
11 Jan How to Shop Secondhand in the New Year
Happy Friday Friends,
I have dedicated my Fridays to usually midlife, inspirational, or other varied topics for the New Year. I would like to try a Friday Favorites once a month, and share with you some of the favorite things I enjoy, how I spend my time etc. Today, I am taking a reader’s request and writing about shopping secondhand. I know, people often reassess their finances in the New Year, and by shopping secondhand, not only are we helping the environment, but also our wallets. Plus, what lady doesn’t love the art of finding a deal?
I have initially written about How to Shop on Poshmark, a few years ago, as I enjoy finding real treasures on this site, and have bought many pieces for my wardrobe there. So, have a read as there is much info there. I’m going to expand on this a bit, and tell you some ways to shop there as well as a few other sites that are out there, on-line.
This Teal moto jacket is from Anthropologie via Poshmark. Retails for $200, I paid $45.
I have been doing thrifting and consignment shopping for years, as I find a little $$ can go a long way, and I love the idea behind it. I love the fact that I can do this kind of shopping from the comfort of my own home, on the computer.
Do know, that some do not allow returns, so you need to be sure of the fit before your purchase.
Poshmark
This is my favorite on-line consignment store. Individuals post items, which can be new, used or slightly worn. The key is to narrow down what you are looking for by using the SEARCH feature, as well as being very specific. Shipping is $6.50, so whatever you pay, you can add that to the cost.
For example, Let’s say I am looking for a leopard coat. ( I did get this coat on Poshmark a few years ago, a steal at $25 and it is a vintage swing coat in perfect shape!
.Use the Search and look for women’s leopard faux fur coat size 4. Here I am being specific in what I am looking for “women’s “Faux fur” “Size 4”, “coat”.
You can then scroll through the coats and see what catches your eye.
Some sellers will be more descriptive than others. You always want to have the measurements of any garment.
Ask for the bust, shoulder, length measurement. You do this by tagging the seller. ex. @elegantlydressed may I have the bust, shoulder and length measurement to this coat? If you are looking at denim, ask for the inseam, the material content, the waist measurement.
Ask the condition if it is not listed. There are no refunds, so if you don’t see a snag in the pic and they didn’t mention it, you need to ask about the condition.
I also will go to certain Brands I like and follow them, knowing that new items will then show on my feed. For example, I have followed Anthropologie and have found amazing deals on gently worn Anthro items. By following brands in your search, that narrows down the selection to only that brand, and won’t overwhelm you.
You can use filters as well for size, type of garment, etc. This will narrow down your search too.
It is really important to tag the seller and ask the questions you need to make sure you get the right garment for you. If you need to see something that is not there, don’t hesitate to ask for additional pictures as well.
Making an Offer
Poshmark, as I mentioned, is individuals, so you can make an offer if you think an item is priced to high, but you are interested. Typically, if something is reasonable, I often will try to just recoup the shipping costs, and ask for about $7 less. If the item is a bit too much, I may ask for about $10 off. I think fairness is the key when making an offer. Poshmark is most definately a buyer’;s market. As a seller on Posh, people have offered rediculous and insulting amounts for an item I have listed. Ex. I had a Zara faux leather jacket up for sale for $75. A buyer offered me $20! Be respectful of the seller and offer what is fair. You use the Make an Offer button, and the Seller has time to respond. If she doesn’t accept, there may be a counteroffer, which you can choose to accept.
BTW, if you are interested in my closet. My Poshmark closet is @jess9642
This mustard goal velvet DKNY jacket was bought at Poshmark. I paid $45)
Ive bought 3 pairs of AG designer jeans on Poshmark. They were all in very good condition, worn once. These jeans were $35 ( retail- The Prima AG jeans on Nordstrom for $180) and the jean jacket is Anthropologie via Poshmark. ( paid $70. Retailed $190)
Both the Equipment silk blouse and the AG designer black jeans were purchased on Poshmark. The blouse which retails for $225, was purchased for $42 on Posh, the black jeans for $47 ( retail $170).
Faux fur cardigan sweater from Anthropologie via Poshmark. I paid $35 and it retailed for $125)
I have purses from Rebecca Minkoff and Zara that I have also bought from this site, as well as earrings from Kendra Scott at 50% off!
The Real Real
I have just begun, this summer, to shop on this site, The Real Real. This is a Designer Consignment shop, where items are sent in or collected by the team of the Real Real. The items, anywhere from purses, to shoes, jewelry and clothing, are listed. The listings are comprehensive with measurements, the condition of the item and return policy.
