The Best Spots to Shop Second-Hand

In the era of fast fashion, it is important to be a conscious consumer. One way to shop for clothes sustainably and ethically is to shop second-hand. In addition, buying used items not only helps the environment, but helps you as the consumer. Shopping second-hand is a great way to buy high quality items for affordable prices. Buying second-hand also benefits your personal style in that you can experiment with one-of-a-kind pieces and even upcycle used clothing. Now that you are aware of the benefits of shopping second-hand, the next step is figuring out where to buy these used items. Below is a comprehensive list of stores and sites to check out.

IN-PERSON THRIFT STORES

When it comes to finding second-hand items, a good first spot to check out is your local thrift store. In-person stores come with the benefit of getting to try on clothing before purchasing. Charity shops such as Goodwill and The Salvation Army are both popular spots to thrift which also have charitable components. If you’re interested in the charitable aspect of thrifting, be sure to research what percent of the charity shops’ profits goes toward charity work before shopping there.

FLEA MARKETS

Another excellent in-person spot to shop for second-hand clothing is a flea market. Flea markets are temporary markets consisting of dozens to thousands of individual vendors. If you’re looking for vintage clothing, flea markets are a must. *Important tip- even though it’s 2022, many vendors still do not take card payments, so be sure to bring cash with you to the market.

RESALE APPS

In the age of social media, it is no surprise that virtual second-hand shops are popping up left and right. There are a few different business models when it comes to resale apps. ThredUP, for example, markets itself as a “virtual thrift store” where all clothing and accessories are donated to ThredUP and then sold by the brand on their site. DEPOP and Poshmark, on the other hand, operate as peer-to-peer e-commerce sites where individuals can buy and sell clothing and accessories. These apps also have excellent search engines. Whether you search a vague topic like “y2k clothes” or search for a specific item like “vintage 1990s Levi’s straight leg jeans,” the apps will display helpful results.

EBAY

Founded in 1995, eBay is a highly successful e-commerce corporation. Even though it’s over 20 years old, eBay is still a great place to find second-hand clothing items. There are a lot of hidden gems on eBay, and this site is the place to go when looking for a good deal on an item. Sites like DEPOP are notorious for higher prices, while eBay is known for being much more reasonable. There is also the “bidding” feature on eBay where you can get a good deal by bidding on certain items.

CLOTHING RENTAL SERVICES

If you want to take sustainability and second-hand shopping a step further, consider using clothing rental services such as Nuuly and Rent the Runway. These clothing subscription services allow users to rent different clothing items each month. This is a great approach if you want to experiment with your style but do not want to commit to buying a new wardrobe.

Whether you are looking to save money, be more eco-friendly, or elevate your personal style, second-hand shopping is the way to go. With both virtual and in-person options, second-hand shopping has never been easier.