The Ultimate Guide to Shopping Resale

10 Tips to help guide you when shopping resale

Hi Friends!

Last week I talked about working in resale and this week I want to teach you how to shop it.

I have shopped resale and secondhand most of my life. It began out of necessity when I was younger and, over the years, has turned into a passion that combines fashion and sustainability.

Nowadays, there are so many options to shop resale. From thrift stores like Goodwill to resale and consignment stores like Clothes Mentor to online platforms like Poshmark, TheRealReal, and Depop, resale is more accessible than ever. I don’t often go to thrift stores as I prefer a more curated collection but I think many of these tips apply to both and are good shopping tips in general.

I’ve picked up tons of different strategies that help me when shopping resale so here’s a few to help guide you!

This is a long one so grab a snack, settle in, and let’s begin!

Have Patience

Outfit details: Anine Bing Benjamin moto leather jacket; Allsaints Imogen boy tee in chalk white; Frame le original straight leg jeans; Rag & Bone Shiloh combat boots; Saint Laurent medium college quilted bag.

One of the biggest things I’ve learned because of resale that helps me the most is having patience.

Don’t settle for something that isn’t perfect. Just because something is cheap or on sale doesn’t mean it’s what your’e looking for. Hold out for that perfect item because I’ve always been able to find it eventually.

I am very particular about what I purchase, the fit, style, everything has to be just right and if you hesitate? Don’t get it.

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve looked for something specific and been patient either consciously or budgetary and the exact item I’m looking for either comes into the store, is found online on Poshmark or the RealReal, I find something better, or I end up realizing I don’t want the item at all. If something isn’t quite right, don’t buy it. Wait for that perfect item because I guarantee you you’ll find it.

For example, I really wanted these Rag & Bone Shiloh combat boots. I had tried them on in the store and stalked them online but that $525 price tag wasn’t budging anywhere. I would often check The Real Real and finally after months and months of searching I found these guys for a fraction of the price.

2. Be Thorough and Take Your Time

Outfit details: Reformation Gavin dress in olympia; Adidas advantage sneaker; Michael Kors extra small Ava crossbody; pearl clip from Nordstrom Rack.

This one can be simultaneously fun and a chore. The biggest thing in a store where every single item is different? You have to look through every sing item.

Revolutionary, I know.

However, I can’t tell you how many times this has paid off. Take your time and properly go through the shop because you never know when you’re going to find your golden ticket item.

I always make sure to look through every category even if I’m not looking for anything particular or it’s off season. I’ve gotten a super cool leather jacket in the summer and fun tanks in the winter, the selection might be smaller but since no one is really looking for those items there can be a great selection.

Make sure to look at sister sizes as well. There are sizing inconsistencies between all brands and sometimes even within a brand. You might be a small in one item and a large in another, and, while annoying, the upside is that you can look in multiple sizes and find things you might never have thought to look for before. I’ll look anywhere from size XS-L because different brands will have different fits. I often like oversized things so I don’t mind finding a cool oversized t-shirt or sweatshirt.

It’s time intensive but the fact that every item is different and you get tons of cool stuff to look through is what makes it fun.

3. Be Picky, Picky, Picky

These are all beautiful items I said no to. From the fit, the length, the color, the brand, the functionality, or the price, they weren’t quite perfect - and I refuse to settle for less.

You could buy five $4 t-shirts that fit okay today or hold out for that $18 t-shirt that makes you look bomb tomorrow. Anything you purchase secondhand should fit just as amazing as something you would purchase full price from a store. The fact that it’s cheap or there, should not be the deciding factor. Make sure it’s something that *sparks joy* and really adds to your collection.

It’s so easy to accumulate a lot of things in resale that are okay or sort of fit or work because it’s there and it’s cheap but going back to tip #1, this also applies. Don’t just grab anything and everything even if it’s a $1. At the end of the day, you’re going to have to figure out how to store, take care of, and wear this item so if it’s not perfect then don’t get it.

4. Have a list but be inspired

Outfit details: Equipment Theron silk robe/kimono; Reformation cropped tank; Veronica Beard Marlene corset straight leg jeans; Stella McCartney platform derby oxfords; Gucci Capri bowler bag.

It’s absolutely beneficial to keep a list of items you’re looking for when shopping. I keep mine in my phone under the tab “Wardrobe Wishlist” it just helps keep me focused when yet another dress comes in and I want it so badly even when I know I need a new pair of black jeans. Keeping a list can help you put blinders on and dull the shine of something beautiful when you remind yourself of what you’re saving up for.

Here’s my current list!

I keep a pretty detailed list of what I’m specifically looking for as well as write down colors I’m loving or styles/vibes I’m going for.

However, not to contradict myself but it’s important to make sure you’re also open to being inspired. One of the best things about resale is you can find so many amazing items you will never find anywhere else.

That statement blazer or crazy pair of pants that you’re dying to try? Well now is the time and place to try them. I’ve found so many new styles I love and wear regularly now because of this.

