By Hila Davies
Second-hand shopping can seem daunting, but once you’ve got the knack for it, you’ll never return to the horrors of high-street shopping again. My favourite way to shop second-hand is through Vinted, what I like to think of as Depop’s slightly less cool, older sister. With fewer scammers and actual charity shop-esque prices, Vinted facilitates second-hand shopping seamlessly. So close the ASOS tab on your laptop, and read my guide on bagging a bargain and not breaking the bank… or the planet.
1. Want to buy something new? Check Vinted first!
Vinted is full of items that people have clearly forgotten to return and are desperate to make some money back from. So, if you’re thinking of buying a new Skims dress or pair of New Balance trainers, check on Vinted first and I can guarantee you’ll find something brand-new for a fraction of the price you would spend online. Brand new & Other Stories jumper for 4 quid? Yes, please.
2. Use the filters
Instead of blindly scrolling through the thousands of search results for a ‘white cropped t-shirt’, make use of the Vinted search filters to find exactly what you’re looking for. My favourites are ‘Size’, ‘Brand’ and ‘Condition’. Think of some brands where you know the clothes fit you well and use the filter option to increase your chances of a successful purchase. ‘Condition’ allows you to decide how worn you want the clothes to be (if you’re looking to buy a bikini, I’d suggest maybe only sticking to the ‘New’ options…). You can also filter by ‘Material’ but this feature is relatively new, so be aware that a lot of sellers might not have listed the material of their item.
3. Negotiate!
Always message a seller first before purchasing an item. Not only is this good to make sure that the item is still available, and to ensure that the seller does actually exist, but it is also a great opportunity to bargain a little. 9/10 times I’ve bought something on Vinted, I’ve got it for less than the asking price. Vinted has processing and postage fees, which means you usually get charged about 3 quid extra than the cost of the item anyway, so why not try and knock some off? Especially if an item is new, check how much it actually retails for online. Don’t settle for anything less than at least 20% off.
4. Search for good quality brands
If you’re shopping secondhand, there’s a likely chance that the clothes aren’t going to be brand new. So, you want to make sure that the item you are buying is going to last. Whilst buying secondhand is always going to be better for the planet, the end goal should be slowing down our consumer habits, which is only going to happen if we’re buying clothes that aren’t going to be unwearable by next season. Given that you’re probably spending less than buying brand-new clothes anyway, I tend to search for brands that are usually just outside my price range so I can up the quality while not actually paying much more. Do you usually buy clothes from Zara? Search instead for brands like second-hand COS or Massimo Dutti for a better-made item for the same price.
5. Use Vinted to experiment with your style
One of the main benefits of Vinted is the variety of unique pieces you can find. If you’re trying to find your personal style at Uni, or are just experimenting with different ones, use Vinted as an opportunity to get items you wouldn’t usually go for. By searching for more vintage brands, you’re more likely to find interesting pieces that aren’t available in everyone’s go-to Primark on the high street. Use platforms like Pinterest to find inspiration, and then search for specific items that fit the vibe. My favourite Vinted purchase is a handmade quilt jacket – it’s the same aesthetic as all the Scandi girl ones you can buy on Zara, but at least I know I won’t be committing a fashion faux pas in the library sitting next to someone wearing an identical jacket…
