Tips We Send Friends: how to shop pre-loved like a pro
I tapped my favorite Substack treasure hunters for their best secondhand shopping advice.
There’s never been a better time to dive into the pre-loved shopping world. Between tariffs, rising living costs, rampant overconsumption, and our growing environmental crisis, secondhand finds aren’t just having a moment — they’re becoming a movement.
This letter isn’t about guilting you into abandoning new purchases (unrealistic!) or shaming anyone’s fast fashion choices. I feel passionate about sharing practical wisdom and savvy strategies for the secondhand marketplace, especially since I’m relatively new to this world myself. If you’re just starting out, I know it can feel overwhelming — the countless platforms, unfamiliar terminology, and uncertainty about where to begin.
Full disclosure: this newsletter is partly selfish! I want those insider secrets too, which is why I reached out to my favorite secondhand shopping experts — Substack’s finest treasure hunters and curators of the pre-loved — for their advice, shopping stories, cherished finds, and wishlist items. Every thoughtful purchase we make isn’t just a win for our wallets, it’s a small but meaningful contribution to a more sustainable future.
Meet the treasure hunters:
- of What’s Left
- of Long Live
- of Trash Panic
- of Best Friends
- of The Weekly Roundup
- of HODGEPODGE
- of How To Wear It
Heads up: This one’s a longer read; best enjoyed in app. These interviews have been lightly edited for length and clarity.
How did your pre-loved shopping obsession begin?
Virginia: It began at a very young age and stems from my grandmother. She raised me from two months old, after my mom suffered a traumatic brain injury. The three of us moved to Florida (from North Georgia) and started a new life. My grandmother would go to thrift stores and estate sales to find art, furniture, and beautiful things to enhance our home. Eventually, she began selling many of her finds and passed the gene down to me. I started selling about ten years ago and am now a 7-time Chairish Super Seller who wrote a best-selling book about thrifting called “Big Thrift Energy” (more on Virginia’s thrifting origin story here).
Erika: I grew up in Iowa and thrifting was my only way to experiment with fashion with babysitting money. It was in those suburban Goodwills and Salvation Army where my pre-loved obsession began.
Glenn Mae: A love for antiques and vintage treasures has always been in my blood — when I was a kid, my grandmother and mother moonlighted as estate sale hunters, selling their finds and handmade crafts at local flea markets. Both had an eye for the unique, strange, and wonderful, something I was always surrounded by! Thrifting became fun to me much later, in middle and high school. My sister and I would spend weekends tearing up magazines, collaging our walls, and figuring out how to wear cool trends we couldn’t afford. That’s when we discovered the thrill of the hunt, up-cycling, DIY-ing, and sewing our way to personal style with our thrifted finds.
Kellyn: I grew up in a small Northern California town, and every Saturday my grandparents did all their shopping at Denio’s Farmers Market & Auction —known simply to us as the auction. They used to auction livestock there, but now it’s flea market chaos and ripe produce. That’s where I learned to hunt for secondhand treasures and picked up haggling tips from my Grandpa, a master of the slow nod and lowball.
Katie: All good things are born out of necessity, right? I really got into thrifting and the secondhand world in college, living with a champagne taste on a beer budget. I’d get inspiration from Tumblr (am I aging myself with that comment?), then head to Goodwill or my local Salvation Army to hunt down similar pieces to recreate looks in my own way. Funny enough, I still do this today! But instead of Tumblr, I gather inspiration from Moda Operandi or Net-a-Porter new arrivals, then begin my virtual search for similar pieces from The Real Real, eBay or other resale sites.
Sierra: What really kicked off my secondhand shopping obsession was transitioning from college to corporate America. I phased out the Zara and H&M going-out tops for clothes that served a whole new purpose. I’ve always loved nice things, but much of what I loved, I simply couldn’t—and still can’t—afford. Once I realized I could find those brands, designers, and fabrics pre-loved, it was game over. My obsession also grew alongside my confidence. In school, I was scared to wear what I loved, fearing I’d look like I was trying too hard. Once I shed that idea, I developed a love for finding unique pieces, something I find is only truly possible through secondhand shopping.
Natalia: I’ve long admired vintage pieces from a distance, but it wasn’t until a few years ago that I began sourcing pieces for my own wardrobe. The turning point? Discovering my mom’s gorgeous Tom Ford-era Gucci bag. I became completely enamored with it — the shape, the era, the story — and was determined to find one for my closet. I set my first saved search for a “Tom Ford Gucci horsebit bag” and never looked back.
“I learned to hunt for secondhand treasures and picked up haggling tips from my Grandpa, a master of the slow nod and lowball.” - Kellyn Loehr
What secondhand shopping secrets do you wish someone had told you when you were just starting out?
Virginia: Learn to edit your cart. There’s a temptation to buy as much as you possibly can when you’re shopping secondhand because everything is so affordable, but this compounds the problem of having too much stuff. I always tell people, if it looks like a “project piece” (i.e. you need to fix or repair it), don’t buy it.
