Going eco-friendly doesn’t mean sacrificing your style anymore! These fashion forward apps make secondhand shopping easy and stylish.

With buying and selling used clothing becoming more and more popular, there are more choices than ever. While it’s amazing that there is a surge in this eco-friendly shopping habit, having such a wide range of options can be overwhelming. So I’ve narrowed it down to four essential apps that make secondhand shopping a breeze.

The 4 Best Apps for Secondhand Shopping

1. Poshmark

Poshmark is Instagram’s shopping counterpart. This app offers women’s, men’s, and children’s clothing sold by users through their “Closet”. Poshmark encourages users to snap photos of their wardrobe with their iPhone, add a quick filter, and post to the app so you can sell quickly. It also makes buying clothes easier with a few handy hacks.

When you sign up, you’ll be asked for your sizes and favorite brands. Once that’s complete, your feed will be filled with potential new additions to your closet. When you search for items, it’ll filter out anything that’s not your size. Easy and practical!

A tip for shopping on Poshmark is to use the “Like” feature. Once you like an item,  you’ll receive notifications if the seller reduces the price. Sometimes, Poshmark will even offer you free or reduced shipping on the item.

You can also make an offer to a seller if you feel the item is worth less than its listed for. Just be sure to make a reasonable offer, low-balling is frowned upon and will decrease your chances of doing business with that seller.

2. eBay

eBay has been around since 1995 but it’s still going strong as a leading source for consumer-to-consumer sales. The app makes it even easier to navigate the often overwhelming platform.

I like to use eBay for secondhand shopping only, not selling. While eBay offers all different categories, you can easily sort to only see women’s, men’s, or children’s clothing. You can also sort by size once you select your category and select the condition you are seeking (i.e. new with tags, new without tags, or pre-owned.)

I particularly like to use it when I am searching for a specific item. I’ll search for the brand name and style name or description and if there aren’t any listings for the item, I’ll set an alert so it will email me when an item matching the search term is listed.

3. thredUP

ThredUP is a clean and easy to navigate app that’s ideal for minimalists. The no fuss design makes it simple to search and find used women’s and children’s clothing. ThredUP also offers a search filter that allows you to select your sizes so you only see items that fit you.

Unlike Poshmark, thredUP handles the sales by having its users send in their clothing to thredUP. Then, the items are evaluated by thredUP, photographed professionally, and listed for sale. This is great for shoppers who are hesitant to buy directly from a stranger. This also means that you can return items that didn’t work out without any hassle.

4. Tradesy

Tradesy offers authenticated secondhand designer clothing, handbags, and shoes for women. This app is ideal for women who love luxury items but want to reduce their environmental impact. The app offers a wide range of designers from Chanel to Stella McCartney.

The app has a clean design, easy-to-use interface, and high-quality product photos. Once a user submits photos of their items, Tradesy enhances the photos and then suggests a price. Users can return their purchases directly to Tradesy and can contact Tradesy by phone or email for support if they have any issues.

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It’s that scary nightmare moment for pregnant women: the day the jeans no longer button up. But maternity shopping for clothes doesn’t have to be a step towards mom jeans.

Okay, the truth is, gaining pregnancy weight is not a nightmare. Well, not entirely. But it’s not exactly thrilling to look at a closet full of clothes you might never fit into again. I’ve heard stories. My midwife told me I can expect to see a half-size increase in my shoes, possibly permanently. These are expenses they don’t exactly tell you to calculate into the cost of raising a child.

Before I can even fantasize about new heels, or a new pair of (ahem) skinny jeans, I have several more months of making a bowling ball jutting out from my midsection look fashionable. In the dead of summer. Shorts? With these swollen ankles and incredibly cruel thighs?

And, of course, I’m trying to keep my pregnancy as eco-friendly as possible. My baby’s daddy is convinced I already own enough clothing to keep myself and our daughter well-styled for decades. “She’ll grow into it,” he says.

But, the truth is, despite my stockpile of clothing, few things actually fit over my belly. As a stay-at-home writer and editor, I have it pretty easy. My 5-mile daily walk or visit to the midwife hardly warrant expensive outfits. Still though, I can’t possibly wear my oversized AC/DC concert shirt everywhere, can I?

