We’re of the opinion that shopping for pre-owned fashion can be amazing when done right. We’re not talking about heading down to your local consignment store to score a pair of half price Alexander Wang heels—we’re talking about when you find that rare pink Chanel bag from three seasons ago, or a Hermès scarf that looks just like the one your mother had when you were little. Luxury resellers can be a treasure trove of vintage, rare and extraordinary finds if you know where to look. Obviously scouring the internet will turn up a large range of used bags, apparel and accessories, but how can you be sure that the item is authentic? We came across the same problem on our online shopping excursions and decided to curate a list of online consignment sites that verify authenticity, guarantee each piece and offer the best selection of pre-owned treasures.
The RealReal
Yes, chances are good you’re already a fan of The RealReal, but just in case this is your first foray into online consignment, we had to mention them. They offer men’s and women’s fashions, fine jewelry, watches, accessories and most recently fine art, all authenticated in-house by a team of experts. Every product goes through a multi-point check system to verify authenticity and they actually destroy any counterfeit items they do receive. Sellers send items to The RealReal and within 24 hours items are checked, photographed and listed on the site. Buyers can shop from any number of their favorite designers, but it pays to be quick as most pieces sell within 72 hours. For the most dedicated shoppers, they offer a First Look and First Look Platinum membership ($5-$20) that offers advanced access to sales, wait list notifications and special promotions.
Vaunte
Think of this as the hip younger cousin to consignment shops. Created by the same guys who began Gilt, Vaunte offers a curated collection of pre-owned items from fashion’s elite, be it editors, socialites or those in the industry. To sell on the site you must be pre-approved by the production team and only sell pieces from the company’s brand list that details exactly what can and cannot be sold. Unlike other resellers, Vaunte does not take possession of the item before it’s sold (as they are quite stringent with who is allowed to sell on the site), so no physical authentication takes place through the company. However, they do guarantee authenticity, so if for some reason a questionable Louis Vuitton slips by, it can be easily returned.
Yoogi’s Closet
This online shop might have a little bit of everything, but it’s their handbags that will keep you coming back for more. Not only do they stock designer must-haves like Dior, Saint Laurent and Prada, but they also have cool-girl lines like 3.1 Phillip Lim, Celine and Alexander McQueen. We spotted a few McQueen Knuckle Box clutches and a plethora of quilted Chanel bags in colors we didn’t even know existed. Yoogi’s Closet also takes rigorous steps to authenticate every item, and sellers must send their products in to be checked before they can be listed on the site. They guarantee the authenticity of every product and will refund both the original cost and shipping charges if it’s believed to be a replica.
Snobswap
Not just a reseller with a cheeky name, Snobswap is a mecca of consignment and has some of the most expansive inventory online. The site, which actually consists of a curated collection of numerous boutiques all over the nation, is easy to navigate by not only brand and article of clothing, but also by city locations and boutique names. If you found a particular consignment shop you loved in NYC, but can’t visit weekly now that you’re back in LA, try locating the shop there—you may find exactly what you’re looking for. They also have a strict no tolerance policy for counterfeit items. If they discover a member has listed a fake item they “remove the listing without prior notification, terminate the member's account, and notify legal authorities.” They are not messing around.
Shop Hers
Both a consignment shop and social site, Shop Hers is an online destination where you can spend hours shopping and exploring other fashion-maven’s “style closets”. After taking a quick survey you are paired with your “style soulmate”—women with the same size and style—and you can shop their closets for shoes, apparel and accessories. This can be especially helpful if you have unique measurements or wear less-popular sizes. Admission into the loyalty program, The Inner Circle, can be accessed with a purchase over $250 and offers free shipping, exclusive access to sales and special pricing. They also check authenticity in-house and though the listing can be put up by the seller, Shop Hers doesn’t charge your card until they authenticate the item. Any replicas found are destroyed on sight.
Fashionphile
Specializing in handbags, Fashionphile goes above and beyond most resellers to make sure you know exactly what you’re purchasing when you’re in the market for a pre-owned luxury bag. Aside from having expert authenticators check each item, they also look for identifiable damage, dirt and odors to disclose this information to the buyer. They also check for repairs as many luxury brands won’t make repairs to an item that’s been fixed by someone other than them. They make note of the handbag's history to be sure it’s arriving to you with a “clean bill of health.” Plus, if the original dust bag is not included they give you a free Fashionphile-branded bag. Some of their most popular brands are Balenciaga, Fendi, Prada and Proenza Schouler.
Portero
If you’re on the hunt for something truly exceptional, your first stop should be Portero. Aside from offering a huge selection of pre-owned luxury goods, their personal shopping service, Find It For Me, can help you track down that long-coveted item that you just can’t seem to find. They also offer personal shoppers to help you scour through their inventory and on-call stylists to offer advice or give suggestions. Portero works with top authenticators all over the world and backs their products with a 100% guarantee. Any pre-owned watches purchased at Protero also come with a one-year warranty.