Erika: Really, that it’s ok to leave a great piece, even if you love it. I have sent so many bags of thrifted finds back to Goodwill in my day. Now, I’m way more selective about what I take home.
Glenn Mae: Just because it’s cheap doesn't mean you need it! It’s easy to fall for that crazy-well-priced item and convince yourself you need it, even when it’s not your style. Buy only what you’ll actually wear! I’m now better at passing on pieces that aren’t meant for me, even if they’re designer, luxury, or one-of-a-kind. Find what consistently draws you and explore that — this is the core of making your style truly yours.
Kellyn: I’m a big Levi’s head, but when I first started buying online, I made some bad purchases because I didn’t know what to look for. Make sure the seller takes photos of both sides of the tag so you can see what year they were made.
Katie: Pay attention to actual measurements, not tag size. If a price seems too good to be true, it probably is (especially important now with the rise of designer replicas from DHgate being sold as authentic).
Sierra: Cross-reference items on Google to ensure you aren’t overpaying. When shopping in-person, I sometimes get caught up and too excited about one-of-a-kind items (and potential scores), but I always do a quick Google check to make sure they aren’t overpriced or available elsewhere for cheaper.
Natalia: Many eBay listings let you “make an offer” — always take the opportunity to negotiate. Most of my offers are accepted, and it’s an easy way to score a better deal.
“Just because it’s cheap doesn't mean you need it! It’s easy to fall for that crazy-well-priced item and convince yourself you need it, even when it’s not your style.” - Glenn Mae
What are the top 3 searches you’ve currently got on repeat?
Virginia: Yves Saint Laurent fringe, Mexican silver, antique wooden hat displays.
Erika: I’m dreaming of a long Carolina Herrera skirt for weddings and the like. I’ve yet to find one that really captures the vision. On eBay, I’m always watching Chanel flats in my size and vintage Iowa merch.
Glenn Mae: I’m on the hunt for a linen or cotton vintage nightgown/antique silk dress that I can reach for over and over again. Other searches include building my sterling silver jewelry collection, finding a cool vintage pant set for summer, and continuing to add to my bakelite accessory obsession!
Kellyn: I’ve been keeping my eye out for an Ines Bressand bag to go up for a reasonable price, any secondhand Bea Bongiasca jewelry and vintage Donald J. Pliner cowboy boots!
Katie: Vintage Gucci sunglasses (the addiction is real), used Victor Costa (if you love Bode, same vibe for less), vintage tapestry (just bought a new house and plan to fill her with secondhand wonders).
Sierra:
Hurst (@pigmami) posted a Toteme silk slip dress she found at a consignment shop in Copenhagen last year — I google it at least once a day to see if it will pop up. I am always looking for vintage brooches to add to my collection. Right now, I’ve also been hunting for vintage minaudières. I found this gorgeous wooden one off of Poshmark and now I want to get a colorful one.
Natalia: A red Khaite t-shirt — a few months ago at the LAX baggage claim, I spotted a woman in loose brown jeans and a red Khaite tee — I’ve been hunting for that exact t-shirt ever since. I always keep a running eBay search for vintage Levi’s 501s (no filters because the sizing is all over the place). And another pair of Chanel ballet flats. Hoping for a pink pair soon!
“I’m dreaming of a long Carolina Herrera skirt for weddings and the like. I’ve yet to find one that really captures the vision. On eBay, I’m always watching Chanel flats in my size and vintage Iowa merch.” - Erika Veurink
Tell us about your ultimate secondhand score.
Virginia: My Goyard trunk! I got it for under $100 (the tag just said, “old trunk, $95”), but I knew immediately it was Goyard — or, at least, that it was an excellent copy. I got it at a little mom and pop thrift store thinking it surely couldn’t be the real thing but I had it authenticated and it indeed is. It’s incredible — four feet tall, has drawers inside and compartments for jewelry. Metal plaques with the Goyard address...and it’s probably worth more than $20,000.
Erika: I got married in a secondhand wedding dress from eBay that I reworked with Bode. It’ll always be my favorite secondhand buy.
Glenn Mae: I probably have a Top 10 of Ultimate Secondhand Scores at this point, but my most recent one is a very very very perfectly thrashed Carhartt jacket that I am very very very obsessed with and have been wearing every day in every way I can, whether it’s a casual daytime look or over a very fancy dinner ensemble.
Kellyn: My Lauren Manoogian Capote coat I got on eBay in 2016 for $150 somehow. It’s pretty hard to wear, but I think it’s so beautiful and cozy. I don’t think I will ever get rid of it. And a Paul McCartney Wings t-shirt from eBay for $50, which I thought was a steal.
Sierra: I found this phenomenal pony hair vintage blazer from an unassuming, nameless vintage shop in Paris. It’s what I’d grab in a fire (along with my cat Misu and my mom’s watch). I immediately spotted it, and when I tried it on, it fit perfectly. I knew I had to have it. The shopkeeper told me a local designer had tried it on but it didn’t fit her, and she was devastated, asking him to call if he found something similar. He told me to take good care of it because it’s a “work of art” — he isn’t wrong; I cherish it! My splurge was immediately justified when my icon Camille Charriere commented on how amazing it was on TikTok. It paid for itself right there.
