Clothing is one of the most sought-after items in the world. It’s what many people will spend money on before they buy food, shelter, or anything else. The average person spends approximately $1,300 per year on clothes. This may sound like a lot to some, but what if you could get that amount back every time you go shopping? That’s what buying secondhand clothing from thrift stores can do for you!

In this blog post, we’re going to talk about what second-hand clothing is and why buying them from thrift stores is so beneficial for both your wallet and the environment.

What is second-hand clothing?

The term “secondhand clothing” refers to pre-owned or used clothing items.

In some cases, this can simply be a shirt that someone accidentally shrunk in the dryer and is therefore no longer wearable by them. In other cases, it could refer to an entire wardrobe that someone has outgrown but isn’t ready to donate just yet.

Whatever the case may be, buying secondhand clothing is a great way to get high-quality items for a fraction of the price. Plus, you’re helping the environment and society because you aren’t buying new clothing.

Sustainable fashion brands have incorporated the reuse and recycling of secondhand clothing into their business models. Some brands, such as H&M Conscious, have created sustainable collections entirely made out of recycled and sustainable materials.

Why should I buy secondhand clothes from thrift stores?

There are many reasons to make the switch from shopping at department stores or other retailers to shopping for used items in thrift shops, but here are just a few:

You’ll save money

The average person spends around $100 on new clothes every month. Shopping secondhand clothing from physical or online thrift stores could easily save 50% or more on what you would typically spend.

You’ll help the environment

The textile and fashion industry is one of the most harmful to the environment. It’s responsible for 20% of global water pollution and uses more than 200,000 tons of toxic chemicals each year. When you buy secondhand clothing, you’re preventing these clothes from ending up in a landfill, the ocean, or being incinerated.

You’ll have a wide array of timeless clothing options

“One man’s trash is another man’s treasure.” This could not be more true when it comes to what you can find in a thrift store. The selection of used clothing and other secondhand items available at these stores is huge! If you’re looking for vintage or antique pieces, your local thrift shop might even have what you’re looking for.

You’ll help support small businesses and entrepreneurs

Many used clothing items sold in thrift stores are known as “vintage clothing.” Vintage clothing refers to older, pre-owned pieces that have been restored or altered by small business owners. Whether it’s a dress that needs to be hemmed or a pair of jeans with the original buttons replaced, these items can give your wardrobe an updated look while giving entrepreneurs and small businesses the business they need.

Where can I buy used clothes?

Many sustainable brands in the fashion industry encourage thrift shopping by using recycled materials or what is known as “eco-fashion and vintage clothing.”

If you are interested to shop secondhand clothing but don’t want to spend time browsing through the Internet to find what you want, you’re in luck!

We’ve compiled a list of what we think are the best places to shop for used clothes.

Vestiaire Collective

Vestiaire Collective

If you are a fan of luxury clothing and designer brands, then Vestiaire Collective is the place to go.

Launched in Paris in 2009, this online thrift store encourages a circular fashion movement by selling pre-loved designer items and apparel such as Balenciaga, Gucci, and Saint Laurent.

Vestiaire Collection is also the world’s first B Corp fashion resale platform, which means that the company meets rigorous social and environmental performance standards, accountability, and transparency.

This ethical fashion brand offers menswear, womenswear, and children’s wear. They also have a wide range of accessories such as watches, sunglasses, and bags.

Patagonia Worn Wear

Patagonia Worn Wear

Patagonia has long supported the sustainable fashion movement by encouraging its customers to repair or recycle their own rather than buy new products.

Their Worn Wear program goes even further and encourages the community of Patagonia fans to buy gently used Patagonia clothing and gear.

If you have any clothing that you want to get rid of, you can send it to Worn Wear and exchange it for store credits.

This program not only gives a second life to what might be seen as “waste,” but it also encourages Patagonia fans and enthusiasts to shop at thrift stores.

