That possibility of unearthing a designer bag for the price of lunch. Or a perfectly tailored, timeless blazer. Maybe finding a vintage dining set that turns your home into a mid-century dream.

In Australia alone, resale fashion is growing 11 times faster than traditional retail, with 72% of us already shopping pre-loved. Global platforms like Vestiaire Collective and Depop have made it easier than ever to snag high-quality secondhand fashion, while local op shops are overflowing with clothes.

But let’s be honest, op shops are often packed with fast fashion cast-offs, online listings can be a minefield of overpriced polyester labelled ‘vintage,’ and marketplaces are full of resellers flipping thrifted finds for a quick profit.

So how do you actually score the good stuff? We’re here to help.

Image via Vestiaire Collective

Where to find secondhand items in Australia

The best secondhand platforms in Australia include Depop, Facebook Marketplace, Vestiaire Collective, The RealReal, Gumtree, and eBay for online, with op shops, vintage boutiques, and estate sales for in-person.

The key to successful secondhand shopping? Going where the good stuff is.

Op shops (low prices, requires digging)

Salvos, Vinnies, and Red Cross stores in inner-city suburbs tend to get higher-quality donations than suburban stores, simply because of the neighbourhoods they’re in. Worth knowing: Salvos now has an online store that lists new items daily, and they’re also on Depop and eBay if you’d rather not leave the couch.

Vintage boutiques (curated, higher prices)

These do the digging for you. Try SWOP (Melbourne, Brisbane, Sydney), Zoo Emporium (Sydney), and My Dead Grandpa (Adelaide) for curated vintage with a fashion edit behind it. You’ll pay more than a regular op shop, but less than buying new, and the quality tends to be consistent.

Depop

Depop is essentially Instagram meets secondhand marketplace. It’s visual, community-driven, and great for vintage one-offs, cult Australian brands like Gorman and Kuwaii, and styled pieces that are harder to find elsewhere. Prices vary wildly, from genuinely cheap to suspiciously inflated, so check the seller’s reviews and use the Make an Offer button.

Facebook Marketplace and Gumtree

The best options for furniture, homewares, and anything too bulky to ship. Free to list, local pickups only (which means no postage), and you can haggle. Gumtree is great for good quality furniture. Prioritise listings that mention solid wood, real leather, or anything with a bit of craftsmanship. “Hardly used” means nothing. “Moving house” usually means you’ll find great stuff at lower prices.

Designer online second-hand stores

For premium secondhand without the hunt. For those cult brands like Ganni, St Agni, and Paloma Wool, stores like Vestiaire Collective and The RealReal specialise in authenticated, pre-owned designer fashion, meaning you’re not gambling on fakes. They vet items for quality, authenticity, and style. You’ll find everything from vintage Levi’s, an Acne Studios knit, or that designer bag that won’t require you to remortgage your house.

Tip:

The “Make an Offer” button is your best friend – sellers are often willing to negotiate.

eBay Australia

eBay is underrated for secondhand fashion, especially if you know what you’re looking for. Filter to preloved condition, search specific brands and sizes, and set up saved searches so you’re notified when something matching your criteria lists. Also great for vintage homewares and collectables.

SwapUp

An Australian platform based in Sydney for premium preloved women’s fashion. You can either list yourself or use their consignment service, where they handle photography, listing, and fulfilment. Good for designer and premium Australian brands. The physical store in Crows Nest is worth a visit if you’re in Sydney.

Salvos, Vinnies, and Red Cross online stores

All three now have proper online stores with new stock added regularly. Useful if you don’t live near a good op shop or want to browse without the trip. Salvos is also active on Depop and eBay, so worth following their accounts for fresh listings.

Buy Nothing groups and clothing swaps

The Buy Nothing Project has active Facebook groups in most Australian suburbs. Everything is free, gifted rather than sold, and the quality can be surprisingly good. Local clothing swap events are also worth keeping an eye out for, particularly through community centres, libraries, and sustainability-focused groups.

Images via The RealReal

Best days and times to visit op shops

The timing is important when you’re hunting for second-hand treasures, and stock rotation and donation trends affect what you’ll find.

Best days to thrift:

• Mondays & Tuesdays after weekend donations, equals fresh stock.
• End of the month, when people declutter before moving house, which means great furniture finds.
• Post-holidays, January is a goldmine for unwanted Christmas gifts.

Best time of day to op shop?

• Early morning, you’ll get first dibs before resellers swoop in.
• In the late afternoon, op shops sometimes do markdowns before closing.

