While hunting for a bargain has long been part of shopping joy, somehow we never caught the bug for rummaging around a second hand store . It was almost too much work for one great piece. But, with more and more pre-loved sites moving online, we are now completely hooked. An increased focus the wasteful nature of the fashion industry means pre-loved shopping also feels slightly virtuous. And price points are usually more compelling. Sometimes you can find that item you had been dreaming of at a price that works for you. We have also fallen head over heels for some of the truly special vintage pieces that can be found — the very best way to ensure you never turn up at the party looking the same as another guest.
There are, of course, pitfalls to buying second hand online, the most obvious being that you can’t see the item first. It is therefore worthwhile to pay close attention to return policies and make sure you are dealing with a reputable seller. The good news is that many sites now offer returns and easy shipping. If shopping from the UK, please do check to see if duties are included in purchase price.
While we’re still searching for that dreamy Celine coat from 2003, lots of amazing pieces have been found along the way. Here are our favourite hunting grounds.
ReSee
ReSee is by far our favourite site to browse. With a tight edit of high-end designer clothes, it is a vintage shopper’s dream. Easy to navigate, you can choose to search by designer, clothing type, colour, size and more. Even sort items by decade and find some of the most covetable looks from the past, like this red velvet suit worn by Gwyneth Paltrow.
Unlike some sites, all inventory is held by ReSee. This means it has been inspected prior to being shown for sale, dramatically reducing shipping times to the customer and often offering easy returns.
from Saint Laurent
from Vita Kin
from Celine
from Gucci
Sign of the Times
This long-standing second hand boutique in Chelsea has a great selection of designer items. If you are in the area, it’s well worth a drop by. Inventory is frequently refreshed and most in excellent condition. If you are not in London, Sign of the Times has only recently launched a website allowing all access to some of their best items.
from Chanel
from Borgo de Nor
from Manolo Blahnik
Hardly Ever Worn It
We have been shopping Hardly Ever Worn It, or HEWI, for many years. Here you can even search for items “with tags.” The company is UK based, meaning relatively quick shipping times on many items. There is a mix here of prices set by HEWI and those set by third party sellers. And you can, within reason, negotiate directly with both on price. Once you have set up your account, you can watch items and notifications will be sent if there are any changes in price.
from Chanel
from Brunello Cucinelli
from Elie Saab
1st Dibs
With a second hand/vintage furniture addiction, 1st Dibs has been a long time haunt. Perhaps we should have noticed sooner the selection of fashion items for sale here as well. It is especially helpful as you can search by shipping location, allowing you to avoid shipping and taxation pitfalls. Search for high-end brands.
from Dolce & Gabbana
from Celine
from Diane Freis
The RealReal
This US-based retailer really has everything. With a huge selection of designers, TheRealReal is a just an overall fantastic place to shop. Items are all inspected and held in-house, so there is no negotiating with a third-party on price. There are often sales and discounts available across site and you can mark items you love to watch for changes in price. We often find great nearly new or with tags items from designers like Ulla Johnson and Nili Lotan that are not as easily found elsewhere.
As items are distributed from America, be aware of import duties here in particular.
from Gabriela Hearst
from Gucci
from Ulla Johnson
from Doen
Other Great Places to Shop Nearly New
Opportunities to shop nearly new are growing by the day. We have also been browsing FarFetch, which now has a dedicated area for Pre-Owned items. It is a great place to look for accessories, in particular — bags, belts, watches and the like.
Vestiare Collective is one of the longest running pre-owned sites and great items can be found. Be aware of third-party sellers and the delays that might result — it is worth exchanging messages with the seller prior to purchase.
Of course, we are still searching Ebay and Etsy for specific items, but often find the selection overwhelming and almost impossible to browse. If you are buying from these sites, be sure to look for professional sellers with return policies.
A Little Bird Loves
