Online thrift shopping has significantly grown in recent years, allowing both sellers and buyers to purge and add to their closets without making dents in their wallets, busy schedules, or in the environment – given that the fashion industry is annually responsible for 10% of global carbon emissions. If you want to hop on this trend and stack your closet without racking up bills or hurting the planet – here are the top online thrifting apps for clothing worth trying.
Available on the web, for iOS, and for AndroidCurtsy automatically establishes your personal algorithm to find clothes You can put in your sizing for dresses, tops, pants, and shoesThe price is in your hands given its “offer” system rather than just a “buy” option
With an app that looks much like an online storefront, Curtsy is easy to navigate and intentionally categorized. There is no subscription or membership fee required, but you do have to make an account to opt into the service, free of charge. Once you create your account, Curtsy automatically establishes your personal algorithm to find clothes that fit both your vibe and your body with a “quiz” where you can put in your sizing for dresses, tops, pants, and shoes, as well as select some of your favorite popular brands like Lululemon or Zara. You can also “love” items using the heart icon at the bottom corner of the listing as they pop up so you can go back and easily find an item if you’re not quite ready to invest. On the app homepage, there are even “Popular try-on videos” that feature sellers trying on the items. Similar to Ti-Tok, the videos are short but real– showing (usually) unedited footage of the seller trying on the item, so you can clearly see the pieces’ condition, inspiration for styling, and how the piece fits the seller. So, if the fit is a concern and you clearly do (or don’t) have the same body type as the seller, you can purchase (or not) with confidence in the fit. Another reason we picked this as the best thrifting app was due to its excellent communication with and guidelines for sellers. The app shows buyers when the seller was last active on the app and you can directly chat with the seller at any time via an integrated free messaging service. Sellers are also required to ship out orders within four business days. If they don’t abide by the time frame, your order is canceled and you are refunded within 2-3 business days. If cancelation occurs, you get a notification text from Curtsy as well as a link to make sure your order was refunded which will be active in the following days. The price is all the more in your hands via Curtsy given its “offer” system rather than just a “buy” option. Can make an offer that is even lower than the listed price, the app will even give you the suggested price to offer. The seller has 24 hours to accept or deny your offer.
Available on the web, for iOS, and for AndroidPlenty of trendy brand names for both new and vintage piecesUsers have curated a unique “Depop” culture almost as forward as its fashionNot uncommon on Depop for sellers to want to conduct an unofficial “trade”
Depop is the trendiest of the thrift store apps. With the look and feel of an online retailer (think Princess Polly or White Fox) coupled with the clean-cut categorization of the trending items, Depop still fills your online shopping and scrolling fix. Including plenty of trendy brand names for both new and vintage pieces, you can skip the lines and prices for both men and women. However, if you just want to invest in a simple white tank, this may not be the place for those classic basic items as everything tends to still be on the pricier side for thrifting. Depop is perfect, though for those Levi jeans you’ve been eyeing but don’t want to splurge that much on…you may even come across a vintage pair you want to grab instead. Depop also makes things just as easy for the seller, providing shipping labels upon request. Buyer-seller communication is top-notch on this platform, and users have curated a unique “Depop” culture almost as forward as its fashion. It is not uncommon on Depop for sellers to want to conduct an unofficial “trade.” While not a feature integrated within the site’s software, many take advantage of “swapping” clothing items instead of just getting rid of an item that didn’t fit right. Here’s how it works: when a seller lists an item for a certain amount, a buyer can message them saying “hey I have this item that is a similar quality/brand/price… would you be interested and you take my item and I take yours?” If both parties agree, they can re-list their items, usually for about $5 – and still qualify for free shipping– and kill two birds with one stone.