So, off I went to make the rounds at local thrift stores for my official maternity shopping. Here’s what I learned:

1. Avoid maternity shops: Even the secondhand ones. They’re generally overpriced, and they want to sell you items like those lovely jeans with the stretchy waistband that you’ll never ever wear after you’re done being pregnant. Some maternity shop salespeople can also make you feel a bit insecure about the way your body is holding the baby and distributing weight. Insecure women tend to overshop. You’ve got other things to worry about.

2. Buy secondhand: Even if you’re not normally a secondhand shopper, whether or not you’re going to ever wear an item again after your belly shrinks back and your thighs stop playing cruel games, you don’t have to spend a ton on new items. Shopping secondhand can take more time to find suitable items (they rarely organize by size), but hey, at the very least, all that walking from rack to rack and trying clothes on counts as exercise, I’m pretty sure. Besides, you’ll need that money later, trust me.

3. Look for multi-function items: Once the baby’s born, you’re a mom. That does not mean you have to dive into a minivan and buy those high-waisted mom jeans. But you might want to reconsider skirt length and heel height, just a tad. Some maternity suitable items can be worn long after the baby has come and gone. Think flowy dresses and skirts, stylish but loose tops. Can a baggy dress for now take on a new look with a belt later? Probably.

4. Buy for the entire pregnancy: You probably have to start maternity shopping by the beginning of your second trimester, when you’re still barely showing. Look for items that you can wear for the entire pregnancy, rather than just for a few more weeks. Loose fitting shirts and yoga-type pants with stretching waistbands are your friend.

5. Less is more: Even if you work in an office and have to dress professionally, it’s perfectly acceptable if your pregnancy wardrobe is significantly less varied than your normal wardrobe. Pick solid colors and simple patterns that aren’t too memorable, so when you do wear them frequently, it will be less noticeable.

6. Accessorize: Just because belts are now out of the question doesn’t mean you can’t dress up an outfit with a scarf or a piece of jewelry. Those little touches can make an outfit feel more fun and give you several ways to wear something.

7. Don’t try to hide: Early on you may look like you’ve just gained a bit of weight, and of course, the tendency is to hide that. If I’ve learned anything during my pregnancy it’s that as terrifying as this all is, I can do this—from the birth to the day she leaves home. Confidence is an ally in parenting, and that means starting by flaunting that belly, no matter how big or small—those cruel thighs, too.

Keep in touch with Jill on Twitter @jillettinger

Image: Inhabitat

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Be a better vintage shopper. Luxury resale industry veteran Amanda Jungman shares tips and tricks that will turn you into a savvy vintage shopping pro in no time.

Shopping vintage is a great way to be consciously stylish without breaking the bank. However, anyone who has ever ventured into a vintage store knows that finding pre-loved treasures is not always easy.

We asked luxury resale industry veteran Amanda Jungman, owner of Socialite Auctions, to share some tips and tricks that will turn you into a vintage shopping pro in no time.

First of all, where does one start? “Large cities tend to have the best selection of high end designer lines,” says Jungman, “but you can often find good vintage pieces in smaller cities as well.”

When buying investment pieces, it’s important to know details that ensure the item’s authenticity.

What about the Internet? “There are more sites than ever selling pre-owned goods online. eBay is the largest marketplace and a great site for scoring deals. Etsy is a good resource for vintage, but do your research before purchasing brands like Chanel and Hermes [as there are lots of fakes out there].”

To avoid being sold counterfeit items, Jung recommends learning the basics about the pre-owned luxury items you are shopping for, such as how certain designers stamp their pieces. Chanel, for example, uses hologram stickers in all of their handbags (with exception for some vintage bags). “Since you may not be able to touch the items,” she says, “carefully review all the photos and ask questions. It helps if you know what to look for so refer to help guides online for brands like Chanel and Hermes. The PurseForum is a great source for help with authenticating items, and I offer a guide for deciphering Hermes date stamps on my blog.” Buy from a trusted source — look at store reviews and customer feedback and always read the store’s policies to make sure they guarantee their items are 100 percent authentic and offer a hassle-free money back guarantee.

