Tips for Secondhand Shopping, Luxury Consignment, and Thrifting

I’m gonna be honest – I love secondhand shopping.  Not only is it a great way to support sustainable fashion, it’s also an amazing opportunity to get designer brands at a fraction of the cost.  In many cases, you’ll even find brand new clothes or items that have only been worn once!

But there are definitely some tricks to secondhand shopping.  Check out my favorites below:

Size doesn’t always matter.

You may know exactly what size you wear.  But don’t be afraid to check out other sizes!

Vintage clothing often runs 4-6 sizes smaller than modern clothing.  So if you’re searching for great vintage finds, check other racks and try on sizes that aren’t your normal fit.  Plus, people may have returned clothing they didn’t want to the wrong place.

If you’re shopping for secondhand clothes online, ask for measurements if you’re not sure something will fit correctly. 

Try shopping on “off” days.

If possible, avoid shopping on Saturdays, when everyone flocks to thrift stores.  Instead, choose the middle of the week, when most people are at work.

You may also want to ask your local store when they typically restock.  That way, you’ll be able to get the first pick of items!

Use Vintage Fashion Guild

Think you’ve stumbled upon a great vintage find?  Use the Vintage Fashion Guild to determine if it’s authentic.  Understand how to identify vintage labels, compare fabrics for quality, and learn about the history of vintage brands.

Dress to try on in the store.

Wear clothes that make it easy to try on your finds right in the middle of the store.  The lines for dressing rooms can be long and some thrift stores don’t have them at all.  Wear comfortable leggings and a tank that can be worn under anything!

Understand the different types of secondhand stores.

Thrift – Thrift stores typically contain items that have been donated by the local community.  They are often run by charities and have a wide variety of styles, products, and conditions.  They have a large selection but may not have as high a level of quality control.

Consignment – Consignment stores purchase products from individuals.  There’s a higher level of quality control involved and these stores are typically privately owned.  Items are often more expensive than thrift stores, but the quality is higher overall.

Online – There are a variety of ways to secondhand shop online, from individual sellers and established stores.  There are a lot more clothes to choose from but you miss out on the ability to inspect the clothes yourself and try them on. 

Be willing to make some easy fixes.

If you’re handy with a needle and thread at all, be open to making minor repairs.  Don’t say no to an item you’ve fallen in love with just because it’s missing a button or has a small tear.  That mysterious stain, though?  Be honest – it’s never going to come out.

Understand fabrics.

Know what fabrics are worth investing in.  Keep an eye out for quality fabrics like wool, silk, leather, or cashmere.  Not only will they last forever, they’ll also retain their value much better than cheaper fabrics.

Choose the right location.

Your secondhand store location does play a role in the clothing that you’ll find.  Shopping in affluent areas makes it more likely that higher-end clothes were donated.  But small town thrift and consignment stores have fewer shoppers and you may find some hidden gems.

To retain value, stick to iconic designer pieces.

If you want the items that you purchase to keep their value for years to come, choose styles that are iconic to each brand rather than flash-in-the-pan fads.  Examples include a Birkin bag, Louboutin heels, or the classic Chanel 2.55 bag.

Use TheRealReal.

My favorite method of luxury consignment shopping is the online store, TheRealReal.  I’ve found some of my absolute favorite items there, gently used or never worn at all!  Here are a few of my favorite tips:

• Use the Editor’s Pick filter.  These items are handpicked by the site editors and showcase the best that they have available.
• Shop right at 7am and 4pm PT.  That’s when their new items arrive, so you’ll get first pick!
• If you like several items, stock up at once.  TheRealReal charges a flat rate for shipping, so make the most of it!
• Save the items you love.  They allow you to build your own personal favorites feed, and this is a great way to revisit favorite items and keep track of prices.

Do you enjoy secondhand shopping?  What tips have you learned?  Share in the comments!