Second hand is a really great way to branch out in ways you might not have before. It’s a way to try out a trend, color, or style without breaking the bank to do so. It lets you experiment a little, even when it doesn’t work out in the end!

Know your must haves and stay focused on what you’re looking for.

But if you find crazy, platform, star Stella McCartney oxfords? Well you just have to get it then don’t you?

5. Know Your Stuff

Outfit details: Isabel Marant Vogue tee; Reformation Sarah mini dress; Steve Madden wrap sandals; Gucci Dionysus supreme mini bag; Gurhan pearl skittle ring; gold and rose gold band rings; pearl clips from Nordstrom Rack.

This is admittedly perhaps the hardest tip on this list but I guarantee you it’s the most rewarding.

Know your brands, resale values, fabrications, and styles to know what’s a good deal and what’s not. If you’re into bougie, this is a great way to get something really nice in a really budget friendly way. It is an absolute myth that really nice brands are always out of reach. For example, I bought this Reformation dress (originally $128) for $18! I’ve gotten Veronica Beard jeans for $14, Rag & Bone for $10, and a Burberry scarf for $30. You just have to know what to look for. Do research, find brands where you love their style, and keep an eye out when either shopping in person or online.

There’s also a big difference between retail price and retail value but I think that’s an essay for another time but an easy way to put it is the item might be originally priced at $100 but it’s resale value might be $10 (think Kohls, H&M, or Ann Taylor pricing). The second you buy it and take it out of the store, it loses a lot of value so if you’re looking for items with a high resale price you need to find the ones with a high resale value. (One day I’ll do a whole post on this).

The more you know, the more you can spot good deals and know when and where to snatch up the best items.

At the end of the day, whatever the price, it’s only a good deal if that item is worth it to you but since I have a penchant for nice things, this has really been important to me in building my wardrobe.

6. Take Pictures

I find taking pictures is extremely helpful. Mirrors are dirty liars and when you want to remember how things look or get a good perspective when you’re out of the fitting room, I find this to be one of my handiest tricks.

I’ll often look back at the pictures or try different angles to get a good idea of the fit and whether or not I look and feel good in it. It also gives you a good reference later in case you want to remember what something looks like on or want to show a friend what you’ve gotten.

This gives me a great idea of what actually fits me from a sort of unbiased eye and what doesn’t look so hot. I think, in some ways, this actually helps me figure out what I don’t want more than what I do.

Pro Tip:

I also keep a closet app on my phone that has photos, descriptions, and keeps a running tally of how much I have (spoiler alert: I have too many dresses), and that also helps keep me on track because I can reference my closet anytime or anywhere!

7. Go to the right place (and go often)

Never be afraid to explore new places, this is especially fun when you’re in a different area, but finding your favorite store makes the hard work of thrifting, much easier.

It’s always good to have a few go to places that you know you like the selection, the atmosphere, they have good things that won’t have lots of stains, and you get to know the nuances of the place like where things are and where and when to shop it.

Find a place you feel comfortable, you like the atmosphere, and the people there. Somewhere you enjoy going in. Build relationships with the employees - this may or may not get you anything but it makes shopping there more fun for you and them. Don’t be afraid to ask an employee about an upcoming sale, if they have a particular item or brand in stock, or when is the best time to shop. They might let you in on some good tips on how to get the best deals at their store.

For example, I’ve found that I don’t love shopping at Plato’s because I feel uncomfortable but I love shopping at Clothes Mentor or Common Threads. It’s all about finding the store that suits your style best.

8. Sort your items

Check over your items. I always check over every item with a fine tooth comb to make sure it’s perfect and if it’s not, say it has some missing beads or small stain on the sleeve, then is it worth it to me to buy it at that price?

9. Sell your items

Me and Mr. Beans on a snow day, cleaning out my closet.

Selling your gently worn items is a great way to help pay for what you bring in. At many stores, if you choose store credit, you get a certain percentage more which can help go towards something if there’s something you want or you shop there a lot. I sell through both Poshmark and Clothes Mentor and it’s been a great way to save up for something I’d like to get or help pay for something I’ve been drooling over at work. Next week I’ll give you my best tips on how to resell your items!

It’s also absolutely worth it to signup for rewards programs or emails which can help notify of you of discounts and sales and if the store has a social media, make sure to give it a follow! They’ll often times post their new and awesome items and if it’s something you want, you can buy it or put it on hold to try it on.

10. Appreciate what you have

Finally, appreciate what you already have before shopping or buying anything.

It’s easy to get caught up in the fun of shopping resale and finding something amazing and unique. However, that also means it’s incredibly easy to accumulate a lot of items. Resale can be cheap, the items are good quality and unique, and it’s often a spur of the moment decision as you can’t put the item in your cart for a week or order another one in your size later. Oftentimes you snatch up what you can and sometimes you regret it later. So before you swipe, tap, or insert your card, take a moment to appreciate everything you have in your closet and know that the most sustainable way to shop, is to shop your own wardrobe.

Alright, whoo, we made it to the end. I hope some of these tips will help you and you can put them to good use. Happy shopping!