The Luxury Secondhand Guide: From $70 The Row RTW to 50% Off An Hermès Kelly
What to use, when, and why: a platform-by-platform guide to secondhand done smart.
EN: I’m happy to share this as a free post initially, but I will set it to paid a few days after going live. Offering a little early access before it becomes subscriber-only!
Often, friends will text me for consult when they need a dress for a wedding in a month, they’ve been hunting down an old Louis Vuitton cosmetic pouch under $150, they want to offload a pair of $200 RSP sandals, or they’re ready to take the leap into investing in a secondhand Hermès bag. They come to me because, in my brain, I have a mental resale roadmap comprised of years of digital lowballing and constant closet circulation.
An example of some of my biggest successes, to establish myself as an expert here, includes sourcing:
Vintage Hermès Kelly 32: $2,500 (est. resale: $5,000+, 50% off)
The Row Margaux 15, belted, limited edition: $1,950 (est. resale: $5,000+, 61% off)
Tiffany HardWear Graduated Link Necklace: $1,250 (retail: $3,500, 64% off)
These are some of my proudest sources for big-ticket items, but my closet is also largely comprised of 70%+ off RTW and shoes. My friends and I, who are resale shopping purists, joke that we can’t buy anything full-price in good conscience. And with this guide, neither should you!
So, here it is: my secondhand shopping and selling guide, complete with authentication tips, broken down by goal, not guesswork.
BUYING 🛒
Investment Pieces 👜
I consider an investment piece something over $500, likely a luxury handbag, coat, jewelry, or shoes. When looking to spend this much, it’s important that these higher-priced pieces have vetted, in-person authentication. I, of course, am spending big money because I’m completely in love with a piece, but that doesn’t mean there won’t come a time when I want to resell it, and I need to be sure that I can. It’s an investment for a reason! I prioritize platforms that allow you to make an offer and communicate directly with the buyer for added price flexibility.
Product Examples:
The Row Margaux
Toteme coat
Elsa Peretti bone cuff
Platforms, ranked by where I look first:
Vestiaire Collective - This is always my first stop for these pieces as there is an impressive global component (helpful for off-season pieces, like someone in Australia listing a winter coat during their summer season… also reaching a considerable amount of less money-minded sellers living in expensive international cities), they offer in-person authentication, and it’s the easiest platform to negotiate a return if something arrives in a different condition than the listing described. If the seller has offers on, you can propose up to 30% below the listing price. I recommend starting there—if offers are turned on, the seller already expects some negotiation.
If you’re new to VC, use my code REF9M3V-7JU7 to get 20% OFF xx
Tip: Check out the MyTheresa x Vestiaire account for great deals. These are pieces reconsigned by the original buyers who purchased them directly from MyTheresa, so authenticity is as solid as it gets. If offers are enabled, the listings are managed by a bot with a preset bottom line. Submit an offer at 30% off and you’ll get a counteroffer within a minute or two. That’s their best price, so you’ll know exactly where you stand.
The Row N/S Medium Park Tote, bought on Vestiaire for 60% off retail via the MyTheresa page Poshmark - You’d be SHOCKED by the deals you can find on Poshmark from quiet, chic luxury brands like The Row, Jil Sander, Margiela, etc. I neglected the platform for a while, as my first introduction to it was in high school when I used it to resell fast fashion. I’d long considered it a place for closet offloading by less resale-savvy sellers with less interesting closets. But that’s exactly why there are hidden gems. I found my Large N/S Park Tote from The Row on Poshmark for $1,185 (!!!).
If you’re new to Poshmark, use my code TBTRADE777 to get $10 OFF xx
Poshmark offers in-person authentication on any item over $500, so be cautious if you come across a designer piece priced just under that threshold, especially if it’s significantly below resale market value. Anything designer at $499 is a no-go.
Always do your due diligence: check the seller’s account, look for other listings from similar brands, and see if they have a trustworthy history of completed sales.
Tip: If you’re not sold on the price, consider liking the item and then waiting a few hours. I’ve seen maaaany times a seller will send me a discount as high as 60% off shortly after liking a listing, especially with The Row RTW.