Always check labels for signs of authenticity

If you are buying high-end vintage online, it’s important to know your size before investing in a pricey piece. Before shopping for shoes, Jungman suggests that you spend a day at a high-end department store trying on Manolo Blahniks and Christian Louboutins for size. With clothing, it’s all about your measurements. Some items may have been altered and the only way to be sure that something will fit is to compare it to your own measurements. Another important thing to note is that a size 8 from the 1950s will not fit a size 8 today, as sizing has been adjusted for a, shall we say, growing population.

Shopping vintage is a great way to get more bang for your buck. “You can find many items marked up to 90 percent off retail,” Jungman says. “For rare items such as vintage Chanel handbags, you can expect to pay close to today’s retail cost if the item is in pristine condition.”

Shopping for vintage Manolos online? Visit a department store to make sure you know your size.

So what about haggling, is that ever OK? Sometimes, Jungman says, but do your research and be armed with information such as the retail and sale price of the item before offering a lower price than the seller is asking. “A tactful way to ask for a discount,” she says, “is to simply ask ‘What is your best price?’ Sites such as eBay have sellers that list items with ‘best offer.’ This is a great way to find good deals.”

Resale is also a good way to make some money. Timeless investment pieces will always have a good resale value if properly cared for. If you’re looking to sell something, make sure to bring it into the consignment store looking as fabulous as possible (wash or dry clean and iron garments and wipe the insoles and lining of shoes with antibacterial wipes), this will always bring you a better price. When selling online, take flattering, well-lit photos of the garment from all angles. Make sure to include any labels and distinct details as close-ups, but also any flaws — it’s important to honestly represent the item.

In the market for a vintage Chanel suit? Make sure to check the measurements as the item may have been altered.

To be sure to find the best stuff, visit your favorite resale stores often since new pieces are added daily and good ones tend to sell quickly. You’ll also have to be both spontaneous and calculated at the same time. It’s good to make a wish list of items you want but “since there is usually only one of each item,” Jungman says, adding “You’ll need to be prepared to purchase something on the spot because you may not find it again.”

Sign up for your favorite vintage and consignment stores’ mailing list to be sure that you’re always up to date on what’s currently in store.

Happy vintage shopping.

Images courtesy of Socialite Auctions

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Easy-to-find vintage trends are everywhere, you just have to know what to look for when thrift shopping.

Style is a balancing act. We want clothes that are feminine and sleek, tailored but relaxed, to look like we cared but at the same time appear as if it was effortless. And while the overwhelming fashion trend of the last decade has been for individualism, more than ever we are all dressing alike. Take a look around you. Mothers, daughters – and even grandmothers – are all wearing the same uniform of skinny jeans, boots and flowy tops. No wonder second-hand and gently-used clothing is what the cool kids are buying these days; it’s exceedingly unlikely anyone else – especially your mother – will be wearing what you are.

The key to the new way of dressing is to keep an eye on current trends to see what past fashions are being reconstituted now. Some seasons seem to be so revolutionary that we’re breathless at what to make of all the newness, while others like spring and the recent fall fashion shows reinterpret the trends we’ve already seen way-back-when and increasingly, in the oh-so-recent past. Luckily for lovers of secondhand style, the enduring feeling for ’50s-meets-’70s-meets-grunge styles made modern means its simple to create a unique look that’s all your own.

Here are five items that can be found in plentiful supply in vintage and thrift stores and – luckily for you and the planet – are making a comeback in this season’s and fall’s 2013 styles.

Image: nymag.com

1. The Wide Brimmed Fedora – As soon as Heidi Slimane’s Saint Laurent woman strutted down the runway peeking out from under her big brimmed fedora every fast fashion chain added this style to their must-manufacture list. Mysterious and androgynously  alluring, it’s sure to be a hot trend this fall. Yes, you could buy one of the hundreds of thousands of cheap knockoffs about to be widely available, but it’s worth trying to find a vintage one with some provenance and patina – the jackpot benefit of secondhand shopping. I found a similar style at my local resale shop recently. It was an original piece of safari-themed Banana Republic from the late ’70s (before The Gap bought them out). Still in perfect condition, the quality of materials used then is impossible to beat – they just don’t make ‘em like they used to.

