The best luxury resale sites for ethical and sustainable shopping
The best way to buy a Chanel handbag or Gucci loafers now? Pre-loved, of course.
The term ‘second hand’ has long been given a bad rap, bringing to mind musty charity shops and dodgy car salesmen. But in an era where fast fashion piles up in landfills and designer brands are caught burning excess stock, many luxury lovers taking stock of their wardrobes are looking for a new, more sustainable way to refresh their look.
Allow us, then, to introduce you to the new wave of luxury resale sites offering just that. With an emphasis on service as well as sales, these high-end consignment stores work in a variety of ways but the result is always the same: an offering of high-end accessories and clothing cared for and delivered in much the same way as you would expect from Net-A-Porter or Matches Fashion. Even better, as nothing new is being created and nothing old is being thrown away, it’s a completely guilt free way to shop. Read on for the best luxury resale sites to know now.
The RealReal
One of the best known names in luxury resale, The RealReal was founded by Julie Wainwright in 2011 as a homespun business and has gone on to become a global leader in the resale industry, with millions of shoppers and sellers. Dealing in fashion for men, women and children, alongside fine jewellery, watches, art and interiors, every item is authenticated by The RealReal’s team of experts before going on sale.
If you’re looking to sell, The RealReal will pick up your items (shipping and drop off to one of its 11 physical stores is also available) and its team will handle the photography and marketing of your item. Most pieces sell within 30 days and consignors receive up to 85% of the sale price. Buyers must make an account to shop but the experience is otherwise identical to buying from any luxury e-tailer. So what’s on offer? Hermès, Louis Vuitton and Rolex are among the site’s best sellers.
Cudoni
“Our mission is to take the time and hassle out of selling pre-loved luxury. Selling quality items shouldn’t be a burden – it should be a rewarding experience that is easy and fun,” explains James Harford-Tyrer, founder of Cudoni, of the company’s mission. The emphasis here is on making the sale of pre-loved goods as quick and easy as possible: all items are collected from your home (currently contact-free) with the entire selling and authentication process handled by the Cudoni team. Once sold, your earnings can be transferred directly into your bank account or donated to the charity of your choice.
If you’re shopping the service is just as slick, with premium global delivery options and next-day dispatch as standard. The offering is largely fashion and accessories for men and women, with current highlights including an Hermès Box So Black Birkin bag, Cartier Love charm bracelet and Brunello Cucinelli shearling coat.
Resellfridges
As part of its ongoing Project Earth drive to become a more sustainable and ethical store, Selfridges launched its own resale service – the snappily named Resellfridges – last year to help its dedicated base of luxury lovers buy and sell second hand items. The range is vast, spanning Levi’s denim jackets and Stella McCartney cocktail dresses to Saint Laurent duffle bags. There’s also an extensive collection of jewellery curated by pre-loved doyenne Susan Caplan as well as pieces by dedicated upcycling brands including 1/Off, Reformation and Hai.
If you’re looking to sell you’ll need to be in the UK or one of a handful of EU countries, and Resellfridges currently only accepts handbags from select high-end brands. Upload images of your item to get a quote (payment is given in Selfridges store credit) before arranging for your bag to be collected. Unlike other consignors, Resellfridges doesn’t wait for your item to be bought before passing on payment – you’ll be sent an eGift card as soon as your bag is verified.
Rewind Vintage
Unlike other online resale sites, UK-based Rewind Vintage works in a more traditional way with its sellers. Instead of giving you a percentage of the sale price of your item, Rewind will instead buy it directly from you before adding it to its stock of vintage Chanel jewellery, Dior gowns and Prada shoes. If you’re looking to sell, however, you’ll need something truly exceptional – Rewind Vintage specialises in only the best of the best. Alongside its resale services, Rewind also boasts a restoration service for overly loved pieces, customisation and monogramming for leather goods and valuations for truly special bags and accessories. If you’re looking for a seller that will give your goods the same TLC you lavish on them, you can trust Rewind Vintage.
Vide Dressing
If your budget doesn’t quite stretch to a £10,000 Birkin, French firm Vide Dressing’s range of contemporary luxury brands at affordable price points make it a brilliant, more inclusive option for both buyers and sellers. The brand’s website proudly announces it will accept items from Zara to Prada and it doesn’t take commission on sales under €150. Unlike some of the others on this list, however, the seller does take a larger role in the process. You’ll need to photograph, list and set a price for your items, as well as arranging delivery once sold.
This more open-ended approach means Vide Dressing is a brilliant place for unusual finds from cult brands such as Zadig & Voltaire, APC and Claudie Pierlot, as well as big name bargains. Buyers can also shop with complete confidence, as no money changes hands until you have received your item and confirmed you are happy with the quality.
EKC Luxury
A relative newcomer to the resale market, having been founded in 2019 by three female entrepreneurs with backgrounds in luxury accessories, EKC Luxury specialises in procuring fine and rare goods for private clients, as well as offering a curated selection of premium handbags online. Relying on their connections to obtain new items, EKC is more about buying than selling (although if you have something really unique we’re sure they wouldn’t turn you down). The offering is, accordingly, one of the most luxurious and eclectic on the list. Alongside the Chanel 2.55s and Louis Vuitton crossbody bags, you’ll also find unique items, such as a rather unusual Hermès crocodile dog collar and matching lead.
Designer Exchange
Founded in Knightsbridge in 2014, and now with physical stores across the UK, Designer Exchange is ‘proudly not a consignment store’. Like Rewind Vintage, it offers sellers a quote based on pictures of their item and pays in full once they’re received and authenticated. It also gives sellers the option to choose between bank transfers or a higher valued Designer Exchange voucher – and we defy you not to find something to covet among the store’s extensive range.
The offering is solely for women, but covers watches and jewellery as well as clothing and accessories. Mechanical timepieces by Breitling and Omega are listed alongside Chopard jewellery, Manolo Blahnik heels and runway pieces by Isabel Marant, Fendi, Balmain and more.
