National Thrift Shop Day is August 17th and online secondhand retailer, ThredUp, has declared August Secondhand Month. I decided to join up by featuring secondhand outfits and inspiration. Contains affiliate links
Even though I spend up to 40 hours a week working at a thrift shop, it’s easy to forget just how many things are available on the secondhand market.
A combination of convenience and incessant marketing discourages most of us from seeking out as many things as possible secondhand, but honestly, the
convenience
part of the argument has become, in the age of the internet, a poor excuse.
With relative ease, you can shop millions of secondhand products from your living room.
And if that’s not your preferred method, most towns are located near a local charity shop, Goodwill, or used furniture store that round out your options.
Finding something like a used blender may not be as easy as stopping by your local Bed, Bath, & Beyond, but the cost savings and environmental good you’re doing more than make up for it (she says after having just purchased a new blender).
Why is secondhand ethical?
The secondhand market is just as it sounds: a secondary market. As such, purchases made from individuals and shops selling secondhand goods do not directly contribute to demand for new goods, which means no person or ecosystem will be further harmed as a result of your purchase (that burden lies on the first consumer of that good, though it also lies on the system that allows exploitation to happen in the first place). Secondhand, in this sense, is an ethics-neutral marketplace.
However, shopping secondhand is also a stop-gap between the initial consumer and the landfill. If you can get even a few more uses out of an item before it’s discarded, you’re significantly reducing its environmental impact. Not to mention you’ll save a lot of money over time.
The List
Below, I’ve brainstormed 101 things to buy secondhand and provided links where applicable to help you narrow down your search. And in case you’re wondering, yes, I have either personally thrifted or helped others shop for every single thing on this list.
As a general rule, household and clothing items are readily available on Ebay; clothing and accessories are easily accessible through
,
, and
; and electronics are available from
or
. Fun vintage items are easy to find on Etsy. But never forget your local secondhand shops!
Without further ado…
101 Things to Buy Secondhand
Household
Online Options:
(search “pre-owned”)
Local Options:
Habitat ReStore, Goodwill, Local Resale, Craigslist
1. French Press or Electric Coffee Maker
2. Pots & Pans
3. Silverware
4. Plates
5. Food Storage containers
6. Sheets
7. Curtains
8. Quilts & Comforters
9. Towels
10. Furniture
11. Bathroom caddies
12. Mirrors & Artwork
13. Picture Frames
14. Tiles & Flooring
15. Cabinetry
Electronics
Online Options:
,
,
(search “used” and “refurbished”)
Local Options:
Goodwill, Local Resale, Craigslist
16. Computer
17. Camera & Lenses
18. Cell phone
19. TV
20. External Harddrive
Clothing
Online Options:
,
,
,
,
Local Options:
Goodwill, Local Resale
21. Tops
22. Pants & Skirts
23. Sundresses
24. Evening & Cocktail Dresses
25. Wedding Dress
26. Socks
27. Bras
28. Pajamas & Loungewear
29. Swimsuits
30. Activewear
31. Scrubs
32. Jackets & Coats
33. Baby & Kids’ Clothes
Accessories
Online Options:
,
,
,
,
Local Options:
Goodwill, Local Resale
34. Purses
35. Shoes
36. Backpacks & Suitcases
37. Scarves
38. Belts
39. Jewelry
40. Hair Accessories
41. Shopping Totes
Outdoor
Online Options:
(search “pre-owned”)
Local Options:
Local Resale, Goodwill, Habitat ReStore, Craigslist
42. Outdoor Furniture
43. Bird Feeders
44. Sporting Equipment
45. Flower Pots
46. Plant Stands
Baby Equipment*
Online Options:
,
Local Options:
Craigslist, Local Resale
47. Pack ‘n’ Plays
48. Strollers
49. Cribs
50. Booster Seats
51. High Chairs
52. Activity Centers
53. Mobiles
*Check safety standards and regulations. It is generally best to avoid buying used safety equipment like car seats.
Toys
Online Options:
,
(vintage toys)
Local Options:
Goodwill, Local Resale, Craigslist
54. Bikes
56. Stuffed Animals
57. Legos
58. Toddler & Baby Toys
59. Baby Dolls
60. Barbies
61. Melissa & Doug Toys
62. Puzzles
63. Board Games
64. Scooters
65. Video Games & Equipment
66. Card Games
Crafting
Online Options:
Local Options:
Local Resale, Goodwill, Craigslist
67. Crafting Kits
68. Looms
69. Yarn
70. Knitting Needles
71. Fabric
72. Ribbon
73. Buttons
74. Thread
75. Sewing Machines
76. DIY Books
77. Sewing Patterns
78. Canning Jars
79. Craft Storage Cases
80. Paint
82. Markers, Crayons, Colored Pencils, etc.
83. Canvases & Stretcher Bars
Media
Online Options:
(search “pre-owned”),
Local Options:
Local Resale, Goodwill, Vintage Shops, Craigslist
84. DVDs
85. Records
86. CDs
87. Books
88. Audio Books
89. Magazines (these are often free at thrift shops or libraries)
90. Record & CD Players
Appliances
Online Options:
(search “pre-owned”)
Local Options:
Habitat ReStore, Goodwill, Local Resale, Craigslist
91. Blender
92. Toaster
93. Washer & Dryer
94. Dish Washer
95. Food Processor
96. Knife Sharpener
Tools
Online Options:
(search “pre-owned”)
Local Options:
Habitat ReStore, Goodwill, Local Resale, Craigslist
98. Carpentry Machinery
99. Screwdrivers & Drills
100. Hardware
Toiletries
Online Options:
Local Options:
Goodwill, Local Resale
101. Sealed Toiletries
Once you sit down and think about it, you realize that items available on the secondhand market are virtually infinite. A little forethought goes a long way.
What’s the weirdest or most surprising thing you’ve purchased secondhand?
Leah Wise is the founder of StyleWise Blog. She has been writing, speaking, and consulting on sustainable fashion, the fair trade and secondhand supply chain, and digital marketing for over ten years. An Episcopal priest, Leah holds a B.A. in Religion from Florida State University and an M.Div. from Yale Divinity School. When not working, you can find her looking for treasures at the thrift store.