Classic buying, thrifting, shopping for pre-loved, whichever means you discuss with it, there isn’t any denying that buying second-hand is healthier for the planet. Not solely does it assist to maintain clothes and accessories in circulation for longer—due to this fact avoiding landfill—nevertheless it additionally has an affect on an merchandise’s general environmental footprint.
Working example: in keeping with Wrap.gov.uk, extending the life cycle of clothes by simply 9 additional months has the flexibility to scale back an merchandise’s carbon, water and waste footprints by as much as 10%. A latest examine by digital market Vinted discovered equally spectacular outcomes. In line with its local weather affect report, “purchasing for second-hand trend on Vinted as a substitute of shopping for new demonstrated an emissions saving of 1.8 kilograms of carbon dioxide equal (kg CO₂e).”
Whereas the constructive affect of buying secondhand is evident, the precise apply of discovering second-hand objects you wish to buy could be a little harder. In fact, it may be a enjoyable, weekend expedition to spend a day trawling by means of classic shops, although any common pre-loved shopper will let you know that usually discovering high quality second-hand clothes can really feel akin to discovering a needle in a haystack.
Why? Sadly, resale shops each on-line and offline, have turn out to be overrun with high-street items that means distinctive pre-loved items can really feel few and much between. (In actual fact, one examine from final 12 months discovered that Zara was essentially the most extremely listed pre-loved model, with 439,696 objects on Depop alone).
That mentioned, there’s nonetheless hope. In the event you’re seeking to perceive the perfect methods to buy high quality second-hand objects on-line, and expertly filter by means of the ocean of discarded high-street items, then you definitely’ve come to the best place. We’ve tapped 5 consultants to grasp precisely how you can slender your search and discover the perfect pre-loved types obtainable. From eBay’s Pre-loved Trend stylist, Amy Bannerman (opens in new tab) and to skilled classic sellers, Selena Williams, Alice Timperley, Nicole Star and Kate Dooley maintain scrolling for high tips about one of the simplest ways to trace down a pre-loved gem.
EXPERT TIPS FOR FINDING UNIQUE PRELOVED ITEMS ONLINE
Eager to discover second-hand buying however unsure the place to start out? We’ve bought you coated. Maintain scrolling for high suggestions for second-hand buying from a mixture of skilled classic sellers and eBay’s pre-loved stylist.
TIP 1: Be sure you have a plan
The simplest solution to nab your self a classic gem is to first be clear about what you’re in search of. “Firstly, I’d suggest all the time getting into with a plan,” eBay stylist, Amy Bannerman tells Marie Claire.
“I usually flick through for inspiration on social media and take a look at my favorite influencers and celebrities after which head to eBay to seek for comparable seems to be. This makes the searching course of a lot simpler as a substitute of aimlessly scrolling as a result of there may be a lot selection.”
TIP 2: Filters are your pal
A number of of the classic consultants we spoke to harassed the significance of filters and very particular search phrases. “With apps like Depop, Vinted and Ebay, there’s a lot alternative, it may be a bit overwhelming,” Selena Williams, the classic skilled behind Selena’s Store instructed Marie Claire UK. “So I would suggest making use of the filter search choices to actually discover what you are in search of.” Depop high vendor Alice Timperley echoed these sentiments. “Use as many filters as doable on reselling platforms. I additionally all the time filter to solely present used objects to take away any doable drop delivery accounts.”
“Be artistic together with your search phrases,” Bannerman added. “I usually inform individuals to spell issues incorrectly since you’ll by no means know what you’ll discover. I’ve discovered so many bargains simply by discovering issues spelt the mistaken means.”
TIP 3: Know your aesthetic
Given there may be a lot alternative on re-sale platforms, it may well all the time be helpful to pinpoint the precise type you’re after. “I are likely to seek for particular eras, model names and types,” Williams defined. Whether or not you’re into ‘90s minimalism or ‘60s retro prints, there may be energy in figuring out (and particularly looking for) the pattern you need. Nicole Stark, the classic vendor behind Glownic Classic agrees, “I might recommend looking for out which ‘core’ fits what you are in search of essentially the most and you might be certain to search out outcomes.” Stark is right, notably on Depop, looking out particular traits like “cottagecore” or “coastal grandmother” is prone to garner equally particular outcomes.
Another choice each Williams mentions is to search out sellers whose aesthetic you’re keen on and comply with them. “I personally love following clothes re-sellers on Instagram as yow will discover sellers who curate a retailer primarily based on a particular type or period,” Williams defined. “This implies yow will discover sellers who actually symbolize your individual private type, which makes it so much faster and straightforward to search out precisely what you are in search of.”
