, but they’re currently beta testing a larger trade-in program that will allow REI customers to send back their apparel and gear by mail in exchange for REI gift cards. For more about why we love REI, read this.

What makes it different: This one is for adventurers looking for high-quality outdoor apparel and gear.

See You Tomorrow by Nordstrom

Website and boutique

It’s exciting when such a huge store like Nordstrom implements more circularity into its business model. On See You Tomorrow, you can shop from a selection of previously owned clothing, shoes, and accessories that’s “highly coveted, expertly curated and ever-changing.” As of spring 2020, sellers can only get rid of their goods at their in-store location in NYC.

What makes it different: Everything is curated and in excellent condition.

Rebag

Website and Mobile App

If you’re looking to buy or sell luxury handbags, definitely go with Rebag. You’ll find brands like Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Hermes, Gucci, and more, and all of their handbags are white-glove inspected for the highest quality and authenticity. Their Infinity Exchange program allows you to turn in any Rebag handbag within 6 months in exchange for credit worth at least 70% of its purchase price. Their Clair appraisal index makes sure you get the accurate and fair price for any bag you sell.

What makes it different: Only luxury handbags.

Vestiaire Collective

Website and Mobile App

Vestiaire Collective is another great option for authenticated luxury. They add about 3,000 carefully selected new products each and every day, many of which are considered ‘hard to find’ items. All items are curated and quality checked by their team of experts. You can shop from their Express Delivery section, which includes items that are already authenticated and ready to go.

What makes it different: Authenticated luxury.

Vinted

Website and Mobile App

Vinted is a smaller platform, but still has a huge collection of super affordable pieces. As a seller, you get to have total control over your product photography, description, and pricing—and it’s free to upload and start selling.

What makes it different: Everything is completely done between buyer and seller—nothing goes through the Vinted team. But don’t worry—they have a reliable refund policy if things arrive differently than you expected.

Tradesy

Website and Mobile App

Tradesy is another great place to look for authenticated luxury. In fact, their Authenticity Promise ensures that you’ll get “No Fake Sh*t,” or else they’ll make it right. They provide you with a free, all-inclusive shipping kit and offer free returns.

What makes it different: Includes notes from the previous owner so you can get a better sense of the products’ life before you.

Grailed

Website and Mobile App

Although they do have womenswear now too, Grailed is the only shop on this list that’s primarily focused on menswear. They carry a variety of mainstream brands, streetwear, and luxury fashion, and their team makes sure everything is authenticated. They have multiple protections in place for both buyers and sellers and transactions are done through PayPal.

What makes it different: Focus on menswear.

Material World

Website

Material World says, “This isn’t consignment. It’s a shopping experience that helps foster your personal evolution. Inspiring you to keep your closet lean and your heart full.” A real person inspects every item before it’s sold for authenticity and defects, and they prioritize buying back brands that share their vision for a more sustainable future.

What makes it different: Their Material Box is a personal styling service that delivers pre-owned designer items to you, which you can then either keep or send back. As a seller, you can get paid upfront for items you want to sell.

Depop

Mobile App

Depop actually was originally a social network that allowed users to buy items featured in a magazine, but it has since transitioned to an incredibly popular app for buying and selling. Depop is often the app of choice for stylists, artists, influencers, sneakerheads, and more.

What makes it different: A shopping platform with social network features, focused on a younger clientele.

Tulerie

Mobile App

Tulerie is a peer-to-peer clothing and accessory rental platform. All products in the Tulerie shop are actually owned by the community and available to borrow within the app. As a seller, you can actually earn twice the amount by lending your clothing before you decide to sell it.

What makes it different: Clothing and accessories are only available to rent and return.

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