First, you have to decide if you want to shop online or at an actual brick-and-mortar store. Both have pros and cons. Let’s get into it.
Online secondhand shopping
There are many places to buy secondhand clothes online. Some sites allow you to filter by size, so you’ll only see items that fit you. Most online stores have an app, which makes the notification function very handy if you’re looking for items that tend to sell out fast. Finding items that are brand new or from recent collections is also very easy to do online. If you’re looking for a pair of Zara heels, check online secondhand stores first. You might be able to find the exact heels for half the retail price.
Tip: Sort by ‘newest first’ to see items that have been uploaded recently. This is a great way to find amazing deals, especially when it comes to designer items. If you sort by designer brand and ‘newest first‘, you’re increasing your chances of finding designer gems at great prices.
Tip: Narrow down your search as much as possible. Besides filtering by size, try entering specific terms. This includes prints, colors, fabrics, style, fit, etc. It’s more likely you’ll find what you’re looking for by searching for ‘red tartan vintage skirt size 38‘, rather than endlessly scrolling through thousands of skirts.
Tip: Shop off-season. April and May are the months in which rich fashion aunts are spring cleaning out their closets, so that’s the ideal time to look for coats and winter boots. Shop for summer clothes in late fall/early winter.
Tip: Inspect photos for discoloring and other imperfections. It’s easy for a seller to mask a stain or a hole. If there are imperfections, ask the seller about them and ask if you can bid on the item for a lower price.
Tip: Add every item you like to your favorites. Often apps and websites will send you a notification if the price drops, or you can revisit the item later. For example, If something was uploaded four months ago, it’s more likely that the seller will accept any bid, as they want to get rid of the item. One man’s trash is another man’s treasure.
