Adding luxury goods to your wardrobe is thrilling, but it may not always work with your budget. That’s when you should check out secondhand stores. They often have high-quality goods that have only belonged to one or two previous parties. These tips for shopping luxury brands secondhand will help you get the best deal for your next fashionable purchase.
1. Know What You Want
Shopping at standard clothing retailers is different from picking out a luxury accessory. You might typically browse racks during popular sales to see if anything might catch your eye, but that strategy doesn’t work for high-end clothing. You have to know what you want before your shopping begins.
If you have an end goal, you’ll know which discoveries are worth your investment and which can stay on the shelf at your preferred resellers.
2. Form a Budget
Establishing your budget is another thing you should do before shopping for luxury brands secondhand. How much can you spend on a large piece of clothing, like a dress, compared to earrings or a necklace? While you’re walking through pawnshops and checking out sticker prices, you’ll get an idea of what your budget can include based on what’s available.
Imagine you’ve found a Neiman Marcus blouse that’s $325. You could love it, but the price tag consumes your total shopping budget. Knowing your limits will make your big find even more meaningful or help you build more of your wardrobe by passing on expensive items. It depends on what you’re looking for when your shopping trip begins.
3. Remember Your Investment
Thrift stores present another option for secondhand luxury shopping. They often have designer brands donated by people who don’t want them anymore or inherited them from a family member but would never wear. Look for designer brands like Jordan, Gucci, and Coach while you’re browsing for goods. Your next big find could be something you hold onto for life, but it could also become a significant investment.
Selling thrifted luxury goods is one of the benefits of shopping secondhand. Maybe you find a designer item, but it’s not your size or personal style. If you’re interested in reselling, you can save money without sacrificing quality by checking out the thrift store. And when you need to downsize your own collection, you could make a significant sum to spend on new items. An original pair of Kanye West designer shoes can have a resale value of $30,000 because they’re in high demand. You could receive a profit if you look at thrifting purchases as potential investments.
4. Request an Inspection
The best places to shop for secondhand luxury brands will always let you inspect a potential purchase before reaching the cash register. They know serious buyers want proof that they’re getting something that’s worth their money. If they don’t let you inspect it, the shop may not be an authentic reseller.
Trust your gut and read reviews on secondhand websites to determine which venues want to work with consumers and not try to sell scams.
5. Compare the Prices
Bring your phone whenever you shop in person. You’ll want to price-check anything that interests you. A wool Dior peacoat at a secondhand store might seem like a steal with a $4,800 price tag. However, the same style might currently sell for just a few hundred dollars more. It’s not a deal if the reseller has their prices marked up that high.
You won’t know if you’re getting an actual discount on luxury brands if you don’t compare what you find with what each brand currently sells. Having time to do that is an advantage of online shopping, but you can also feel free to take your time while pursuing goods in person.
6. Look for Proof of Authentication
There are a few ways to identify an authentic luxury item. It depends on the item’s production year and which brand made it. An older Chanel purse will have a metal tab sewn into the bag with a serial number on it, but a modern Moncler ski jacket will use a microchip for identification like many new high-end products.
You could also request proof of the original receipt from the first owner. The venue selling the luxury goods should easily provide proof of authentication upon request, so you can verify your purchase before spending a dime.
If you’re at a thrift store where authentication might not be an option, be sure to study the garments yourself and look for any misspelled brand names or poor construction to identify knockoffs.
7. Consider the Future
People know where they like to buy their wardrobe staples. You can also make these bonds wherever you find the best secondhand deals. Think about whether you can return to the store or bookmark the website when you find something you love. You’ll become familiar with the shop owner and how they do business, which makes luxury shopping more comfortable in the future.
8. Watch the Clock
Another way to tell if something’s genuine is to watch the clock. Are there other people vying to buy a specific item? The seller might also press you to decide on the spot. Sometimes that could be a sign that you’re talking with a scammer, but it could also be in your best interest.
If the item is genuine, someone might buy it before you can return to the store. Use an authentication method to verify an item’s value and make a timely decision that’s in your best interest.
Enjoy Shopping for Luxury Brands Secondhand
Finding a designer product for sale at a thrift store or pawn shop might make your whole week, but is it worth your time and money? Use these tips for shopping luxury brands secondhand to invest wisely and collect treasures for your ever-expanding wardrobe.
Cora Gold
Contributing Writer
Cora Gold has spent over five years writing about her passion for life, style, beauty, and more. As Editor-in-Chief for Revivalist.com, she aims to connect with others who share her interests and find new inspiration every day. Follow her on Twitter, Facebook and Pinterest.
