Gone are the days where I used to feel embarrassed wearing clothing my mom thrifted to school. Ironically, I now flock to thrift stores like Goodwill, or resale shops like Buffalo Exchange, to buy everything from basic t-shirts to kitschy, camouflage jeans. Today, there would be very few circumstances in which I would willingly pay full price for a fast fashion clothing item. Generation Z is quickly killing the stigma surrounding shopping secondhand and — given the ethical and environmental implications (and monetary benefit for the consumer) of making this switch —I’m all for it. But in the age of COVID-19, thrift shopping definitely isn’t what it used to be.
For the last year, going into any store has been anxiety-inducing for many people. Therefore, going to thrift stores felt irresponsible at times, when I can admit that my shopping is definitely non-essential. I’ve used resale apps since before the pandemic hit, but have certainly used them much more since last March for that reason.
Though we are approaching a post-pandemic life, where people will be able to shop freely and even try on clothing at their local thrifts again, I’ve realized that there are still major benefits to buying secondhand clothing online. I’ve found that one of the biggest pros to shopping online is that you are able to find almost exactly what you are searching for versus when you’re shopping in-person (in-person, I will often stumble upon amazing finds … but I wasn’t exactly “looking” for that item). Another plus to shopping online is that you’ll often find brand-new or “new without tags” items for a fraction of their retail cost. Below are my favorite apps/websites for shopping secondhand where you can acquire *major* deals.
- Depop
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Depop is probably the “trendiest” app on this list. From the app’s aesthetic, to the sheer amount of campy-cool clothing it lists, to the customary personability of its sellers…I must say, Depop is kind of elite. My main gripe with Depop is its sometimes absurd/unreliable pricing. For example, I’ve found major deals on designer items in practically-immaculate condition on Depop. I’ve also found “rare” Brandy Melville items selling on Depop for 5x retail price. Consequently, Depop is one of my favorite places to window-shop, but not necessarily the first place I’d go to spend my money.
- Ebay
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Ebay has existed for longer than most college-aged kids have been alive (25 years, to be exact), and it’s still around for good reason! While Ebay’s most popular/top-selling category is electronics, in my opinion, the clothing category is where it’s *really* at. I’ve gotten some of my favorite vintage pieces on Ebay for under 15 dollars. Specifically, all of my Notre Dame sweatshirts are ones I have found on Ebay (and most were bought in mint condition too). If you’re still shopping at the Bookstore for gameday apparel, do your wallet a favor and check out Ebay! Ebay is also a great site for buying brand-new clothing for a fraction of retail cost. You can filter your search to be for items that are “New With Tags (NWT),” “New Without Tags (NWOT),” “Vintage,” and more.
- Poshmark
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Poshmark is similar to Depop in terms of ease of use and app features, but it definitely has a different culture/market than Depop does. To analogize the two: if Depop were Urban Outfitters, Poshmark would be Anthropologie … and this reality is amazing because it means that brands and/or styles that are highly sought after on Depop are almost never as popular on Poshmark, and vice versa. I actually recently bought two mega cute Nike tennis skirts for $8 a piece on Poshmark (after seeing the same ones on Depop for triple the price). Booyah!
- Etsy
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If jewelry is your jam, you have to check out Etsy. Etsy has some of the most beautiful vintage/second-hand jewelry priced equally right. I’ve also found super cool, eclectic and vintage clothing items on Etsy (albeit at higher prices), but the jewelry section is its real gem (ha)! Etsy also isn’t a site for shopping exclusively secondhand, though. According to the Etsy website, Etsy is a “global online marketplace, where people come together to make, sell, buy, and collect unique items.” The handmade category on Etsy is both vast and incredibly diverse. Whatever you’re looking for, from rings to rugs, there is probably an Etsy seller who hand-makes that item. In this way, Etsy is also an awesome avenue for consumers to support/buy from smaller businesses.
Forbes said it first: fast fashion is dying and thrifting is thriving. I am grateful to be a part of a generation that is helping to popularize an overwhelmingly positive practice and I will continue to encourage people to buy second-hand when they can. Though, navigating the world of resale is not necessarily as intuitive as one might think … especially since the Internet has enabled the market to experience monumental growth in not only supply but also demand; it can be overwhelming, to say the least. For this reason, I often hear my peers lamenting that they wish they knew “how” to thrift or that they’ve had little luck with thrifting in the past. If you relate to one of those statements, consider this article an “I Got You.” Happy thrifting, and may all your Y2K dreams come true!
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