Second-hand platforms are not only a great way to save money, but also an effective way to conserve resources and live more sustainably. The fashion industry is one of the world’s biggest polluters: around 92 million tons of textile waste are produced every year, and approximately 10% of global CO₂ emissions come from this industry. In Germany alone, the average consumer buys around 60 items of clothing per year and throws away about 4 kilograms of textiles.
In this article, I’ll introduce you to five of the best second-hand platforms: Sellpy, Momox, Percentil, and two more. You’ll learn how these platforms work, how they can help you save money, and how they contribute to protecting the environment at the same time.
1. Sellpy
Sellpy is a Swedish platform specializing in buying and selling second-hand clothing. You can find both pre-owned items and brand-new pieces with tags. Sellpy takes care of the entire selling process for you: you send in your clothes, and Sellpy checks, photographs, and lists them on their website (you don’t earn much per item, so it’s important to be aware of that).
For buyers, Sellpy offers a wide range of second-hand clothing, from affordable everyday brands to more exclusive labels at significantly reduced prices.
Pros: Convenient selling process, large selection, environmentally friendly.
Tip: Filter for “new with tags” or “very good condition” and set the maximum price to €15 to find the best deals.
2. Momox Fashion
Momox Fashion is a platform focused on buying and selling second-hand clothing and accessories. In addition to fashion, Momox also deals in books, media, and electronics. You can sell your clothes directly to Momox and receive an instant price offer.
Pros: Immediate price offers, wide product range.
Tip: Use the filters to specifically search for high-quality and like-new items.
momox fashion – Second Hand Mode online kaufen
3. Percentil
Percentil is a Spanish platform offering high-quality second-hand clothing for women, men, and children. Percentil places great emphasis on quality and carefully checks every single item. The platform also features a large selection of well-known brands.
Pros: Strict quality control, wide range of branded items.
Tip: Look for premium brands at bargain prices and use the “new with tags” filter.
4. Rebelle / Vinted
Rebelle is a platform dedicated to high-end second-hand designer fashion. Here you’ll find exclusive clothing, shoes, and accessories from luxury brands. Rebelle places a strong focus on authenticity and quality and offers a curated selection of luxury fashion at reduced prices.
Pros: Exclusive selection, authenticity guarantee, high quality.
Tip: Check regularly for special offers and newly added collections to score the best deals.
Vinted (formerly Kleiderkreisel) is one of the most well-known second-hand platforms in Germany. You can buy, sell, and swap clothing, shoes, and accessories. Vinted offers a simple and user-friendly interface, making it easy to trade quickly and conveniently.
Pros: Large community, easy to use, many filter options.
Tip: Filter for “new with tags” and set the maximum price to €15 to find the best bargains.
Saving money and protecting resources
By buying second-hand clothing, you’re not only saving money but also making an important contribution to environmental protection. The fashion industry consumes enormous amounts of water and energy and causes significant CO₂ emissions. Second-hand fashion drastically reduces this environmental impact.
I switched to buying second-hand a long time ago and honestly: I don’t miss anything. On the contrary, you sometimes find incredibly unique pieces, and I really enjoy knowing that my designer sunglasses originally cost €300 and I paid only €50 on Sellpy. I also like to calculate the “cost per wear” — how much a piece of clothing actually costs per use.
For example, a winter jacket for €199 may seem expensive at first. But if you wear it regularly for three winters, it might cost you around €0.50 per wear. If you buy a cheap jacket for €50 and only wear it a few times before it falls apart, the cost per wear is actually much higher.
So next time, consider shopping second-hand. In Germany alone, thousands of tons of clothing are thrown away every single day. By buying pre-owned items, we can reduce this waste and at the same time get high-quality pieces for a fraction of the original price. If that’s not a win-win, what is?
Alternatives: flea markets
Flea markets and online classifieds are also great places to find affordable clothing. The downside, however, is that there is usually no right of return. On platforms like Vinted, you can swap and sell clothing, but you often don’t get the same level of convenience and security that comes with return policies.
Tips for successful second-hand shopping
- Filter for “new with tags”: Set the filter to “new with tags” and a maximum price of €15 to find the best deals.
- Make sustainable choices: Invest in high-quality, durable pieces that you can wear for a long time. This saves money in the long run and is better for the environment.
Selling on second-hand platforms
Selling on these platforms usually only makes sense for expensive or like-new items. The time and effort involved in the selling process often don’t match the financial return. That’s why I usually prefer to donate my clothes to help others or give them to friends — although that can be tricky too, since personal style and clothing sizes vary so much.
What about you? How much of your clothing do you buy or sell second-hand?
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