Whether you’re rebuilding your wardrobe or searching for something specific, here’s how to choose the resale platform that fits your style, budget, and bandwidth.

Secondhand shopping is an incredible way to find unique and high quality items that stand the test of time, often at much lower prices than retail. In the process, you dramatically reduce the carbon footprint of the clothes you wear. And secondhand shopping has come a long way. What once meant digging through dusty bins at your local thrift store is now a sleek, searchable online experience.

But the world of secondhand shopping online can be confusing, intimidating, and time consuming to navigate, and not all resale platforms are created equal. Some are curated, luxury-focused, and expensive. Others are more like the wild west: unfiltered listings, peer-to-peer sales, and unpredictable search results. In-store thrifting still has its place too, especially if you're looking to try things on or shop with an open mind.

This guide walks you through the major secondhand platforms: what sets them apart, who they’re best for, and how to decide between shopping online or in person.

The Major Online Resale Platforms

Poshmark

Best for: brand-savvy shoppers who want something specific, shop with major brands, use filters, and like to negotiate.

Already know what you’re looking for, whether it’s a specific brand, style, color, or fit? An exact color of Lululemon leggings or a size up in your favorite Madewell jeans? Odds are, Poshmark might be the best place to start. 

Poshmark is one of the largest peer-to-peer resale platforms in the U.S., with a massive inventory that spans fast fashion to designer. Peer-to-peer means that you are buying directly from the current owner of the item, who will ship it to you once you purchase. Poshmark has a unique “closet” system—sellers list their items in curated shops, allowing buyers to bundle multiple pieces and negotiate prices. 

There are plenty of Poshmark sellers like you, normal people selling items in their closet they don’t wear anymore. But you’ll also find Poshmark sellers with massive closets. These vendors are likely professional resellers who buy up clothes from thrift stores, outlets, or even liquidated inventory from brands.

Shopping on Poshmark: Listings are created by individual users, which means photography and descriptions vary. Prices are often marked up slightly in anticipation of negotiation, and shipping is a flat fee paid by the buyer. Because clothes don’t come from a centralized warehouse, you need to pay a shipping fee with each seller you buy from (this often ends up being a shipping fee for every item you buy, which can add up!)

Poshmark also includes strong buyer protections and a reputation system that rewards reliable sellers, so you can shop with confidence. As you start shopping on Poshmark, we recommend:

• Experiment with various combinations of search terms and filters to get the best results

• “Like” items you’re considering; the buyer will sometimes proactively offer a discount

• Try negotiating down the price, but be aware that extremely low offers won’t get a response

• Start by looking up an item you’re considering buying new. See if you can find it or something similar!

In short: Poshmark is ideal if you know your brands, want to filter by size or condition, and are willing to haggle.

ThredUp

Best for: low-effort shopping, basics, and professional staples

ThredUp is a consignment-based resale platform that looks and feels like a traditional retailer. Unlike Poshmark or Depop, all listings are managed by ThredUp itself, not individual users. ThredUp sources items from individuals who ship in clothes using ThredUp’s “Closet Cleanout” system, but also from brands who ship ThredUp returns, samples, out-of-season items, or B-grade product that they can’t sell on their regular site. 

ThredUp listings are professionally photographed, categorized, and priced. You won’t negotiate or message sellers, and everything arrives from a central warehouse. Because ThredUp manages all the inventory in-house and uses an algorithm to price items optimally, you’ll often see lower prices and significant discounts on ThredUp as compared with Poshmark where individuals may overvalue their clothes or be hoping for a higher payout. You will also only need to pay one shipping fee for your entire ThredUp order.

With extensive filters by size, category, fabric, and brand, ThredUp is one of the easiest places to shop if you're looking to replace wardrobe basics or build a professional wardrobe on a budget. The platform frequently offers discount codes and "Rescue Boxes" for bulk mystery shopping. However, because ThredUp’s in-house inventory management system optimizes for efficiency, listings often lack detail and keywords. Expect to spend a lot of time scrolling to find some gems, especially if you are new to ThredUp!

In short: ThredUp is great for shoppers who want a clean interface, a seamless delivery experience, fast filters, low prices, low shipping fees, and the opportunity to discover gems.

Depop

Best for: trend-forward shoppers, vintage lovers, and style discovery

Depop is more than a resale platform—it’s a cultural hub for Gen Z and vintage style. Expect vintage, Y2K, streetwear, and DIY fashion trends. The platform thrives on aesthetics: sellers are often stylists, creators, or boutique resellers who model their clothes and present them like editorial shoots.

As far as the platform goes, Depop shares a lot in common with Poshmark: it’s a peer-to-peer marketplace where you buy directly from the current owner, who manages their own listings and photography. Depop also has buyer protections and allows you to negotiate price. However, the similarities stop there, and you’ll find a significant disparity between the items listed on Depop vs. Poshmark. 

While Depop has some filters, the search experience is more visual and less efficient than platforms like Poshmark. Quality and sizing can vary, so direct communication with sellers is key. It’s better suited for browsing and exploring than for targeting something specific. 

If you’re new to secondhand shopping, we recommend setting up accounts with both Poshmark and Depop. Browse each for 15 minutes and you’ll likely start to experience the difference and see which is the best for whatever you’re looking for.

