Shopping second hand online has become one of the smartest ways to hunt down the biggest bargains and the coolest preloved pieces, however with more and more ways to shop second hand online it can quickly become overwhelming. In 2024, 58% of people who had made a second hand purchase, made it online, but what about the other 42%?
Second hand shopping online is different to shopping brand new online, but how do you navigate these differences? As the owner of an online second hand shop and a self-confessed online shopping addict, I want to share with you the five things I swear by to shop second hand online and secure exactly what I’m looking for at a price I’m happy to pay.
Where to shop second hand online?
Like I’ve mentioned, there are more and more places to shop second hand online but how successful you will be on each platform or website all depends on what you’re looking for. Here are my five favourite places to shop second hand online in 2025.
Sunshine Thrift
Sunshine Thrift (it would be rude not to) – Of course, my most favourite place across the whole internet to shop second hand is my own online second hand shop, Sunshine Thrift. We specialise in curated second hand women’s clothing and unique and vintage home décor all in one easy-to-shop place, with each piece hand selected by me.
Hiraeth Vintage
Hiraeth Vintage – Nostalgic and warming vintage homeware reimagined for the modern home.
By Elleven
By Elleven – Timeless curated women’s vintage clothing with a modern look.
Sweet Pea Women’s Preloved
Sweet Pea Women’s Preloved – Top quality, high street and mid-priced brands in women’s fashion at a fraction of the RRP.
ThreadsByJade
ThreadsByJade – Curated stylish preloved women’s fashion often in line with trends and always timeless brands.
My expert tips on shopping second hand online
Now let’s get into it with my five tips that I swear by when shopping second hand online. Whether you’re a seasoned second hand shopper or just getting started, I’m certain at least one of these tips will help you find your next preloved treasure.
1. Google Lens is your best friend
Starting off with my top tip that I almost can’t believe I once lived without: Google Lens. Using image search Google Lens allows you to check what other websites are selling the same or similar product and for what price.
When I am shopping second hand online, I always want to know that I am paying a fair price for that item in its current condition. If you’re lucky, when searching your prospective second hand on Google Lens you may even find the RRP and then you’ll really see what a bargain you’re getting by choosing second hand instead of brand new.
Screenshot the item you need to know a little bit more about
Go into the Google app and instead of typing in the search bar, click the camera icon and upload your screenshot
Google Lens will automatically get to work on finding links and images that are similar to your image
Use Google Lens on any of our products and you’ll find you’re getting a bargain, like I’ve been telling you!
2. Use the measurements
Shopping second hand online means you can’t try before you buy, instead use the information available to you. If you’re shopping for second hand clothes online, check the garment measurements provided by the retailer against your body measurements.
If you’re unsure on how to compare garment and body measurements or need to know how to take your own body measurements, our FREE and complete guide to clothing measurements is your next read.
Clothing and garment measurements
When shopping for second hand and vintage home décor, check the measurements of the item and whether it will fit in your home. Images can be deceiving; the product measurements give you an accurate feel for the size of the item.
3. Ask yourself, do you need it?
Before shopping second hand online, ask yourself ‘do I need this?’ It might sound crazy that as the owner of an online second hand shop, I am advising you to reconsider your online second hand purchases, but rash and uninformed purchases are often a mistake. Mistakes lead to returns, an unnecessary cost to the environment, items being binned or simply wasting away in your home or wardrobe.
By establishing, why you’re buying something online and what you intend to use it for you could prevent making an unnecessary online purchase that will ultimately be returned.
BONUS TIP: Use Pinterest or other forms of social media to mood board and envision how you will wear or use your planned second hand purchases so that they can be treasured in their new home.
4. Everything you need to know is there
Like I mentioned on the first tip, when shopping second hand online you can’t see or touch the item yourself so you need to rely on the images and product information provided by the retailer or seller. Review all images carefully and read any additional information provided. Don’t be afraid to ask questions if the information you need isn’t available.
5. Know what you’re searching for
My last tip would be to be clear about what you’re searching for when shopping second hand online. The internet is overwhelmingly vast and there are millions and millions of preloved items online. I want you to find the exact one you’re looking for, but to do that, you need to get descriptive with your searches. ‘Black crop top Zara’ won’t get you very far, but ‘lace black cropped evening top with short sleeves Zara’ will bring up results that are much closer to what you originally set out to find.
Here's an example of what I mean: I’m searching for a denim pleated mini skirt in a light blue colour with buckle detail.
Here’s the results I get from Google if I enter a very simple and non-descriptive search for ‘Zara denim skirt.’ Unsurprisingly, I haven’t found what I am looking for. However, if I then search exactly what I want which is a ‘light blue Zara denim mini skirt pleated with buckle detail,’ the first result is exactly what I want.
Google also gives you the ability to filter your search results by ‘used’ so it will only show you preloved items which is exactly what we want!
Final thoughts
Shopping second hand online is more than just a must-do money saving hack, it’s about discovering preloved gems for your wardrobe and home that would otherwise be in landfill and contributing to unnecessary CO2 emissions. Choosing to shop second hand online is choosing to take your time, shop second hand with ease, consider your purchases and make calculated and informed decisions on second hand clothing and homeware items.
By following even just one of my five tips for shopping second hand online, you’re guaranteed to become an online second hand shopping expert and soon enough you won’t believe there was a time when it wasn’t your go to shopping method.