Available on the web, for iOS, and for AndroidPioneer in the second-hand e-fashion industrySimilar to a true thrift storeFind “luxury” or vintage items for which Poshmark has a verification process
Poshmark is most likely the app that comes to mind when you think of online thrifting. With around 80 million users, Poshmark continues to be a pioneer in the second-hand e-fashion industry. Objectively, Poshmark is the most similar to a true thrift store. With a plethora of items to search through and not as many filtering options as some of the other apps, Poshmark gives you that “hunting for treasure” thrill you get searching through the trenches of GoodWill. From second-hand electronics and home appliances like a crockpot, Goodwill truly embodies the “one man’s trash is another man’s treasure” mission rather than giving a “trendy” or “new” spin. Everything about this app, from the “hunting” aspect, to the sometimes a little more loved quality, has a second-hand shop feel – in the best way. In fact, you can even find some “luxury” or vintage items for which Poshmark has a legitimate verification process. Considering any item over $500 “luxury,” Poshmark HQ directly authenticates the item before its shipped, providing a full refund if they find the item to be inauthentic. Both buyer and seller-oriented, Poshmark also provides full refunds if your order is never shipped.
Available on the web, for iOS, and for AndroidProvides users a clean-out-kit upon requestOffers you a discount and discount code to use upon signing upHas a “Bingo” rewards system game for more points and credits as you shop
ThredUp is the ultimate app for clean online shopping and cleaning out your closet without clearing out your wallet. From the get-go, ThredUp offers you a discount and discount code to use upon simply signing up for the app. As you shop, there always seems to be an engaging game like “Bingo” as a rewards system for more points and credits as you shop…as if that $7 tank wasn’t enough of a deal! While the format is not as advanced as Depop or Curtsy, ThredUp is easy to navigate. Posted items have a “virtual sticker” on the picture before you even click. “Flawed gem” signals that the advertised item has some wear and tear, but is usually majorly discounted. Other stickers like “Price drop” and “new with tags” let you know how transparent the platform is about the condition before you decide to add to your cart. What I find most interesting about ThredUp is their clean-out feature and “circular closet” technology. Their clean-out feature promotes sustainability by providing users a clean-out-kit upon request to clean out space in their closet, send it back to ThredUp, and then can either “cash out” or get credit from the cleanout and ThredUp will take care of the rest. This feature is perfect for people who want clean closets and extra cash or credit without the hassle and responsibility of selling the individual items yourself. This initiative contributes to ThredUp’s “circular closet” as they are able to process 100K unique items per day, list 2.4 million items at any given time, and fit up to 5.5 million items in their distribution centers.
Available on the web, for iOS, and for AndroidThe most luxurious thrift storeAccepts more than clothes (and bags, jewelry, furniture, and art)12 physical stores, so you can “hold” an item online and go check it out in person
The RealReal is undoubtedly the most luxurious thrift store. With a luxurious-looking website to match, you can shop the edits of everything from Dior to Dolce & Gabbana for both men and women. For those with more expensive taste, just not retail expensive, this online thrifting experience is your dream come true. With set expectations for sellers, The RealReal clearly lays out which brands they accept and in what conditions. But they also make it quite easy for sellers, allowing you to earn commission and dedicate the time to sell your items fast. The RealReal also accepts more than just clothes – they accept handbags, jewelry (including watches), furniture, and art. They also have an in-depth authentication process, so as a buyer you know that you’re not paying high prices for no reason. Don’t get me wrong, shopping on TheRealReal is still a bit of a splurge, and shipping is unfortunately not free for buyers, but it is a great second-hand way to find pieces you may not have even known exist. While the images on the website are a little stock-image-like, there are descriptions below the product and “quality” rankings such as excellent, good, or poor (although I don’t think they accept items they deem to be in “poor” condition). Also, with 12 physical stores, and 8 more in the works, you can “hold” an item online and go check it out in person if you live in one of their locations. If you’d like to quickly see how Curtsy compares to the others – the chart below summarizes the apps detailed in this guide, making it easier for you to see all the platforms they’re available on and their key features. Once I saw how much better Curtsy was for not only my wallet but for finding unique pieces, I also started shopping on TheRealReal to find a quality winter coat and have since also gotten my mom hooked on the site. While I haven’t personally bought anything from ThredUp, Poshmark, or Depop, I consulted my friends who have bought, swapped, and sold via those apps and asked for their opinions. I’ll shamelessly say that I may have scrolled through the apps myself – strictly for research purposes of course – to see if the filters, finding, and communication features matched my friends’ feedback. Bottom line, these apps are so user-friendly, closet friendly, budget-friendly, and environmentally friendly that I couldn’t resist sharing how tech has altered and changed the fast-fashion industry (hopefully) for the better.
