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Vintage shopping is taking over the web, and for good reason. It’s sustainable, efficient, relatively low cost and you’re practically guaranteed to find something unique you’ll love forever!
Whether you’re a hardcore vintage stalker or new to the game, having vast knowledge of this online shopping world is a necessity.
It has its own set of pros and cons, but it’s simpler and easier to buy a piece of epic vintage clothing online versus spending hours on our feet looking for a piece at our local thrift shop. There are no guarantees that your local store will have anything you like, but you can be pretty much certain that you’ll find something on one of the e-commerce platforms that sell vintage clothing. And if your feeling really adventurous, you might even want to try out the live online shopping that some of these platforms are beginning to offer!
So, here are some of the most affordable online thrift stores out there:
Depop
This place is a goldmine for all things vintage, fashionable and unique.
Depop is an online thrift store where people sell their old clothes and accessories. You never know what will pop up on this here. It’s a great place to discover and buy pre-loved clothing, shoes, and accessories from the UK, US, and all over the world, but the best part is that you can buy pieces at a fraction of their original price. Since Depop has so many great sellers in England and Ireland you can find some of the best soccer jerseys to buy.
You can also sell your own items here, whether they are clothes, accessories, jewelry, or homeware.
The app itself is really easy to use and the interface is super user-friendly. You can search by using the app’s built-in filters or even by location! There are also some nice features like being able to see the seller’s other items for sale or if they have sold something else recently.
So, if you want an item but don’t want to pay full price for it, Depop is your friend.
eBay
When you’re on the hunt for an item, eBay can be great. But when it comes to vintage clothing, it’s also helpful to focus your search on a specific era — say the 1950s or 1980s — to narrow down your results and make them more relevant.
The site also offers a range of categories for different types of clothing. You can search for evening gowns, wedding dresses, formal dresses, pants, tops, or even high end jumpsuits. The possibilities are endless, and you can find almost anything to match your taste. You can also pick out specific pieces by using the advanced search options — narrowing down your search by color, style, and size.
But with so many choices, how do you pick out the right piece?
It can be difficult with Ebay and often times you might find yourself getting lost.
Etsy
Etsy is a global online marketplace for handmade or vintage items. Etsy sellers offer their products for sale through the website. These items include art, craft supplies, vintage clothing, textiles, and handmade goods. You can find really unique handmade knitted goods like balaclavas, scarfs, or warm winter hats. Most sellers work out of private or shared workshops and studios.
We’ve rounded up some of our favorite sellers to help you find your perfect vintage piece at an affordable price:
Etsy first began as a website with features similar to Craigslist which focused on arts and crafts-related listings but later expanded into a catalog of offerings that included vintage clothing, prints, and other collectibles. As of 2022, the online store has 97 million registered users and 1.8 million active sellers.
Etsy is also the platform of choice for many creative individuals who repurpose old clothing and scrap fabrics to create unique, one-of-a-kind fashion pieces that make a statement. By repurposing materials that might otherwise go to waste, these designers are not only creating something new and beautiful, but also contributing to a more sustainable fashion industry.
Poshmark
Brick-and-mortar thrift stores have a reputation for being crowded and not particularly stylish, but many online resale shops are trying to change that. One of the biggest names in this space is Poshmark, which has more than 80 million users and 200 million items available for sale.
Poshmark allows you to browse through members’ closets or boutiques and shop their entire wardrobe — no matter how big or small. You can find clothing, accessories, shoes, toys, and other household goods from brands like Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Prada, Juicy Couture, Marc Jacobs, and much more.
You can even sell your own items on Poshmark. If you’re looking to clean out your closet or make a little extra cash for clothes you’ve worn once or twice, this is a great option.
Shop Goodwill
Goodwill is a nonprofit that sells donated clothing, housewares, cars, and other items to raise money for its mission of helping people overcome barriers to independence.
Goodwill Online is one of the best kept secrets for thrifty shoppers. This is because it has a massive inventory of gently used items at affordable prices. You see, Goodwill sorts through its best stuff and puts it online via their own e-commerce platform. This allows anyone to bid on the items they are looking for. Shop Goodwill is run by the Goodwill Outlet locations that serve as distribution centers for regional Goodwills. If you live near a Goodwill location that sells on Shop Goodwill you have the option to pick up your purchase in person to save on the shipping costs.
From rare books to sterling silver and gold you can buy almost anything on Shop Goodwill. However, it also can be a great place to find some super high end items from designers like Gucci, Louis Vuitton, and more.
While the items are not always categorized properly, you can find something specific by using their Advanced Search feature.
Facebook Marketplace
Facebook Marketplace is a great resource for thrift shopping. It’s a place where people can sell their old clothes, toys, and other items to others. You’ll save money and help the environment by selling your used items. With so many options, it’s easy to get overwhelmed by the app.
Here are some tips:
Browse by category — Men’s Clothing, Women’s Clothing, and Kids’ Clothing are the top three categories at this time.
Check out trends for specific items — you might find a lot more women’s jeans in one category than another right now, which could indicate that they’re popular right now.
When you find an item you like, click on it to see more details about it. The seller might have more than one photo of the item so you can see it from different angles.
If they are shipping the item and they don’t offer free shipping, ask them if they’d be willing to reduce the price of the item so that it’s more affordable for you.
Mercari
Mercari is a Japanese company that has taken the U.S. by storm over the past year, so it’s probably time we talked about it.
Mercari is an online marketplace where people sell their used clothes and accessories. All items are sold with photos and a description, allowing you to select exactly what you want to buy.
The app is super simple to use— this is because it’s super similar to Instagram in terms of layout. What I love about Mercari is that it allows me to shop for things I like, regardless of trendiness or brand name recognition. Because it’s focused on secondhand clothing and accessories, I have the luxury of not being concerned with high prices.
Instead, I’m able to browse through thousands of items by various sellers without ever leaving my couch!
Final Thoughts
Vintage clothing shopping is the perfect antidote to today’s fast fashion culture. By shopping secondhand, you’ll be doing your bit for the environment and helping slow the consumption of new clothing. And in the long run, it can save you cash as well as offer up some amazing finds!
