Break the vicious cycle of fast fashion and shop secondhand. Find the best compilation of the best online thrift stores in this blog.
Whether you’re into the latest fashion trends, love designer brands, or are a complete fashion killer, taking a sustainable approach to what you wear is something that we should all be doing.
The fashion industry has been notoriously bad at making environmentally friendly improvements, and one of the best ways to reduce the impact that clothing has on climate change is by buying secondhand clothing.
The great thing is that you no longer have to go looking for those small secondhand and vintage clothing stores as there is no shortage of online shopping choices.
To help you find the best options, we’ve researched dozens of marketplaces to come up with this list of best online thrift stores.
Our List Of Best Online Thrift Stores
1 - Swap
Image Credit: Swap
Swap is by far one of the most popular online thrift stores, with millions of products available at any given time. In less than ten years, this company has completely changed the scalability of selling secondhand clothes through an online marketplace.
Where I tend to spend most of my time is in the Premium Finds section, where you can find designer items often for less than $15.
The online thrift store also makes both shopping and selling on the platform extremely easy. If you’ve ever wanted to try and get some hard cash for all those clothes you’ve only worn a few times, then Swap is the place to get started with your own online thrift shop.
The company also has a great quality screening process. I’ve never bought something and been disappointed with secondhand clothes. They’ve always been exactly as advertised, and the quality has always matched the description and photos.
2 - ThredUp
Image Credit: ThreadUp
This is one of the popular thrift stores online that has specifically found a niche in the women’s and kids’ pre-owned clothing space. The company was specifically founded to better deal with fashion waste.
And you’ll find that this online thrift store has clothing in every possible style type you could be looking for.
With over 50 million sellers, this store brings sellers and buyers together at incredibly affordable prices. You’ll find genuinely vintage clothing and practically new designer clothes.
It’s also incredibly easy to filter out for your exact size, whether you’re petite or plus size.
The way they work is that sellers send in their used clothes, and ThredUp then takes professional photos and makes sure the quality is suitable.
This added layer of quality control gives you a lot more peace of mind when buying secondhand clothing that you can’t physically inspect before buying.
3 - Depop
Image Credit: Depop
This London-based operation is a lot more than just an online thrift store.
The app is also a social media platform, and that’s where this service started. It was a way for readers of PIG magazine to get together, connect with young designers and share what kind of styles they love.
It then evolved into a marketplace that allows users to share their creations and purchases. And that’s where it’s so interesting.
The app looks a lot like Instagram, and you can share images of secondhand clothing that you have bought through the online marketplace and elsewhere.
This then serves as inspiration for others to come up with similar ideas, all while taking advantage of pre-owned and vintage clothes online.
I highly recommend signing up for a free account just to see how much these feeds can inspire you to come up with great new ways to find amazing secondhand clothing.
4 - Poshmark
Image Credit: Poshmark
Poshmark is an online thrift store that works on a peer-to-peer basis. It’s similar to buying from Amazon resellers or directly on eBay. Anyone can set up an account and start to sell clothing that they no longer wear.
What’s great is that you can look at reviews that buyers have left about sellers to make sure that you only buy from those with a good reputation.
And you’ll find thousands of different brands, including luxury items from Prada and Gucci, at affordable prices.
The search function works extremely well as you can gradually narrow things down based on the filter settings you choose.
A lot of people love going into the discovery mode where you simply add your clothing sizes, and then you can browse through thousands of items in the online store. It really couldn’t be easier, and you’ll even find the odd genuine vintage clothing for a truly unique look.
5 - Beyond Retro
Image Credit: Beyond Retro
This is another UK-based online thrift store that specializes in retro and vintage clothes. You will find everything from the 60s to 90s fashion to relive your youth or just experience what it was like in those days.
The company adds handpicked trendy recycled fashion with thousands of items each week to choose from. The result has been millions of vintage clothes finding new homes every single year.
There’s also a section where you can find reworked and upcycled vintage clothing that you simply can’t find in other online stores because they are so unique.
