In 2023, buying second hand is cooler than ever. Not only do you get access to luxury brands at more affordable prices. Finding rare, vintage and limited-edition items has never been easier. Although the coolest reason of all is that buying pre-loved means you are doing something concrete to protect the environment. This planet-saving-power is driving the pre-loved market to become a global phenomenon. Experts forecast the multibillion-dollar resale industry will reach $77 billion by 2025.

 However, buying second-hand, especially at online platforms like Lampoo, might still look a bit challenging for newcomers. And surely one of the pitfalls of purchasing pre-loved is how to navigate sizing. The difficulty lies right here: in not having an unequivocal answer. 

But, don’t panic: you can follow some basic tips to make your second-hand shopping experience fun and most of all successful.  

Sizing varies dramatically from brand to brand, and that becomes even more evident when it comes to vintage clothes. That means that you need to have at least one unwavering certitude: your measurements. Always use a cloth measuring tape. For more accurate results, have someone else measure you. Don’t hold the tape measure tightly against your body, but firmly please! And keep it parallel to the floor for circumference measurements. Store these in a note on your phone: they will become your best shopping allies. 

Since sizing changes from brand to brand and also from item to item of the same label, details about the fit are precious. Carefully read the product sheet to get key information about the item you would like to purchase. If measurements are given, double-check them, and when it comes to items that are particularly popular, ask questions on forums to get feedback from other consumers. 

Since sizing changes from brand to brand and also from item to item of the same label, details about the fit are precious. Carefully read the product sheet to get key information about the item you would like to purchase. If measurements are given, double-check them, and when it comes to items that are particularly popular, ask questions on forums to get feedback from other consumers. 

If you aim to put your hands on a designer item, make sure to go through the brand’s size chart at its online store. Match the measurements in the products page with the ones included in the official chart, you will easily find out what’s your true size.  

Since finding the right size when buying second-hand is far from being an exact science, choosing an online platform like Lampoo, who accepts returns and exchanges, makes securing the right size less daunting. It allows you to be a little braver and take some fashion risks! OK, now you are ready to navigate the ocean of second-hand shopping… one inch at a time.   

Written by Alessandra Turra