Best Online Thrift Stores for Secondhand Shopping

Last updated on April 4th, 2024 at 04:44 am

It is so frustrating trying to find a good vintage clothing store nearby. I don’t have one, and I suspect there are others like me. The next best option is to look for thrifted clothing online, whether you’re looking for unique finds or cheap vintage clothing. Want an epic list of the best online thrift stores? You’re in the right place!

Buying and using secondhand and pre-loved clothing is a big part of the circular fashion movement, to help minimize waste and harm to the environment. Thrifting is one of the best ways to support the circular economy.

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Best Online Thrift Stores For Clothes

Here are some brilliant places, for various tastes and budgets. They’re mostly in the United States, but offer delivery elsewhere too (some with free shipping!).

AFFORDABLE VINTAGE CLOTHING

Looking for stuff that’s cheap and stylish? Here are some of the more affordable online thrift stores. Many of these are small businesses that would love your support.

1 // Modcloth

They make clothes that are “timeless,” creating original prints and designing unique pieces that are accessible to all.

2 // Unique Vintage

Check out their fabulous vintage clothing and dresses, organized by era.

3 // Ragstock 

Corduroy, ahoy! Ragstock is one of America’s longest-running retailers of vintage and recycled clothing. Shop their vintage faux fur coats here.

4 // Nasty Gal

Nasty Gal started with vintage, but has grown much beyond that. The founder’s original taste still peeks out in their current vintage collection.

5 // Rokit London 

One of the forerunners of the famous London vintage scene, Rokit has recycled over a million tonnes of discarded clothing and accessories over the past three decades, making it an online vintage thrift store par excellence. 

6 // Echo Club House

Playful and affordable items from the 80s, 90s, 00s, and today. Here are some other Etsy stores like Echo Club House as well.

Other aggregator marketplaces are listed below:

7 // ASOS Marketplace

The ASOS Marketplace carries vintage pieces from more than 1,000 boutiques.

8 // Etsy

Etsy is the ultimate one-stop shop for vintage finds. Scroll down to check out the long list of awesome Etsy vintage stores.

9 // eBay

The next best online store after Etsy, eBay is a must-try for vintage clothing. Not just clothing, but also accessories, antique jewelry, retro sunglasses, hats and more. It’s also a great global marketplace to sell your own vintage items to others.

10 // Depop

11 // Facebook Marketplace

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HIGH-END & LUXURY VINTAGE CLOTHING

These are designer items in the more expensive vintage clothing stores, but with the same stylish aesthetic that can create an alternative fashion statement!

1 // The RealReal

The RealReal has brands such as Chanel, Gucci, and Louis Vuitton at prices that even mere mortals can dream of affording. 

2 // Poshmark

Poshmark works on a bidding system, so it can be a lot of fun!

3 // Beyond Retro

Beyond Retro sells vintage items, yes, but they also offer eco-friendly packaging and their own upcycled LABEL collection.

4 // Open For Vintage

A vintage marketplace platform that offers luxurious and high-end pre-owned fashion and accessories.

5 // Farfetch

Farfetch claims to bring “vintage luxury to the masses.” They may have their target market mixed up on price points, but who knows? Pre-owned fashion can surprise you sometimes with its rock-bottom prices.

6 // One Vintage

One Vintage transforms antique textiles and relics to create contemporary and modern new pieces, preserving the hand crafted artwork (beading & embroidery).

7 // Vestiaire Collective

Vestiaire Collective is an online platform where people can buy and sell pre-owned designer fashion that’s in excellent condition.

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Luxury Garage Sale

Luxury Garage Sale (LGS) has revolutionized the pre-owned designer market. Unlike your neighborhood garage sale, LGS brings a curated, high-end experience to buying and selling luxury fashion. They offer a vast collection of authentic designer clothing, shoes, handbags, and accessories from brands like Chanel, Gucci, Louis Vuitton, and many more.

