Shopping Sustainably and Saving Money with Preowned Clothing Apps
Preowned saving apps are a great way to shop sustainably and save money.
Shopping sustainably for clothes has never been easier with the growing number of preowned clothing apps available. According to Business Insider, the fashion industry emits more carbon than international flights and maritime shipping combined and the fashion industry produces 10% of all humanity’s carbon emissions.
With this in mind I’ve looked at apps that offer preloved clothing so that we can ‘extend the life cycle of clothing, reducing the environmental impact of fast fashion’ (Josh Herbert, owner of Captain Creps).
Read on for the latest information on some of my favourites.
Vinted
Established in 2008, Vinted is possibly one of the fasted growing preowned clothing apps. Vinted allows sellers to sell new and second-hand clothing free of charge. Hundreds of well-known brands are available, from high-street favourites to designer labels. You can also grab vintage pieces, including accessories and shoes.
You can purchase single items from a seller or bundles of clothes that are the same size. This is particularly popular when shopping for children's clothing. It’s also possible to make an offer on an item, so bartering is allowed!
I purchased a new Tommy Hilfiger handbag with its dust bag for just £32 when its RRP was £130…so there are real bargains to be had. There is a buyers protection fee that is added that’s between 3% and 8%. This covers the buyer if the item isn’t as described, doesn’t arrive or arrives damaged.
Depop
As of 2022, there are 35 million registered users and over 30 million items listed (that's 140,000 items added daily), Depop is loved by fashionistas worldwide. Depop focuses on delivering the best of preloved vintage, one-of-a-kind pieces, Y2K and streetwear. Of course, you can list your items as it’s a way to make some extra money. But you can grab some affordable fashion items for those who want to shop sustainably.
The seller pays the fees at Depop, so when you are ready to buy an item of clothing you will only be paying the cost of the item and the postage. With so many items available it’s important to make use of the filters on the app, as you could potentially be scrolling for hours!
Vestiare Collective
Designer fashion followers will love Vestiare Collective. This app is an excellent way to extend the lifespan of investment fashion and save money in the process. Purchasing designer fashion is expensive, and unlike other apps, Vestiare Collective have in-house experts that can verify items sold to prevent the sale of counterfeit goods.
We found beautiful pieces from Gucci. Chanel, Canada Goose, Louis Vuitton, and Fendi to name a few. There are thousands of designer items for sale from dresses to jewellery. If you are new to Vestiare Collective you can get £20 off your first order when you sign up.
You can shop from sellers across the globe, this is great for those who are looking for one-of-a-kind pieces. In addition to this, lots of items are available with express delivery options.
eBay
It will come as no surprise that eBay is a haven for a smashing bargain, in fact, 135 million users across the world have found exactly that. And it applied to clothing too. Pick up bundles of second-hand clothes, preloved vintage and designer labels at fantastic prices. With so much to choose from, you are sure to find the ideal addition to your wardrobe.
There is a downside to eBay if you are a designer clothing fan. Although there are over 40,000 businesses trading within the fashion category along with 600,000 consumer sellers, there are plenty of fakes and counterfeit items listed, so shop wisely. eBay covers every demographic extremely well. No matter if you are searching for women, men's or children's clothing, there are bargains galore.
Not to mention, a whopping 71% of eBay purchases are shipped free of charge!
reGAIN
When adding to a sustainable wardrobe, recycling is key. And that’s where the reGAIN app works differently from the rest. According to Clothes Aid, the UK throws 350,000 tonnes of clothing into landfill every year; that equates to £140 million worth of worn but still usable clothing which can take upwards of 50 years to decompose.
reGAIN provides discount coupons when you donate clothing that you no longer want. The more you donate, the more discount coupons you will get access to. You can donate your unwanted clothes to one of the 25 thousand drop-off points across the UK. If that’s not convenient, you can arrange a pick-up at a time that suits you.
If you'd like to learn more about sustainable fashion, check out our 'What is Sustainable Fashion and How Does it Affect the Price?' article.
The reGAIn app is a great way to donate to charity, protect the environment and make get discounts on future clothing, footwear or homewares.
My Wardrobe HQ
If sustainability is the driving force behind your fashion choices it may feel like you have to compromise high-end looks for the planet. My Wardrobe HQ has come up with the ideal solution for those who not only love designer looks but also love slow fashion and saving money.
At My Wardrobe HQ, you can purchase preloved designer clothing and accessories. But you can also rent them! Here’s an example of how you could enjoy luxury fashion for less and remain loyal to sustainability…
I spotted a beautiful Dolce & Gabanna pant suit with top stitch detailing that you can buy at the preloved price of £375 (its RRP is £2,200!) or you could rent the look for just £35 per day. It’s also worth knowing that with every rental or sale, My Wardrobe HQ plants a tree.
Edit Second Hand
If you want 70% off the latest designer looks, this is the app for you. The team at Edit Second Hand approve all items to ensure they are relevant and of good quality. There’s a plethora of choices to update your style including clothing, bags, shoes, jewellery and sunglasses.
Purchasing pre-loved garments from Edit Second Hand is easy with the app. When you click on the item it gives you information on the quality and any specs you may need to know. Add this app to your list of sustainable ways to shop!
Poshmark
In much the same way as the other apps, Poshmark sells second-hand and new clothing. Saving you around 70%, it’s well worth exploring. Sustainable fashion shoppers will love how simple the app is to use. You can complete the cycle of preloved garments by selling via this app too.
The app has had huge success in the US and Canada, and now UK users are on board too. It has a 4.4 rating on Trustpilot, with users claiming that the app is excellent, as well as its customer service.
ThredUP
With 55 thousand brands across 100 categories and up to 90% off retail prices, ThredUp is an excellent choice for those making socially conscious purchases. There are a plethora of brands up for grabs at bargain prices. And again, by shopping this way you keep clothing away from landfill.
ThredUp make refreshing your style simple, whilst creating less waste, with 2.4 million items listed I’m pretty sure you will find plenty of items to choose from!
Hi, I’m SJ. I’m an editor and content executive here at MyVoucherCodes. I started my journey here as a deals expert which gave me the skills to become a money-saving expert. You can find my tips and recommendations in various publications including The Sun, The Mirror, and The Telegraph.
I gained a degree in English Literature and Creative Writing in 2018, and I’ve put my writing skills into many projects since then. My portfolio at sarahjaneoutten.com includes my work with Cardiff Times, Buzz Magazine and more.
I write poetry and short stories for pleasure and enjoy getting creative with watercolours and lino printing. I hope that I can merge my love of writing and art into a children's book in the future - watch this space!