Online thrift shops are more popular than ever because the conversation about sustainability has only intensified over time, especially at a time of economic unpredictability like this one. It goes without saying that purchasing used clothing and accessories is better for the environment than manufacturing new ones.
Online thrift stores not only make nicer items that have already been produced more attainable and save you money, but they also do so digitally, making them even more accessible than your local shops. Shopping for sustainable fashion brands can occasionally be out of your price range. These websites also allow you to sell your used clothing, so you can earn money there as well. Continue reading to learn the top 9 best online thrift stores for every taste and spending limit.
💡 Explore: 7 Tips to Launch A Successful Online Thrift Store
Online thrift stores provide a much-needed respite from the crowded, cluttered reality of second-hand shops.
Hence, we have compiled a list of the best thrift stores online and tips for your inspiration. Let's find out!
Outline
- Online Thrift Stores Overview
- Top 9 Best Online Thrift Stores To Learn From
- 1. Poshmark - Best for wishlist items
- 2. Swap - Best affordable options
- 3. thredUP - Best for women and kids
- 4. The RealReal - Best for authenticated luxury items
- 5. Menswear Market - Best for men
- 6. Depop - Best for Gen Z
- 7. Patagonia Worn Wear - Best for outdoor clothing and gear
- 8. Luxury Garage Sale - Best for designer brands
- 9. Beyond Retro - Best for vintage clothing
- 6 Tips To Run A Successful Online Thrift Store
- 1. Curate a Special and Eye-Catching Selection of Items
- 2. Use High-Quality Images and Descriptions
- 3. Adopt A Successful Shipping and Returns Policy
- 4. Make Use of Social Media and Other Online Marketing Channels
- Conclusion
Online Thrift Stores Overview
1. What is a thrift store?
Simply put, a thrift store is similar to a second-hand shop in that it seeks to generate income through the sale of clothing, furniture, and other household items.
2. What are the benefits of thrift stores?
- Affordability: Thrift stores offer budget-friendly shopping options for individuals and families.
- Unique Finds: Thrift stores carry a diverse range of one-of-a-kind items that stand out from mass-produced products.
- Sustainability: Shopping at thrift stores promotes eco-friendliness by reusing and recycling items, reducing overall waste.
- Community Support: Donations and purchases at thrift stores often contribute to local charities and non-profit organizations.
3. Statistics
Fashion and apparel items make up a large portion of what is being re-sold around the world, with the second-hand apparel market on its own expected to reach over 350 billion U.S. dollars globally by 2027. Beyond apparel, however, another category of pre-owned goods in high demand serves the purpose of entertainment.
Top 9 Best Online Thrift Stores To Learn From
1. Poshmark - Best for wishlist items
poshmark.com
Source: Poshmark
This peer-to-peer thrifting website and app is widely regarded as one of the best online thrift stores. It has more than 200 million items from more than 5,000 brands that are suitable for men, women, children, pets, and home. Despite the quantity, searching for specific items in your preferred size, color, price, and other factors is very simple.
On Poshmark, haggling is highly encouraged thanks to a feature that lets you make an offer that the seller can then reject. If you "like" a listing, you'll receive an email when the price is reduced, shipping is free, or an offer is made to everyone who shares your interest. Although returns are not permitted, Poshmark is always available if a problem arises.
Shoppers and buyers can find and sell new and used clothes, shoes, accessories, and household items on Poshmark, a social e-commerce platform and mobile app. Poshmark began accepting registrations in 2011, and since then, it has increased to over 80 million users, making it one of the most well-liked online marketplaces in the US, Canada, Australia, and India.
Customers can tailor their shopping experiences by brand, size, and price in addition to participating in virtual "Posh Parties," which are live, online marketplaces where users from all over the world can buy, sell, and trade pre-loved goods for everything from preppy attire parties to home decor.
The app closely mirrors Instagram’s feed design, and users can follow and leave comments on other users’ “closets,” or their profiles. It also rewards social behavior by featuring listings that have been most recently shared to the feed.
There is one feature that sets Poshmark apart from other social networks, and that’s the fact that there’s no private messaging system. So if you have a question for the seller, you have to publicly post it on an item’s listing.
The website and app are easy to use, well organized, and makes it easy to find the perfect item. You can get lots of top name brands for dramatically lowered price ranges.
What they sell: Clothes, shoes, accessories from popular fashion brands
What makes them special/successful: The app offers a buyer protection system that gives them three days to verify that the item they received was as described, before releasing payment to the seller.
2. Swap - Best affordable options
swap.com
Source: Swap
Considered one of the most affordable online thrift stores, Swap also has a strong men’s category. Despite having a section with more expensive premium pieces. Fun fact: You can search by season and condition in addition to standard search criteria like size, brand, and color, which helps make up for the lack of a name-based search option.