LGS ensures quality and authenticity with every item. Their team of experts meticulously inspects each piece before it goes live on the site. This level of authentication gives me peace of mind, knowing I’m investing in genuine luxury items.

Whether you’re searching for a statement bag or the perfect pair of designer heels, LGS makes luxury accessible. With prices below retail, you can refresh your wardrobe with covetable pieces. For sellers, LGS offers a hassle-free platform to consign their designer goods, giving access to a wider market and maximizing their return.

Beyond the marketplace, Luxury Garage Sale is a community for fashion lovers. They foster a space for style inspiration and discovery, showcasing trends and the stories behind pre-loved fashion.

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ThredUP

Affordable, sustainable and well-stocked: ThredUP is the world’s largest online thrift and consignment store. They work with over 35k brands. And they offer up to 90% off retail price, woot!

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$1 Online Thrift Store

The rise of online thrift stores has brought about an era of affordable, sustainable fashion. One exciting trend within this realm is the emergence of $1 online thrift stores, making eco-conscious shopping accessible to everyone. Here are two online thrift stores where you can score incredible deals for just a dollar:

1 // Swap.com

Swap.com is another fantastic platform for budget-conscious thrift shoppers. They have a “Clearance” section where you can discover items in good condition for $1 or less. The inventory at Swap.com includes clothing for men, women, and children, as well as toys, books, and more – all being given a second chance.

2 // ShopGoodwill

If you’re in the mood for a thrift treasure hunt, ShopGoodwill is an online auction site run by Goodwill Industries. While not everything starts at $1, there are plenty of auctions where you can snag items for a low starting bid. With some strategic bidding, you can often secure items for just a dollar or a few.

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Vintage Clothing on Etsy

Wait, but what about my favorite online marketplace? Here is a list of some of the coolest of Etsy’s affordable online vintage stores!

1 // Flying Apple Vintage

Flying Apple Vintage offers curated, authentic vintage clothing for men and women. They specialize in finding unique pieces from coast to coast that help customers express their personal style.

2 // 216 Vintage Modern

216 Vintage Modern presents a collection of vintage items with a modern sensibility. Their focus is on design-forward clothing and home decor pieces.

3 // Vintage Love NY

Vintage Love NY is a source for classic designer fashion and vintage accessories. They hunt for high-end, quality pieces that have a timeless feel.

4 // Girl Sells Vintage

Girl Sells Vintage features a range of handpicked women’s vintage clothing. Their collection caters to a variety of tastes and personal styles.

5 // Buy Vintage Shirts

Buy Vintage Shirts is the place to find awesome vintage graphic tees and sweatshirts. Their inventory showcases fun, nostalgic, and statement-making shirts from various eras.

6 // Shop Evocative Vintage  

Shop Evocative Vintage provides a selection of curated vintage with a romantic and feminine aesthetic. They specialize in delicate vintage pieces perfect for special occasions.

7 // May Sterling

May Sterling focuses on finding sterling silver and gold vintage jewelry. Their collection includes unique and timeless pieces for jewelry lovers.

8 // YUMMY Vintage Shop

YUMMY Vintage Shop celebrates vibrant, eye-catching vintage finds for a bold fashion sense. They offer a playful and funky mix of clothing and accessories.

9 // Madison Foundry 

Madison Foundry specializes in both men’s and women’s vintage with a focus on workwear, Americana, and iconic designer pieces. Their selection highlights functionality and high-quality finds.

10 // Crying Weasel Vintage  

Crying Weasel Vintage sources one-of-a-kind vintage finds that celebrate unusual aesthetics and quirky styles. They offer a collection for the eclectic and individualistic.

11 // Vintage On Hollywood

Vintage On Hollywood stocks genuine Hollywood memorabilia as well as vintage clothing and accessories. Their inventory often boasts movie-related collectibles and pieces that embody the glamorous side of vintage.

