- Is this blog for you?
- Why is shopping for second hand clothes online becoming more popular?
- Why is it important to buy second hand clothes?
- What to look for when buying second hand clothes online
- Our five favourite female owned, online second hand clothing shops
- Final thoughts
In this blog we’re going to share with you our five favourite female owned online second hand clothing online retailers to watch in 2026. You’ll find many guides, blogs and news articles outlining the best platforms to shop second hand online (Vinted, eBay, Depop) but we want to focus our efforts on promoting the female owned, independent second hand retailers who provide a much more refined customer experience compared to the overpopulated and overstimulating marketplaces.
Is this blog for you? The checklist:
- Do you like to support small, independent businesses?
- Do you expect good customer service when shopping second hand clothes online?
- Do you like to find great bargains at unreal prices?
If you answered “yes” to any of the above, we’re certain that you are going to find an online second hand clothing retailer in this guide who you will want to shop with. This doesn’t mean you need to forget about the marketplaces, we’re simply showing you a different, and in our opinion, better way to shop for second hand clothes online.
Why is shopping for second hand clothes online becoming and more popular?
Before we get into it, let’s talk about the rise of online second hand clothes shopping. In 2024, a third of UK shoppers said they would or have shopped second hand clothes. When you consider shopping all kinds of second hand goods online, nearly two-thirds of Brits said they did so in 2023. Retail in the UK is only going one way and that is towards second hand.
But why the move to online? Well, following the boom of Vinted during the COVID era, as well as the never ending presence of eBay, many second hand shoppers have become accustomed to browsing the internet for second hand finds. 68% of both millennial and Gen Z UK shoppers bought second hand clothes online at least once in 2024, pair this with the fact that these two age groups are the shoppers who shop online the most and you can see why online second hand retail is expected to reach £4.8bn by the end of 2025.
Why is it important to buy second hand clothes?
When answering this question, we’ve learnt that the facts don’t lie. Here’s five hard hitting facts that tell you everything you need to know about why choosing second hand clothes over brand new is more important than ever.
- Research from WRAP suggests that extending the lifespan of clothes by just 9 months could cut waste by 22% and save 33% of water consumption.
- A 2024 report found that nearly half (49%) of all used textiles in the UK are thrown into general waste rather than reused or recycled.
- The fashion industry is the second biggest consumer of water after agriculture.
- Copenhagen Fashion Summit reported 92 million tonnes of garments end up discarded in landfills.
- It’s estimated that a shocking 80 to 150 billion clothes are produced every single year. That’s enough garments being produced in just one year to give each person on the planet 21 new pieces of clothing.
What to Look for When Buying Second Hand Clothes Online
As the owner of an online second hand shop, I feel confident enough to say that I have the experience to advise on what to look for when shopping for second hand clothes online. Unfortunately, some people’s experience of shopping second hand online has been tainted by bad experiences with dodgy sellers on online marketplaces. We’re on a mission to fix this.
To make you feel as comfortable as possible when shopping second hand clothes online, I have created a quick checklist that you can refer back to time and again.
- Condition – Is the condition of the item clear and obvious through the use of clear product images and a detailed product description?
- Size and measurements – Do you know that this item is going to fit? Can you check the garment measurements provided against your body measurements? If you’re unsure on how to do this, you need to read our full guide to clothing measurements here.
- Shipping and returns policies – Each retailer will have different shipping costs as well as a different returns policy. With second hand goods it is always good to know the returns policy before buying.
- Customer reviews and social proof – Does their website have any reviews? Can you find them on social media and are they offering a legitimate and good service as proven by reviews and social media engagement?
- Pricing – Are you paying a fair price for the item’s brand, condition, look, uniqueness? How does it compare to the original RRP?
These five points are the bare minimum when shopping for second hand clothes online, make sure you tick them off before every single purchase to avoid hassle and heartache.
Our five favourite female owned, online second hand clothing shops
Sunshine Thrift
I couldn’t write about shopping for second hand clothes online without mentioning Sunshine Thrift, an online second hand shop specialising in second hand women’s clothes and unique home décor.
I started Sunshine Thrift in 2024 to create an easy and accessible way to shop for second hand bargains online, that you could trust. Through our honest pricing, clear product descriptions and images and easy to use website we have created an online shopping experience loved by hundreds of thrifters.
FACT: 50% of our first-time customers have never shopped second hand before shopping with us!
Sunshine Thrift Features:
- Sunshine rewards – earn points for shopping second hand online!
- Sunshine subscribers – 24 hour early access to new stock with £5 off each item
- Quality control – every item goes through a two-stage quality check
- Get Rid – trade in your unwanted clothing in exchange for cash, Sunshine Thrift vouchers or a charitable donation.
Little Black Look
The Little Black Look is a premium second hand clothing retailer centred around one fundamental wardrobe staple colour: black. Founded by Kate, The Little Black Look specialises in selling and buying consciously made, designer fashion to enable her customers to create timeless capsule wardrobes.
Little Black Look Features:
- A mix of vintage and designer pieces
- Consignment service
- Personal shopping service
Sweet Pea Preloved
Founded by Becky, Sweet Pea Preloved is an online second hand shop specialising in women’s clothing, footwear and accessories. With a never ending introduction of new stock to their website, you are certain to find a piece you love. No matter your budget, they stock a wide choice of high street, mid-price and designer second hand fashion.
Sweet Pea Preloved Features:
- Wide range of price points
- Trade in your clothes in exchange for cash
- Clearance sale with crazy bargains
- Sister website for second hand children’s clothes
Loved Once More
Founded by Nicola in 2021, Loved Once More is an online second hand retailer specialising in women & Children’s brands with a hint of vintage, designer and organic clothing. Just like many female founders in this industry, Nicola was incensed when she learned the impact her and her family’s clothes shopping was having on the planet, so she did something about it!
Loved Once More Features:
- Women’s and children’s wear on one website
- Free delivery on orders over £75
- A curated mix of high street and mid-price brands, catering to any budget
Miller & Moore
Founded by Daisy in 2020, Miller & Moore has grown into an online second hand clothing paradise bursting with curated pieces from vintage, designer and cult brands. Daisy’s collection will have you soon forgetting about the trends as her website is home to many wardrobe staples and quality timeless pieces.
Miller & Moore Features:
- New stock every Monday
- Consignment service
- Free shipping on orders over £100
Final Thoughts
Whether you’re an online second hand shopping pro or just getting started in the world of online second hand clothes, I would highly recommend checking out any of the female owned retailers mentioned above.
Whilst the online marketplaces take centre stage as the go-to place for second hand online, the true pioneers are working quietly in the background in the form of small businesses; where customer care, quality and honesty are at the heart of every single product and sale.
You may have regularly found yourself asking the question of where to shop for second hand clothes online, but with this blog we hope to have ended that quandary for you. 2026 is your year to find more independent online second hand clothing retailers to support, choose second hand clothing more often and find your personal style. Make sure to follow our checklist when shopping online and we are sure you will have a positive experience that will bring you back time and again!