Rare and unusual goods are frequently given a second chance at life. Their thrift shop is more than just a means of making money for Swap. Actually, finding used items and keeping them out of landfills is crucial for them.
Swap is a one-stop shop for all of your shopping needs, unlike other women's fashion-focused best thrift stores online.
Swap is regarded as one of the best men's online thrift stores, offering everything from commonplace items to distinctive and fashionable clothing.
What they sell: Fashion
What makes them special/successful:
- The store design is bright and very user-friendly, especially the menu navigation with specific categories.
- You can also search by season and condition.
- Their updated return policy is right at the top to inform shoppers right away and set expectations.
3. thredUP - Best for women and kids
thredup.com
You can create your entire capsule wardrobe using thredUP, which operates like a real online thrift store for women and children. They concentrate on high-end brands like J.Crew and Free People in regular and plus sizes and have a wide selection of designer items. You can always send items back, but be aware that there is a restocking fee. Two distinctive elements: thredUP frequently offers discounts of up to 50% off the original price, and once you add an item to your cart, it is put on hold for a full 12 hours.
Women's and children's gently used clothing can be found on the website thredUp. With more than 52.6 million sellers and millions of items across 35,000 brands, this platform is one of the largest online thrift stores for clothing and caters to customers looking for anything "from Gap to Gucci."
The business also provides "Rescue Boxes," a program for saving goods that can't be listed on its marketplace. It offers a unique chance for people to upcycle or do DIY projects by offering everything from clothing to bags to shoes. We suggest visiting thredUp to take advantage of the range of goods and size options as well as its Rescue Box program.
ThredUP is a thrift store that offers a lot of your high street brands as well as other higher-end expensive brands. You’re able to view high-definition quality pictures of the clothing on their website. People at thredUP are committed to a more eco-friendly fashion industry.
What they sell: Fashion clothes and accessories
What makes them special/successful:
- Robust premium, designer and plus-size categories
- Able to hold items in cart for 12 hours
- If you spend upwards of $80 on an item, then you can expect to have free shipping.
- This website also has plenty of great discounts running frequently.
4. The RealReal - Best for authenticated luxury items
therealreal.com
At The RealReal, where every item undergoes meticulous authentication and quality control, you'll only find the finest in luxury. Each product page includes written notes on the condition as well as clear, up-close images so you can see every mark and scratch.
The RealReal offers pages upon pages of opulent consigned clothing, bags, and fine jewelry that have been carefully selected and examined by in-house experts including horologists, gemologists, art curators, and luxury fashion authenticators.
What they sell: Fashion clothes and accessories from luxury brands
What makes them special/successful:
- Thorough, thoughtful authentication and quality control
- First Look membership gets customers early access to new items and secret sales
- Fairly priced assortment plus frequent sales
5. Menswear Market - Best for men
menswear-market.com
Menswear Market is solely for men, unlike many other online thrift stores that cater more to women. The high-end brands they specialize in include Lululemon and Burberry, both new and vintage, and in gently used or like-new condition. Menswear Market's commitment to clientele-ing, which gives services to customers on both the supplier and consumer sides a personal touch, is one of the things that makes it so distinctive.
What they sell: Male fashion clothes and accessories
What makes them special/successful:
- High-quality, high-end assortment
- Personal customer service
- Everything is returnable
6. Depop - Best for Gen Z
depop.com
Source: depop
Depop is the online marketplace of choice for Gen Z with popular searches like "Y2K" and "vintage," and you can filter the results by brand, size, price, color, and condition in addition to searching by style. There are over 32 million unique items available here, including a wide variety of items for kids, men, and women, as well as art, music, and other things.
Similar to TikTok and Instagram, the Depop app has an Explore page where you can scroll through products they think you'll love.
The platform is dedicated to buying and selling second-hand clothing directly from well-known influencers, celebrities, and various groups of (very stylish) global members. Depop is the quasi-Instagram online marketplace that is well known to speak to Millennials and Gen Z.
Depop enables users in Australia, Italy, the UK, and the US to haggle over prices, follow one another, and take part in virtual events through apps for iOS and Android. When searching for trendy vintage pieces, we advise opening the app.
It’s never been easier to shop for preloved clothes online, as you can see how the items look on models with a similar body type to you before you buy.
What they sell: Fashion clothes, accessories, art, music, and others
What makes them special/successful:
- This app has plenty of amazing clothes and is very easy to navigate.
- We would recommend that you use this app if you are a first-time second-hand clothes buyer.
- Social-media-inspired search capabilities
- Lots of unique items
- A goldmine for certain demographics
7. Patagonia Worn Wear - Best for outdoor clothing and gear
wornwear.patagonia.com
Worn Wear is Patagonia's response to online thrift shopping for used clothing.