And it’s that kind of dedication to sustainability that attracts so many of their young customers. The company now has expanded to 13 warehouses to support the online sales of sustainable and recycled fashion.
You even have 14 days to return items if the quality, style, or size wasn't quite right for your needs.
6 - Patagonia Worn Wear
This is an online thrift store for those that are more adventurous or if you simply like wearing adventure clothing as a fashion statement. I certainly won’t judge you for that.
Patagonia has long been one of the more sustainable adventure and outdoor sports clothing companies. But this platform shows that the company is dedicated to corporate responsibility.
And here’s how it works.
If you have some old Patagonia clothing that you no longer wear, then you can send it to Worn Wear, and they will give you store credit for it.
You can then use that credit to buy things from Worn Wear, knowing that the company has carefully vetted and repaired them. And given the track record of extremely long-lasting clothing, this is one place you can make a safe purchase with the peace of mind that true durability gives you.
7 - Maeven Vintage (Etsy Seller)
Image Credit: Maeven Vintage
Maeven Vintage Clothing is an online thrift store that has specifically carved out a niche where they turn back the time to help you find some truly unique items.
What’s great about the site is that it’s not just focused on vintage clothes — you’ll also find jewelry and other accessories to make your outfit complete. And you’ll find things going all the way back to the glory days of the 60s. Or, if you prefer making a bold statement with a 90s Friends vibe, then you won’t be left with a lack of choices.
Amy Vee has been running this online thrift shop from Brooklyn since 2012, and she has become an industry leader when it comes to sourcing some of the most amazing outfits.
The online platform is based on Etsy, which makes it extremely easy to find and pay for products, with a checkout process that seems to be as fast as Amazon's.
8 - MAW Supply (Etsy Seller)
This is a clever company name where MAW stands for Man And Woman. The store is a black-owned company operating out of Houston, Texas, and has been in operation for ten years now.
It’s another great thrift store where you can find some truly retro clothing, whether it's for a fancy dress party or you just want to relive your youth.
And the great thing is that it’s not going to break your budget to find some really funky pieces that will make you immediately stand out. You’ll recognize cool pleated skirts and blazers and retro-print cargo trousers.
And if you turn up to a party in some of the options you find here, you’ll definitely strike up a conversation with people who either recognize them instantly or want to know more.
9 - Luxury Garage Sale
Image Credit: Luxury Garage Sale
Luxury Garage Sale is a designer online thrift store that has become the go-to place to find some absolutely amazing deals. The company is based in Chicago, and it stocks thousands of luxury brand items from clothing to jewelry and handbags to shoes.
The best thing is that you can expect to pay up to 80% less than the brand new retail price.
And you definitely want to look out for the Thursday drop events when they release loads of new listings with some great bargains for the first ones to be there.
As a seller, the company makes it incredibly easy to process orders. Check whether some of your old luxury items are on our accepted list. You receive a prepaid shipping label to send your items to them.
They then authenticate the items, and once you accept the offer, they’ll pay you within a few days.
10 - The Real Real
This online thrift store has gained a reputation for having the world’s largest collection of fully authenticated luxury clothing and accessories. Whether you’re looking for a Prada handbag that looks like it’s new or a Gucci watch to impress on a special occasion, there is no shortage of items to choose from.
The company adds over 10,000 items every day, so you can go back on a regular basis to find the ideal piece you’ve always wanted to own at a fraction of the price.
One reason so many people return to buy with The Real Real is because of the reputation of the large team of authenticators.
As a buyer, that gives you a lot of confidence that you won’t fall for scams or sophisticated counterfeit products. And as a seller, you gain a platform where you can get a fair price for products you no longer use.
11 - Wild Thing Vintage (Etsy Seller)
Wild Thing Vintage is one of the more unique clothing thrift stores based in Canada and operating on the Etsy marketplace platform. That means it’s a fast and very easy-to-navigate online thrift store with a great selection of completely unique clothing items.