12 // Calamidad Vintage

Calamidad Vintage features curated vintage clothing and accessories that lean into western and southwestern-inspired styles. Their collection highlights earthy tones, fringe, and distinct southwestern textures.

13 // his and her vintage

his and her vintage provides vintage clothing and accessories for both men and women. They aim to offer a versatile and stylish selection suitable for everyday casual wear.

Phew! That’s quite the list. But is it useful? Please let me know!

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Try These Secondhand Stores, too!

ReBag: Buy and sell designer handbags

Patagonia Worn Wear: Pre-loved outdoor clothing and gear

The Real Real: Fine jewelry, timepieces, fine art

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The Growth of Vintage Shopping & Secondhand Clothes

The environmental impact of fashion is well known by now. But when you start looking for sustainable fashion alternatives, you may not be thrilled with the variety available. While you continue to look for more sustainable ways to purchase clothing, here’s one thing you can consider: Vintage Shopping. 

There’s a lot of confusion regarding what exactly is vintage. Does it refer to clothes from the particular era? (Yes, generally the period between the 1920s to the 1960s or 1980s – depending on who you ask. Lately, dad and mom jeans from the 1980s and other retro items are being sold as vintage. Fashion definitions, like fashion itself, seem to be ever-changing.) 

Does it refer to secondhand clothing? (Sometimes. In some cases, they’re brand new clothes designed in vintage fashion, whereas the ideal would be original vintage clothing that may or may not be secondhand but definitely harks from the vintage era). These definitions are not set in stone, but for the purposes of this post, I’ll define vintage as clothing originating from that era (and not newly made “vintage”-style items).

Best scenario? Secondhand vintage clothes!:)

Vintage clothes are increasingly being noticed in fashionable circles. High street brands such as Other Stories (belonging to H&M) have begin selling secondhand and vintage clothing online. One Vintage is a new label that creates new garments from antique textiles. 

And once you clean the items properly, then there’s no end to the possibilities! Read our post on how to wash thrifted clothes and how to clean thrift store leather jacket.

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Is Vintage Clothing Here to Stay?

These aren’t anomalies. Not only is the millennial generation much more open to buying vintage and secondhand clothing (due to environmental, financial and fashion reasons), but they’re the flag bearers of sustainable fashion. 

In 2018, 64% of women were “willing to buy pre-owned pieces,” up from 45% in 2016 (in a study on The Rise of Vintage Fashion and the Vintage Consumer). It’s expected to continue to increase, with 13% of clothes in women’s wardrobes consisting of secondhand items by the year 2028. 

Even the wealthy seem to be buying vintage – although that is more to be trendy than any other reason *insert eyeroll * – so the impact is certainly being noticed in the relevant circles. They, of course, go for luxury items and designer vintage.

The biggest reason for the popularity of vintage fashion and vintage stores is due to the so-called fashion influencers – whether it’s big stars or smaller celebrities on Instagram and YouTube. They’ve discovered the hidden gems in vintage and secondhand clothing, and the rest of the world seems to have noticed. So whether it’s boho chic or the trend of mixing vintage with minimalist pieces, vintage items are splashed all over fashion magazines and social media. 

BTW, check out this super-useful video on online vintage shopping:

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Vintage Clothing for the Environment

But whatever the cause, the result is certainly exciting. We have more than enough clothes for every person on this planet. We have tons of options. So, reducing the load on the planet by buying already existing clothing is a stellar way to make a difference. 

And it isn’t just the sustainability that is a bonus: you are likely to find one-of-a-kind pieces at unbelievable discounts. And if they’re originally from the pre-fast fashion era, they’re likely to be of a solid quality, and will last you a lifetime.

Plus, now the best places to find vintage clothing is via online shopping, and you can find unique items in thrift stores online for vintage clothing and secondhand items. Which mean you aren’t restricted to what’s available at your local thrift store (or even by the lack of a local store in your neighborhood).

