Did you know that many of your favorite brands have a hidden resale section? It's true — New Balance, REI, Lululemon and more offer discounts on lightly used or overstock products for consumers to shop.
Beyond this, sites such as Nuuly have an online thrift option, where users can shop top brands like Levi's, Reformation, Anthropologie and more at a discounted price — if you're a member.
But how do you, the consumer, benefit from these programs? We asked the experts and the answer is unanimous: saving money. Shopping resale programs and from secondhand sites or thrift stores allows consumers to score great deals on rare finds, premium fabrics and even basic, everyday items.
Sure, we love introducing readers to the latest and greatest innovative and fresh finds; however we're also big fans of squeezing our dollar for everything it's worth. So, we also polled our team on their favorite items they've scored as a result of shopping secondhand.
What are the benefits to shopping secondhand?
"Consumers benefit through cost savings and convenience," says associate professor of supply chain management at Michigan State, Stanley Lim. "Buying from a brand’s resale program means they can get a quality product for significantly less than the new price, often with the assurance that it’s been inspected for authenticity and condition. It’s a budget-friendly way to access favorite brands or even find items that might be sold out new."
Not only this, but an added perk that some resale programs offer is a trade-in aspect, where consumers can earn in-store credit or otherwise by trading in lightly used products.
In turn, shopping secondhand gives consumers the opportunity to find distinct pieces that play into their own personal style.
"Thrift shoppers get the benefit of looking through a wide variety of items and coming out with unique finds," says Katie O'Grady, manager of Agrace Thrift Store, located in Madison, Wisconsin. "At thrift stores, there’s no algorithm feeding shoppers what it thinks they want to see — it’s all about what calls to each individual and their style."
What items should you shop secondhand?
Apparel is almost always the first category that comes to mind when thinking of thrifting; however, Lim says electronics are "especially smart to buy secondhand" in addition.
"A certified refurbished phone or laptop from the manufacturer’s resale program will perform almost like new, but cost much less (and often comes with a warranty or guarantee)," he says.
Rather than partaking in fast fashion, microtrends, or splurging on an item you're only going to wear a limited number of times, one thrift shop owner recommends shopping secondhand as a more sustainable and budget-friendly option.
Holly Eide, manager of The Loft Resale located in Ames, Iowa, recommends shopping for "clothing items you are only buying for one-time use, like a blazer for an interview or dresses to wear to a wedding or other formal events."
Are there any items you shouldn't shop secondhand?
"Maybe stay cautious with secondhand purchases when safety or hygiene is a concern," says Lim. "For example, I’d avoid buying a used bike helmet or a secondhand child car seat, because you can’t be sure they haven’t been damaged or degraded — their ability to protect might be compromised after one impact or after expiring."
"Similarly, items like mattresses or certain personal care products are better bought new for cleanliness reasons. Even with a reputable resale program, consider how an item wears over time: heavily worn shoes or very old electronics (with weak batteries) might not be great buys unless they’ve been reconditioned to a safe, reliable state."
Editor-loved resale and secondhand products to shop
"I’ve gotten lots of designer pieces from The RealReal for under $100," says photo editor Vivian Le. "My two most worn pants are Chloé and I purchased each from TRR for $50. It’s a site where, if you do the digging, you can come up with treasures. I can’t justify paying full price for luxury items anymore when I can get them secondhand from places like The Realreal!"
Shopping from The Real Real requires a close eye and a willingness to "dig," if you're up for the challenge, as the site curates products in a limited number of sizes and quantities.
REI's Re/Supply program is available for members (if you're not a member, their incredibly affordable one-time fee makes it easy to sign up!) and allows you to trade-in and purchase lightly used outdoor gear, shoes, clothing and more.
These hiking shoes are available in limited sizes and colors, yet are well-loved by social media editorial assistant Annie Shigo for providing durability and security while hiking abroad.
"This is a splurge, but I've owned mine for nearly five months and it has held up really well," says associate editor Shannon Garlin. "I like wearing it for winter runs, it's fitted and keeps me warm, without overheating. It also has extended thumb holes that also flip over your hands like mittens to keep your hands warm, too."
This jacket hails from Lululemon's own resale extension of their site, titled 'lululemon like new.' It features products you know and love — Align leggings, crossbody bags and more at discounted rates.
"I appreciate these pants because they're more comfortable and forgiving than leggings, but still really flattering thanks to the slim silhouette," says senior partnerships editor Francesca Cocchi Zabloudil. "The material is super soft and definitely feels high quality in comparison to that of your average pair of sweatpants or joggers. As a shorter person, I also appreciate the length — while they don't fully taper like joggers or leggings, they're short enough that they don't drag, which gives them travel-friendly points in my book."
In tandem with the half zip of the same collection, this set earned the award for best travel set during the Shop TODAY 2025 Travel Awards.
