3 Things to Keep in Mind When Buying Secondhand Clothing

Glamorous vintage scarf looks for an instant Grace Kelly transformation

It has never been more popular to buy secondhand. There are many fantastic advantages of buying secondhand, but there are also a few things to be aware of in order to find the best deals and the beautiful hidden gems. Check out these three things to keep in mind when shopping secondhand. 

The classic idea of buying secondhand is scouting the thrift shops and vintage stores for the most beautiful and unique pieces. It’s an activity in itself to go treasure hunting in the shops. But it can also be very hard to find exactly what you need. This is why buying secondhand online has become so popular. Online, you’re able to find the exact vintage pieces you’re looking for and order them directly to your door. One of the most sought-out places to look for secondhand online is aretrotale.com. Here, you’ll find the best vintage designer luxury brands. You’ll find the most beautiful bags, clothes, and accessories from top designers. When you’re looking for secondhand, whether online or in a physical store, here are a few things to keep in mind to find the right items for you.

1. Keep an open mind

Some of the beauties of secondhand are all the surprises and hidden treasures. You never know exactly what you’re going to stumble upon when you walk in. This is exactly why it’s such a good idea to keep an open mind when looking for secondhand clothing. Sometimes, you have a specific item in mind that you’re looking for. But even in those situations, it can be fruitful to let yourself be pleasantly surprised if something else should come up.

2. Inspect the condition thoroughly

When you’re buying secondhand, there are a few other things to be aware of than when you’re buying new clothes. The primary one is the condition of the clothes. You need to inspect the condition thoroughly. Someone else has used this item before, so there might be stains on it, rips, tears, or it might be too worn. 

Even though you’re buying secondhand, you want your clothing to be in good condition. If you’re in a physical shop, it’s easy enough as long as you manually check the condition. Remember to smell the item as well – sometimes, secondhand clothing has a funky odor that you do not want to bring home with you. If the piece is in good condition and smells all right, you’re ready to take it home. Online, they will usually have a description of the condition that you have to read thoroughly. 

3. Dodge the tailored items

Another thing to be aware of when looking at a secondhand piece is whether it’s tailored or not. If an item is tailored for another person, chances are that it won’t be a good fit on your body. If you’re looking at a tailored piece, it’s recommended to try it on or look at the measurements if you’re buying online – and even then, you can’t be entirely certain that it will fit you. Therefore, it’s usually a good idea to avoid fitted pieces in general. 

Written by Megan Taylor
Megan is a beauty expert who is passionate about all things makeup and glam! Her love for makeup has brought her to become a beauty pro at Glamour Garden Cosmetics.