The Lazy Girl’s Guide to Thrifting: Where to Buy Great Secondhand Clothes & Accessories Without Leaving Your Sofa

updated May 3, 2019
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(Image credit: Barnaby Jack via Etsy)

If you love the price tags associated with thrifting but would rather not spend an afternoon digging through racks, then you’re in luck. There are plenty of online consignment and thrift stores that you can browse through right from the comfort of your own couch. From five dollar steals to designer treasures, there’s a little something for everyone, in every price range.

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Best For: The shopper that’s unsure of their style. This site has everything from designer threads to total steals, but a nice perk that they offer is a “personal shopper” based on your style aesthetic. If you’re not the best at picking out items (or don’t have the patience to scroll through endless pages,) they can do it for you.

Tip: You get free shipping on orders that are $79+, and if you spend $150 in a given calendar month, you get free shipping for that whole month.

Best For: The fashion lover that likes to rotate her closet seasonally. Think of Poshmark as one giant clothing swap with girlfriends—you can sometimes trade clothes, or snap them up for a small price. The collection of brands is massive, offering you anything from Forever 21 to Coach, depending on your luck.

Tip: Don’t be afraid to ask the seller questions; if there isn’t enough info on the listing, you can ask them to take more photos or give you more details. It’s encouraged, in fact!

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Best For: The savvy shopper. Shopping this marketplace will require some digging, much like the stuffed racks at a thrift store. There are some so-so stores on this platform, and then there are some total knock outs, you just have to have the patience to find them. To start you off, some of my personal favorites are Barnaby Jack, EELT, Wear It Well, and Millay Vintage.

Tip: Search by what you’re specifically looking for, or what genre of store you’d like to stumble upon. For example, if you have a southwest thrifting style, look up suede vests or fringe belts. If you have a more feminine look, try searching for vintage summer dresses or pillbox hats, or if you like a more minimalist aesthetic, look for cashmere sweaters.

Best For: This one is straddling between the $ and $$ mark because you can just as easily find a Forever 21 skirt for $6 here as you can find a designer dress for $100. They have everything from Michael Kors and Calvin Klein to Urban Outfitters. But the best thing about this site is its variety. They have so many on-trend pieces, so if you’re looking to add a recent fad to your wardrobe on the cheap, this is for you.

Tip: They offer the swap option here, too, so you can technically update your wardrobe without spending a dime!

Best For: The person who likes higher quality clothing without crossing over into designer territories. Sporting brands like Club Monaco, Eileen Fischer, and Theory, there’s something for every price range. But disclaimer: There are designer pieces here for an absolute steal – so feel free to treat yourself!

Tip: To get you in the browsing mood, start with their Collections tab for a little inspiration. They have everything from an Eileen Fischer page to a Pantone Color of the Year section.

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Best For: The designer lover. Think of this as one giant consignment store you’d find in the ritzy neighborhood of downtown. From the comfort of your own couch, you can scroll through countless pages of “It” bags and gorgeous winter boots, luxurious jackets and stunning dresses.

Tip: If you don’t know where to start and just want to browse, check out their Collections page first. It has fun categories like “The Best of Scarves” and “Re-boot Your Wardrobe,” which features amazing boots.

Best For: A person who likes luxury fashion and accessory brands, but wants up to 90 percent off of them. The price tags are still a bit steep, but compared to retail, most items are a steal.

Tip: This site lets you create your own “style feed,” which offers you suggestions on what you might like based on your size, aesthetic and favorite designers to spare you from the hours of digging through the site.