They offer discounted used outdoor equipment as well as a wide variety of gently used Patagonia clothing for adults, children, and infants.
You can now add that recognizable and incredibly versatile Patagonia Nano Puff® jacket to your eco-friendly camping supplies without breaking the bank.
You can send items to Worn Wear in exchange for store credit to spend on new or used items if you simply want to trade up and get rid of things you don't wear.
In addition to the incredible discounts you'll find on gently used Patagonia products, they maintain a strict level of quality control and fix every item before it goes on sale.
What they sell: Outdoor clothing and gear
What makes them special/successful:
- Customers can find a lot of high-quality sportswear at this online store
- This shop accepts donations of very high-quality clothing that they will then resell at super-low prices
- Worn Wear has a trading policy that will allow you to exchange items for shopping credit.
8. Luxury Garage Sale - Best for designer brands
luxurygaragesale.com
Source: Luxury Garage Sale
Luxury Garage Sale is a designer online consignment shop for clothing and accessories with headquarters in Chicago.
This second-hand clothing store is among one of the best for luxury pre-owned items for both men and women. They specialize in handbags, shoes, jewelry and a host of other accessories from well-known brands from around the world at discounts of up to 80% off of list prices—and that's not even mentioning the sale section!
One of the top online thrift stores in the USA, they guarantee that each item is authentic by having internal experts inspect and verify it. They also provide complimentary stylists.
What they sell: Designer clothing and accessories
What makes them special/successful:
- Great range and good prices
- Authenticity guaranteed
- They ship all around the world, with flat rates for shipping to Australia and Canada
9. Beyond Retro - Best for vintage clothing
beyondretro.com
Source: Beyond Retro
Beyond Retro interrupts the runway show with disco-inspired attire and antique glitz. The online vintage store for both men and women offers a boho fashionista's dream selection of items from the 1960s to the 2000s.
The largest vintage retailer in the UK, Sweden, and Finland is called Beyond Retro, and it offers free shipping to ethical shoppers everywhere. Since 2002, this store has built a solid reputation for hand-selecting the best vintage, making them the go-to for trendy clothing without a significant carbon footprint.
They also offer an upcycled clothing line called Reworked Vintage in an effort to raise that number even higher. The Beyond Retro brand's feminine prints and denim dungarees bring together vintage and modern fashion.
While they currently don’t have an option for reselling old clothes online, their in-person UK and Sweden thrift stores have an exchange program that allows sellers to turn in old duds for a store discount that works online.
Beyond Retro doesn't just sell secondhand clothing; in order to provide the best merchandise, they handpick items, conduct quality checks, forecast future trends, and make minor adjustments.
What they sell: Vintage clothing
What makes them special/successful:
- Rare pieces are aplenty here, and all for an affordable price
- Delivery to anywhere in the UK is free if you spend more than £75
6 Tips To Run A Successful Online Thrift Store
1. Curate a Special and Eye-Catching Selection of Items
Consider launching an online store that resonates with your unique taste by offering an extensive array of thrift treasures or curating a selection to entice a special group. Craft an enticing shopping journey by handpicking captivating items that stand out and won't break the bank.
💡 Read more: Most Profitable Products to Sell Online: An Ultimate Guide
2. Use High-Quality Images and Descriptions.
Compelling descriptions and well-lit images significantly influence customer behavior, especially in an online thrift store context. High-quality photos and detailed descriptions replace traditional displays, guiding customers towards purchases. A thorough description including material, age, and usage, empowers informed decisions. Providing multi-angle photos enhances customer satisfaction and offers a comprehensive understanding of products.
💡 Read more: 12 Shopify Successful Stores That Are Dominating the eCommerce Game
3. Adopt A Successful Shipping and Returns Policy
Running an online thrift store involves global shipping, which incurs costs for customers. Transparency about shipping fees is crucial to prevent abandoned carts and dissatisfaction. Offering free shipping for larger orders can encourage more purchases. Clear communication of return policies including timeframes and product conditions is essential.
4. Make Use of Social Media and Other Online Marketing Channels
Harness the influence of social media to drive both impulsive and educated buying decisions in your online thrift store. Platforms like Instagram and Facebook enable showcasing items and cultivating a following. Utilize paid ads to reach tailored audiences and boost website traffic. Additionally, influencer marketing stands as a powerful strategy to attract specific demographics and effectively promote your products and store.
Conclusion
In the realm of online thrift stores, we've uncovered a collection of 9 gems that celebrate uniqueness, affordability, and sustainability. From vintage fashion to eclectic decor, each store offers a journey of discovery and personal style. These online thrift havens remind us that shopping is about more than trends. It's about embracing the past, expressing yourself, and making a positive impact on the world.
As you explore these stores and tips in this article, let their charm inspire your journey into launching a successful thrift store.