Alaia Medium Le Teckel, bought on Poshmark for 65% off retail
eBay - This is great for finding Japanese resellers who have significant, established trust. The counterfeit laws in Japan are strict, and many of these sellers have over 50k completed luxury sales. Especially great deals can be found here if you’re searching for major luxury brands’ leather goods, like a Louis Vuitton Keepall for <$350. I’m a loyalist for shopping with the Authenticity Guarantee filter selected, ensuring it will go through eBay’s in-person authenticity inspection, but I’ve definitely placed a few orders through reputable sellers like Brandear, even when they didn’t offer AG.
I especially love eBay for watches and jewelry. Plenty of independent sellers list there, often people who aren’t resellers by trade but are simply offloading an inherited or unworn piece. It’s a great platform to get an amazing deal on a vintage Cartier watch or unbranded diamonds.
Tip: If you see a few verified sellers with the same listing/images and similar prices, don’t stress. Sometimes they source from the same places and have overlapping inventory. In that case, I’d just ensure the Authenticity Guarantee is turned on and the seller is reputable, but this isn’t a reason to neglect every listing. See who you can get the best deal from by messaging the seller or making an offer when possible.
Leather Goods, Shoes, Accessories 👠
Anything in the mid-tier range (around $200–$400) I typically source here. I usually go for seller-direct listings to make it easier to negotiate using the offer button—these are still significant purchases, after all. It’s the sweet spot where quality and value tend to align best, and I’m committed to lowballing my way to check out.
Product Examples:
The Row shoes
Elsa Peretti silver bean necklace
Bottega Veneta cardholder
Platforms, ranked by where I look first:
The RealReal - I like to check TRR first because mid-range pieces are often priced with less sensitivity than a seller might list them for directly, and there’s no shortage of options (with many on discount).
Plus, with how popular tabis have become in the secondhand market, TRR feels like the only landing spot you can find a good deal on them anymore (though lately I’m getting them new from discount retailers like Italist and Cettire, at this point it’s comparable to a pre-owned option). My friend just got a pair for $300 via TRR.
Balenciaga tassel keychain I talked about hunting for in the Gift Guide, refusing to spend $850 on it new and instead found an older version from TRR for $150 Poshmark - Posh is THE vintage Manolo for <$150 destination. There is so much old Tiffany and Manolo Blahnik to explore. Honestly, if you are looking for any kind of vintage designer heel, I’d list this as my first stop (see: the
girls buying these vintage Chanel heels I sourced for $200)
$200 Chanel heels via Poshmark Vestiaire Collective - For all the same reasons I mentioned Vestiaire being great for big-ticket items, it’s even better for mid-range pieces. VC is a great resource for finding a wallet, The Row shoes, or designer sunglasses <$300. Lowball and negotiate from there. VC is constantly running buyer promotions, so keep an eye out in your email and on their landing page for what’s currently being offered.
Khaite Arizona boots, bought on Vestiaire Collective for 55% off retail
Clothing 👕
I play a different, harder, more intentional game when it comes to RTW—I get a lot more cost-effective here. Whether it’s because my size has been in flux or because I keep a minimal closet and wear a select few pieces into the ground (and even then, revive them at the tailor), I tend to lean into bargain-hunting. Clothes aren’t as versatile an investment for me as a leather bag or a shoe I’ll wear five times a week, so I try to push down the cost as much as I can. In a dream world, I keep clothing under $100 a piece.
Product Examples:
The Row button-up
Margiela t-shirt
Issey Miyake Pleats Please pants
Platforms, ranked by where I look first*:
*The only reason Vestiaire isn’t included here is that when you find a good deal on RTW under $150, the shipping fees and authentication costs can add a lump sum to the total. I prefer to stick with the other platforms for that reason, unless it’s a specific piece you're after.
- is the absolute holy grail for secondhand clothing. The abundance of pre-owned options for <$100 makes it not only possible, but easy to build an entire wardrobe of natural fibers and designer tailoring on a budget. A deep dive into how (and what) I source from TRR below.
