Barely five years ago, finding sites and apps to buy and sell used stuff was a fairly limited proposition. You had the big guys (eBay), the new-frontier tech-meets-fashion players (Poshmark), and the luxury destinations for high-end designer pieces (The RealReal.) Cut to 2022, andit seems as if consumers have hundreds of options—many of which are hyper-specialized, making it overwhelming to navigate them.
When COVID hit I joined Depop, which has positioned itself as the Gen Z peer-to-peer secondhand app of choice and currently has more than 30 million users. I knew that particular community was probably my best bet for turning the pile of XXL Comfort Colors T-shirts and Nike running shorts in the corner of my room into cash—ditto for the selection of beat-up miniskirts, practically unworn Doc Martens boots, and fuzzy bags that aligned with what the TikTok crowd dominating the app was desperate for.
I wasn’t the only one who wanted to turn my own trash into treasure. According to a recent report by ThredUp, the secondhand fashion market is expected reach nearly $80 billion over the next five years as shoppers prioritize sustainability, retailers are starting to embrace various forms of resale and, and policy makers are turning their attention to the circular economy.
How much profit you make will be determined by each app or website; most charge a commission. Payment processing fees and, of course, shipping might also apply.
Here, we break down both established and new apps for buying and selling used stuff. One caveat: We didn’t include vintage dealers, deadstock retailers, or other sellers that focus on hard-to-find, unworn, holy grail pieces, although you might be able to track them down somewhere on the list below.
eBay
What it’s good for: Pretty much everything under the sun.
Commission fee: 30 cents, plus a specific percentage of the order depending on price and category. For women’s handbags, it’s 15% for items $2,000 and less, while for jewerly and watches, it’s 12.55% up to $7,500. You can browse the full breakdown on eBay’s website.
The O.G. site first launched in 1995, and today has about 159 million sellers, each offering something totally different, from clothes and bags to electronics, rare books, beauty products, housewares, and even cars. If there’s a one-app-fits-all scenario, this would be it.
Depop
What it’s good for: Vintage designer pieces, streetwear, trend-driven pieces, and Y2K-inspired clothing skewing toward a younger audience.
Commission: 10% of the value of what you sell, including shipping cost.
Depop’s cultlike status has made it a hit primarily among Gen Z buyers and sellers. After the British-founded company was acquired by Etsy in July 2021 for $1.625 billion, the market has continued to herald the app’s signature cool-girl aesthetic. On Depop you’ll find everything on a TikTokers wishlist, from lightly worn UNIF miniskirts to ultra-vintage John Galliano–era Dior Saddle Bags. The app is also known for its high-profile closet collaborations with young talent, including stars like Olivia Rodrigo, Megan Thee Stallion, and Kali Uchis. It’s by far the most hyped reselling app, meaning you may be able to score better deals elsewhere depending on what you’re looking for, but the vibe machine works hard in Depop’s favor.
The RealReal
What it’s good for: High-price-tag luxury apparel, footwear, bags, fine jewelry, and other accessories.
Commission: The RealReal’s layered commission structure makes it dependent on the specific item you sell, how in demand it is, and whether or not you’ve sold with them before. For most items, The RealReal takes a fee of anywhere from 15% to 70%. For a full breakdown, you can check their website.
If you’re a luxury lover, you’ve most likely heard of The RealReal, a secondhand consignment start-up based in San Francisco that focuses on selling designer goods. You can find practically anything on the platform, from Gucci mules to Bottega Veneta bags to an Issey Miyake pleated skirt from the ’90s.
If you’re looking to offload luxury items, it’s worth noting that the site does all the legwork for you. Unlike other secondhand apps, TRR will measure, authenticate, list, and post your castoffs for you when they’ve been accepted for resale.
Poshmark
What it’s good for: Women’s clothing and accessories, common luxury goods, athlesiure, menswear, and kidswear.
Commission: For sales under $15, the fee is $2.95. For all items above that, Poshmark takes 20% of the total sale price.
Poshmark is rising in the ranks to become one of the largest secondhand peer-to-peer selling sites, joining the likes of eBay and Depop to define a generation. When the company first went public at the beginning of 2021, they were valued at $3 billion—and so far there aren’t any signs of the community slowing down. Like many online marketplaces, Poshmark relies on social selling, in which users are encouraged share and like sellers’ closets, often developing relationships with them, negotiating prices, and joining Posh Parties—themed selling events that take place within the app.
If you’re interested in turning a quick buck, though, it can be overwhelming to close a sale. Poshmark has more than 80 million users, and the key to success is constantly being active in the app.
Grailed
What it’s good for: Both vintage and new men’s sneakers, hypewear, and luxury goods.
Commission: 9% on all sales along with a processing fee depending on your payout method.
Supreme Box Logo–wearing hypebeasts shop secondhand too, and Grailed is the perfect example of that. The peer-to-peer marketplace functions almost like a mirror to reflect what today’s fashion boys are into, with labels like Prada, Supreme, The North Face, Carhartt, Rick Owens, and Nike making constant appearances. Grailed lists both gently used clothing and new items, depending on buyers’ preferences, so there’s something for everyone.