Whether you’re looking for thrashed Levi's shorts or a Versace blazer in pink with purple polka dots, there’s always some sort of a twist with the items on offer.
The online vintage clothing store has also expanded into accessories like jewelry and shoes. And that means you can create an entirely new outfit with all the add-ons you need to make it complete.
Erica Peck is the person behind this store, and she sources the vintage clothes while she travels around North America as she performs on stage in many different cities every month.
It’s a great way to find unique items and upcycle them into new outfits as a side business and personal passion.
12 - Urban Renewal
Image Credit: Urban Renewal
Urban Renewal is the thrift store online from the brand Urban Outfitters. The whole idea behind this store is to find a new home for used clothing by sourcing clothing items that you could easily mistake for new.
The company also aims to add a vintage twist by finding fashion designs that are no longer in production. And by redesigning and upcycling them, they have carved out a nice space for used clothes.
The site is very well designed and allows you to search for specific items or to filter on certain sizes and colors to make it easier to find the right item for a new outfit.
It also shows how dedicated this brand has been to upcycling, as Urban Renewal started selling thrift clothing back in 1983.
It means that this company isn’t new to the space, giving you peace of mind that the items you receive are of great quality.
13 - Shop Goodwill
Goodwill has one of the more affordable online thrift stores along with over 3,000 physical stores around America. But if you don’t have easy access to one of them, then the online thrift store is a great place to find bargains.
One thing that should attract you to go to the Goodwill online store is that it’s not just about finding clothing and fashion accessories.
You can buy musical instruments, used gaming systems, electronic devices like phones, home appliances, and pretty much anything else you can imagine.
I’ve even found some great collectibles, from vintage toys to books, and there’s plenty of art and jewelry to choose from as well.
What I always find surprising is that the quality control of the people behind Goodwill is exceptional, and you’re also spending on a good cause.
14 - Thrifted
Image Credit: Thrifted
This is one of the more popular thrift stores in Europe, with an online consignment shop that specializes in vintage clothing. You’ll find plenty of men’s and women’s clothing, and it has all been carefully selected and checked for quality.
The most common fashion items are from the 70s, 80s, and 90s, giving you a great range of cool designs to breathe some fresh air into your wardrobe.
A lot of men like shopping for vintage sportswear with many old jerseys available for their favorite teams. And the women’s clothing range is full of designer labels at crazy prices.
Thrifted has also earned a reputation of being a cheap online thrift store where you don’t get ripped off with scams, counterfeit brands, or low-quality clothing.
And it’s definitely worth checking out the retro sunglasses collection to get the final touch for a vintage outfit.
15 - Persephone Vintage (Etsy Seller)
Here’s another Etsy online thrift store that specializes in vintage clothing. It’s one of the best online thrift stores for finding unique and curated outfits and not just individual items.
They mainly sell clothes online for women, but you’ll also find a great selection of jewelry and secondhand designer bags. It’s a great way to find something that nobody else is wearing, and it will allow you to completely stand out with a great look at the next party you go to.
I’ve even seen a few vintage wedding dresses for sale that will allow you to completely break with the modern look and price tags that you’ll see for new dresses.
What customers also like is that you can find very precise measurements of all the second-hand clothing. That makes it a lot easier to figure out if it’s going to fit before you buy it or if it’ll be possible to make alterations.
16 - Tradesy
Image Credit: Tradesy
Tradesy is an online thrift store that specializes in buying secondhand clothes with luxury brand names all over the store. The designer clothing and luxury bags come with huge discounts, and you can expect the quality to be practically like new.
The company also offers an authenticity guarantee along with free shipping and returns if the products don’t suit your style after all.
There are also regular shopping events where you get an extra $100 off when you spend more than $600. And it’s surprisingly easy to buy a load of stuff for a $600 bargain.
Simply browse the products by style, brand, or accessories, and you’ll quickly have a shopping cart full of decisions to make.