How to Shop Secondhand Fashion Online Like a Pro

• Use search filters wisely: Searching ‘leather jacket’ will give you a million results, but ‘90s vintage leather biker jacket size AU 10’ will get you what you actually want.
• Know the return policy: Some platforms (The RealReal, Vestiaire Collective) offer returns, others (Depop, Facebook Marketplace) don’t.
• Negotiate (politely!): If an item has been sitting for a while, message the seller and offer 10-20% less. Many sellers just want to clear out their wardrobes.

For homewares and furniture:

• Check out your local tip shops and reuse centres: If you’re willing to spend a few hours rummaging, these are goldmines. On the Gold Coast, you have The Recycle Market, and in Sydney, The Bower is beloved for a reason. You’ll find everything from retro lamps to vintage timber chairs often at bargain prices.
• Facebook Marketplace and Gumtree are your best friends: Especially for big-ticket items like dining tables, bookshelves, and armchairs. Prioritise listings that mention solid wood, real leather, or anything with a bit of craftsmanship. And don’t be afraid to ask questions, people are usually happy to tell you if it’s from Freedom or found on the side of the road
• Charity warehouse sales: Skip the tiny op shops and go straight to the big warehouse-style stores. Lifeline’s Bookfests are heaven for secondhand books, and Salvos furniture warehouses often have entire room sets for less than a single Ikea flatpack.

For the unexpected gems:

Estate sales & garage sales: Old homes often means vintage gold. Here are some resources to help you locate upcoming estate sales:

• ALLBIDS: Specializes in downsizing, local estate, and deceased estate auctions, offering items like fine homewares, antiques, collectables, wine, and art.
• The Public Trustee of Queensland: Manages the sale of customer real estate, providing listings of properties available for purchase.
• Scammells Auctions: Offers a full estate service, including appraisals, packing, cataloguing, and auctioning of items from deceased estates.
• Additionally, local classifieds, community noticeboards, and social media groups can be valuable resources for finding estate sales in your area.

Better still head to the auction houses who have done the sifting for you:

• Danielle Elizabeth Auctions (QLD & Online) – Specialising in estate jewellery, antiques, and fine art.
• Lloyds Auctions (Australia-Wide) – Regular estate sales featuring furniture, collectibles, and designer fashion.
• Curated Spaces (VIC) – Melbourne-based estate sales with high-end furniture, art, and homewares.
• Abbeys Auctions (Online) – Hosts weekly estate auctions every Friday, featuring a diverse mix of modern and vintage treasures from cherished homes and liquidated stock.
• Antique fairs & flea markets. Try Camberwell Market (Melbourne), Rozelle Collectors Market (Sydney), Suitcase Rummage (Brisbane).
• Swaps & buy-nothing groups. Join local Facebook swap groups or Buy Nothing Project communities for free, high-quality secondhand items.

Master the Art of the Browse

For fashion:

• Ignore size tags: Vintage sizing is wildly inconsistent. Bring a measuring tape!
• Check labels for premium materials: Look for 100% wool, silk, linen, or cotton—they last longer and feel better.
• Feel the fabric: Quality fabrics have weight, texture, and durability. If it pills easily, skip it.
• Look for high-end brands: Country Road, RM Williams, Levi’s, and Saba hold up well.
• Check zippers, stitching, and lining: Sturdy construction = a good buy.

For homewares & furniture:

• Opt for real wood, not MDF: Knock on the surface—solid wood sounds deep and heavy.
• Vintage glassware & ceramics are underrated: Old Pyrex, Mid-century pottery, and handmade ceramics are treasures.

*Tip: Avoid upholstered furniture unless you’re ready to deep clean it.

Online Thrifting: How to Win on Facebook Marketplace & Depop

Online secondhand shopping is all about knowing the right tricks.

• Set search alerts: Be the first to know when your dream item is listed. (E.g., ‘leather couch Brisbane’ or ‘Levi’s 501 jeans’.)
• Haggle (nicely!): A simple “Would you take $XX if I pick up today?” often works.
• Beware of scams: If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Never pay before inspecting.
• Shop location-specific categories: Op shops in wealthier suburbs tend to get high-end donations.

The Mindset Shift: Patience, Luck & The Joy of the Hunt

Finding amazing secondhand pieces takes time, but that’s the fun part.

• Have a running wishlist. (Instead of impulse-buying, keep an ongoing list of items you actually need.)
• Think creatively. A men’s blazer can become an oversized jacket; a vintage mirror can be repainted.
• Go often, buy selectively. It’s better to find one incredible piece than five ‘meh’ ones.
• Embrace the randomness. Some days, you’ll leave with nothing. Other days, you’ll find the perfect leather boots in your exact size for $10.