10 Secondhand Pieces I'd Actually Buy As A Stylist
And a few tips for sorting through the hundreds of thousands of pieces.
Lately, I’ve found myself doomscrolling The RealReal instead of TikTok, and I’m not mad about it. It’s become my latest obsession and, dare I say, the dopamine rush rivals that of the largest social platforms. I will admit, though, shopping secondhand was an acquired taste for me. I had always been a touch fearful. What if the quality isn’t as listed? What if I can’t return the item? But after several more-than-positive experiences (hello, vintage Chanel slingbacks for under $400), I am now their number one fan.
As a stylist, I’ve had more and more clients requesting secondhand, vintage, and one-of-a-kind items, for which The RealReal is the perfect place to start my sourcing. It’s a large player contributing to the growth of the secondhand market, which is expected to reach $393 billion by 2030, growing at a rate 2x faster than the overall apparel market. They host thousands of pieces on their site at one time, and it can be overwhelming to sort through, especially if you aren’t sure where to start. After spending hundreds of hours on the site, from working for my clients as well as my doomscrolling platform of choice, I’ve honed down to five key categories that are perfect starting points for shopping secondhand, along with 10 pieces I'd actually buy right now as a stylist.
Scarves
I've had a lot of success shopping for silk scarves secondhand. I recently purchased a Pucci scarf in the color scheme of my dreams (chartreuse, fuchsia, lime), and I’ve tied it on one of my bags for a pop of pattern. Scarves are a great place to start for a couple of reasons. First, they’re extremely versatile. You can tie them on a bag, wear them as a top (check the dimensions to make sure it’s roughly a 30” by 30” and it should fit as a small or medium), or loop them through your hair. Second, you can find them in amazing condition for under $300. We had a client purchase a butter yellow-printed Fendi scarf to wear with a bridal look, and the piece made the look feel custom and elevated it in the way that she wanted.
I’m imagining this one as a head scarf with a white eyelet midi dress for a nautical look.
Hermès Presentation de Chevaux Silk Scarf
Another chic option. I would pull in the green here, wear it as a top, and actually dress it down with a pair of cargo pants.
Designer Heels
Another secondhand category where I’ve lucked out is designer heels. The prices are good, and The RealReal has a great selection of both vintage and the latest season’s styles. Definitely pay attention to the condition listing here. Shoes tend to wear and tear faster than other items, so I would focus on items that are listed as ‘very good’ and above.
Chanel Vintage 2000 Slingback Pumps
A black vintage slingback is the perfect place to start your hunt. This particular pair is in excellent condition and is from the 2000 collection by Karl Lagerfeld. My favorite way to style this is with a dramatic black top and wide-leg light-wash jeans.
Saint Laurent Patent Leather Slingbacks
There are plenty of newer styles as well, like these YSL heels at a fraction of the retail price.
Your Favorite Brands at Discounted Rates
When it comes to client work, we’ve been turning to The RealReal as a trusted source for our clients’ aspirational brands. Let me explain. Everyone loves mid-tier designer brands, right? DOEN, Simkhai, Staud, you know the players. The best-kept secret is that you can find most of these brands heavily marked down when shopping secondhand. Because they aren’t true designer brands, they don’t hold their value as well as, say, a Prada bag, but we often find these pieces significantly discounted from the retail price.
So many simple Doen dresses like this one hanging out on the site.
I’ve had my eye on this Cult Gaia bag for years. I love the sculptural handle. Such an easy way to jazz up a simple outfit.
Blazers
The vintage blazers I've found shopping secondhand recently are to die for. There are so many amazing finds from the '80s and '90s that you could wear with a pair of your favorite jeans today and look instantly put together. The two I’ve selected are both black blazers with a little interest in the hardware and vintage vibe that makes them so chic. I would add modern-looking jewelry to freshen up the look.
Moschino Couture Vintage 1990s Blazer
Small Leather Goods
Small leather goods are the perfect category to explore if you’re thinking about your first designer piece. They’re subtle but still make you feel super chic each time you use them. There’s also less pressure when starting with a small leather accessory than with a full designer bag or outfit. You can start with a micro bag or a wallet and see how much use you get out of it before treading into more expensive metaphorical waters.
At under $200 and bringing the vintage character, this is a gem of a find.
There are plenty of mini bags under $1,000 on The RealReal. Just note that most won’t fit a phone.
After spending endless hours sourcing for clients and admittedly far too many late nights scrolling for myself, I've learned that the best finds aren't always the obvious ones. While everyone rushes to search for the latest “it” bag, some of the smartest purchases are the pieces you'll reach for again and again: a silk scarf that transforms a simple outfit, a vintage blazer with impeccable tailoring, or a pair of designer heels at a fraction of retail price.
The key is approaching secondhand shopping with a strategy. Save searches for brands you like, pay attention to condition notes and measurements, and don't be afraid to search for brands beyond the major luxury houses. The sheer volume of inventory can feel overwhelming at first, but that's also what makes it such a treasure trove.
Whether you're shopping for your first designer purchase or building a wardrobe filled with unique finds, The RealReal is one of my favorite places to discover pieces with character, history, and, of course, at a more reasonable price. Happy hunting!