For sellers, there’s also a great incentive to list old clothes from your wardrobe. You can earn up to 80% of the selling price, which can put a lot of money in your pocket to buy new clothes.
17 - Refashioner
This online thrift store has chosen to take an approach of making it a lot easier for people to achieve a unique look and show their personality off to the world. Refashioner has a lot of vintage clothing and second-hand apparel, with many of the items coming from private collections with designer labels on them.
Every collection comes with a story from the previous owners, and the company aims to break the stigma attached to “pre-owned” and generally refers to “owned” clothing.
You can also arrange for a private and personal shopping experience where you get to spend some time with the collections to find the ideal pieces for your personality and look.
A lot of the clothes are also sourced from theaters and estate collections that can often provide a true one-of-a-kind piece of clothing.
18 - The Vintage Twin
Image Credit: The Vintage Twin
The story behind this online thrift store starts with twin sisters Morgan and Samantha Elias in 2009. They started selling vintage clothing from their parent’s basement, and then when they went to college in New York, they started a pop-up store.
It’s mainly the 80s and 90s style that they focus on, and they take a unique approach to the clothes they sell.
They inspect and carefully repair clothing before adding their own vintage brand label on each item. The sustainable shopping experience also comes with the added benefit of knowing that the twins donate a portion of their profits to numerous charitable organizations and events.
You’ll find everything from summer dresses to sunglasses, belts, and shoes, all with a completely unique appearance that hardly anyone will recognize.
If you like to stand out from the crowd, then this is the company that will help you do it.
19 - Omnia
This Brooklyn, New York-based boutique and online thrift store has made a name for itself by handpicking modern romantic clothing specifically chosen for metropolitan women.
You’ll find a great range of items from dresses to jumpsuits and jewelry to shoes and belts. And they constantly have incredible sale items for under $50, where you’ll find some true bargains.
Everything is broken down into different categories and also into different times of the year to make it easier to find something for a summer vacation or to plan ahead for a Christmas party.
Everything is one-of-a-kind so that you won’t suddenly bump into someone wearing the same top or dress. You’ll always maintain a unique appearance, just like your personality.
I particularly like the no-fuss and simple-to-use website where you can easily browse through all the listings to find something truly different.
20 - Ready to Wear Again
Image Credit: Ready To Wear Again
And our final recommendation is for one of Canada’s most popular thrift stores. It’s geared towards women and makes it easy for both buyers and sellers of secondhand clothing.
You’ll find dozens of different brands to choose from, and the products offer up to 70% savings compared to the standard new retail price. With all products carefully vetted and inspected to make sure they are in good condition, you won’t end up falling for a scam.
If you’re based near Durhan, Ontario, you can also consign items that you own and partner with the owner to try and sell them for a great price.
7 Tips For Online Thrift Shopping
Here are seven tips you need to keep in mind before shopping at online thrift stores.
1. Know Your Sizes
Check a few pieces of clothing you wear a lot and that you feel comfortable in, and write down the sizes. You might find that the sizes are slightly different between brands so take note of that as well.
Then use those sizes as a guide for filtering online thrift store listings to make sure you only focus on those items that are most likely to fit.
2. Look For Detailed Photos
Most thrift stores will provide professional photos from multiple different angles. This is very important, especially with vintage clothes where it’s difficult to find detailed pictures online.
The more detailed and high-quality the photos are, the more peace of mind you have that you can tell the quality.
3. Ask About Any Damage
Many companies will specifically highlight if there is any damage to the items. If this is the case, then check if you can see the damage in the photos and assess if you can easily fix or hide it.
If you can’t see the damage on the photos, then ask the seller if they can send an image before you buy it.
4. Check For Authentication
Most popular thrift stores will have teams of authenticators who are qualified to identify fake and counterfeit products. This is particularly important when you’re looking for luxury brand names where there is a whole industry trying to flood the market with fakes.
Also, check if the company offers a refund or return process if you feel like you’re not getting the real deal.
