The Ultimate Guide to Thrift Shopping Online
I have officially entered my online thrifting era, and at this point I’m not sure there’s any going back.
I’ve always loved the idea of shopping secondhand, but admittedly, I don’t always have the patience to walk into an actual thrift store and dig through rack after rack hoping something good appears. Online thrifting, on the other hand? That I can get behind.
I’m currently addicted to Depop, and once you figure out how to actually search for what you want, there is SO much good stuff out there. I’ve found pieces from brands I already love, things from past seasons I missed the first time around, and plenty of clothes I probably would have talked myself out of buying at full price.
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It’s also just a fun way to shop. Instead of seeing the exact same new arrivals everyone else is seeing, you really never know what you’re going to find.
That said, online thrift shopping can also become an endless sea of random clothes very quickly. So if you want to find the good stuff without scrolling for six hours, here are the tricks I’ve picked up along the way.
Why Shop Secondhand Online?
Obviously, saving money is a big part of the appeal.
But I actually think my favorite part is being able to shop beyond whatever happens to be in stores right now.
Maybe you loved a dress from two summers ago. Maybe your favorite jeans were discontinued. Maybe you suddenly decided you need a very specific vintage leather jacket. When you start shopping secondhand, you have years and years of clothes to choose from instead of just whatever brands are currently trying to sell you.
And unlike shopping at an actual thrift store, you can search by brand, size, color, style and price without physically digging through hundreds of things that were never going to fit you anyway.
I also think it makes it easier to be a little pickier about quality. If I have a certain amount I want to spend on a sweater, for example, I can look for cashmere or wool secondhand instead of buying something brand new in a cheaper fabric for around the same price.
The Best Places to Thrift Shop Online
There are SO many places to buy secondhand clothing online now, and they definitely aren’t all good for the same things.
Depop
This is the one I’m currently addicted to.
Depop is especially good if you’re looking for trendier pieces, vintage-inspired clothes, cool jackets, denim, bags and things that feel a little more unique than what you’re going to find scrolling through a regular retailer.
The best part is that once you start shopping, searching, liking, purchasing, the algorithm starts to "get" you and your feed becomes just a bunch of things that you will want in your closet immediately. It's dangerous! In the best way.
Also, check the seller’s other listings when you find something you like. Chances are if you like one thing in their closet, they might have other pieces that fit your style too.
Poshmark
Poshmark is one of the first places I check when I know the exact brand or item I’m looking for.
It’s really good for finding clothes from brands you already shop, especially pieces from previous seasons. If something sells out before you buy it or you regret not grabbing it when it was available, search Poshmark before giving up.
I also like that making offers is such a normal part of shopping there. You definitely don’t have to automatically pay the listed price.
eBay
Never underestimate eBay.
It might not have the cool factor of some of the newer resale apps, but there is an absolutely massive amount of secondhand clothing on there.
I especially like it when I’m looking for something really specific because there’s a decent chance someone, somewhere, is selling it. It can also be really good for vintage pieces, designer items, bags, coats and older styles from brands you already know you like.
The RealReal
If you’re looking for higher-end designer pieces, The RealReal is worth checking.
This is less of a “let me find a $12 cute top” situation and more of a place I’d look if I wanted a designer bag, shoes, coat or other investment piece without paying the original retail price.
Just because something is secondhand doesn’t automatically mean it’s cheap, though. I still compare prices and make sure the discount actually feels worth it.
ThredUp
ThredUp is basically an online thrift store on a massive scale. Instead of buying directly from individual sellers, you can browse tons of secondhand clothes from different brands all in one place.
I like it best when you already have a few brands in mind because the filters make it much easier to narrow down the HUGE selection by size, brand, price and condition. It’s a good option if you want the deals and variety of thrifting without dealing with individual sellers or making offers.
Mercari
Mercari is a little bit of everything, which can be good and bad.
There’s plenty of clothing, shoes, bags and accessories, and I’ve found it’s worth checking when I’m searching for an exact item because sometimes the same thing will be listed there for less than it is somewhere else.
This is another site where I’d search for what I want rather than rely on browsing.
Curtsy
Curtsy is very similar to Depop, but it seems to lean more Gen Z / trendy IMO. So if your style is not mainstream and trendier and more edgy and vintage, you probably won’t like Curtsy.