TIP 4: Don’t be afraid to DM
When unsure, a number of of our consultants suggest getting in contact with the vendor on to ask any particular questions. “In the event you’re uncertain of the situation, all the time ask for additional pics and do not be anxious about asking questions earlier than you buy,” Williams defined.
“If it isn’t clear within the description attempt to contact the vendor to ask if there are any flaws,” petite classic skilled Kate Dooley added. “This avoids any disappointment on either side.”
Timperley agreed, and advocates for asking, notably if you happen to’re questioning whether or not an merchandise is actually classic. “If utilizing a platform reminiscent of Vinted or eBay, I discover it best to go looking by manufacturers and ask the vendor to ship an image of the label to establish how previous the merchandise is,” she defined. Timperley additionally added that there are different advantages to messaging a vendor straight. “It’s nice to attach with sellers and ask them if they’ve the rest comparable that they haven’t but listed (they usually do!).”
TIP 5: When on eBay, bid strategically
“At all times participate in auctions so you’ll be able to bag the perfect bargains,” eBay skilled Bannerman explains. “That is truly the place I discover the perfect offers.”
She notes {that a} good tip is so as to add in a ultimate bid simply earlier than the clock is ready to day out. “It’s even higher to place an sudden and uneven determine and bid simply earlier than the public sale ends,” she mentioned. “For instance, if you happen to put in £20.86 and another person has bid £20, you’ll simply win. By doing this, I’ve managed to get my palms on the perfect designer items, together with a Jean Paul Gaultier co-ord and Alaia gown that had been standouts on Love Island.”
HOW TO FIND THE RIGHT SIZE:
In the event you’re second-hand buying on-line, you may be questioning how you can discover the best dimension with out having the ability to attempt the objects on. Whereas buying second-hand for latest merchandise may be simpler, purchasing for real classic comes with an entire host size-related of ambiguity.
“If the merchandise is true classic (aka, from one other period) the sizing gained’t equate to trendy sizing,” explains Bannerman. “I counsel going up two or three sizes – perhaps much more – after which getting it tailor-made if it’s too huge.”
As a basic rule of thumb is: if unsure, go huge. “You possibly can all the time have one thing taken in at an area dry cleaner or someplace like The Seam in order that it turns into custom-made for you,” she provides.
Bannerman additionally recommends double-checking the itemizing photographs, simply to ensure sizes aren’t listed incorrectly. “Additionally examine the images of an merchandise towards what they’re listed as. Typically individuals get this mistaken. I simply discovered a skirt listed as an L however the label mentioned an 8, which is clearly not an L!”
One other high tip is to message the vendor to ask for measurements. Whereas sizing can differ between manufacturers and eras, asking for an merchandise’s sizing in CMs or inches is a foolproof means to make sure you know whether or not it should match.
HOW CAN YOU ENSURE YOU’RE BUYING FROM A REPUTABLE SOURCE:
With regards to purchasing for pre-loved luxurious particularly, usually it may be troublesome to decipher what’s and isn’t real. Whereas individuals on-line may declare their merchandise are genuine, there are actually loads of fakes floating across the interwebs. Fortunately, a number of second-hand buying platforms have now launched processes to make sure you’re getting what you pay for.
“eBay has a tremendous service known as Authenticity Assured, for greater worth objects like sneakers, designer baggage and jewelry,” Bannerman tells Marie Claire. “After you purchase an merchandise, it’ll get despatched off to a dependable authenticator who will examine it towards the itemizing description and do an inspection to ensure it’s the true deal, after which ship it to you with a singular authentication card or tag.” Bannerman defined that you may additionally filter on-line to point out solely Authenticity Assured objects, saving you hours of what in any other case may be wasted scrolling.
“I’d additionally all the time examine a vendor’s suggestions and what number of issues they’ve bought previously,” Bannerman added as a high tip. “If they’re promoting a high-value merchandise and don’t have any historical past, I’d steer effectively clear!”
Different re-sale websites, like Vestiaire Collective, for instance, have a equally thorough vetting course of. Vestiaire Collective checks 100% of its objects for authenticity, both bodily or digitally, utilizing a mixture of human experience and machine-based algorithms. The model claims its “counterfeit detection is 99.9% correct” so you’ll be able to really feel assured that what you’re getting is genuine.
VINTAGE SELLERS TO FOLLOW NOW
Selena Williams @selenasshop__
Selena Williams grew up attending automobile boot gross sales together with her grandparents and rummaging by means of charity retailers together with her mum. This preliminary publicity subsequently helped her develop a love for all issues classic in her teen years. Now, she has over 40K followers on Depop and an additional 11K loyal followers on Instagram.
