How I Thrift (Nearly) Everything I Wear—And You Can Too

Real thrifting, without leaving the house.

I once found a £400 Harvey Nichols coat on Vinted for £30. 100% wool, mint condition, classic fit—the kind of item I’d never have spotted on a crowded rail in a charity shop.

Currently, about 80% of my wardrobe is secondhand. I’ve bought everything from everyday basics to wedding guest dresses this way. It’s how I’ve built a wardrobe I love without paying full price or supporting fast fashion.

Most people give up because they scroll forever and never find anything worth buying. That’s because online thrifting isn’t about luck, it’s about knowing how to search. I’ve built a strategy that helps me spot the good stuff every time.

If finding great secondhand clothes feels impossible no matter where you look, this guide is for you.

Thrifting Doesn’t Have to Mean Digging Through Bins

I live in a major city with two central charity shops and they’re rarely worth the trip. Overpriced bobbly fast fashion, worn-out polyester... the good stuff’s long gone, and the hunt just doesn’t feel worth it anymore.

That’s why I mostly thrift online.

Some people get precious about what “counts” as thrifting. But secondhand is secondhand—whether it’s a charity shop or a Vinted listing. Gatekeeping the term only alienates people, especially those without the time, energy, or local options to thrift in person.

There’s this idea that “real” thrifting means digging for hours, elbow-deep in bargain bins. Personally, I’d rather not waste my time thrifting in person when the good stuff’s right there online.

A few of my secondhand buys I’d never have found in a charity shop.

How to Thrift the Good Stuff Online

Online thrifting isn’t just scrolling endlessly and hoping for a miracle. When done right, it’s faster, easier, and way more satisfying than wandering charity shops. If you’re thrifting from your phone and feeling stuck, this one’s for you.

Before You Start: Get Clear on What You Actually Want

Get your game plan straight.

Know What You Want

Before you start scrolling, know what you’re looking for. “Some basics” or “something fun” won’t cut it. Be specific: a puff-sleeve blouse? A pair of chunky boots? That COS coat from a few years back? The more detailed, the better. Brand, style, colour—whatever helps narrow the search. And yes, it takes patience, but that’s thrifting.

Know Your Measurements (Not Just Your Size)

Your body isn’t a label. Knowing your actual measurements—bust, waist, hips, arm length—means you know whether that dress will zip up or that jacket will fit right. It’s the best way to avoid thrift fails and disappointment.

Know Your Go-To Brands (And Their Sizing Quirks)

Keep a list of brands you know and love, especially those whose sizing you trust. This helps you instantly say yes or no to listings based on sizing or style, so you don’t waste time second-guessing whether something will fit.

The Brands I Always Search For

Timeless Staples

• Barbour – Classic British outerwear. Well-made and holds its value.

• L.L. Bean – Practical, hardwearing, and stylish.

• St. Michael – Vintage Marks & Spencer, especially good for shirts and knitwear.

Modern, Feminine, and a Bit Weird

• Ganni – Great for classic, feminine styles with laid-back silhouettes.

• Lazy Oaf – Quirky and playful, with bold prints and unique designs.

• Nobody’s Child – Affordable and often in excellent condition secondhand.

• Beyond Nine – Perfect if you like oversized pieces.

• Monki – Youthful, fun pieces. Great for statement items without the high price tag.

Design-Led Labels

• Stella Nova – Interesting silhouettes and textures.

• LF Markey – Workwear-inspired with a modern twist.

• Kowtow – Organic fabrics and minimalist cuts.

• All Saints – Good for edgy basics if you filter carefully.

Casual & Utility

• Dickies – Durable workwear, ideal for jackets.

• COS – Still one of the best for minimalist staples (but double-check condition and fit).

• Zara – Good for on-trend basics and statement pieces if you know what to look for.

When you favourite something, you’re telling the app, “More like this, please.”

Smarter Searching

Tips to avoid endless scrolling.

Shop Out of Season

Want a swimsuit? Search for it in January. After a jumper? Look in July. Out-of-season listings often go cheaper because no one’s searching and that’s your chance to get a bargain While everyone’s panic-buying summer dresses, the rain boots are going for £5.

Be Specific With Keywords

Vague searches = vague results. Avoid generic terms like “light wash jeans” or “maxi dress.” Add the details that matter: high-waisted, tiered, ruched, cropped, balloon sleeves, oversized fit. The more detail you give, the better the results and more likely you are to find something you’ll actually wear.

