The 9 Best Online Consignment Sites To Score Rare Vintage Fashion
Building more sustainable shopping habits? These are the sites to know, shop, and sell on.
In 2022, the biggest trend is any and every trend from the past. Sure, Y2K is back (and it's been back), but so are the '90s, the '80s, and the '70s. Look around and you'll see that everyone seems to be on a quest to define their personal style, which is why one-of-a-kind thrifted pieces and archival designers have been skyrocketing in popularity. Shopping secondhand is also the most sustainable way to consume; while there's a growing number of eco-friendly fashion brands to shop, there's nothing more sustainable than buying vintage and resale.
Whether you're looking for unique fashion finds or trying to earn extra money by cleaning out your closet, there are plenty of online consignment sites to both buy and sell on. Additionally, therein lies troupes of influencers, stylists, and independent entrepreneurs who are applying their critical tastes to foster their own secondhand shops. Whether conducting business via DM on Instagram or on a full-fledged site, the up-and-coming movers and shakers of the circular economy are altering our perspectives on resale fashion with their thoughtful cohesive edit of vintage with distinguishable flair.
Aside from being better for the environment, the following 12 luxury consignment sites are the best ways to score one-of-a-kind designer pieces everybody else on Instagram or TikTok won't already have. Whether you're looking for the next new (but old) vintage bag or a rare watch, this is where to start. Shop and sell all the best below.
Known for its vast collection of Hermès, Louis Vuitton, Céline, and more, Vestiaire Collective is an ideal site for both buyers and sellers of designer fashion. Unlike many other consignment sites, Vestiaire Collective allows sellers to choose the price of the items they are selling. After submitting three to five photos, a description, the item's condition, and an asking price, your pieces go up on the site, similar to eBay's setup. Vestiaire also offers tips for sellers on how to price items correctly. As for shoppers, there are plenty of designer gems to be discovered, whether you're looking for shoes, bags, sunglasses, or ready-to-wear.
Luckily for non-New Yorkers, SoHo's ultra-cool vintage boutique is also available to shop online. The luxury site's curation is top-notch, featuring the coolest vintage finds from Céline, Chanel, YSL, and beyond. While shopping vintage online can often be overwhelming, the site's edited trend and curation sections make it easier to find the pieces you may be looking for.
The feed on Elia Vintage is evocative of the French Riviera in the '90s, with a collection that marries seaside ease with minimalist evening selects. Open-weave crochet sweaters are paired with cloth shorts nipped at the waist, structured cream-yellow blazers are layered over miniskirts, and embellishments make an occasional appearance by way of form-fitting cocktail dresses. Rolling crisp renditions of workwear and destination pieces into one platform, Elia Vintage stands as a dependable go-to for lightweight staples.
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Ready to part ways with your old designer bag? REBAG gives sellers cash for designer handbags based on condition, designer, and price—right upfront. Instead of waiting for the bag to sell, sellers can get a free binding offer, mail it to REBAG with free shipping, and get paid within one to two days. In July, the site expanded its offering to include a range of men's and women's footwear and ready-to-wear from designers like Gucci, Balenciaga, Louis Vuitton, Valentino, Fendi, and more.
Founder Neko Jamilla scours for gems that reference the best in fashion moments of the 20th century. From '90s Dior Rasta sandals to a '60s pink crochet skirt-and-top set, you will want to keep an eye on Jamilla's feed to claim wardrobe artifacts before they are gone.
If you're looking to sell items from your own closet, The RealReal makes life easier by offering free in-home pickups. Alternatively, you can ship your items directly to The RealReal for free or visit a Luxury Consignment Office for a valuation and drop-off. Then, the site does all the work for you: authenticating, photographing, pricing, and listing your items to sell online. Sellers earn up to 85 percent commission for the selling price of their items (one of the highest rates in comparison to other sites). If you're looking to buy, The RealReal boasts a large selection of designer items from vintage bags to shoes, apparel, accessories, and even furniture that any fashion lover could have fun perusing.
Related article: 5 Vintage Online Stores That You’ve Got To Know Now
Fashionphile has been one of the leading online destinations for designer and luxury handbags. Founded in 1999, the brand is known for its incredible customer service and features the largest selection of preowned vintage, rare, and limited-edition handbags from luxury designers including Dior, Bottega Veneta, Loewe, and Old Céline.
Studying fashion design at FIT in New York, Alysha Cassis-Shaw wanted to remain involved in the industry after relocating to San Francisco in 2014. So three years later, she started Neutral Ground, an online vintage store that puts her degree to good use. From Gucci loafers from the '70s and a pair of metallic sandals from Charles Jourdan to a luxe swing coat with a chinchilla fur collar, Cassis-Shaw has curated a thoughtful collection of some of the best vintage styles in the annals of fashion.
Related article: The Best Vintage Instagram-Based Stores To Follow Now
High-end e-comm giant FWRD recently launched a designer bag buyback program. In an interesting twist on circular fashion, customers can use credit from their buybacks toward any new purchase on the site or on sister site Revolve.
This article originally appeared on Harper's BAZAAR US.