April 1, 2022 | OPINION | By Maddie Mollerus
Welcome back, fellow Colorado College shopping-enthusiasts! Spring is upon us, and if you’re like me, you’re looking to refresh your wardrobe with some new second-hand clothing. Last block, I wrote about second-hand clothing stores around the Springs. This week’s article is all about ONLINE second-hand stores.
Some of us don’t like sorting through endless racks of clothing to find the perfect pair of jeans, and some of us (me) like to use online shopping as a form of procrastination. I also think that shopping from your bed combined with saving the Earth through second-hand clothing is a win-win!
Whatever your reason for shopping online, I’m here to share some of my favorite online stores and some new ones that I’ve had my eye on for a while, if only I had the funds to do more shopping (could I get a raise please?). From vintage to new with tags, I’m going to share with you some second-hand clothing store recs for every style and budget.
ThreadUP
Type: Consignment
Price: $ to $$
This website has a GIANT selection of pre-owned clothing, shoes, and accessories at super low prices. Any brand that you could possibly name, they have—Madewell, Patagonia, Urban Outfitters, Levi’s—just to name a few. They also have a “Rescue Box” program where you can pick a box of themed clothing and get a huge clothing haul for next to nothing. And as if things couldn’t get any better, new shoppers can get up to 50% (!!!) off their first order.
Goodfair
Type: Thrift and Vintage
Price: $
Love mystery boxes and bundles? Then this store is for you! Goodfair, with their preloved t-shirts, patterned fleeces, and “grandma style” sweatshirts, is like the Arc in a box. A mystery box of 4 preloved printed crewnecks will only set you back $25. I got my dad one of the t-shirt boxes for his birthday because he kept stealing my thrifted oversized shirts. It was a hit!
depop
Type: Vintage, Thrift, and NWT
Price: $ to $$$
Disclaimer: depop is an app, and although it has a website that you can use to search for clothes, you need to use the app to buy from and message sellers. Still, I think the app is worth it. Depop is unique because it’s not a consolidated store; it’s made up of thousands of different sellers with their own stores (think eBay or Etsy).
So, if there’s a specific item that you want, there’s a high chance you’ll be able to find it (I just spent a good 20 minutes looking at Veja sneakers, and I found many that I wanted to buy). Because there’s more vintage and higher-end items, the clothing is a little pricier, but I guarantee you’ll find what you want!
TheRealReal
Type: Consignment
Price: $$$$
If you’re in the luxury goods market and want to save some cash, check out TheRealReal. They have every high-end brand possible, and I love browsing the website, which only serves as a reminder of how broke I am. Anything you buy will still definitely be a splurge, but who doesn’t like to treat themselves once and a while? Plus, it’s still considered second-hand, so you can feel good about being environmentally friendly.
Free People x Rose Bowl
https://www.freepeople.com/rose-bowl-fp-vintage/
Type: Vintage
Price: $$
Most people know Free People for unique, bohemian, beachy clothing, but did you know that they also have a collection of individual vintage shops on their website? Each store curates their own items, so there’s a huge range of 60s, 70s, 80s, and 90s vintage to shop. Yay to supporting small businesses and helping the environment!
Have a favorite second-hand shop that I didn’t mention? What’s your experience with thrifting? Need fashion advice? I would love to hear your thoughts! Email me at m_mollerus@coloradocollege.edu.