I also see less super cheap finds on there and more like $30-$50 range. BUT the stuff is really cute. Like shopping at Revolve but for way cheaper.
How to Find Better Stuff When Thrifting Online
I think this is where online thrifting either becomes really fun or really overwhelming.
If you open an app and just start scrolling through thousands of listings, you could be there until next Tuesday. Having at least some idea of what you want makes the whole thing so much easier.
Get Specific About What You're Searching For
Typing something incredibly broad like “cute sweater” into a resale app is basically asking to be shown the entire internet.
The more specific you can get, the better.
Instead of searching for a sweater, I might search for an oversized gray cashmere sweater. Instead of a bag, I might look for a brown suede shoulder bag. You can add the brand, material, color, silhouette or even the era you’re looking for.
Materials are especially helpful when you’re thrifting because you can sometimes find MUCH nicer quality pieces for what you would have spent on something new.
Try searching cashmere, 100% wool, silk, linen, suede or genuine leather along with whatever type of item you’re looking for.
Search for Brands You Already Love
One of the easiest ways to get into online thrifting is to stop treating it like a completely different way of shopping.
Search for the same brands you already buy.
You already have some idea of the sizing. You already know you like the style. And there’s a very good chance people are reselling pieces from those brands that are barely worn.
This is also one of my favorite ways to find things I missed the first time around. If you remember a dress or jacket from a previous season that you loved but never bought, search the brand and a description of the item and see what comes up.
You might be surprised.
Search for the Exact Item Before You Buy It New
This has become one of my go-to shopping tricks.
If I’m looking at something online that I really like but the price is making me hesitate, I’ll search for that exact piece secondhand online before buying it.
Screenshot the product, then google image search it and see if it pops up on any online thrift stores.
If that doesn’t work, then just copy the product name. Search the brand. Describe the color. You can even search using the style number if the retailer lists one.
Sometimes nothing comes up. Other times, there it is in your size for significantly less.
This works especially well with brands that have a huge resale market.
Use the Beni Extension Before You Pay Full Price
Take this to the next level. This is SUCH a good hack, especially if you’re someone who shops online a lot.
Beni is a browser extension that basically helps you check the secondhand market while you’re shopping regular retail sites.
I use it a lot when I’m shopping for wedding guest dresses.
I’ll find a dress I love and before I convince myself I need to spend whatever ridiculous amount it costs for something I’m probably wearing to one wedding, I can use Beni to see if the same dress, or something similar, is being sold secondhand somewhere else in my size.
It saves you from having to manually open Depop, Poshmark, eBay and every other resale site and search them all individually.
And even if I don’t find the exact dress, sometimes seeing similar options secondhand is enough to stop me from impulse buying the expensive one.
Basically, if you’re about to spend a decent amount of money on something new, it takes two seconds to see if someone else is already selling it for less.
Shop Off-Season
This is the same trick that works with regular shopping.
If everyone is suddenly looking for leather jackets in October, you're competing with a lot more shoppers.
Looking for coats in spring, swimsuits at the end of summer and holiday dresses in January might not be as exciting, but that's when other people are cleaning out their closets and you're not fighting everyone else for the same pieces.
What I Like Buying Secondhand
Technically you can thrift just about anything, but there are definitely certain categories I find myself checking secondhand more than others.
Clothes and Accessories I Always Check Secondhand First
Coats and jackets are a big one because you can find really nice materials and brands for so much less than retail.
Same with sweaters. I would much rather find a secondhand cashmere or wool sweater than spend the same amount on a brand-new polyester one.
Bags are another fun category because styles come back around constantly. The bag everyone suddenly wants this year might look suspiciously similar to something people were carrying 15 years ago.
I also love secondhand shopping for occasion clothes. Wedding guest dresses are the perfect example. We all buy these dresses, wear them for approximately five hours, take 400 pictures in them and then decide we can never wear them to another wedding because everyone has already seen them.
There are a LOT of barely worn dresses floating around the resale market for exactly that reason.
Denim, leather jackets and trendier pieces I’m not sure I’ll love forever are also high on my list.
What I'm More Careful About Buying Secondhand
I’m not saying I would never buy these things, but there are definitely categories where I want more information before ordering.
Shoes are one. A pair that has been worn once is very different from a pair where someone has already molded the entire footbed to their feet.
