We all keep hearing that fast fashion is bad for the environment and the workers who make it, and doesn’t always hold up over time – but it can be hard to afford high quality clothes if you’re living on a Shein budget.

Well-made, durable clothes usually come with a higher price tag—especially if you buy them off the rack. Outlet stores like Nordstrom Rack and Off Fifth sometimes have great deals, but I've had great luck shopping online for pre-loved fashion retailers. In addition to lasting longer and helping you lower your carbon footprint, these pre-loved pieces also have better retail value than their cheaper counterparts—meaning you can trade back in from wherever you got them or at a local consignment store if you don’t need them in your closet anymore.

I’ve been thrifting online for a few years now and clothes arrive clean, in great condition and sometimes even brand new with tags still on.

Vintage prada shoes from the Real Real. I still wear them all the time

Here are a few of my favorite places to start your online thrifting journey:

ThredUp

Best for: Favorite mall brands like J.Crew, Anthropologie, Ann Taylor, Banana Republic, Topshop, and more with a few upscale offerings. They also re-sell Rent the Runway clothes that are taken out off the rental market.

Pro tip: You can easily trade in your own clothes for store credit.

Thrifted Celine luggage bag and Maje peacoat.

Poshmark

Best for: Mall brands + accessible luxury brands like Farm Rio, Reformation, Alice + Olivia, Sandro, Scotch and Soda, and more.

You’re able to bid and barter on clothes if you don’t like the prices listed. Definitely try this- sometimes even if sellers won’t budge on price, they’ll at least throw in free shipping. Poshmark also has more reasonable consignment fees if you’re looking to sell clothes.

Poshmark also sells luxury goods and authenticates purchases over $500 but I haven’t personally bought luxury products on the site.

Pro tip: You can’t return clothes on Poshmark unless they’re defective or dirty (this has happened to me only once and I got a refund immediately after contacting the company), so make sure you have a tape measure handy or have tried on clothes from these brands in store before you buy.

TheRealReal

Best for: This luxury goods site is also a great place to get high end clothes at bargain prices-including new with tags.

Think brands like Zimmermann, Gucci, Alice and Olivia, Staud, Sandro, LoveShackFancy and Simkhai. I typically look for quirky vintage pieces, sundresses, cocktail dresses, jackets, and sweaters. I’ve gotten multiple dresses with tags for 70-80% off retail. Many items are marked as final sale so be careful while shopping!

Alice + Olivia dress that arrived new with tags and Vince shoes. Both from the Real Real at 70% off retail.

Fashionphile

Best for: Designer accessories and shoes

Designer bags galore at more budget-friendly prices. I got my first Chanel bag from the Fashionphile showroom in NYC. You can shop online though and return anything easily through the mail or at your local Neiman Marcus store.

Vestiaire Collective

Best for: Luxury and vintage pieces!

This French resale site is a black hole of bespoke browsing.

You’ll find high fashion brands and more affordable luxury mixed in with fun and funky vintage pieces from around the world. I’ve gotten Hermes scarves, wool coats, and other fun accessories from Vestiaire. You can also negotiate with sellers on this site, but you can’t return things if they don’t fit.

I sell my bags on these sites too when I find they’re spending a lot of time parked in my closet. I sold this Cult Gaia clutch on Vestiare.

REI Co-Op

Best for: Hiking and yoga clothes like Patagonia, the North Face, and Columbia. There are also lots of shoes, comfy outdoorsy clothes, and hiking gear.

This is a great place to get hiking and trail running shoes too if you’re trying out a new sport and don’t want to commit to a full price pair yet.

Your guide to shopping preloved fashion