How to shop second-hand like a pro
Ever heard of spelling mistake spotters?
For many beyond a size 16, the opportunity to make better fashion-consumption choices are limited, especially when ethical and sustainable designers rarely go beyond an XL. But there are other alternatives, and shopping second-hand is a great one. Whether you’re just bored of the clothes available on the high street or your 2023 resolution will be to shop more consciously, our contributing curve editor Lauren-Nicole Coppin Campbell explains how to nail it…
1. Be specific with your searches
One of the biggest mistakes you can make when shopping second-hand is directly going to the ‘plus-size’ category. Unlike retailers, not all sellers identify garments as plus-size, and by only searching for that, you could be missing out on a number of pieces. Instead, try searching for specifics such as ‘red coat’, ‘vintage’, ‘faux leather’, etc. While it may take some extra sifting through, you’re less likely to miss that vintage, faux-leather cropped jacket you’ve been dreaming of.
2. Know your measurements
Stop relying on sizing and have your measurements at hand (inches and centimetres). As you’ll know from the high street, the sizing in one store can differ slightly from another. This is exactly the same with secondhand shopping. Most sellers, especially on sites such as eBay and Etsy, will list measurements. This tip is key when buying vintage as modern clothing sizes can differ from vintage pieces.
3. Follow your favourite sellers
Following the right sellers can transform hours of sifting through clothes into a quick and easy experience. When browsing, remember to favourite shops/ sellers to make your next search even more straightforward. And most, if not all, influencers seem to have a Depop account nowadays, where they upload recent items from their Instagram feed that you’ve seen and loved. Best of all, they often sell pieces for a fraction of the retail price.
4. Use spelling mistake spotters
We’ve all had those moments when we’ve sent a text, gone back to read it after hitting send and realised there’s an abhorrent amount of spelling mistakes. So, why would you think sellers are immune? Try using sites such as BargainChecker and FatFingers that trawl eBay for all the possible spellingmistake combinations. You’ll be surprised by just how many sellers have listed items with the wrong spelling. Imagine what you could be missing out on!
5. Get email alerts on your favourite items
If you want something very specific or hard to track down, you can ‘save’ searches on eBay. This means when a seller lists your desired item, eBay will send you an email. Perfect when you want to save time.