The Row cashmere sweater, bought on TRR for $130 Poshmark - Again, forgotten holy grail of secondhand designer shopping. I have had insane luck on Poshmark with clothes, especially vintage designer that people are offloading. For ex: I bought this Gucci top for $40, but it’s not my size, so it’s heading to TRR next week (feel free to DM if you would like to claim). The Row top I snagged (below) for $70 in perfect condition is one of my favorite things in my closet at the moment. I recommend searching the platform by brand and filtering down by category and size, then getting ready for some scrolling (it’s worth it).
The Row Biggins Top, bought on Poshmark for $70 eBay - eBay is the shit for designer clothes. I have found so many amazing pieces here, most recently The Row’s Big Sisea shirt that I mentioned was on my current wishlist for $150 BNWT. Again, the Japanese resellers really come through strong on eBay, so it’s a great platform to find avant-garde/Japanese designers. There is still a lot of fake designer clothing here without Authenticity Guarantee’s protection, especially in my hunt for The Row, so make sure you do your research (more on that below in the Self-Authentication 101 section).
Tip: One of my favorite eBay sellers, opal07m, is THEE Issey Miyake Pleats Please plug. The prices are unbeatable for the condition, and there are seemingly endless options. I’ve personally bought three Pleats tops from “Opal” and have been very happy with them.
Extra Sleuthing Tip 💡
Different platforms take different commissions (more on that below), so an item listed on Poshmark might actually be cheaper on eBay or Depop. It’s always worth cross-searching the images, seller name, or product details across platforms to find the best price.
That said, be careful about messaging sellers directly to ask if it’s cheaper elsewhere—most platforms have tech in place to flag it and ban you. If you want to take that route, it’s on you to find them. I’ve definitely DMed sellers on Instagram after tracking them down through Poshmark username, asking if the piece is listed for less elsewhere or if I can buy it directly via PayPal Goods & Services for protection.
Self-Authentication 101 🙇♀️
This is a critical part of the process. I rely heavily on these platforms for authentication and the added protection they offer in case of a counterfeit, but it’s not always foolproof. I’ve bought something before and only realized later it wasn’t authentic (I am not invincible). In those cases, I’d made the purchase either through a platform with buyer protection AND/OR paid with PayPal, which has a great buyer protection program. I recommend checking out with PayPal whenever possible.
Compare images against the new product listing. Go to verified retailers, the brand’s direct website, and other trustworthy resale websites (like Rebag, WGACA, Fashionphile) to look closely at stitch count*, logo placement, bag interiors/feet (major help with counterfeits, they often get sloppy inside and on the bottom of the bag).
*I was able to get my medium The Row N/S Park Tote on such a great deal because it was listed (and priced) as a size small, but I counted every stitch down the side of the bag and realized it was the medium (what I was looking for). Sometimes, normal human error can actually be a win.
Cross-check the listing across platforms. Did you find it on a platform without authentication like Depop but you’re not sure if it’s legit? Check if it’s cross-listed on other platforms like Vestiaire or Poshmark that auto-apply in-person authentication. If the seller is willing to risk it selling through those funnels and have it be inspected by a pro, it’s more likely to be real.
I’d still recommend buying it on the platform that offers authentication when possible, but if they’re willing to go lower on an offer on another platform that takes less fees, that’s your gamble.
Unprofessional photos can be good. It may seem counterintuitive, but a well-lit, high-quality, studio-production level photo of the item you’re buying should actually call for some concern. If it looks highly produced but is sold by a random seller with low reviews*, it’s likely a stock image from their supplier. I always reverse Google Image Search secondhand listings.
These photos look a little too highly produced. I then went and checked the sellers page… (see: the photo on point 4) *This is mainly applicable for RTW and shoes. If it’s an investment-level handbag from a professional career reseller with many completed sales (of similar, high-value luxury items), it’s very likely that they have had professional-grade studio photos taken. Consider the value of the item and the seller’s background/reviews.
