Best thrifting apps
Second-hand shopping is an easy method of reducing your individual carbon footprint. With the surplus of apps in the market, it may be difficult for beginners to dabble into the market of second-hand shopping. Below is a list of apps and small businesses that cater to every user.
Best for: Luxury handbags
Luxury bags are the fashion industry's most profitable category – and also the most counterfeited products. Similar to The RealReal, Rebag ensures authentication of its products through "in-house experts" who inspect every handbag.
Customers have three options in shopping from Rebag:
Create an account, save up to $200 on your first purchase
Sell bags / accessories you’ve outgrown, use credit toward new bag
Receive a Rebag credit, earning you 20% more.
From a usability standpoint, I’d rate the app’s UI a 7/10.
2. Depop
Best for: Relevant Trends
Depop - otherwise known as the trendsetting secondhand market app - offers a variety of products, ranging from luxury to local thrifts. Beloved by both Gen Z and Millennials, Depop is perfect for users looking for trendy secondhand clothing or accessories. The app currently has 27+ million users in over 147 countries, making it a desirable market for sellers.
Unlike competitors, Depop doesn’t have an authentication process on luxury items listed on the app, making it a risky market if you’re looking for key luxury items.
Key takeaways:
The app doesn’t require a listing or subscription fee
Every sold item has a flat fee of 10%.
The app's UI Is overall simple and cleaner than the UI of Poshmark, a similar competitor.
3. The RealReal
Best for: Luxury Enthusiasts
With fierce competition in the secondhand luxury market, The RealReal's competitors Include Vestaire Collective, FarFetch, and ThredUP. However, the notable differentiator is The RealReal's mobile app design and overall online shopping experience.
Key takeaways:
The RealReal notably shares an intimate relationship with its sellers by assigning a point of contact during the selling process, incentivizing people to sell more products.
Selling is an easy process for busy people:
Sellers send their item to a RealReal warehouse
The RealReal evaluates the condition and authenticity, and sets a fair price accordingly.
Easy and quick transaction on both sides once the item is posted and sold.
The RealReal takes a hefty commission based on the item sold; the app has a detailed chart showing a breakdown by percentage and category.
The overall usability of the mobile application gets an unparalleled 9/10. The limitless filter options and the clean UI allow users to search and find exactly what they're looking for.
4. Na Nin Vintage
Best for: Daily wear
Na Nin Vintage offers a mix of products from luxury and Indie brands, all with a cohesive, sleek aesthetic. As a bonus, the online boutique offers flash sales on its products in conjunction with free shipping. The wide variety and the founder's eye for style make it an easy stop for shopping second-hand.
Key Takeaways:
The online boutique started in 2009, making it a reliable source for second-hand clothing.
New styles are posted on a daily basis on the store’s Instagram account, @naninvintage.
The boutique also has its own in-house line, @naninstudio, comprising of fragrances and high-quality clothing made in the US.