Image: UK Marie Claire

2. Pretty Pastels – Anything you can find in baby pink, soft apricot and pale seafoam, just grab it. For fairer skins and complexions not yet tanned by spring sunshine, pastels tones are incredibly flattering to wear this season. The black-on-black trend is huge for fall but many designers were also making a compelling case for winter pastels next season too. It’s the one sweet treat you don’t have to avoid, so go ahead and indulge.

Image: Mark Gregory & Co.

3. The Oversized Watch – The trend for menswear-inspired vintage watches is here to stay. I know it’s a crazy idea, but how about everyone stops buying those vintage-looking time pieces and buy an actual vintage time piece? The joys of wearing upon your wrist an object that has a former owner and its own curious history is a true delight and is naturally, way more interesting looking. Go down to your local jewelry repair shop and take a look at all those lovely looking faces – oh the times they have to tell.

Image: themoderncool.com

4. Full skirts  –  Like the pastel trend, this one comes straight from the ’50s. As the natural continuation of the peplum, this timeless trend also creates a flattering silhouette. Bell-shaped skirts and dresses with pretty ruffled details are huge this spring, but be sure to tone down the romance by pairing with a tucked-in tank top or a cropped jacket – another notable trend this season.

Image: Gotham Magazine

5. Slip dress – Encapsulating the mid-nineties waify wardrobe, the slip dress has re-emerged as the season’s cocktail silhouette. Search in the lingerie section of your vintage store and find the least lacy and most opaque version you can find. Just as it was in the Reality Bites era, the delicate style is best balanced with tough-looking boots and biker jackets.

Top image: Fab sugar

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A number of new startups bring convenience to the second hand fashion world.

When it comes down to it, the best thing you can do for the environment is not buy new clothes. A satisfying second best for those not quite ready for minimalist fashion – and I don’t mean the monochromatic simplicity seen at the recent pre-fall collections – is buying second hand clothing.

A growing number of new startups such as Poshmark, Threadflip, The RealReal, Copius, Tradesy and Twice are targeting online shoppers to buy and sell used clothing from their own closets. P2P. Buying green fashion that fits your style has never been more fun or easy.

According to Lorraine Sanders founder of Digital Style Digest, a blog devoted to the intersection of fashion and technology, the trend marks the second coming of the used goods marketplace. “Ebay and Craigslist certainly are its predecessors. But they haven’t done anything innovative in a decade, and Ebay is now moving away from auction-style buying experiences and towards fixed-price sales.”

This sudden growth and focus on the used clothing space is fueled by a confluence of factors: the cultural phenomenon of sharing your personal style through fashion blogs and the increased popularity of fashion bloggers; the mainstream adoption of transparent social media identities, like Twitter handles and Facebook pages, creating a certain amount of visibility and trust between buyers and sellers in the market; and the widespread ability to take quality photographs with mobile phones. As Sanders notes, “It was only a matter of time before someone figured how to make money out of it.”

With its tradition of innovating around sustainability, it’s not surprising that many of the new companies are based in the San Francisco Bay area. But the eco play of moving multitudes of unused items from the average woman’s closet is not their main message. Instead, it’s the technology behind the creation of these peer-to-peer (p2p) marketplaces and the potential for more collaborative economies and business models that’s getting investors to sit up and take notice.

In contrast to the traditional consignment store’s impersonal image, the real-time social experience features squarely in the center of the new site’s product offering, with each handling the theme of making selling more social in slightly different ways. Threadflip spotlights one-of-a-kind items from the personal collections of its Style Stars, allowing you access to your favorite tastemaker. Poshmark has made its mark throwing Posh Parties thrown around specific themes such as “Back to Basics” and “Jet Set Glamour.” Sanders says, “Users are not just there just to buy, they comment on pieces, each others’ outfits, tweeting – having fun in that social way.”

For many women looking for an easier alternative to sustainable second hand shopping, the sticking point may be the prices. This is not the same as shopping thrift; you won’t see the dollar deals that you’d find at your local Goodwill. Twice – The Clothes You Love, Prices You Can Afford – a company that was originally launched as an online version of Crossroads and Buffalo Exchange quickly implemented the standard brand list limiting viable sales to well known brand names.