Filter Your Searches

Use filters—size, brand, colour, condition, price—alongside your keywords and personalisation. No need to scroll through pages of stuff you’d never wear. Filters get you to the good stuff, faster.

Personalise Your Searches

On Vinted, check your profile’s Personalisation tab to save preferred sizes, brands, and categories. This filters your searches to your style and size, saving you from wasting time on clothes that won’t fit. Not every app has this, but it’s worth checking. The more you can narrow things down from the start, the less time you’ll waste scrolling through stuff that’s a hard no.

‘Favourite’ Items to Train the Algorithm

Favouriting teaches the app what you like. Even if an item isn’t perfect, favouriting it helps the algorithm recommend better matches later, including poorly listed or hard-to-find.

Check Recommendations Often

Vinted’s Recommendations get smarter the more you search and favourite. This section reveals hidden gems missed in normal searches, often due to poor keywords or missing info. Most of my best finds come from here.

Beware of Fakes

There are a lot of fakes online, and buying unseen means you’re rolling the dice every time. Authentication services can be costly and aren’t always reliable. Trust your instincts and seller reviews first. If a deal looks too good to be true, it probably is.

Use Google Search Image

This tool is gold. Drag and drop screengrabs of listing photos into Google’s image search and Google will hunt for similar items across the web. This helps you:

• Avoid knock-offs labelled as “vintage”

• Find the original item online to check fabric details, original price, and exact measurements—info often missing from listings.

I’ve dodged scams and overpriced fakes this way more than once.

The Google search that exposed a “handmade” Etsy jacket as SHEIN.

Buying and Haggling

Maximise your chances of a good deal.

Doublecheck the Details

Don’t just skim read the listings, scan for the info that matters to you. Size label, measurements, fabric, condition, flaws… the best listings are upfront and honest about the condition of the item. If something’s missing, ask. It saves the hassle of returns or relisting later.

Photos Matter

Photos can make or break a listing. The best listings have multiple shots from different angles, close-ups of seams, buttons, and any wear or damage. If the pictures are fuzzy or too few, don’t hesitate to ask the seller for more—better safe than sorry.

Send Offers (Don’t Be Afraid to Low Ball!)

Haggling is expected. Sellers often list prices a bit high to leave room for offers. You’ll have better luck negotiating on listings that’ve been up a while though. Some apps limit how many offers you can make or how low you can go; others don’t. A polite, straightforward message can help, just don’t be annoying.

Buy It If It’s Right

If you see something you love at a price you’re happy with: buy it! Good deals vanish fast. I’ve lost gems by hesitating or faffing with offers when I should’ve just clicked “buy.”

Bundle for Discounts

Always check what else a seller has listed. Buying multiple items together usually gets you a better price, which is perfect if they have a few things you love. Just request a bundle, and the seller will reply with a final price, and hopefully, a sweet deal.

Check Seller Feedback

Feedback reveals how reliable a seller is with posting and how honest their descriptions are. Zero feedback isn’t a dealbreaker—we all start somewhere—but lots of negative reviews is a warning sign. Play it safe.

Fees Add Up

Always check the total cost before you hit buy. That £5 bargain suddenly looks a lot less sweet when postage and fees push it past £10. If the price feels steep, don’t be shy about sending a polite offer to haggle for a better deal, especially if the listing’s been up a while.

No Returns!

Most sellers don’t accept returns on secondhand items, so be extra sure about sizing and condition before you commit. This is when knowing your brands and how their clothes fit is beneficial!

Want the best finds? Check your recommendations.

Play the Long Game

Building good habits and setting realistic expectations.

Check Regularly—Daily, If You Can

With thousands of new listings being made every day, making a habit of checking the apps regularly can give you a real edge, especially important if you’re hunting for something specific or rare.

Checking daily means you’ll catch fresh listings before everyone else does, and you’ll avoid endless scrolling by focusing on new arrivals. Plus, setting alerts or saved searches can help you keep tabs without having to refresh constantly.

Have Patience

Thrifting takes patience. You might not find exactly what you want right away—or ever. Empty hands are part of it. But sometimes you’ll stumble across a one-of-a-kind gem. If you’re set on something specific, online thrifting gives you a better shot than wandering charity shops.

I hope my guide makes thrifting feel easier and more successful. I share my own finds over on TikTok to show that secondhand shopping can be fun—and fill your wardrobe with clothes you love. Follow me there, and thanks for reading!

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