I’ve never really been one for resolutions; they just seem to always set me up for failure. But this year, I’m making two that I’m determined to stick to. One is to be more financially responsible (wish me luck) and the other is to embrace more sustainable shopping habits. Luckily for me, secondhand marketplace Vinted exists, and it just might be the key to helping me keep both resolutions.
Yes, there’s nothing quite like the rush of a new fashion purchase, but as we all know, everyone needs to do their part to help the planet, and fashion—particularly fast fashion—is one of the biggest polluting culprits. Making a reselling platform like Vinted part of your shopping habits can help on so many levels. You still get the thrill of a new purchase but with several added bonuses: you’re paying a fraction of the original retail cost, potentially finding something that has sold out in stores, saving an item from going to landfill and opting out of the production-demand cycle by choosing not to buy something brand new. That’s a quadruple win.
A few months ago, I discovered the other big perk of Vinted: selling. With the start of a new year, you’re likely feeling the urge to cleanse your wardrobe and begin 2024 with space for some fresh finds. By selling on Vinted, you not only keep the pieces you no longer love out of landfill, but you also make money from them that you can use to buy items that do spark joy (or just use it for something else). Oh, how we love a circular fashion economy.
If you’re planning on joining me in a sustainable fashion commitment, I’ve done some digging for expert advice on how to navigate Vinted like a pro. As well as Vinted’s consumer lead Natacha Blanchard, I spoke to Manchester-based influencer Sophie Longmire—a longtime Vinted shopper who’s bought some seriously enviable pieces from the site—and content creator and sustainable shopping advocate Bianca Foley. Here’s what they had to share.
“Rather than typing ‘mini skirt,’ it’s better to start an advanced search without keywords, and specify each category and sub-category, including the sizes that usually fit you, colours, the brands you want (if you already know), your price range and the desired condition. Then, you will have exactly the selection that matches your filters,” says Blanchard. “And try varying the product name you’re searching for, as not everyone uses the same term.”
Longmire adds that she’s found a lot of success by focusing on searching for specific brands. “I find it easiest to navigate the app when the algorithm knows the brands I like, so I always search for brands I know and love, and most importantly, that I know my sizing in.” The more you keep looking for these brands, the more likely it is your Vinted home screen will promote similar pieces to you.
Foley agrees, and says that “Be specific” is her number-one tip. “If you type in ‘black dress,’ for example, you will get a lot of results, so narrow it down by brand or style in order to limit the results and find what you really want,” she says.
From Sambas to Celine belts, Vinted is a perfect place to find designer, high-street and vintage shoes and accessories. “If you’re a secondhand beginner, a great way to start is to look for accessories such as shoes, bags and jewellery, since size and fit will be easier to determine,” says Blanchard. “Then, once you’ve seen how easy the process is, you can work your way up.”
“Vinted allows shoppers to buy in ‘bundles’ (multiple items from one seller), and making use of this is another clever way to save money, since sellers are usually willing to offer further discounts for buying multiple items,” says Blanchard. “It’s a handy feature for buyers as you can often find similar styles in your size without needing to start a new search. Plus, you can save on paying separate delivery charges, since everything can be shipped in one package—which is also better for the planet.”
Foley also likes to shop bundles from one seller, and recommends hitting that follow button when you find an account you love. “Loads of your favourite content creators are now on Vinted, so why not buy their wardrobes? More often than not, they’re selling really good quality and hardly worn pieces for a fraction of the price,” she says.
One of the key things that sets Vinted apart from other secondhand marketplace platforms is the buyer-seller communication. “Don’t be afraid to message sellers for more information; perhaps you’d like to see the item in a better light, request measurements or want a close-up. Sellers are usually very keen to help,” says Blanchard. It’s particularly important to get in touch with the seller if you’re buying a designer item. “Do ask for proof [that the item is genuine], such as a receipt or certificate of authenticity, and ask for photo close-ups of details such as the logo, stitching lines, hardware and label, to check that they are of high quality,” she adds.
Foley suggests that before you commit to a purchase, “Ask specific questions, check the listings thoroughly and even request more photos if you need to,” she says. “And if you’re buying an item for £10 that is worth much more, you will have to expect that it’s not [going to be] perfect!” You also shouldn’t shy away from haggling—there’s a reason there’s a very prominent “Make an offer” button. Blanchard recommends starting out by offering 10-20% off the listing price, but you may be able to get a bigger discount if the item has been listed for a long time, as the seller will likely be more motivated to get rid of it. “One of my favourite finds is a Paloma Wool jumper,” says Longmire. “I got such a good deal because I sent an offer to the seller that they accepted, and now I wear it weekly.”
The mark of a true Vinted-er is being a seller as well as a buyer. “Last year I sold loads of my own clothes on Vinted,” says Longmire. “Not only did it ensure that someone else gets wear and joy out of them, but it also gave me the funds to get new secondhand things to make up my full holiday wardrobe.”
If you decide to give it a go, Blanchard stresses that it’s important to set yourself up for success. That means taking lots of high-quality photos, writing a great, detailed description and filling in all the relative categories such as size and condition. “If you need help pricing your item, a great place to start is to search for similar items and see the average selling price,” she says. “You can then position yourself competitively depending on factors such as the brand and item condition.” And if your item does have some flaws or signs of wear, don’t try to pretend they’re not there; it’s better to show them and be upfront initially rather than deal with a disgruntled buyer and bad reviews later on.
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