As seasoned vintage and luxury second hand shoppers, most of us have felt the pain of paying extortionate amounts of money for shipping and custom fees when shopping at overseas online boutiques. It might be totally worth it for that one-of-a-kind item you have been looking for for ages, but we all appreciate the opportunity to save a buck when possible.
The easiest way to skip large shipping & customs fees is to simply shop nationally. Which is why I wanted to share my shortlist of the most popular online shops for vintage and second hand clothing and accessories in the United States. I hope you find it helpful!
Caveat - Many sites mentioned below are in fact international but offer the ability to filter on local sellers. So make sure you filter on sellers/shops in the US to avoid unnecessary shipping and customs charges.
1. Etsy
Etsy is a renowned marketplace connecting you with independent vintage sellers and artisans. It has a huge selection of vintage clothing, accessories, and other more contemporary, and hand made finds. The platform's popularity lies in its diverse inventory, allowing you to discover one-of-a-kind pieces while supporting small businesses.
2. Fashionphile
Most known for pre-loved luxury accessories, Fashionphile is an online consignment store with a few physical locations, offering authenticated goods to very competitive prices. Their popularity has skyrocketed in recent years, making it one of the top choices for vintage and pre-loved luxury accessories from top heritage designer houses. However, if you are looking for ready to wear, there are better options.
3. eBay
We all love eBay. As one of the earliest and most popular online marketplaces, featuring an extensive collection of vintage clothing items, it's a go-to platform for both buyers and sellers, offering a vast range of vintage pieces from different eras and styles. Do make sure that your seller is located in the US to avoid extra shipping and customs charges.
I have gathered my best tips for vintage and premium second hand shopping on eBay in this blog post if you're interested. 😊
4. Depop
Depop is a mobile-first platform mainly catering to a younger generation interested in sustainable fashion and unique vintage items. It has a strong social aspect too, with users being able to follow, like, and interact with the sellers and their items, contributing to its meteoric popularity.
Find my best tips for shopping on Depop right here!
5. 1stDibs
An online marketplace connecting design lovers with 1stDibs worldwide network of trusted sellers offering vintage, antique and contemporary furniture, home décor, art, fine jewelry, watches and fashion. As a buyer you can choose to buy directly or negotiate the price directly with the seller.
I personally really enjoy their wide selection and the underestimated feature suggesting "popular fashion searches" that more than once has inspired me to find unexpected treasures.
6. Poshmark
While not exclusively a vintage marketplace, Poshmark has a thriving vintage section. It is an app-based platform known for its social and interactive shopping experience, where users can buy and sell pre-owned and vintage clothing.
7. Vinted
Vinted is a popular online marketplace for buying, selling, and swapping pre-loved fashion items, including vintage clothing. The platform allows users to create virtual closets to list and showcase gently used or vintage fashion pieces for sale (or trade!) with others. Vinted's popularity can be attributed to the user-friendly interface and its focus on creating a sustainable and affordable fashion community.
8. Beyond Retro
Beyond Retro is a well-established vintage retailer with both physical stores and an online presence. Their online store offers a curated selection of high-quality vintage clothing, attracting customers looking for authentic and well-preserved vintage pieces.
9. Vestiaire Collective
The European-based platform Vestiaire Collective is a luxury-focused online marketplace where you can buy and sell pre-owned and vintage designer clothing. With strict quality control, the site offers authentic, high-end vintage pieces, making it popular among fashion-forward shoppers. I always use the Vintage filter to find my next wardrobe gems!
I have an entire post dedicated to how to shop on Vestiaire. Click here to get the tips.
10. The RealReal
Similar to Vestiaire Collective, The RealReal specializes in luxury vintage and pre-loved clothing, accessories, and designer items. They had some early issues with their authentication process, but have since bounced back and increased in popularity as they really doubled down and implemented a more rigorous authentication process.
11. Ruby Lane
Ruby Lane is an online marketplace known for antiques and vintage collectibles, including vintage clothing and accessories. If you are interested in unique and rare vintage finds with a touch of nostalgia, this is the place for you!
12. ASOS Marketplace
ASOS Marketplace offers a wide range of vintage clothing and accessories from various independent sellers. With a strong focus on trendy and fashionable vintage styles, the site appeals to younger audiences seeking vintage items with a contemporary twist. Expect lots of colorful 80s and 90s styles!
Did I miss a shop?
Please let me know in the comments so I can add it to the list. Your tips are super important to keep this helpful for all us vintage lovers out there 😊
Want to get my best tips for how to shop for vintage clothes and accessories in store? Get all the tips in this post: How to shop for vintage clothing in store.
Vinted support refuses to help! They say that the package was delivered but of course it was delivered but it was not my package and it did not go to me or my address. Not good vented is a horrible place to shop or sell!
Many scandalous sellers on Vinted. I got taken for $150 when all vented had to do was to check the label that they provided to the seller to see that the package was not sent to me or my address and it was not a box of 13 dolls!
If I were you I would take vintage off my list. There are a lot of sellers on there that are scammers. I made a purchase for $150 and the package was never sent out to me, but the tracking number was put on a different package going to somebody else at a different address. I went to that address and they showed me the empty package said there was nothing in it and it was a very small package. My package was $13 and would have been a very large box. Vinted will do nothing about it. They say the package States delivered and will not even look into the label that they provided for the seller and will…