Shopping for secondhand clothing online is quickly becoming one of the most popular ways to reduce your environmental impact. Not only do you get access to a wide selection of items that are often cheaper than new, but you can also support small businesses and local communities with your purchase.
You no longer have to worry about finding the perfect vintage item or sifting through racks at a second-hand store; online thrift shopping has it all. With more ethical fashion brands popping up and an influx of sustainable materials, the world of thrift shopping is more vibrant and stylish than ever before. From designer brands to unique pieces, there’s something for everyone who wants to be part of the circular economy, which is why in this article, we discuss some of the best online thrift stores for second-hand items available.
How does thrifting make a difference?
Thrifting is a great way to make a positive difference both economically and environmentally.
Textile waste is a growing concern in the United States, with an estimated 11.3 million tons of clothing, sheets, towels, and other textiles ending up in landfills every year. This amounts to over 34 billion pounds of used textiles annually, corresponding to an average of 81.5 lbs per person thrown away each year. Textile waste can come from discarded clothing, which ends up in landfills, but it can also occur at the production stage when factories overproduce and create excess clothing far beyond what’s necessary or what will get sold.
Unfortunately, only 15% of these textiles are reused or recycled. The remaining 85% continue to pile up in landfills and consequently take decades to decompose. As such, we must consider alternative solutions to this mounting problem if we want to sustainably manage our resources and reduce our environmental footprint.
Shopping secondhand not only helps the environment by reducing waste, but it also helps to keep money in people’s pockets as thrifted items are usually much cheaper than their brand-new counterparts. Additionally, when you buy new clothes from fast fashion retailers like Zara or H&M, you’re helping support companies that often employ workers in sweatshops with poor working conditions and wages that are below living standards. But when you shop from an online thrift store, your money goes towards a more ethical brand that generally sources materials from sustainable sources and pays its workers fair wages.
Best Online thrift stores in the US
As the demand for sustainable and eco-friendly practices continues to rise, so does the interest in online thrift shops. Online thrift stores have grown exponentially in recent years, expanding their offerings and increasing the convenience of shopping secondhand. Not only do online thrift shops provide a cost-effective way to stay trendy while supporting sustainable practices, but they also make it easier than ever to find unique items.
Budget Finds
Swap
Swap is an online thrift store that offers unique, quality secondhand clothing and accessories at an affordable price. The store specializes in premium and designer finds, with most items priced under $15. Furthermore, shoppers can take advantage of free shipping on orders exceeding $80, offering an even greater incentive to shop at the store. Swap carries a wide selection of items, including women’s, men’s, plus-size, kids’, and babies’ clothes and shoes. With over two million unique items available and thousands of new items added daily, there is something for everyone to find on the site.
What sets Swap apart from other online thrift stores is its affordability. Many of the items are sold for far less than you would expect from brands – making them an ideal choice for budget-conscious shoppers looking for quality used clothing. Plus, with offices in both the US and Europe, it’s easy to find something no matter where you live.
One downside to shopping at Swap is that due to a surge in interest recently, they are currently only accepting item submissions through invite. This means that if you have an item you’d like to sell or trade in for credit towards another item on the site, you’ll need to get on their waiting list first before being able to do so.
Overall, Swap is an excellent option if you’re looking for affordable online thrift stores with quality secondhand items. With great deals on both new and used clothing and accessories available at prices that won’t break your budget, it’s worth checking out!
Poshmark
Poshmark is an online thrift store that allows for shopping for a wide range of items. Whether it’s clothing, accessories, home decor, or even pet items, Poshmark has something for everyone. Poshmark offers an enjoyable online shopping experience as evidenced by its large community of satisfied customers.
The best part about shopping at Poshmark is the ability to utilize their “offer/counter-offer” feature which encourages buyers and sellers to negotiate prices. This ensures that customers are getting the best deal possible. Furthermore, shoppers have the option to search through the collection by size and style which makes finding a favorite item more convenient.
Luxury Garage Sale
Luxury Garage Sale is the best online thrift store for those who are looking for designer clothes, shoes, bags, and jewelry at a fraction of the price. The website offers an extensive selection of luxury second-hand items from top brands around the world with discounts of up to 80 percent off regular prices.
The company goes to great lengths to ensure that all its items are authentic and verified by in-house experts before they reach customers’ hands. Furthermore, shoppers can take advantage of complimentary stylists to help them pick out the right outfit or accessory.
For sellers, Luxury Garage Sale has made it incredibly easy to process orders. With its consignment model and pre-paid shipping labels plus pickup services available in some cities, it makes selling old clothes or accessories a breeze. Plus, with their weekly drops, you won’t want to miss out on the chance to get unbeatable deals on new listings.
Sustainable business models
ThredUp
ThredUp is an online thrift store that offers consumers a unique way to shop for secondhand clothes. With over 52.6 million sellers and millions of items from 35,000+ brands, it’s easy to find something that fits your style and budget. The platform offers shoppers a variety of ways to buy and sell used garments with ease.