ASOS Marketplace
What it’s good for: Reworked vintage and thrifted clothing
Commission: Rather than pay a fee on every order, boutique owners pay a monthly “rent” depending on their services and inventory. When items in a boutique go on clearance, ASOS Marketplace takes 10%.
While ASOS Marketplace may not be as big as its cooler retail sibling, it is more sustainable. The subbrand operates as a shopping destination, with different indie sellers and labels serving as digital boutiques. While there are some shops on the platform that consist of small, independent businesses, a curated selection of vintage shops make browsing worthwhile.
Mercari
What it’s good for: You can find literally everything on Mercari, but you’ll have the best luck with inexpensive clothing from fast fashion retailers and chain stores, as well as electronics.
Commission: Mercari takes a minimum of 10%; payment process and shipping are extra.
For those unfamiliar with Mercari, it’s easy to think about the website in terms of other giant e-commerce secondhand shops. In the simplest terms, the online community marketplace functions nearly identically to eBay, but Mercari’s audience skews younger. As a result, when you’re searching for used clothing, you’ll find trendier items, including garments from Shein, Zara, ASOS, and Forever 21.
Vestaire Collective
What it’s good for: Used luxury and designer items, with a large selection of holy grail and everyday items.
Commission: For items between $80 and $16,500, Vestaire Collective takes a total of 12% from the sale amount.
Vestaire Collective may be one of the widest online luxury consignment stores out there, with overwhelming categories for tracking down your every desire. While perusing the curated categories may not give you the same feeling you get from stumbling upon an amazing low-cost gem in a thrift store clearance bucket, it does make the overwhelming amount of items on the secondhand market much easier to sort through. Plus, I’ve found Vestaire Collective’s men’s section to be one of the best out there. Guys deserve Gucci too.
Tradesy
What it’s good for: On-trend luxury items like designer bags, shoes, and clothing.
Commission: For items under $50, there is a flat fee of $7.50. For anything over that amount, Tradesy takes 19.8%.
Like most luxury secondhand e-tailers, Tradesy prides itself on its quick, fast, and painless system to buy and sell used designer goods. The peer-to-peer marketplace is more direct than other apps, making selling and purchasing that much easier.
ThreadUp
What it’s good for: Gently worn women’s clothing from chain retailers such as Banana Republic, Nike, Forever 21, Zara, and Victoria’s Secret.
Commission: For on-trend items, ThreadUp occasionally pays you upfront; for other items, the brand will place them on sale and wait for them to sell before paying out. ThreadUp takes anywhere 20% to 97%—depending on the listing price.
If any app is easiest for secondhand newbies to follow, it is this one, which operates like a consignment shop. ThreadUp’s “clean-out kit” makes it easy to gather a bunch of old clothes, ship them to the company’s HQ, and list their value.
Fashionphile
What it’s good for: Gently used designer items, ranging from new collections to vintage gems.
Commission: Fashionphile usually buys most items outright and pays a quote, so you don’t have to wait for it to get sold before being paid out. For rare or high-priced items, the consignment route kicks in: Fashionphile keeps a flat 30% from every piece you sell under $3,000. If you sell an item above $3,000, a tiered structure goes into effect, allowing you to retain an additional 15% of the value.
Like most secondhand luxury websites, Fashionphile does great job convincing you to get that bag you’ve had your eye on. A dedicated payment plan, along with a longer period to return items in case of buyer’s remorse (felt that!), lets you feel more comfortable with your purchase. Fashionphile is a bit more selective with the brands it takes, though, presenting a narrower scope of options to chose from. Sometimes that isn’t exactly a bad thing, especially since their quality control is nearly impeccable.
Vinted
What it’s good for: Great steals for secondhand clothing.
Commission: For all transactions, Vinted takes a 5% cut of the final sale.
As on platforms such as Mercari, eBay, and Poshmark, Vinted users are fully in charge of their own listings and price, giving them control over the process. If you’re buying, you’ll find inexpensive clothing on the app—usually $8 to $15 for a single item, but often much lower than that. If your favorite thing to do is look for a bargain, look no further than Vinted.
Etsy
What it’s good for: Reworked and/or one-of-a-kind vintage items.
Commission: While creating an Etsy shop is free, each item you list has a $0.20 charge, along with a 5% fee once the item sells.
Small business mecca Etsy isn’t just for homemade clay pots and resin ashtrays—the giant e-commerce platform hosts a large bevy of vintage boutiques and secondhand retailers, often specializing in one specific item. From shops specializing in midcentury vintage leather flight jackets to ’80s windbreakers, there’s someone for every stylistic taste on the platform.
With an eye toward the circular economy and the future of style, Glamour examines the big business of fashion’s secondhand market, which is poised to double in size to $77 billion in the next five years, with our Restyled series, running throughout the month of April.