Best Buy's Outlet allows you to buy tech devices and accessories at a much lower rate — such as these Apple AirPods 4, which are currently less than $100.
This version has noticeably improved sound quality compared to previous models, says writer Emma Stessman. These headphones also earned a Shop TODAY Gifts We Love award, perfect for the tech lover or runner in your life.
New Balance Reconsidered is New Balance's secondhand site, where consumers can shop the brand at a lower cost.
"These are the most comfortable shoes I own," praises Garlin. "After seeing them all over TikTok, I hopped on the Dad shoe trend and tried them out for myself. They give such great arch support and cushioning for all-day walking. I've worn them to The Met museum and on my last trip to Disney, where I racked up over 40,000 steps. I also love how versatile they are, they look cute with most outfits, including workwear and athleisure!"
Le also purchased a pair of Stuart Weitzman boots on The Real Real, using the resale site as a destination for all things designer.
Similar to The Real Real, eBay rewards those who have a keen eye and are hunting with a purpose.
"eBay is my go-to place for all my hobbies," says Le. "I find it so easy to navigate and there are lots of rare items you cannot find anywhere else. As a photographer, I’ve bought three of my cameras on eBay and I still rotate through them today. From time to time, I will also buy books and other little tchotchkes. For my boyfriend’s birthday, I bought him a bobblehead of his favorite Yankees player and during the holidays, I got super affordable cross-stitched pillows to make our home cozy!"
Le purchased her red Coach purse from eBay, seen below.
Stock X utilizes a similar bidding system to eBay, allowing users to face off against others to purchase in-demand and popular items. Production associate Audrey Ekman calls the process a "breeze," further noting that "it’s so worth it to watch for the price to drop if you have your eye on a particular style."
Ekman was eyeing these sneakers, which she says can be easily dressed up or down depending on the occasion.
Deputy managing editor Jess Bender recently purchased this jacket in anticipation of the 2025-26 NBA season, to throw on while cheering on the New York Knicks.
She touts Nuuly's thrift section for helping her snag it for up to 63% off.
The question most often heard around the Shop TODAY office is "where did you get that," commonly followed up by "Nuuly!" Many editors are big fans of the monthly clothing subscription model, using it to outfit summer wedding season, office 'fits and more.
"One of the things I love most about my Nuuly subscription is having the option to purchase my favorite pieces for considerably less, but the site’s Thrift Shop section makes some of their well-loved clothing items available for much, much less," says Bender. "Perusing their finds (some offered at over 75% off!) is a dangerous hobby — I’ve recently bought a pair of DL1961 jeans I’ve rented for several months in a row for less than $60."
Frequently asked questions
"Clothing is by far the most popular category for resale," says Lim. "The secondhand fashion market has exploded in recent years, from everyday apparel to luxury brands, because people are very comfortable buying used clothes and there’s a huge supply available."
"If tariffs drive up the cost of new products, it could indeed give resale programs an extra push," says Lim. "When new goods get more expensive due to import tariffs, consumers tend to look for more affordable alternatives, which means secondhand items become even more attractive. Brands are aware of this and some are likely to expand their resale offerings as a way to offset those tariff pressures; selling domestically sourced used products isn’t affected by import taxes. However, the overall rise of resale is more about consumer demand for value and sustainability than about tariffs."
"Thrift stores see amazing jewelry from vintage brooches and costume pieces to fine jewelry valued at thousands of dollars," says O'Grady. "There is so much to choose from and incredible deals to be had if customers know what to look for."
Eide recommends scouring thrift stores for premium fabrics, as another way to spend less while shopping. You can score "higher quality fabrics i.e., 100% wool or silk items for a fraction of the price rather than caring about brands," she says.
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How we chose
The Shop TODAY editors and writers search the internet to find the best products out there. We interview expert commerce sources, comb through customer reviews and even use our own personal experiences to make shopping easier for our readers. To choose which items to feature within this article, we relied on insight from experts and polled editors on which resale sites they've shopped from and enjoyed.
As an editorial team, we independently create content and determine coverage based on research, reporting and what we think TODAY.com readers would like to read about. The goal of our content is to provide a service and inform readers who are on the hunt for the latest products to help make their life better. Items are sold by retailer, not TODAY. Pricing and availability are accurate as of publish time. Learn more about Shop TODAY.
Meet the experts
- Holly Eide is the manager of The Loft Resale, a secondhand store located in Ames, Iowa.
- Katie O'Grady is the manager of Agrace Thrift Store, located in Madison, Wisconsin.
- Stanley Lim is an associate professor of supply chain management at Michigan State University.
The Flat Lay Co. Flat Lay Makeup Bag
The Flat Lay Co. Flat Lay Makeup Bag