Shopping secondhand and thrift stores the right way
Secondhand lets you find unique, quality pieces at low prices while cutting waste. You just need to know how to look.
Why secondhand
Buying used has three advantages: it's cheaper, more eco-friendly, and you find pieces nobody else has. Older collections were often better made than a lot of today's fast fashion. Thrifting takes more patience than shopping new, but the thrill of the find and the price are well worth digging around.
Inspecting a secondhand piece
Before buying, examine the piece closely. Check the seams, buttons, zip, and wear areas: armpits, collar, elbows, crotch. Look for stains and pilling. Smell it. A minor repair is fine if you can do it — a visible flaw on a key area, not so much. Always try things on, because vintage and foreign sizing doesn't match current standards.
Shopping with a method
In physical thrift stores, aim for restock days and take your time — the right piece takes effort to find. Online, filter by size and brand, ask sellers for exact measurements, and look at the photos carefully. Have a list of what you're genuinely looking for so you don't just buy at random. Secondhand becomes a trap if you just accumulate things because they're cheap.
Apply it now
- List the pieces you're genuinely looking for
- Check seams, zips, and wear areas
- Look for stains, smell, and pilling
- Always try things on — ignore the size label
- Only buy what you'll actually wear, not just the price
Frequently asked
How do you wash a thrifted piece?
Wash it before wearing, at the temperature on the label. A slightly longer cycle with a good rinse removes odours.
Are secondhand sizes reliable?
Not really. Sizes vary by era, brand, and country. Trust the actual measurements, not the tag.