Read the About page. “The Real Real is the premier site for online luxury consignment with over 600 employees and multiple locations across the United States that accept and ship product worldwide.”
You can filter by category, price, size, designer, mens or womens. You can also search by brand, and they have an extensive Brand list to peruse. There is no negotiating with The Real Real, but there are sales, and items are quite reasonable, if you are looking for a designer fix at less of a cost.
The Real Real has Hermes, Chanel, Valentino, Prada, and many other higher-end designers.
They do offer a return policy, so take note. Items will say if they can’t be returned, online.
My hubby told me he bought my Prada bag there and it was in excellent condition.
I scored these slit front FRAME jeans from The Real Real for $50. They were $200 retail
Thred Up
This is another consignment store that hails as ” The world’s largest online secondhand shopping destination with thousands of like-new styles from your favorite brands at up to 90% off estimated retail.”
On Thred Up you can shop for clothing, shoes, handbags, accessories, for men, women and junior styles. They, like the other consignment stores, have a filter to make the shopping less overwhelming and narrow down your search.
Like The Real Real, there is a favorite icon, the Heart, in the upper right corner, where you can save your favorite items. I love this feature! To the left, there is another icon, which saves your search, enabling you to look at your last search or former searches on the site.
They have designers such as Vince, Theory, Diane Von Furstenberg, AG and lots of other great brands. I haven’t shopped here much, but I have noticed some of their brands and the prices are sweet! I own one of these Equipment silk blouses, and at $225 retail, I can’t pay that! I purchased Equipment on Posh but Thred Up has this brand as well, for more around $50.
Currently, I am shopping my closet, as I have a fuller Fall/Winter closet having lived in PA. I received some lovely Christmas gifts and will be experimenting with mixing the items I currently own. When I do get the urge to shop, I’ll most likely be popping in one of these fabulous sites
They do have a .return policy.
I will have to check them out more! I have bought textured tights from them and a scarf.
Id love to hear if you shop second hand and shop on any of these sites? if not, would you try secondhand shopping, why or why not?
My closet on Poshmark is @jess9642 if you want to see what im selling!
Have a great weekend!
Jess xo
Mary
Posted at 13:25h, 31 JanuaryWhat a great post about Poshmark. I got to check it out.
Jess Jannenga
Posted at 09:42h, 01 FebruaryThanks so much, yes, there are great deals!xx
suzanne smith
Posted at 18:58h, 20 JanuaryI have never been much of a secondhand shopper, but I’ve been interested in trying, especially for some of the more expensive items on my wish list! I really appreciate the detail of this post and I’m definitely going to look into all of them! I’ll let you know!
Jess Jannenga
Posted at 11:10h, 21 JanuaryHi Suzanne, I have scored some wonderful pieces through Poshmark and Real Real, so I think you will enjoy it! xx
closetplayimage
Posted at 16:28h, 15 JanuaryGreat finds! And thanks for the encouragement… I’ve been leery about Poshmark, but I think I’ll have to give it a whirl!
Brooke of Passport Couture
Posted at 12:27h, 12 JanuaryThanks for sharing all of your great finds from secondhand shopping! I love to shop at thrift and vintage stores, but don’t often go online for secondhand items. I’ve been hesitant to give it a try, but your advice makes me feel like it is possible to give it a shot. I appreciate all of your insights and will have to look into this for more information!
Jess Jannenga
Posted at 09:22h, 14 JanuaryGlad you enjoyed the post! I have found many great things through secondhand shopping. 🙂 x
Brynne
Posted at 22:36h, 11 JanuaryThank you so much Jess! This was so helpful and exactly the information I was looking for. I think it was a previous post in which you were wearing the gorgeous, mustard, velvet DKNY jacket and I was smitten with it. That caused me to start looking into Poshmark and so far, have bought two of the most beautiful Anthropologie items and a velvet WHBM jacket. I am sold on this as an additional way of shopping now. Thank you for taking the time to write such a comprehensive log post for those of us not as quite familiar with the process.
Brynne
Jess Jannenga
Posted at 09:54h, 12 JanuaryGlad you enjoyed the post Brynne, I love to get suggestions too and hope to do a survey soon on what readers are interested in. Do read the previous post I linked as there is much into there. Your finds sound wonderful! Anthropologie is one of my go-to brands on PM, as I love their clothes and you can save quite a bit! Have a great weekend! xx
Elle
Posted at 17:17h, 11 JanuaryGreat tips with helpful details. Love the mustard wool jacket. So many fabulous finds here ! You know I do a lot of online second hand shopping too, but I am more comfortable with eBay. When an offering price is fair I often will buy it rather than negotiate it.
