Whether you love secondhand shopping for the thrill of finding a unique piece to add to your wardrobe, have lux taste on a budget, or want to shop ethically and sustainably, thredUP is one of my favourite places to do all of that (and I think it might become yours, too!).
thredUP is an online consignment store that offers a huge selection of women and kids’ brand name clothing, shoes, and accessories at up to 90% off retail prices.
If you’re wondering whether shopping thredUP is the right store for you, I’m here to give you the low down on my experience.
With over two million pieces online at any given time and over 30 thousands new arrivals every single day, I was initially overwhelmed with all of the options available. From designer items to maternity, plus size, shoes, and accessories, thredUP is not kidding around.
I knew I needed to take a step back and make a list of things I needed in my wardrobe and the brands I knew and already loved. Then my hunt began. I settled my search on summer dresses from Reformation, Wilfred, Babaton, and Talula, and designer handbags from Louis Vuitton, Gucci, and Burberry.
If you’ve ever thrifted at a regular secondhand store, you’ll know that sifting through racks and racks of clothing can be daunting and time-consuming.
thredUP has the option of narrowing down searches according to style, colour, type, price, size, and brand. This is by far my favourite feature and allowed me to find exactly what I was looking for in a fraction of the time it takes me to finish my coffee. Enough said.
Another one of my favourite features? thredUP saved my cart for a full 24-hours.
Yes, that’s right, a full 24-hours. This meant that I could add every item that caught my attention to my cart without worrying that someone would steal my perfect-for-me item right from under my nose while I pondered my financial situation. Oh, and when I came across an item that was already in someone else’s cart? Well, thredUP gave me the option of notifying me through email when the item became available again.
Each item page contains a few pictures of the item, a full description (size, measurements, material, etc.), an explanation of the condition, and how it fits. I ended up selecting a vintage Louis Vuitton and two Reformation dresses that were described as “in excellent condition. You might mistake it for brand new!”
Initially, the prices looked extremely low to me, but then I realized that they were in American dollars, which made more sense.
Shipping to Canada started at $11 USD and went up as I added more items to my cart. No duties were added to my total, and I had a discount code! Score!
When I received my items, they came in some seriously cute packaging. Everything was folded and placed neatly in a polka dot box, and there wasn’t anything wasteful and unnecessary, just some tissue paper, my items, and my order details. I was pleasantly surprised that each of my items arrived as described. They looked brand new and smelled pretty good — not factory fresh, but that was okay with me.
I was lucky enough to not have to return any of my items, but things happen. threadUP has a 14-day return policy (subject to a restocking fee and excluding handbags) if you’re not 100% happy with your items.
If you’re interested in shopping at thredUP, new members get 50% off their first order. Happy secondhand shopping!
Featured image: Instagram/@thredup
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