Trustworthy professional-grade studio photos, Authenticity Guarantee, reputable seller With that said, be wary if the seller’s other reviews or completed sales are for random industrial items, trading cards, or low-grade tech—and then suddenly they’re listing a Birkin for $7K. It’s possible they bought the account for its sales history to build trust, then use it to push a counterfeit if the Authenticity Guarantee doesn’t apply.
Check the seller’s account and compare the photos across their other listings. Is one photo of a pair of Hermès Orans being casually held up by someone with acrylic nails on a pink rug, then the next is a vintage Chanel shoe delicately laid out with a new box and a man’s hand? Cause for concern! The house or studio they take product photos in should be relatively consistent across listings.
None of these backgrounds look like they’re coming from the same person, there are basically no reviews, and the photos seem to be far too produced for what xclusivestylzz1’s seems capable of with 2 completed sales, lol. Multiple items available is a bad sign. This is mainly for eBay and Poshmark, but if a seller has a listing up for a coveted The Row Ophelia Sweater at an appealing $250, and it shows that they have 3 sold and 4 more in stock, consider that these are likely not authentic due to the sheer volume of their inventory.
SELLING 📦
Investment Pieces 👜
Defined as >$500, likely a luxury handbag, coat, jewelry, or shoes.
Platforms:
Vestiaire Collective - I always sell my luxury pieces on Vestiaire. I like having more control over pricing—something you don’t get with The RealReal (more on when to consign with them later). I’m rarely in a rush to sell, so I try to get the most out of each piece. I’ll usually price it a bit above what I actually want, then turn on offers. There’s a psychology to it: buyers feel like they’re getting a deal when their offer is accepted, which helps move things along. That said, once I’ve gradually lowered the price to my bottom line over a few weeks, I turn offers off and just wait for the “sold” email to come through.
Vestiaire’s seller fee is 12% for items priced between $100 - $16,500.
Items <$100 have a $12 fixed fee.
Items >$16,500 have a $2,000 fixed fee.
There is a 3% payment processing fee is charged on all sales.
Poshmark - I typically cross-post to Poshmark since all the photos and descriptions are already available from my Vestiaire listing; it’s an easy way to maximize reach with potential buyers. Because Poshmark takes a higher commission, I list items a bit higher there, which usually means they end up selling faster on VC. But it doesn’t hurt for added visibility.
Poshmark’s seller fee is 20% for items priced above $15
Leather Goods, Shoes, Accessories 👠
In the >$200–$400 range.
Platforms:
Vestiaire Collective - Again, another clap for VC. Control on pricing and patience will get you your best return on investment here. If you want to shop my closet, I have a few shoes available in sizes 39-40.5 from The Row, Margiela, Jil Sander, and Marsèll.
Vestiaire’s seller fee is 12% for items priced between $100 - $16,500.
Items <$100 have a $12 fixed fee.
There is a 3% payment processing fee is charged on all sales.
Poshmark - As I said, Poshmark is the vintage heel destination; it’s also a great place to list your own. Mid-priced items move quickly on Poshmark in my experience.
Poshmark’s seller fee is 20% for items priced above $15
Depop - Another easy crosspost if you’ve listed on Poshmark and VC. Since these items aren’t as expensive as Investment Piece territory, there’s often less concern about authenticity from potential buyers. Since Depop doesn’t offer authentication, it’s important to build trust through your profile: completed sales, positive reviews, and happy buyers go a long way.
Depop offers the best commission rates of any platform mentioned—there’s no seller fee. This allows you to list your item for the best price here, and it’ll likely move quickly.
The RealReal - If I’m not interested in listing items across multiple platforms myself, The RealReal is by far the easiest, lowest-lift option. While you don’t have control over pricing, you can avoid the back-and-forth by looking up similar pieces on their site to get a sense of how yours might be priced.
If you’re new to The RealReal, use my referral link to get a $200 site credit on your first consignment.
Here is TRR’s guide to consignment fees. Items in this category will land you between 30% - 60%+ of the final sale price. The more you consign, the better your payout. As you move up tiers, your commission rate improves.