The ThredUp Clean Out Kit provides a great way for shoppers to start selling their old clothes. Simply fill the giant polka dot bag with clothing from the accepted brands’ list and ship it back to them for free. Upon receipt, they professionally photograph the items on mannequins allowing interested buyers to view how something might fit them before purchase. This helps take away some of the worry associated with buying second-hand clothes online.
Once sold, these funds can either be kept as cash or exchanged for store credit or even other sustainable retailers like Reformation via their UPcycle program. Anything not accepted will either be sent back or responsibly recycled; helping reduce consumer waste in the fashion industry and promote sustainable practices at all times.
If you have other goals in mind, like helping out a good cause, then ordering a Donation Kit from them might be the best option for you. The same process applies but instead of receiving any profits from your sales earnings, they donate $5 to whichever charity you choose
Overall, ThredUp is an excellent resource for finding quality designer brands at affordable prices without having to break the bank, making this online thrift store one of the most popular thrifty online stores around.
Patagonia Worn Wear
Patagonia Worn Wear is one of the best online thrift stores for adventurers. The marketplace offers gently used Patagonia clothing for men, women, and kids, as well as used outdoor gear at slashed prices. Shopping secondhand on this online store is a great way to save money while still getting quality designer items.
The website layout of Patagonia Worn Wear is clean and simple, making it very easy to navigate through all the different categories of products available on the site.
The Patagonia Ironclad Guarantee ensures that customers can take full advantage of their purchases. Not only do they offer free repairs on any item you purchase, but they will even replace it if it cannot be repaired. This makes buying second-hand all the more advantageous as you get the same quality as buying brand-new items but at a much lower price.
What’s more, if you already have some Patagonia items that you don’t wear anymore, you can exchange them for store credit in the form of e-gift cards which makes buying other amazing designer items all the easier.
What makes Patagonia Worn Wear stand out among other online thrift stores is its dedication to sustainability and corporate responsibility. They are a part of the 1% for the Planet initiative, which helps fund environmental nonprofits that are making a difference in our world.
Expansive Selection
Esty
Etsy is an online marketplace for creatives and curators, offering a wide selection of handmade, upcycled, and vintage items at reasonable prices. As an online thrift store, Etsy provides shoppers with access to sustainable and recycled fashion from around the world. Etsy takes the concept of “shopping secondhand” to a whole new level by making it easy for sellers to list their products and for buyers to discover them on the platform.
Shoppers have plenty of helpful filters when browsing available items such as estimated arrival time, ordering options, special offers, and location. Additionally, product pages provide information on how many of each listing are available as well as how many people have it in their carts — allowing quick action before the item is gone. Reviews are also available per product which provides shoppers with thorough feedback from other buyers while making their decision.
The checkout process is straightforward and secure so you can feel confident in your purchase. Shipping costs vary depending on the seller but they are generally quite reasonable; returns policies also vary between sellers but most offer them if you aren’t satisfied with your order when it arrives.
Etsy has become a great online platform for discovering sustainable fashion pieces that are handcrafted or upcycled from around the world at reasonable prices. With its extensive selection of items and helpful product reviews from shoppers, Etsy makes shopping secondhand a breeze.
eBay
eBay is a one-stop online thrift store for those looking for affordable options when it comes to buying secondhand clothes. Since 1995, the California-based multinational company has revolutionized e-commerce and reshaped the secondhand economy by providing one of the biggest selections of used clothing and accessories from all around the world.
eBay makes thrift shopping quick and easy with its user-friendly platform, which allows shoppers to filter through its vast catalog of items according to size, style, price range, and more.
EBay
also has strict policies in place to protect buyers from fraudulent or dishonest sellers. Sellers are carefully vetted and monitored to ensure that customers receive only genuine products at great prices. The customer service team is available 24/7 to answer any queries or provide assistance if necessary.
Plus, eBay provides extra incentives for shoppers such as discounts on shipping costs if items are purchased together, and rewards points for frequent shoppers. It’s an ideal marketplace for thrifters looking to score deals on lightly used or vintage clothing at unbeatable prices.
Goodwill
Goodwill is one of the most popular thrift stores online and offers an excellent selection of second-hand goods at unbeatable prices. They have a great selection of clothes, electronics, musical instruments, home goods, art and crafts, gaming systems, jewelry, and more.
The website itself has a simple layout which makes it easy to navigate. You can search for items by category or you can use keywords or browse through the categories to see what’s available. Shipping is also very fast and reliable so you can make sure your purchases arrive on time.
One of the best features of Goodwill’s online store is its competitive pricing. It’s a cheap online thrift store that offers discounts from time to time as well. The quality of the items is also generally good and there is a wide variety to choose from.
Designer wear
The Real Real
The Real Real is a designer online thrift store that offers consigned, pre-owned luxury items. Their selection of designer clothing, accessories, and jewelry is second to none. From Gucci to Alexander McQueen, The Real Real carries a plethora of sought-after brands – all at a fraction of the price.
One of the reasons why customers come back is because they can trust the authenticity of the products they buy. Every item sold on their website has been authenticated by their team of skilled authenticators. Plus, new luxury items are added to their site daily – so customers can keep coming back for more great finds.
