A comprehensive guide to resale shopping: Where to buy from and how to do it

Plus, a new unhinged Instagram series to watch

Apr 20, 2025

I started shopping secondhand for designer items in 2020. The first item I ever purchased was a pair of Prada Mary Jane heels from Vestiaire Collective. I have never looked back and my attitude to shopping – particularly for designer goods – was never the same as BCV (before Vestiaire Collective).

If you can buy secondhand, why wouldn’t you? This is the question I ask not only myself but also my friends when they are looking for a nice dress for a wedding, a pair of staple black boots, or coveting the latest designer handbag that has caused a fuss on the internet. This is not meant to sound judgemental, but I don’t understand why you would spend $200 on a pair of shoes from the local high street that are brand new when, if you just put in a little time on some of the resale sites out there, you could very likely walk away with a pair of the same style of shoe in very good condition, made to a much higher standard and also be shopping in a more sustainable fashion.

Last year, I discovered Depop and how to actually use it. I would say the majority of clothing purchases I have made since have been from Depop, and a lot of the time it has been current season items someone is selling after one wear (which I think is madness but that’s a story for another newsletter).

I am also now a secondhand seller, and quite a successful one too. I have unconsciously adapted a one in, one out policy over the last six months and while this isn’t strictly enforced, it does occur about 90 per cent of the time. For example:

I sold my Jacquemus Bambino to purchase an (actual, old enough to be) vintage Celine flap bag
I then sold my Celine flap bag when I purchased my Fendi Peekaboo mini

It goes on. Now, as I have become somewhat of a purveyor of the resale apps, more and more of my friends and strangers on the internet (hello!) have been asking me how I get such good bargains or how I find great pieces. Lest I deprive you any further, please see my guide to shopping successfully on your favourite resale platforms.

Set item alerts

On most of the sites I use to purchase from, you are able to set custom alerts for the products you are searching for. For example, I currently have an alert set for Emilio Pucci dress. This means you will receive an alert when a new item is listed containing your selected term. You can get more specific with them, and I have with some, like Loewe Puzzle Bag in brown size small, but sometimes if you narrow down too far then you do miss some that slip through the next. Play around with what you find works best for you.

Save searches

Similar to setting item alerts, you can save searches on Vestiaire Collective, Depop and (I think) The RealReal, so you don’t have to enter the same filters every time you want to browse this selection. I use this for items I am not coveting, but do like to browse frequently, like black sandals (so interesting, I know). Saves you a lot of time and effort.

Take the time to thoroughly search

One comment I frequently receive is “you get such good stuff off these sites, I never get anything.” And I believe you. I do put a lot of time into scrolling. I essentially use them like you would a social media app: I scroll through in the evening browsing what has been listed, adding to my favourites. You can’t expect to go onto Depop for five minutes and find the exact dress you want half price in your size. You get out what you put in.

Set price limits

If you know you don’t want to spend more than $300 on a pair of sunglasses, why have the options open for those priced higher than this? Not only will it make you sad, it may tempt you to go over budget. Keep the price range limited and you will get a curated edit of what is available in your brief.

Take the chance on well worn

One element of our wardrobe that is largely neglected these days is having items mended. We are so quick to dispose of a dress with a small tear, a shoe with worn soles. Sometimes, on resale sites you will find amazing pieces that need a little TLC to be at their best. They are often low priced and require small repairs to make them good as new. Consider going down this path, if you are prepared to put in the time and effort.

YouTube is your friend for testimonials

If you are lucky enough to live in a part of the world where designer stores aren’t strewn up and down your local shops, you cannot simply walk into a store and see what the product looks like IRL. This is where the humble YouTuber comes into play. I have simply typed in “XX bag review” on the site many times and there is almost always someone who does a full debrief on the item and gives you a sense of its practicality. Also, Instagram: DM people you know own the current product as they are usually happy to discuss if they would purchase again or recommend.

My favourite resale sites to purchase from:

Vestiaire Collective

If you hadn’t already noticed, Vestiaire Collective is my favourite resale platform. They are extremely helpful from a customer service perspective, offer an array of payment methods and the design of the site is easy to use. All purchases show you the import taxes (usually very high if in Australia) you will need to pay, and you pay for this when you buy. Not all sites do this, as you will soon learn.

Depop

I love using Depop to purchase clothes from my favourite brands, like Lee Mathews and Zimmermann. Again, a very easy app to use as both a buyer and seller – I have sold most prolifically on Depop than any other site.

Chrono24

This is a resale app for luxury watches, where I purchased my Tag Heuer from in 2022. Much a similar layout to Depop and, again, I cannot fault the customer service.

eBay

A random one, I know, but eBay has some bargains! Takes a little more time to get comfortable on there (at least because I had hardly used it) but I managed to find a Rixo dress I had been searching for a year on other sites and it was an easy enough process. I also have it on good intel that Japanese eBay is where the fashion girlies get a lot of their goods, and at good prices.

The RealReal

I’ve used the RealReal once to purchase my Chanel bag. Now, the RealReal (at least when I used it) does NOT include import taxes in its final price you pay at the checkout. I was so pleased when Australian customs called me and said I owed them a further $750. Just feel like that is crucial information you should know, if shopping on their site.

My five favourite secondhand finds and the sites I purchased them on – proof that success can be had!

Prada banana print dress - Vestiaire Collective

Also my shoes, sunnies and bag I am wearing with the dress were all bought from Vestiaire.

Gucci Jackie 1961 - Vestiaire Collective

Tag Heuer Aquaracer - Chrono24

Oroton embellished mini dress - Depop

Chanel east-west chocolate bar bag - The RealReal

Reading:

Mother Tongue by Naima Brown – I can’t tell if I understand the protagonist or think she’s extremely selfish? If you end up reading, please give me your opinion. I really enjoyed reading this one, but couldn’t make up my mind morally on the path she takes. Her husband is also… interesting. I was kind of hooked in by the chaos, if you get me?

I am deep in Europe planning (because one of us in the relationship has to be) and have been taken aback by all the incredible guides put together by fellow Substack writers. There is so much more I want to see, eat and do when we are over there. For those headed to Paris, I enjoyed this by Valentina’s World.

Watching:

This unhinged series on Instagram called Skeleton of the Week – each video discusses a famous skeleton in a fun, intriguing way. Immediately sent through to my fellow unhinged friends (this is meant lovingly).

Don’t know if this counts as ‘watching’ in it’s true form but I was watching Aimee Lou Wood’s Instagram stories after she called out SNL for sending up her appearance. Only last week I was saying to Damian, “Isn’t she so beautiful? I love her whole face” and now people are poking fun at it. I’m not one to take things too seriously but just seemed very off for me.

Listening:

So much Lady Gaga because this Little Monster got tickets to the Mayhem Ball WAAHOO! My personal favourite album is The Fame Monster with the double disk because you still get all the tracks from The Fame, like Summerboy – suuuuuch a banger. While we’re at it, does anyone remember her now somewhat buried song Again Again? I used to love this song but it isn’t on any streaming services.

And in the lead up to the Australian federal election, I have started listening to the Back-to-Back Barries podcast by Barry Cassidy and Tony Barry. A thorough, quick format that goes through the week in the federal election campaign and what went down.

Coveting:

A running vest – do I need one? Will I get hot? I do get very warm fast but now that I am a morning runner, maybe it’s time to invest. Have my eye on this from Nimble.

Stephan Kung crashing ON HIS FACE INTO COBBLESTONES and yet continuing AND FINISHING Paris-Roubaix – MVP of the week for me. Not sure the AFL blood rule could handle this reel.

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