Tip: If you set your payout method to site credit, you get an extra 5% commission on your sale.
Clothing 👕
Platforms:
Poshmark - It’s an easy platform for listing clothes, and things tend to move quickly. I sell a good amount through Poshmark, but I usually reserve it for designer pieces and niche brands. To make it worth my time, I stick to items I know I can list at $85 or more.
Poshmark’s seller fee is 20% for items priced above $15
Depop - Similar thought process here with Poshmark, I always cross-post to Depop for added reach.
Depop offers the best commission rates of any platform mentioned—there’s no seller fee. This allows you to list your item for the best price here, and it’ll likely move quickly.
The RealReal - If I have a 5+ piece unload of less-coveted, random designer pieces, they go to The RealReal. I don’t really have an interest in listing a bunch of random $60 pieces, so if TRR accepts the brand, I'll send it there.
If you’re new to The RealReal, use my referral link to get a $200 site credit on your first consignment.
Here is TRR’s guide to consignment fees. Items in this category will land you between 20% - 60%+ of the final sale price. The more you consign, the better your payout. As you move up tiers, your commission rate improves.
Tip: If you set your payout method to site credit, you get an extra 5% commission on your sale.
References NYC - This is my best and final trick for pieces I either don’t think I can resell or won’t make enough on to justify the time or closet space they take up. If I’m not making at least $50 on it via Poshmark, it’s going to References. Reserved for NYC locals, References NYC is an incredible company I’ve worked with for years. They’re rooted in sustainability and offer free in-home pickups. Unlike The RealReal, there’s no cherry-picking—they’ll take everything: clothes, shoes, bags, in any condition (think: all those old oversized t-shirts you’ve accumulated and need to get rid of). About two weeks after pickup, you’ll get an email breakdown showing what can be resold as-is, what needs repair, what’s being donated, and what’s being recycled or used for fabric scraps. It’s been a total saving grace for me… getting to Goodwill in the city with bags of clothing and no car is a pain in the ass. Once you confirm the breakdown, they Venmo you your payout. I’ve sent multiple friends their way, and they’re all fully converted to the convenience and sustainability of it. Plus, the guys who run it couldn’t be nicer.
To skip the queue, text References NYC at (917) 653-5867 and tell them Taylor Barnett referred you.
REFERRAL CODES
If you’re new to Vestiaire, use my code REF9M3V-7JU7 to get 20% OFF your first order.
If you’re new to Poshmark, use my code TBTRADE777 to get $10 OFF your first order.
If you’re new to The RealReal, use my referral link to get a $200 site credit on your first consignment.
If you’re new to References NYC, text them at (917) 653-5867 and tell them Taylor Barnett referred you to skip the queue.
In closing…
I hope this guide helps you feel more confident navigating your own secondhand closet circulation. It’s truly my shopping bible and I couldn’t be more excited to have finally pulled all of these details together in one place for you.
I genuinely believe in pre-owned fashion as a more environmentally and financially sustainable way to shop. According to PIRG:
100 billion new garments are manufactured globally each year, and 30% of them are never sold, sent straight to landfills or incinerators.
It’s estimated that people wear only 50% of the clothing they own.
65% of clothing ends up getting thrown away within 12 months of purchase.
Shopping secondhand doesn’t just make sense—it makes an impact. It’s just as important to reconsign or recycle as it is to buy pre-owned in the first place. And continuing to seek out natural fibers isn’t just better for your wardrobe: fewer synthetics means a better fit, nicer feel, and less harm to the environment.
Do better by yourself, your wardrobe, and the planet—support the circular fashion economy ♻️ 🌏 💚
x
Taylor
Looking for something specific on a budget? I’m excited to offer secondhand sourcing to find your dream piece at the best price. Message me on Substack or Instagram for more information xx
ART OF THE WEEK
my GOD this was a treasure trove of information. Write a book about this please. I would buy a million copies and give it to everyone I know.
Taylor doing the Lord’s work AGAIN 🙌🏽 UPGRADED