Someone’s old sneakers? Like noooo thank you.
I’m also cautious with white or very light clothing if there aren’t enough detailed photos. A tiny stain might not show up in a listing photo.
And if the item is inexpensive to begin with, check the total after shipping. Paying $14 plus $9 shipping for a used basic top that costs $25 new probably isn't the thrift score of the century.
How to Avoid a Bad Purchase
The obvious downside to online thrifting is that you usually don't have the same experience you'd have ordering something brand new from a major retailer.
You can't assume everything is returnable, condition varies and sizing can be tricky. I do a little more investigating before I buy anything, especially if I'm spending more money.
Always Check Measurements
Secondhand sizing can be all over the place, especially if you’re buying vintage.
Even with current brands, clothes can shrink, stretch or be altered.
If measurements are included, compare them to something you already own that fits you well. If they aren't included and the item is final sale, ask.
I especially would not trust the size on the tag alone when buying vintage. A vintage size 8 and a current size 8 can be two very different things.
Check the Total Price, Not Just the Listing Price
Something being listed secondhand does not automatically make it a good deal.
Before buying, I usually want to know what the item originally retailed for, what condition it's in and what similar pieces are currently selling for.
And don't forget shipping and fees.
A $40 listing can very quickly become a $55 purchase, and suddenly the brand-new version that's currently on sale for $65 starts looking a lot more appealing.
If you're shopping on a platform that shows sold listings, those can also give you a much better idea of what people are actually paying versus what sellers are asking.
Look Closely at the Condition
Look at all the photos. Zoom in. Read the entire description.
If you're spending more money, don't be afraid to ask questions.
Has it been altered? Are there any stains? Is there pilling? Does the zipper work? Is there damage that isn't showing up well in the photos?
This is especially important when a listing uses words like “good condition,” because everyone's definition of good condition is apparently not the same.
Check the Seller and Return Policy
I always want to know who I'm buying from and what happens if something goes wrong.
Check the seller's ratings and reviews, especially if you're buying something expensive. And find out whether returns are allowed before ordering rather than after something shows up and you hate it.
Some resale purchases are final sale, so don't shop with the assumption that you can always send something back.
Be Extra Careful With Designer Items
If you're spending serious money on a designer item, I would be much more cautious about where I buy it.
I prefer platforms that have authentication processes or otherwise give you some protection if an item turns out not to be authentic.
And if a deal on a designer bag seems WAY too good to be true, I would not take that as evidence that I have suddenly become the world's greatest thrifter.
How to Save Even More When Shopping Secondhand
Finding something secondhand is already usually cheaper than buying it new, but that doesn't necessarily mean you have to pay the first price you see.
Make an Offer
One of the perks of resale sites is that the listed price isn't always the final price.
If a platform allows offers, use them.
I don't think you need to agonize over this. Make an offer that you'd genuinely be happy paying while still remembering there is an actual human on the other side trying to sell the thing.
If something is listed for $80, offering $65? Sure.
Offering $17 and hoping they admire your negotiating skills? Probably not.
Bundle Items From the Same Seller
Always check the seller's other listings before you check out.
First of all, if you like one thing they're selling, there's a decent chance you might like something else.
But buying multiple pieces from one person can also save you money on shipping, and some sellers offer bundle discounts or are more willing to negotiate when you're buying more than one item.
Compare the Same Item Across Platforms
Don't assume the first listing you find is the only one.
If you know the brand and style name, search it on a few different resale sites before buying. The exact same item might be $75 on one platform and $40 on another.
This is also another reason I like using Beni when I'm shopping regular retail sites. Sometimes the biggest savings come from simply knowing that the item exists somewhere else.
Is Online Thrift Shopping Worth It?
For me, yes, but I think it's way better when you go into it with some idea of what you're looking for.
If I just open Depop and start scrolling with absolutely no purpose, I can lose an embarrassing amount of time.
But when I know I want a specific jacket, a wedding guest dress, a better-quality sweater or something from a brand I already love? That's when online thrifting is SO good.
You get access to clothes from years of past collections, you can find higher-quality pieces for less, and every once in a while you find something so good that it makes paying full price for clothes feel slightly offensive.
And now that I've gotten used to checking secondhand first, I find myself doing it more and more before buying something new.
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