In short: Depop is a great place to discover unique pieces and experiment with style, but expect to scroll.

eBay

Best for: specific searches, rare finds, and vintage collector pieces

The original resale marketplace, eBay still dominates when it comes to breadth. You can find everything from discontinued shoes to archival designer to vintage Levi’s if you’re willing to search.

eBay supports auctions and “Buy It Now” pricing, and while filters have improved, the quality of listings varies. Many professional sellers operate on eBay, but you’ll also encounter hobbyists and one-off sellers. Buyer protection policies exist, but returns can be tricky unless the seller allows them.

Remember that eBay is designed to resell everything from clothes to musical instruments to cars, so its filters, categories, and settings aren’t as specific to apparel as the other platforms. That said, eBay can be a treasure trove for those who want something specific and are willing to search.

In short: eBay is best for experienced shoppers who know exactly what they’re looking for and can navigate a wide-open marketplace.

Vinted

Best for: budget shoppers and European brands

Vinted offers peer-to-peer resale with no seller fees, which translates to lower prices. The platform is popular in Europe and expanding in the U.S., and features everything from Zara basics to gently-used outdoor gear.

Listings are straightforward and often include multiple photos. Filters are decent and the buying process is simple, although support and returns can be inconsistent. It’s less trend-driven than Depop and less curated than ThredUp, but perfect for filling everyday wardrobe gaps affordably.

In short: Vinted is low-friction resale for the practical shopper—not flashy, but quite functional.

The RealReal & Vestiaire Collective

Best for: authenticated designer goods, investment pieces, and fashion resale

Looking to invest in a designer bag, dress, or shoes at a bargain? While you can find designer items across Poshmark, ThredUp, or Ebay, you’ll find a more curated selection at The RealReal and Vestiaire Collective, the premier platforms for authenticated luxury resale. 

The RealReal, based in the U.S., handles everything in-house: items are inspected, photographed, and shipped by the company. Vestiaire Collective, based in Europe, relies on peer-to-peer sales but offers third-party authentication.

Both platforms focus on high-end fashion and accessories, offering steep discounts on designer goods. That said, these are still investment pieces. You’ll find items from brands like Chanel, Gucci, and Prada, along with niche designers and luxury vintage, and although you’ll certainly pay less than retail, don’t expect Goodwill prices!

In short: The RealReal and Vestiaire Collective are go-to destinations if you're looking for designer resale with authentication, especially if you already know your size and brand preferences.

Online vs. In-Store Thrifting

While online marketplaces offer a breadth of options for finding exactly what you’re looking for, in-store thrifting still plays a role. After experimenting with online secondhand shopping, you might find that you’re still drawn to the fun, discovery, and unbeatable deals of physical thrift stores. Here’s a breakdown of which might be best for you!

Online Resale

Online platforms offer scale, searchability, and convenience. You can filter by your size, favorite brands, or fabric preferences, and shop from anywhere. The internet also opens you up to a nearly bottomless volume of inventory and options, making it much more likely that you’ll find a specific style or brand.

However, this fact cuts both ways. Because listings are open to the entire internet, online prices tend to be higher than what you’d find at your local thrift store. And of course, not being able to try on the item can make it hard to ensure if it will fit or look the way you have in mind.

• Strengths: Efficient, searchable, great for finding specific pieces

• Weaknesses: Can’t try things on, prices often higher

• Best for: Purposeful shopping with a defined wishlist or wardrobe gap

In-Store Thrifting

Thrifting in person is unpredictable but rewarding. You get to browse, touch the fabric, try things on, and occasionally walk out with something extraordinary at a fraction of the cost. There’s a reason many enjoy thrifting as a hobby, and why thrifting is the epitome of the phrase “hit or miss.”

Thrifting in person also tends to be cheaper for a few reasons. First, chains like Salvation Army and Goodwill are nonprofits and receive their inventory via donations, keeping prices low. But the hyper-local nature of a thrift store also means that high-quality gems aren’t showing up in search queries hundreds of miles away. If you take the time to browse, you can find deals in person you could never find online.

That said, thrift stores have limited inventory so if you’re looking for something specific, there’s never a guarantee they’ll have it. And donation-based stores are often flooded with low quality clothes or items in poor condition.

• Strengths: Try-on ability, tactile experience, low prices, discoverability

• Weaknesses: Time-consuming, inconsistent inventory

• Best for: Browsing with an open mind, discovering unexpected gems

Top In-Person Chains to Know

• Buffalo Exchange / Crossroads Trading Co.
  Trend-focused buy-sell-trade chains. Great for mid-tier brands, denim, and casual pieces in good condition. Can also be a great way to discover, try on, experiment with styles you wouldn’t think to search for online.

• Goodwill / Salvation Army / Value Village / Savers
  Traditional thrift stores with high-volume inventory and very low prices. Quality varies widely, but gems exist.

• Local Vintage Shops
  Curated, boutique-style resale. Often more expensive, but with standout pieces and knowledgeable staff. Can be a great alternative to vintage shopping online if you prefer to try things on first.

Know your Goal

If you know exactly what you want—a cotton blazer in your size, a pair of Reformation jeans, a specific Patagonia fleece—online resale platforms are your best bet. Use this guide to find the right platform for you. Then filter, search, save alerts, and shop on your own terms.

If you’re exploring a new aesthetic, experimenting with silhouettes, or just want to spark joy on a Saturday afternoon, in-store thrifting might be worth the time.