“My classic retailer began very organically, I wanted some more money so I began promoting a couple of of my previous garments on eBay and Depop. Earlier than you understand it all the pieces bought and I believed I may do that as a job,” she instructed Marie Claire on the genesis of her on-line retailer. “I completely love purchasing for preloved and classic clothes. One in all my favorite issues to do is to rummage at a automobile boot sale or flea market. There are solely so many garments I can maintain myself, so it is wonderful to have the ability to share my finds with my prospects.”
Selena attributes her success to find nice classic merchandise to persistence. “You actually do need to dedicate the time,” she explains. “For instance, if I’m going to a automobile boot sale, I will be certain that I am there actually early and I will make sure you have a look at each stall simply in case you miss a secret gem. In the event you’re buying in charity retailers, make sure you depart no stone unturned.”
Observe @selenasshop__ (opens in new tab)
Ladies’s Blue and White Costume
Alice Timperley @a.timps
Alice Timperley has all the time had a penchant and curiosity for objects from earlier eras. “I’ve all the time had a little bit of a factor for objects from the previous, be it an vintage broach or my grandma’s previous footwear. However I didn’t correctly get into classic buying till I used to be at college,” she tells Marie Claire. “I actually fell in love with thrifting throughout my 12 months overseas in Paris and that’s after I realised I may make some cash from promoting on Depop.”
What began as a ardour mission, has now grown right into a fully-fledged on-line retailer. Alice is certainly one of Depop’s high sellers with a following of over 20K. “Throughout Covid, I began to discover the environmental impacts of the style trade and realised that purchasing second-hand was vastly vital for our planet. That’s after I actually put within the work to develop my store on-line.”
So what’s Alice’s high tip for distinctive classic finds? “Go off the crushed observe – my greatest finds have been in essentially the most random areas. My favorite place to buy classic is European thrift shops with €1 bins. It’s a must to rummage by means of a whole lot of previous broken objects however the gems are value it!”
Observe @a.timps (opens in new tab)
Ladies’s Black and Pink Skirt
KOOKAÏ Ladies’s Pink and Brown Costume
Nicole Stark @glownicvintage
“My favorite place to search out pre-loved clothes is at flea markets overseas. You possibly can by no means discover cuter garments at a less expensive value,” Nicole tells Marie Claire. The classic vendor has been buying pre-loved since she was 16, and determined to take her resale retailer to the subsequent stage throughout lockdown. “I needed to advertise a extra sustainable and distinctive means of constructing a wardrobe, all of the whereas producing an revenue whereas finding out,” she defined. At the moment, Stark has over 21K followers on Depop and has even hosted a couple of bodily pop-up retailers in Edinburgh the place she relies.
“Italy has bought to have the perfect markets I’ve seen up to now, however watch this area as I discover,” she provides. If there aren’t any journey plans in your future, Stark recommends attending automobile boot gross sales to search out the perfect classic gems. “In the event you aren’t travelling quickly, go to a automobile boot! A whole lot of the finds there will likely be distinctive and have a private story to the proprietor.”
Observe @glownicvintage (opens in new tab)
Ladies’s White and Blue Vest
Kate Dooley @offbeatpetite
Petite ladies, we’ve got excellent news, pre-loved buying simply bought an entire lot simpler for you, because of Kate Dooley! Sure, the pre-loved skilled has created a classic retailer which caters particularly to petite ladies. On the shop’s origin, Dooley defined: “I downloaded Depop in a bid to promote some previous garments and because the majority of my wardrobe was objects from excessive avenue petite traces, I discovered that so much the individuals shopping for from me had been fellow brief ladies. As my store gained recognition I made a decision to start out shopping for second-hand clothes to promote, particularly for the petite market.” And so, Kate’s retailer, Off Beat Petite was born.
As we speak, Kate has bought over 3000 objects on Depop and gained a loyal following of sustainably-minded petite ladies. “Alongside the best way, I learnt in regards to the significance of sustainable trend in at this time’s world. It is now my mission to supply petite-friendly classic items to as many ladies as doable.”
Observe @offbeatpetite (opens in new tab)
Amy Bannerman is eBay’s Pre-Beloved Trend Stylist with over 20 years of expertise shopping for and promoting on eBay, she clothes virtually completely in second-hand and classic. As a self-proclaimed eBay obsessive, she lives in a home furnished with an eclectic mixture of furnishings purchased predominantly from eBay and her son now clothes high to toe in pre-loved too. Amy specialises in pre-loved clothes and has beforehand styled celebrities reminiscent of Jonathan Van Ness, Lena Dunham, Dua Lipa, Sophie Turner, Rita Ora, amongst many others. Amy additionally beforehand labored at Elle and InStyle, and styled trend tales for iD, Glamour and The Sunday Instances Type.