Shoppers can also get peace of mind knowing that every purchase comes with a money-back guarantee. If your item isn’t as described or turns out to be counterfeit, you’ll get your full purchase price refunded no questions asked.
The Real Real also offers consignment services for sellers who want to offload their luxury items without having to deal with the hassle of selling them themselves. Not only will you get paid quickly, but their team takes care of all the paperwork and shipping for you – making it incredibly easy and stress-free.
Rebag
Rebag is one of the most unique clothing thrift stores on the web. Whether you’re looking for designer backpacks, professional totes, or luxury accessories and jewelry – Rebag has it all. Plus, they go a step further to help promote the circular economy by allowing individuals to sell their secondhand bags on their platform, as well as offering an Infinity Exchange program that allows customers to return any bag within 12 months for credit worth 70-80% of its purchase price.
The selection at Rebag is vast and diverse, featuring renowned brands as well as other lesser-known labels. You can even find watches from some of the world’s leading watchmakers like Rolex and Cartier. Their prices are competitive and they offer frequent discounts – including up to $200 off your first purchase – plus a tiered rewards program that gives customers even more savings when shopping with them again.
Shoppers will also appreciate the convenience of Rebag’s 7-day return policy upon arrival if your purchase doesn’t live up to expectations. They also have free shipping in the U.S., making your shopping experience that much easier.
App experience
Depop
Depop is an online thrift shopping platform that offers the perfect blend of social media and marketplace. It has quickly become a go-to for fashion-forward shoppers, who are looking for unique pieces at competitive prices.
What sets Depop apart from other marketplaces is its comprehensive selection – everything from vintage finds to contemporary pieces from up-and-coming designers can be found on the app. The platform also provides helpful filters so you can easily narrow down your search, making it easier to find just what you’re looking for.
The app also has a social networking element, with users being able to follow one another and comment on each other’s items. This adds an interesting layer to the shopping experience and gives users more insight into sellers before they purchase anything.
Flyp
Flyp is an online thrift store that facilitates the process of selling used clothes, shoes, and handbags. It connects people with independent professional resellers who help to sell their items on multiple thrift platforms.
The process is simple: all you need to do is take a picture of each item you want to sell, and then Flyp’s pro sellers will apply to sell your clothes. You can choose your preferred seller based on their price estimates, after which Flyp provides you with a shipping label so that you can send your items directly to the pro seller. The pro seller will then post these items on multiple thrift platforms for sale, and when they are sold, he/she will send you back the profits (minus their commission).
Flyp does not accept non-branded or fast fashion labels like Forever 21 and H&M. Instead, only good-condition clothes, shoes, and handbags are accepted. Although their 30%-50% fees may be a little higher than other services out there, they take care of everything for you; including shipping fees and handling of the packing and shipping of the item to the buyer. An added benefit is that pro members can set their commission rate.
Online vintage clothing store
Urban Renewal
Urban Renewal is an online vintage clothing store created by the popular brand, Urban Outfitters.
The store has been around since 1983 and its commitment to upcycling shows in its selection of used clothing. You can easily find high-quality items at low prices while still having the assurance that they will last you a long time. Urban Renewal also makes sure that all its products are ethically sourced so you can trust that no one was harmed in the production process.
In terms of design, Urban Renewal’s website is simple and easy to use. The website allows users to quickly find what they are looking for without any hassle. Moreover, the product pictures are clear, making it easier to decide if an item is right for you or not.
Urban Renewal prides itself on being an ethical shopping destination as well. The company sources used items from charity shops, thrift stores, and other outlets that have quality garments needing a second chance at life. This helps support local communities while providing customers with an affordable alternative to fast fashion brands.
Refashioner
Refashioner is an online vintage clothing store that takes thrifting to a whole new level. With their extensive selection of unique, second-hand items, you can be sure to find something that speaks to your style. The full range includes pieces from pre-1940s eras in addition to contemporary fashion.
The clothes at Refashioner are all carefully chosen for quality, authenticity, and uniqueness. Every item comes with stories from previous owners, and the company intends to shatter stigmas attached to “pre-owned” clothing by simply referring to it as “owned” clothing. This philosophy brings out the personality and nostalgia of each piece while adding a personal touch that sets them apart from other online vintage stores.
And if you’re looking for a more personalized experience, Refashioner also offers private shopping sessions where customers have the chance to spend time with items in hopes of finding the perfect piece for their wardrobe. The clothes are sourced from theatrical collections and estate sales which offer rare finds like collectible designer pieces or one-of-a-kind gems.
Vestiaire Collective
Vestiaire Collective is an online vintage clothing store that offers a wide selection of secondhand luxury goods. They are the perfect destination for anyone looking for unique, high-end items at a fraction of the original cost.
The selection includes menswear, kidswear, bags, eco-friendly watches, jewelry, and shoes as well as athletic gear. Prices vary depending on what you’re after, but there are some good bargains to be had. Moreover, due to their careful curation process, customers can be sure that every item is of top-notch quality and 100% authentic.
The best part about Vestiaire Collective is that they enable customers to shop locally and minimize shipping emissions. Every piece of clothing has its location indicated so you can find items near you if you wish.