5. Check Precise Measurements
This is particularly important with vintage or one-of-a-kind clothing items where the size might be difficult to tell. In that case, ask the seller if they can send you measurements for the chest, shoulders, waist, and legs, depending on what you’re buying.
6. Ask For A Discount
If you spot something you like and you can tell that it’s been listed for a while, then ask the seller if they’re willing to haggle a bit. These are secondhand items, and it wouldn’t be uncommon to get an extra 10% or 20% off if you ask.
7. Look For Other Social Responsibility
I also like to look at the about pages for online thrift stores to see how they look at social responsibility. Many companies also have close ties with charities in local communities to help either with money donations or by handing over surplus inventory.
The more involved thrift stores are with social activities, the more of an impact your support will have.
Join The Battle Against Fast Fashion
Most online thrift stores will highlight one or two benefits of buying secondhand, but there’s a lot more to shopping at thrift stores.
And it all comes down to avoiding the whole concept of fast fashion that you pick up, wear a couple of times, and then eventually throw out in the trash.
Here’s why it’s so important to stand up against fast fashion.
Reduce The Use Of Harmful Chemicals
Clothing production is highly reliant on many different chemicals from pesticides on cotton, toxic dyes, and other chemicals that are used in preparing textiles. And the fewer times that clothing is worn, the bigger the impact is on the environment.
When you help to avoid clothes having a premature end of life, you can reduce the reliance on those chemicals. And you reduce the demand for fast fashion as well.
Reduce Reliance On Fossil Fuels
From fossil fuels tied up in different types of synthetic materials to the amount of energy it takes to produce clothing, this is one industry that is hugely reliant on fossil fuels like oil and gas.
The best way to reduce this reliance is not to add more demand for brand new products. Instead, recycle, upcycle, and become more thrifty with the choices you make.
Reduce Water Waste
Would you believe me if I told you that the fashion industry is one of the most reliant on water extraction by using up to 4% of all freshwater? The reason for this is that it takes over 2,500 gallons of water to make about 2.5 pounds of raw cotton.
By making sure that clothes made of long-lasting cotton have a longer lifespan, you reduce the demand for fresh cotton.
Reduce Unnecessary Landfill Drops
And finally, most clothing that doesn’t make it to online thrift shops, unfortunately, ends up at a landfill site. And that really is a very unnecessary and wasteful thing to happen, especially with clothing that is still perfectly fine.
Sustainable Fashion Habits You Should Pick Up
Here are some habits that I have built over the years that have made me even more thrifty.
1 - Buy From Different Stores
Even if you find your favorite store, try to buy from other online thrift stores to keep more of them going with good demand for their products. The more of these stores that stay up and running through difficult times, the better it will be for the environment.
You’ll also end up finding so many more great stores that offer a wide range of products that you might never have considered otherwise.
2 - Find The Most Heavily Discounted Options
By going to different thrift stores for your research, you’ll also soon find those with the highest quality and the most discounted options.
Being thrifty is as much about saving the environment as it is about keeping more money in your pocket. Sign up for the various newsletters and keep track of those that have the most regular sales.
3 - Plan Ahead For Other Seasons
Another way to get the best possible deals is to buy stuff for next spring this summer. By staying two to three seasons ahead, you’ll be buying things that are in the least demand.
And less demand usually means lower prices and far better deals when it comes to haggling for a better price.
Final Thoughts
With the 20 great online thrift stores listed above, you’ll find an amazing range of clothing and accessories for men and women, no matter where in the world you live.
Keeping thrift stores like these alive is one of the best ways to make sure there’s enough supply as more and more people realize that fast fashion is not the right option.
If you’ve never shopped at one of these stores before, then get started today and find out how amazing the deals are. In many cases, you won’t be able to tell that your purchase isn’t new.
Not looking for clothing–nothing else available?
Pingback: 5 Amazing Reasons to Start Thrift Shopping and 10 Tips for Success - It's Me, Monika!