7 Places to Buy Used Clothes Online (Best Online Thrift Shops)

Looking for some cool places to buy used clothes online? We’ve rounded up the best options!

When I was growing up, buying used clothes meant going down to Goodwill and sifting through racks of ratty shirts that didn’t exactly smell like spring flowers.

Thankfully, a lot has changed since then, and buying secondhand clothing is no longer a grubby affair.

In fact, it’s often a better option than buying new. It’s much more sustainable, and you can often find some great deals on like new and lightly worn garments.

There are plenty of platforms for reselling clothes, and these “thrift shops” are a far cry from your local Salvation Army. Most sellers offer curated selections of clothes in excellent condition (and without a questionable stain in sight).

Read on for our guide to buying clothes online and our roundup of the 7 best online thrift shops.

How to Buy Used Clothes Online

If you’re new to buying used clothes online, then be assured that, at least in my opinion, it’s a much better experience than perusing the tattered selection at your local thrift store.

That said, buying without trying can take some getting used to. Since you can’t inspect the item in person, you’ll need to browse a little more thoroughly than you would for your normal online shopping.

Here are a few simple strategies you can use to make the most of your experience.

Know Your Measurements

Knowing your measurements is good to know anyway, but it’s especially useful when buying secondhand. Going off of size alone is difficult because size ranges vary from brand to brand (and often from garment to garment from the same brand).

This is also helpful because many sellers will either list measurements or show the item being measured in the photos. Of course, there can be human error, but this is still the best way to make sure a garment fits.

The easiest method to get your measurements is to grab an item of clothing that fits you perfectly and lay it on a table or surface to measure it flat. For best results, measure at least one garment of each type (e.g., shirt, jacket, winter coat, etc.).

For shirts, make sure you know your chest (pit to pit) and arm measurements. For pants, it’s handy to know your true waist size as opposed to the labeled size, and you should also know your inseam length. (You may want to know your rise height as well).

Get Familiar With Filters

Shopping on clothing marketplaces is pretty straightforward, and there are many browsing options to help you refine your search.

Filters are probably the most useful here. Most used clothing sites have extensive filters that allow you to select everything from size to collar type. Some sites’ filters even change depending on the item category you select.

Learning to use these filters can dramatically improve your shopping experience and ensure that you get the exact results you’re looking for. Using specific search terms in conjunction with filters will optimize your results even further.

Do Your Homework

Item descriptions can tell you a lot about both the item and the seller, so it’s important to read them carefully. The best descriptions are clearly written and provide all the information you need to know, including brand, size, condition, and measurements.

Before you hit the buy button, make sure you’ve checked out the seller’s profile. Read their reviews or feedback and see how long they’ve been on the platform.

It’s riskier to buy from new sellers, but keep in mind that clothing marketplaces have buyer protection policies in place. Ultimately, it depends on your comfort level with the seller and the platform.

Finally, if you’re purchasing a big-ticket item, check that it’s been verified (if the platform offers that). If it’s an especially high-demand item that could be forged, you’ll want to do some research on counterfeits. Use your judgment, but be cautious!

Where to Buy Used Clothes Online

With all of that in mind, here are the 7 best sites to buy cheap used clothes online in alphabetical order.

Depop

Depop is the most outwardly youth-focused platform on this list, but it has its advantages. In particular, you can find lots of nice vintage pieces alongside some well-known menswear brands.

It’s arguably the closest you’ll get to an actual thrift shop, albeit one that’s a bit more curated and focused on trends. If that’s up your street, then you may want to give Depop a look.

eBay

You can find anything on eBay, and that goes for menswear, too. eBay is one of the biggest hotspots for all kinds of used clothing, ranging from new items with the tags still attached to gently worn clothes that only need a quick wash.

eBay is a great option because you can find any type of men’s clothing on it. Once you filter out the new items (most of which are generic, mass-produced clothes), you’ll have loads of great results to look through.

This makes eBay a great place to start for those new to buying clothes online.

If you’re after items that are harder to find, it may also be worth checking eBay’s international listings. This is also a cool way to find new brands or even new types of clothes.

Etsy

Etsy is known for its arts and crafts scene, but it also has a vibrant clothing marketplace full of items you can’t find anywhere else.

The platform hosts only vintage and handmade items, and on top of that, many sellers are exclusive to Etsy, so you get some truly unique results.

Admittedly, Etsy doesn’t have the most useful filters, and it’s not the best shopping experience out there. But if you can get around the clunkiness, you can come across some one-of-a-kind garments.

Facebook Marketplace

Though Facebook Marketplace is hit-or-miss with clothing, it’s included in this list because it’s another hotspot for items that are hard to find elsewhere.

Most people use Marketplace for local transactions, and if you do, you have the added advantage of being able to see the item in person. But many Marketplace sellers are willing to ship, so that may be an option if you see something you like that’s not near you.

Grailed

You’ll likely recognize the name Grailed if you’ve ever spent more than thirty seconds looking for used clothes online.

The platform has been around since 2013 and mostly focuses on high-end menswear from designer labels and hyped brands. However, you can also find many staple brands like Ralph Lauren and Brooks Brothers, so you’re not limited to pricey streetwear.

Poshmark

Poshmark is an all-around solid place to buy cheap used clothes online. It’s not as designer-focused as Grailed, and it’s a better clothing platform than eBay, so it hits a happy medium for the most part.

You’ll find a little bit of everything on Poshmark, though midrange menswear brands like J. Crew and Old Navy are particularly prevalent. If you’re after used menswear that’s not decidedly high-end, then Poshmark should absolutely be in your rotation.

The RealReal

If you want to explore the upper echelons of used clothing, then head to The RealReal. This luxury marketplace is even more upscale than Grailed, and you’ll see listings with items from top-tier designers like Saint Laurent, Hermès, and Dior Men.

Like some other used clothing sites, The RealReal offers verification services so you can shop with more confidence. The platform also has tons of jewelry and watch listings, and you can even find miscellaneous items like trading cards and comics.

FAQs About Buying Used Clothes

Still have questions about buying used clothes online? Check out answers to common questions below: 

Is It Okay To Buy Used Clothes Online?

Secondhand clothes are both cheap and used, which can lead people to believe that they’re flimsy and dirty. But most of the time, the opposite is true — the secondhand clothing marketplace is rife with like-new garments.

In addition, you can easily spot any defects or damage by looking at the photos.

Is Poshmark a Legit Site?

All of the sites on this list (including Poshmark) are completely legitimate. While there is always a possibility of getting scammed, these platforms work to counteract that with buyer protection policies.

Is Secondhand Clothing Cheaper?

Buying used is almost always cheaper than buying new, so you’re almost guaranteed to save money. There are some exceptions (for instance, sold-out and discontinued pieces from popular brands) but you’ll generally find clothes for much cheaper than you would if you bought them new.

Final Thoughts

There are a lot of reasons to buy used clothes online these days. It’s much cheaper and more sustainable, and you can also find some one-of-a-kind pieces.

And with these platforms, buying used is no more difficult than buying new. As long as you do your due diligence while shopping, you’ll have a great purchasing experience.

If you haven’t considered buying secondhand, then definitely take a look at some of these online thrift stores. You might be surprised at what you find!

Questions? Comments? Leave them below!