Francesca's Top / Banana Republic Skirt
This fabulous navy skirt was one of my Christmas presents. I had been eyeing a similar J. Crew Factory skirts for awhile (
this one, and
this one), so when I came across this Banana Republic number on eBay I put it right on my gift list! In fact, many of my favorite clothing items have come from eBay or local resale shops...
This polka dot tee & tan sweater vest are both Banana Republic via eBay, and are staples in my closet. The metallic striped skirt and navy striped tee are both J. Crew via eBay. I bought the tan striped long sleeve, from Vince, via a local resale shop, and the Anthropologie white eyelet skirt was purchased in person as well. Many of my jeans, from Joe's Jeans, ReRock Express, and iT! Denim, were purchased either in person or via eBay. Some new, some pre-loved, but all have last and are still going strong in my closet. There are other items as well, but these you might have noticed here on the blog!
Buying and shopping for pre-loved clothes isn't for everyone, but it's great for the budget fashionista! Many great, classic pieces can be found from quality designers at a fraction of the cost, like the navy skirt I styled above. I sell and buy frequently off of eBay, so I've developed some tips and tricks to finding great quality, pre-loved items. (These apply to your local resale shops as well).
Be specific in your searches. When I shop for something on eBay, I'm usually looking for something with a brand or two in mind, brands where I know my size. Limit the search as best you can, filling in all item specifics. I also avoid checking "unknown" or "unspecified" on eBay--if a seller doesn't have the time to add more item specifics, then I assume I don't want to buy from them. That being said, refer to my next tip and don't be afraid to ask questions if you need more information.
Inspect the item well. If buying online, this means asking for more detailed images, detailed measurements, etc. As a seller, I prefer when a potential buyer asks me more questions, because that shows me they are really interested in making sure they are going to be happy post-sale. If shopping in person, this means trying it on, inspecting the seams, and checking to make sure it's not too pre-loved.
Ask about a return policy. Even if you've tried it on, or asked all the questions you can think of, there is always the possibility you might need to return the item. Make sure you are aware of the shop's policies, and are comfortable with them. Personally, if the item is under $15 or I know without a doubt it will fit, than I feel comfortable bidding on something I can't return. If it's more money or I'm more unsure about the quality, then I'd prefer to bid on an item that allows returns.
You can still find new items! Many might avoid eBay or other resale shops because they don't like the idea of pre-loved clothes. But, especially on eBay, you can search for "New With Tags" or "New Without Tags" and get a plethora of items that are brand new. For added security and piece of mind, if I'm wanting a brand new item, I look to see if you can see the actual tag in one of the pictures.
If you want to shop my closet via eBay,
you can do so here. Hopefully my tips can help you find hidden gems online and in person! Have you had success on eBay or other resale shops?
--Caroline