So, when we opt for vintage items, we’re keeping clothing away from landfills, and reducing consumption of new items (even if by a minuscule amount). Win-win!

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Online Thrifting Success: Your Guide to Savvy Shopping

Unlike your standard online retailer, thrift stores hold a unique kind of treasure hunt. Here’s how to score amazing finds without blowing your budget:

• Become Your Own Tailor: Forget standard sizes – thrifting is about knowing your inches! Before you browse, measure your bust, waist, and hips to make sure those vintage gems will actually fit.
• Pictures are Your Best Friend: Rely on detailed descriptions and lots of photos to uncover the true condition of a piece. Look closely for any wear or imperfections mentioned by the seller.
• The Hunt is Half the Fun: The perfect piece might take time to find. Embrace the search and keep checking back because online thrift store collections are always changing!
• Take Stylish Risks: With super-low prices, thrifting is the ideal way to experiment outside your fashion comfort zone. See a funky print? A wild pattern? Go for it!

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Research Findings on the Secondhand Fashion Market

There is only good news here, with increasing numbers of people opting for secondhand and vintage purchases. 

Rapid Growth and Potential

• The secondhand fashion market is booming, outpacing the growth of the traditional fashion industry. It is experiencing rapid expansion, and projected to triple in size by 2030, according to a report by ThredUP and GlobalData.

• Several factors drive this expansion:
  • Sustainability: Consumers are increasingly concerned about fashion’s environmental impact, and secondhand offers a conscious alternative to fast fashion (Source).
  • Affordability: Pre-owned pieces, especially designer items, become accessible to a larger price-conscious audience.
  • Uniqueness: Shoppers seek one-of-a-kind pieces that express their individuality, something readily available in the secondhand market.

Changing Consumer Demographics

• While previously associated with bargain hunters, secondhand fashion now attracts a broader demographic across ages and income levels.
• Gen Z and Millennials are particularly important drivers of this market shift, valuing sustainability and a circular economy (Source).
• Online platforms like ThredUp, Poshmark, and Depop have made secondhand shopping convenient and accessible to younger generations, according to Forbes magazine.

Evolving Business Models

• The rise of online resale platforms has disrupted the traditional secondhand market, creating a more organized and efficient shopping experience, according to Business of Fashion.
• Luxury brands are also entering the resale space, either directly or through partnerships, recognizing the market’s potential and sustainability benefits.
• Rental fashion platforms offer another facet of the secondhand market, allowing consumers to temporarily access high-end items, according to Rent the Runway.

Impacts on the Fashion Industry

• The secondhand market pressures fast fashion brands to re-evaluate their production models and address sustainability concerns.
• With consumers extending the lifespan of clothing, brands might shift their focus toward quality over quantity to remain competitive.
• Secondhand might encourage more thoughtful consumption, potentially leading to a decreased overall volume of new clothing purchased. It helps with the climate crisis, as well.

Challenges and Considerations

• While promising, the secondhand market isn’t without obstacles:
  • Authentication remains a significant issue, especially for luxury items.
  • Inconsistencies in garment sizing and condition can make online secondhand shopping uncertain for some buyers.
  • Scaling the secondhand market to a sufficient level to make a significant environmental difference requires significant infrastructural changes.

Overall, research suggests the secondhand fashion market is poised for continued growth, with the potential to transform the fashion industry as we know it. Sustainability, affordability, and the desire for unique style are powerful forces propelling this trend forward.

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This post was about the best online thrift stores

So if you’ve been wondering where to buy some 80s vintage clothing online, I hope this list of online vintage shops was helpful – here, you’re likely to find some hidden gems – vintage clothes for cheap or affordable prices (and even high quality home decor) – while also having loads of fun. Sometimes the best thrift stores are a click of a button away!

Whether it’s pre-owned clothing items from popular brands or a one-of-a-kind treasure trove, it’s always a good idea to check local and online consignment shops before buying something brand new. You may get your specific items at a fraction of the cost.

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