According to a recent report by pre-loved retailer, ThredUP, the second-hand market will reach $51 billion within the next five years. Fashion resale has grown 21 times faster than the traditional retail apparel market over the last three years and we have Millennials and Gen Z to largely thank for it. 

But shopping pre-loved isn’t just a way to join the cool kids’ gang, it’s an excellent way to reduce your carbon footprint while still keeping ahead of the style curve. What’s more, who doesn’t love the thrill of landing that gently worn dress from your favourite designer for a fraction of the price?

Here are some of our favourite second-hand sites for fashion and beyond;

ThredUP 

From mum jeans to premium labels and designer handbags, ThredUP is like shopping at your favourite retail store, only it’s better for the planet. You can shop by size, price or your chosen brand, and mums-to-be will also love their maternity options. They currently only ship to the US and Canada but have plans to extend their networks across the globe. 

The Real Real 

All your high-end favourites come together at The RealReal, an online designer consignment store that prides itself on the absolute best pre-loved luxury finds. After a vintage Rolex? What about a love-forever Louis Vuitton or Prada handbag? You’ll find it here. Sure, it’s not for everyday shopping, but scrolling is fun and you never know what bargains you might end up finding. 

Etsy

As far as we’re concerned Etsy is a gold mine of sustainable and ethical finds. From artisan producers to vintage stores across all types of categories, it’s truly got the lot. Be careful though, it’s easy to fall down a rabbit hole of finds. 

Retykle 

Anyone with kids will know how fast they grow out of their clothes. Enter Retykle, this Hong Kong-based second-hand kids platform is a great way to grab goodies for your babes for so much less. Founder Sarah Garner wanted to give families access to quality kids clothes at affordable prices after becoming frustrated by the waste of kids quickly outgrowing their wares. It also offers a maternity range, clothes that are new with tags, and you can easily offload all your pieces once your little ones outgrow them too. 

Instagram and Facebook

Social media has become a highly effective tool in the pre-loved marketplace. A quick search should help you find ones in your ‘hood or those that pique your specific interests like kids clothing, furniture or accessories. Ask your network for their favourites and then share the love. Or search for a group that fits – like a buy, swap, sell specific to your local area, baby or ski gear – the possibilities are endless.

1stdibs

From a ‘20s original Flapper dress to 70s Halston to 80s Donna Karen to new season Chanel and Saint Laurant, if you’ve got the means, 1stdibs has the loot. It’s serious designer – with serious price tags – but oh so fun to browse. 

Vestiaire Collective

Whether you’re in the market for some pre-loved Chanel (#investmentpiece) or a designer trench coat (#capsulewardrobe), Vestiaire Collective has you covered. You’ll need to sign up to gain access to the goodies, and if you’ve had little luck finding that wardrobe staple (#30wears) in the second-hand department you can also buy new items too.

eBay

It’ll come as no great surprise that this auction giant is on the list but when it comes to buying – and selling – it really is hard to go past. From coats and boots to dresses and jeans, the sheer number of users – locally and globally – means you’re bound to always find what  you’re looking for. We’ve found this platform great for second-hand school finds too. 

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