Persephone Vintage

Persephone Vintage is one of the most well-known online thrift shops in the sustainable fashion industry due to its classy and modern vintage clothes and accessories.

You can find what you need by browsing through the categories of clothing, shoes and bags, vintage dresses, jackets, and coats, or jewelry in Etsy. This thrift store has an impressive selection that includes everything from menswear to womenswear to kid’s clothes!

Persephone Vintage also provides measurements of each item so you can be sure that what you’re buying will fit.

The RealReal

The RealReal

The Realreal is an ethical fashion consignment brand that sells designer clothes at affordable prices. From everyday wear to unique, one-of-a-kind items, you can buy what you need with ease.

The Realreal ensures that each product they sell undergoes a rigorous authentication process to guarantee that what you’re buying is real and has good quality.

You can also shop by brand, size, and color to make sure finding what you want is easy.

Poshmark

Poshmark

If you’re looking for a more casual and everyday look, Poshmark is the perfect thrift store for you.

Poshmark is an online marketplace where people can buy and sell clothes, shoes, and accessories. This makes finding what you want easy because there are millions of items to choose from!

You can also shop by category, brand, or size to find what you’re looking for.

What’s even better is that Poshmark offers a wide range of prices so you can find what you need without breaking the bank.

Aside from selling a wide diversity of sustainable brands, Poshmark also offers clothing from fast-fashion brands such as Zara, H&M, and Forever21.

Ready To Wear Again

Ready to wear again

Based in Canada, Ready To Wear Again is an online thrift store that encourages sustainable living practices by selling secondhand womenswear from famous fashion brands like H&M, Old Navy, and Gap.

The shop also gives back and donate some of their proceeds to the local Ontario community.

You can find what you need by browsing through the categories of clothing, shoes and boots, dresses, and accessories. This thrift store also offers a wide range of prices so that you can find what you’re looking for without spending too much money.

ThredUP

ThredUp

Second-hand shopping has never been so easy, thanks to ThredUP.

ThredUP is an online thrift store that offers a wide range of clothes, shoes, and accessories for women and kids. You can find what you need by browsing through the different categories or brands on their website.

What’s even better is that ThredUP offers a variety of price points so that you can get what you need without spending too much money.

This popular thrift store encourages sustainable living and advocates extending the life cycle of clothes and accessories through second hand clothes.

Urban Renewal

Urban Renewal Vintage Clothing

Urban Renewal is a platform under Urban Outfitters that repurposes and reinvent sustainably sourced vintage clothes.

The fast-fashion brand uses eco-friendly materials such as deadstock fabric to design old clothes similar to what’s sold in their stores.

If you are a fan of Urban Outfitters or love what they sell, this shop will definitely interest you.

Urban Renewal offers an eclectic mix of sustainable and stylish clothes, shoes, and accessories for both men and women.

Luxury Garage Sale

Luxury Garage Sale

If you love what high-end brands like Gucci and Louis Vuitton sell, Luxury Garage Sale is the thrift store for you.

Since its inception, this popular luxury resale site has been helping people declutter their homes by selling secondhand clothes from top fashion designers at affordable prices.

They also offer complimentary stylists that will help you find what you need.

What’s even better is that Luxury Garage Sale ensures that each product that goes into their resale process is carefully vetted by experts to ensure that what you get from the store is authentic and has high quality.

Final Thoughts

Thrift stores provide a way for you to get the clothing you need without breaking your bank account. Because these stores are not as mainstream as fast fashion brands, they can offer more unique and stylish clothes than any big-box retailer.

But it’s not just about saving money on clothes-it’s also an environmentally friendly option! There is no reason why we should be filling up our landfills with new garments when there are outstanding secondhand ones available in thrift shops all around us. You don’t have to spend hours going from store to store looking for a one-of-a-kind item anymore because now anything goes at a thrift shop!

If you are ready to go thrift shopping, feel free to check out this list again to find the best thrift store for you. Happy shopping!