Katie: I was CONVINCED this was a too-good-to-be-true scenario (per my previous advice), but it was cheap enough to risk with no skin off my back. I happened to search for a used Cartier watch minutes after someone had posted a gorgeous tank watch for...$21. It was listed by a seller clearing estate pieces after his parents had passed, who literally tagged it “pretty silver watch.” From the photos, it looked legit, and for $20, why not? As soon as I received it, I took it to a jewelry authenticator and lo and behold — it was REAL. I don’t think I’ll ever top this find. (This anecdote pairs well with another purchase I made: $400 for a fake Cartier, so... you win some, you lose some.)
Natalia: Last year, I scored the vintage Gucci suede coat of my dreams. I had alarms set for The Real Real drops, saved searches loaded, and when the listing finally came online, I checked out instantly. Still can’t believe I got my hands on it — a total treasure.
“My Goyard trunk! I got it for under $100 (the tag just said, “old trunk, $95”), but I knew immediately it was Goyard. I got it at a little mom and pop thrift store thinking it surely couldn’t be the real thing but I had it authenticated and it indeed is. It’s incredible — four feet tall, has drawers inside and compartments for jewelry. Metal plaques with the Goyard address...and it’s probably worth more than $20,000.” - Virginia Chamlee
What’s the best trick you use on your favorite resale platform that everyone should know about?
Virginia: Use broad search terms on Facebook Marketplace. Yes, you will find great stuff if you search, say, “Adrian Pearsall chair,” but it will likely be expensive. I found my Adrian Pearsall chair listed as “chair, $60.”
Erika: I save sellers on eBay who have excellent collections, that way I’m always aware when something new gets uploaded.
Glenn Mae: The Real Real search function is a true mystery for everyone but blindly searching for things can be a really fun game to play when you’re bored of scrolling on social media. I’ll try a color and textile (e.g. yellow sequins, purple feathers, brown linen) in the search function and just see what pops up — the results are consistently surprising and I always find something good!
Kellyn: Don’t forget to scroll down on eBay! I find most things in the “related” or “similar” section in the item details.
Natalia: If you’re shopping for shoes on The Real Real, don’t rely on the listed condition for an accurate description of the item. Instead, scroll to the photo of the soles — it’s the best way to gauge actual wear. Often, shoes are listed in “good” or “very good” condition but are actually new. That will greatly impact the price, so make sure you look at the pictures!
Katie: I live and die by saved searches.
Sierra: It seems simple but is newer to me — reverse image search. Whenever I find something I like, I will reverse image search to locate the item and find it cheaper elsewhere.
If you’re shopping for shoes on The Real Real, scroll to the photo of the soles — it’s the best way to gauge actual wear. Often, shoes are listed in “good” or “very good” condition but are actually new.” - Natalia Quintero Ochoa
If resale sites were relationships — Swipe Right Now, Put a Ring On it, It’s Complicated — how would you categorize the ones you most?
Virginia:
Swipe Right Now: Chairish
Put a Ring On it: Estatesales.net
It’s Complicated: Facebook Marketplace (I love it but I spend too much time on it — the back and forth over trying to nail down an item can be soo challenging.)
Erika:
Swipe Right Now: Noihsaf
Put a Ring On it: The Real Real
It’s Complicated: Poshmark
Glenn Mae:
Swipe Right Now: Etsy
Put a Ring On It: eBay
It’s Complicated: The Real Real (or Poshmark!)
Kellyn:
Swipe Right Now: Noihsaf
Put a Ring On It: eBay
It’s Complicated: The Real Real
Katie:
Swipe Right: The Real Real
Put a Ring On it: eBay
It’s Complicated: Vestiaire Collective (shoutout tariffs scare, ugh)
Sierra:
Swipe Right Now: Poshmark — I think this is where you can get the best deals. A lot of people don’t know how much their things are worth, which translates to incredibly low prices. I especially like it for vintage jewelry.
Put a Ring On It: The Real Real — I scroll here constantly. They have the best selection and most user-friendly interface. It requires the least digging compared to sites like Poshmark.
It’s Complicated: eBay. I want to love it since I know it’s filled with gems. It’s just hard to sift through, unless I have a specific item in mind to search for exactly. I use eBay to hunt down items, not to browse.
Natalia:
Swipe Right Now: eBay
Put a Ring on it: The Real Real
It’s Complicated: Vestiaire Collective
P.S. NYC friends,
is hosting a vintage sale with Rothy’s on Sunday, April 27. RSVP here. Everything’s under $100!
Honored to be featured! The pre-loved love club is real.
Dying at these scores! $21 Cartier?! The Goyard trunk—SWOON. Inspiring me to step up my secondhand game