4 ThredUP Features That Make Me Feel Like I’m Thrifting IRL

ThredUP’s app cleverly mimics — and sometimes improves — the experience of shopping at a thrift store.

As someone who derives a lot of joy from thrifting, I hesitated to try thredUP. I was skeptical about the concept of an online thrift store. How would it be any different than shopping from a standard online clothes retailer? I thought that online thrifting would be too…easy.

For me, thrifting involves time, dedication, and the possibility of walking away empty-handed. I never know what I’m going to get, which heightens the challenge and thrill. The thrifting experience, which is inherently slow and uniquely chaotic, does not seem like the kind of thing that can be replicated online.

At the beginning of the pandemic, I took a break from thrifting in stores, so I decided to finally give thredUP a shot. My first reaction was shock and awe at the sheer volume of inventory for sale. The staggering amount of clothes (a search for sweaters in my size that cost $10 or less yields 30,000+ results) made me feel at home. With so many items to choose from, thredUP is a haystack — and I could happily go looking for a needle.

In-person thrift stores will forever be my first choice, but after exploring thredUP over the past few years, I can confirm that it simulates core aspects of thrifting in stores while mitigating some of the common hurdles.

#1 Condition Filter

When searching for clothes, shoes, and accessories, you can filter by condition. You have four options: “Gently Used,” “Like-New,” “New with Tags,” and “Signs of Wear.”

In-Person Thrifting Parallel: If an item catches my eye, my next step is to lift the hanger off the rack and examine it for noticeable rips, missing buttons, busted seams, or unsightly stains. When I try the item on in the fitting room, I repeat this check, to be sure I didn’t miss anything in my initial scan. I don’t expect the clothes to be pristine, but there are certain issues that I don’t want to deal with.

ThredUP Feature Analysis: The Condition filter options increase my trust in the secondhand products I’m purchasing while decreasing friction as I shop. If I select “New with Tags” or “Like-New,” I don’t have to worry about falling in love with a dress that turns out to have a defunct zipper. If I filter for “Gently Used” or “Signs of Wear,” I turn up my vigilance when combing through the full product details. The information spells out any specific issues the item has, which makes it easier for me to decide if it’s worth it.
Gripe: It’s not possible to filter by care instructions. I can only see if an item is dry-clean only by reading the product details. I’d love a filter for this, as I’m rarely willing to purchase clothes that require dry cleaning.

#2 Saved Searches

After creating search criteria (e.g. keyword + filters), you can save the search and access it any time without re-entering the information.

In-Person Thrifting Parallel: There are certain items I’m always on the hunt for, regardless of season. I’m a huge fan of chunky wool turtlenecks in saturated jewel tones and button-downs with tropical or floral prints — the zanier the better. When I’m perusing the racks, even if I’m on a very specific mission, a button-down tee with rainbow parrots might cross my path, and I might try that shirt on and decide to buy it, even if it’s the dead of winter.
ThredUP Feature Analysis: After entering a hyper-specific search with 20+ filters for aspects like size, color, condition, price, neckline, style, and fabric, I can save that search, and never have to type it in again. In addition to helping me keep tabs on pieces I’m always in the market for, this feature comes in handy when I’m looking for something that I don’t need right away. For example, I have a few weddings to attend this summer, and I saved a complex search for formal floor-length dresses that are appropriate for warm weather. While I have notifications silenced for now, I can turn them on to receive email updates about new items that match my search criteria.

#3 Rare Finds

The “Rare Finds” tag calls attention to items that, metaphorically speaking, don’t grow on trees.

In-Person Thrifting Parallel: Admittedly, I get a rush of excitement if I peek at a tag and see a designer name. While I’m familiar with big names in fashion, my knowledge is pretty shallow. If I’m curious about an item’s origin, I’ll google the brand to learn about their reputation and typical retail prices. This sleuthing often tilts the scales, prompting me to buy something that is luxurious or expensive.
ThredUP Feature Analysis: The Rare Finds tag appeals to one of my favorite aspects of thrifting: treasure hunting. This tag draws my eye to pieces that I may have otherwise overlooked. Just because it’s a rare find, doesn’t mean it’s right for me, but the tag sparks my curiosity, encouraging me to consider an item more closely.
Gripe: It’s unclear how thredUP defines “Rare Find,” I couldn’t locate a definition, so if it’s there, it’s buried. It would be helpful to understand what makes an item rare in their eyes. If their definition clashes with my own, I might not put so much stock in the tag.

#4 My Sizes

Save your sizes, so that search results automatically filter for clothes (and shoes!) that are most likely to fit you.

In-Person Thrifting Parallel: In a thrift store, I start sifting through the racks that are labeled with sizes that I usually wear. While items are sometimes misplaced and clothing sizes can be quite arbitrary, this serves as a starting point for locating items that are worth trying on.
ThredUP Feature Analysis: Because I toggled on “Always Apply My Sizes,” all searches automatically filter for the sizes I selected. If I want to adjust the sizes, I can easily edit them — size is the first option under Filters. ThredUP takes sizing a step further by providing specific measurements (such as waist or chest) in the product details. These measurements have helped me avoid buying items that are in my common sizes, but wouldn’t actually work for me. Ultimately, My Sizes frees up cognitive space, so I can focus on the finer details of the shopping process.