Illustration by Lulu Dubreuil
- Streamline your shopping experience by deciding what you’re looking for.
- Think about which fabrics work best for you and which don’t. Does synthetic material tend to make you itch? Maybe avoid that 1970s jumpsuit and go for a breathable 1990s denim dress instead.
- Instead of trying to push hangers on packed racks, scan the bottoms of garments. Grab a hanger only when you spot potential.
- It’s all about condition: Look for holes, stains, missing buttons, stuck zippers, or fading.
- Don’t know where you’d wear that amazing dress? Some brands are in such demand that even if you only wear it once, the resale value compensates. True luxury brands like Fendi, Chloé, and Bottega Veneta are hardly a risky investment, but you may be surprised at the rising stars of resale: Vuori, Reformation, Free People, Anthropologie, Aritzia, and Rag & Bone.
- Unsure if an item you’re eyeing is worth the price? Use Google Lens on your phone to take a picture of a label or a garment to see what comparable items sell for.
- Check care labels if dry cleaning or handwashing is a deal-breaker.