Respect is key!
❤️❤️❤️
Elle
https://theellediaries.com/
Jess Jannenga
Posted at 09:55h, 12 JanuaryI’ll have to go back and look at Ebay again. I completely forget about it. So true about being respectful with offering and what you would want to receive as well. Have a great weekend! xx
Lisa D.
Posted at 13:32h, 11 JanuaryI just saw a sponsored ad on facebook today about a “trading app” I cant find it now. grrrr. It was only for high end brands.
I shop thrift stores a lot. I have no problem wearing second hand clothes. I actually like that I can spend very little on something I will only wear a couple times. However, I can not bring myself to wear second hand shoes.
love your finds. especially that Prada bag.
Lisa
Jess Jannenga
Posted at 16:57h, 11 JanuaryHi Lisa, I bet you will come across it. I enjoy finding the deals on those quality items too. Glad you liked the purchases – hubby caught on to it with that bag. thank you! xx
Jodie
Posted at 13:18h, 11 JanuaryThis is such perfect timing. I need to do more research on Poshmark (research…yeah, that’s what I’ll call it..ha ha) because it’s nice to shop secondhand!!
I didn’t realize you sold things there either. I’ll have to check it out!!
With all these preloved items, you ought to join the #thriftedchicstylechallenge on Instagram next month. Today is the last day for January’s challenge. And it’s nice because it’s only a week long!! I always have a post about the next one in my feed and Stories if you’re interested!!
XOXO
Jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
Jess Jannenga
Posted at 16:56h, 11 JanuaryThanks Jodie, I will have to check it out! Yes, more research! 🙂 xx
Talia
Posted at 10:57h, 11 JanuaryGreat post! I’ve purchased quite a few items from Thredup and have had much success! So many new w/tags and like new items. Almost half of my closet has come from there. Sadly, the local consignment store closed, which was another wonderful place to shop.
Jess Jannenga
Posted at 11:09h, 11 JanuaryHi Talia! Sounds great. I need to check out Thred Up more. I have purchased a few things and I love that they have such great prices and new items. Glad you like the post! Keep on shoppin secondhand! xx
Kimberly Malkiewicz
Posted at 07:33h, 11 JanuaryHey, Jess! Kellyann told me you had this post up today! It seems like I can find so many more things on eBay, that’s why I shop there so much. However, I will use your tips and look at your old post to figure out how to use Poshmark more to my advantage. I’ve been looking at The RealReal more, but haven’t purchased anything. I’ve read mixed reviews on them, so I plan to proceed with caution. One thing I get frustrated with is trying to get information on items from PM sellers. It took one seller 5 days to answer a question–I had already purchased the item from a different seller.
Jess Jannenga
Posted at 10:10h, 11 JanuaryHi Kim!
I need to try and check out Ebay a bit too. I have had some bad experiences with some sellers on Ebay, but that can happen on any platform. I bought a pair of Frame designer denim on RR for $50 when they retail for $200. I understand about getting answers from Sellers on PM, I experience that too. Do you find people on Ebay respond in a more timely fashion?
thisblondesshoppingbag
Posted at 06:52h, 11 JanuaryGreat post Jess, you are the queen! Kim of Fierce Fashion did a post about Ebay shopping today. The two of you are my go to consignment shopping friends! Actually Jodie does a great job too -so really all 3 of you are the mavens of consignment! I did not realize you could make an offer on Posh! I should do that and at least recoup the shipping like you do. So smart! I just bought a Liz Claiborne pink gingham blazer from Posh the other day, I can’t wait to get it!
Happy weekend beautiful!
xo,
Kellyann
Jess Jannenga
Posted at 10:07h, 11 JanuaryGlad you like the post Kellyann! It took awhile 🙂 It is fun to shop this way and I find my money goes further. I have bought some long cardigans from Anthro that were under $30! I’ll have to check out Kim’s post. I forget about Ebay and haven’t shopped there in a while. Oh, I bet that gingham jacket will be adorable on you! Have a great weekend too! XX
Nancy
Posted at 02:12h, 11 JanuaryWe have a similar site in the Netherlands where I shop my second hand items! It s ideal to search for a specific item!
Jess Jannenga
Posted at 10:05h, 11 JanuaryThat is great Nancy! I do enjoy getting a deal. It does take time, but it worth it. 🙂 xx