A common challenge with secondhand shopping is finding affordable yet high-quality pre-loved clothing online.
I received a question about this from a Slow Fashion Saturday newsletter subscriber but it’s something I know many readers struggle with! Not everyone has access to great local secondhand options or has the time to sift through thrift stores, which makes online shopping a solid alternative.
While there’s no shortage of secondhand clothing, navigating sizing and assessing quality online can be tricky. Here are my top tips to help!
Note that the following a few includes affiliate and referral links to some of my favorite secondhand sites.
How to Decipher Quality
Let me just start off addressing that determining “quality” can be confusing. So if you’ve ever felt unsure whether something is high-quality, you’re not alone!
One issue is that many brands use the term “quality” without much meaning behind it. It might even be the next greenwashed buzzword in sustainable fashion!
Another common confusion is the difference between durability and quality.
For example, Primark recently released a “Durability Framework” and study claiming that cheap fashion can outlast more premium-priced fashion.
While I agree that price doesn’t always equate to longevity, the report and subsequent media coverage felt oversimplified to me.
“Durability” is only telling us how long a product can withstand wear and tear. Sure that’s one element of long-lasting pieces, but durability is just one element of quality!
In the context of fashion, quality can also include the fit, design, hand-feel, comfort, and performance. Quality also tells us how long and how often we want to wear that garment.
Even if the sweater is still in one piece, does it feel good or does it feel itchy? Do those jeans fit like a glove or do they gap at the waist? Do those synthetic blouses breathe or make you uncomfortably sweaty?
A holistic view of high-quality considers things like:
- Fabric and Function: Does the material suit the garment type? Are synthetic fibers used with a real intention or just to cut costs?
- Construction: Look for even stitching, straight seams, finished edges, and reinforced high-stress areas. Avoid loose threads or pilling on new or barely worn garments.
- Fit & Design: Does it fit well, feel comfortable, and perform appropriately (i.e. keep you warm if it’s a sweater, or cool if it’s a summer dress)? Did the brand do fit testing
- Components: Are the zippers, buttons, and other components securely fastened or already looking loose?
For more on spotting quality clothing, check out this Conscious Style Podcast interview with design educator Zoë Hong!
Now let’s talk about how to assess these qualities when shopping online.
How to Find Quality Clothes Secondhand Online
Here are some of the ways to apply the above tips to online secondhand shopping.
Check the fabric content.
Personally, I like to look for natural fibers only, unless it’s too limiting in a certain category, like activewear and outerwear.
If you also want to look for natural fibers, online resale site thredUP has a “Material” filter where you can select “Natural Materials” to avoid synthetics completely in the search results. That filter is a game-changer for me! I used to have to check the material content on every individual item when thrifting.

Want to try it out yourself?
Get 45% off + free shipping on your first order with my thredUP referral link! (Transparency note: if you make your first purchase through my thredUP links, I’ll receive thredUP credit.)
Check the brand.
If you’re unfamiliar with the quality of that brand, search online: “Is [BRAND] high quality?” You’ll likely find a range of forum posts and niche reviewers.
Sometimes, though, brands will be hit or miss with their quality depending on the product. If the product (or something similar) is still being sold by the brand, you can check product reviews on that brand’s website or on a retailer that sells that brand. This isn’t an end-all-be-all, but can be helpful.
And as you start to experiment with different brands while secondhand shopping you might start to develop go-to’s for the future.
For example, my friend gave me a pair of her pre-loved jeans and while I wouldn’t normally shop from that brand new since it doesn’t meet my sustainability criteria, I really like wearing that pair of denim! They’re comfortable and they’ve held up well. So now I’m looking for jeans from that brand secondhand online.
Check the condition notes.
If you don’t want to invest the time or money for repair, check the Condition filters on the resale sites and only mark “excellent” or “new with tags” (or equivalent).
What if you can’t find this information?
The fabric, brand, and condition are usually listed on on brand-owned or third-party resale platforms like Vestiaire Collective, thredUP, or The RealReal but that information is not always available on peer-to-peer marketplaces like Poshmark or Vinted.
However, if you’re buying through an independent reseller, don’t hesitate to ask them questions on size, condition, and fabric! They should be able to offer that information. And if not, then it might be worth questioning if it’s a worthwhile purchase.
How to Find the Right Size with Secondhand Pieces
Sizing can be tricky when shopping secondhand. Some platforms, like Poshmark, don’t allow for returns for fit issues, and the return fees on other secondhand platforms can add up quickly.
So it pays off to invest some time to take your measurements and check the measurements on the product page.
The most important measurements to take are:
- Bust
- Waist
- Hips
- Inseam (inner thigh to ankle)
- Length (shoulder to hip or wherever you’d like your top to hit)
Pro Tip: If you’re looking for a specific type of garment, you may also want to check the measurements of a similar garment already in your closet that fits well. You can use those measurements to compare to the measurements of the secondhand garment.
You might be asking: Why should I take my measurements if I know my size?
While looking at size can be a good place to start, each brand’s sizing can run a bit differently. It’s useful to have your measurements handy so you can check their size chart and see where your measurements fall into the mix.
Also, sometimes pre-worn garments have been washed and put through the machine dryer, so there could be some minor shrinkage. That’s why I like to see measurements taken of the secondhand piece and not just generic sizing information from the brand.
If you received the wrong size or the measurements were different in-person than what was posted online, don’t worry. Some platforms, like thredUP, will refund you fully if the sizing issue was due to a mistake on their product listing. Many thredUP customers have confirmed this in forums.
What to Do When It Doesn’t Work Out
Despite our best intentions, mistakes and oversights happen! Here’s how to handle items that don’t fit, listed from lowest lift to most effort:
- Make minor adjustments to see if it can work (roll up sleeves, cuff pants inside with double sided tape, belt oversized items etc.)
- Swap it, sell it, or give it to a friend
- Donate it somewhere that has full transparency into how they manage used garments
- Take it to a tailor (if you have many pieces to get altered, some alteration shops do quantity discounts)
- Bring it to a consignment shop to resell or consign it back to the place you bought the piece from
- Sell it online on a peer-to-peer marketplace (or local peer-to-peer marketplace)
- Take the alterations into your own hands if you have the skills (or are able & excited to learn)
- For the creative and talented sewers in our midst, upcycling could be a fun option as well
I hope these tips can be helpful as you search for secondhand gems online!
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