Online Thrifting: Perhaps My Best Kept Secret.

Friends!  This summer has flown by, am I right?! I cannot believe it’s August and I definitely can’t believe it’s already time for school shopping.  But, alas, it’s crunch time around here.  I bet it’s about that time for you, too.

Today I want to share one of my favorite (and until now, best kept) little secrets… Thred Up and the world of online thrift shopping.  You’re going to thank me for this one.  Yes, you… you are.

Thred Up is an amazing land of incredible clothes, some brand new with tags still on them, discounted at incredible rates because, *gasp*, they’re actually second hand.  You know that super cute skirt you bought but never found a great top to match?  Or how about the dress that you wore once to a wedding and feel like you can’t wear again?  Thred Up is where those pieces go to find their second chance.  It is Ah-Mazing, people.  Shopping Thred Up is a bit like a treasure hunt… you may find a designer hand bag for $30. Or how about those adorable baby shoes you’ve been coveting (but seriously, why pay $40 for a pair of kids shoes that will last only a few months!) for just $15. Perhaps you’ll discover some fall layering essentials at over 75% off, like this Marc Jacobs sweater which now lives happily in my closet.

You really never know quite what you’ll find, and the inventory is constantly being updated.  Eeeek… what fun!

A few more pieces I’ve been considering for me and the tots:

 

I mean seriously how cute would little lady be in that pink pea coat!?  And is that sweater really over 90% off and in like-new condition?  Yup.  It is.

Ready to dive in?  I’ll let you in on a few of my favorite tips and tricks for successful online thrifting.

1. Use the Thred Up app for mobile shopping.  Its an awesomely simple and powerful app.  I find it easier to navigate than the full website.
2. Try designers and brands that you would never dream of shopping at full price.  That’s why you’re here, right!?  There’s even a filter that finds only “designer” clothes and accessories… go for it!  It’s fun, I promise.
3. Use the “favorite” feature.  Simply click on the small heart located at the bottom of an item’s page, and it will be added to your own personal list of favorites for you to thumb through later.  If it’s a total MUST HAVE, though, add it to your cart.  This will reserve it so that others cant swoop in and buy it.  You can always remove it from your cart later if you have a change of heart.
4. If you have some stocking up to do (say, for school shopping or a spring wardrobe refresher), take advantage of Thred Up‘s amazing free shipping and returns through a program called “Thred Up Every Day.”  If you spend $150 or more in a calendar month, you will get free shipping on ALL orders regardless of price for the remainder of that month as well as the following month!  Meaning, once you’ve qualified, you can totally swipe up that adorable $5 baby hat you randomly spot without having to add a dime for shipping.
5. Take advantage of Thred Up’s super simple and free returns.  If you select to be refunded with store credit, they’ll email you the shipping label to print and mail right back in the box it came in.  No drama, friends.

And here are a few more tips for shopping just for kids:

1. Filter your results to include only like-new items or pieces that are new with tags.  Kids’ clothes get worn in pretty fast so anything that comes with signs of wear is just not worth the trouble… even if it is only $3.99!
2. Don’t be afraid to shop the kids’ current size, as well as one size up.  I am NOT about hoarding extra clothes years out, but if it’s something I know I’ll need soon (like oh, say a warm coat for this winter), it’s worth a look. The best “new with tags” finds tend to go fast, especially when they’re in season, so grab ’em when you spot ’em, even if it means waiting a month or two to pull it out of the closet.
3. Treasure hunts are fun when you have the time, but when you’re short on it add a filter for your favorite brands or designers, too.  My kids are often in Next Direct or Baby Gap getup, so I like to do a quick search that includes only items that are brand new from those brands.  Then I can see super-fast-like if there are must-haves I need to snag.
4. Skip the brands that are already budget deals.  Brands like Carters or Children’s Place serve me well on some occasions, but I tend to avoid them in the world of second-hand.  A couple of reasons why: First, these clothes typically don’t last as long as their better made alternatives (…hence their budget-friendly pricing). Even if it doesn’t show signs of wear yet, if it’s been pre-rocked by a toddler, there’s no telling how much life it has (or does not have) left in it.  Secondly, when the prices new in-store are already that great, the discounts aren’t as steep when thrifting.  There’s only so much a company like Thred Up can discount a baby T that was originally $5.99 and still make a dime.

Alright.  So now my secret’s out.  I hope you’ll check it out and let me know what you snagged in the comments below!  Oh, and you’ll get $10 off your first order (no minimum… oh snap!) so that’s pretty great too.

Ready…. Set…. Shop!

Bye for now friends!