And unfortunately, it doesn’t solve the problem of what most people across America have in their wardrobes, which is clothing from Target, H&M and Forever 21. If you want to get a sense of the prices you can charge, Twice has a calculator that will calculate what you can realistically expect to buy and sell for. On the other end of the scale, The RealReal currently has a Hermès Lizard Birkin Bag on sale for $18,500. Clearly, saving money is not the value proposition here. The allure is owning something you can’t find in stores, something fundamentally untrendy.

Moving away from trends has ironically been the most significant fashion trend happening over the last decade. “People have more freedom to set themselves apart and dress in ways you wouldn’t find hanging in a store,” says Sanders. And while that concept might seem very normal to us now, “if you look back 10 years you can see how different it is and how major a shift has actually taken place in fashion.”

Image: thirdwavefashion.com

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Camelot once ruled the Washington fashion scene, but the times they have changed.

While Jackie Kennedy wowed the throng in lavish couture gowns (such as the one depicted in the figurine above) and the signature Cassini pillbox hat, Michelle Obama will most likely not be following suit, even on Jan. 20th, Inauguration Day.

More the well put-together working mom than DAR dilettante, she opted for slim and tailored silhouettes on the campaign trail, wearing affordable J. Crew on talk shows and a lean, coral Maria Pinto sheath to visit the Bush White House. Even her red and black Narcisco Rodriguez dress (which got mixed reviews) was bold without being brazen. Like the rest of us, Michelle can have fun without breaking the bank. Hilary had fun, too, but her taste level was highly questionable, and Laura Bush just aged herself by playing it way too safe.

But like Hilary, Obama is a loyalist when it comes to buying American and supporting local designers (Pinto is from Chicago). She is said to be extremely sensitive to dressing in a way deemed suitable for the times. As historian Carl Sferrazza Anthony explained it to McClatchy News, first ladies have made statements about themselves and the times they live in throughout history, especially in the post-World War II era. “They are symbols of our country,” he says. “They reflect around the world an image of of our country.”

One such reflection is visible to Brendan Hurley, vice president of marketing for Goodwill stores. He told the Washington Times that thrift-shop merchants report far more customers are hunting for formal wear among the Goodwill’s vintage collection. He says the stores are “a great place to find very inexpensive yet beautiful vintage and contemporary high-end fashions for the inaugural festivities.”(That’s what we’ve been saying.)

Of course another reflection is our dash to go green, but it’s doubtful Obama will consider wearing a recycled gown such as the juicy number Nina Valenti produced for Soyeon Lee at Carnegie Hall…one composed of 6,000 misprinted drink pouches. Perhaps that will have to wait.

Meantime, the first lady in waiting has been reviewing various sketches by top designers (such as Mizrahi, below) which were featured in a Womens Wear Daily piece on What Should Obama wear. The article, written in December, opens with the question: “Who says these are bleak times?” It goes on to say how excited American designers are about this “big catch” and many cannot wait to dress the statuesque Michelle. They include Diane Von Fursterberg and Betsey Johnson (bottom) who might have some interesting gowns but the renderings of Michelle are far from flattering.

I think the designer that captures her best would have to be Lagerfeld (below), who provides a hybrid of Jackie and Hillary in a day and night look for the tailored and sophisticated Michelle. The gown and suit might smack of Chanel but I’ve found similar statements at Nordstrom Rack and even among the knitwear at J. Crew. And if I were lucky enough to attend the highly coveted inaugural ball, that’s exactly where I would be looking for a treasure.

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The past year has been a bad one for toxic kid’s products, what with lead paint on imported toys and phthalates in plastic toys. For once, Congress has been quick to act.

A new law is set to go in effect on February 10th that will require all products such as toys, backpacks, clothing and other kids’ gear be tested for lead and phthalates in order to be legally sold.

This is a major step towards ensuring non-toxic products for little ones, but there was also a little scare for children’s thrift and consignment shops and DIY resellers like those found on Etsy (many of them being work-at-home-moms). Had they been required to pay for the expensive testing, most of them would have immediately been put out of business. And it would have dealt a financial blow to the large number of families in an economic crunch who depend on thrift and consignment shops to clothe their fast-growing children.

After hearing a huge consumer response, Congress quickly added a notice that vendors of second-hand children’s goods would be exempt from testing for lead or phthalates.

So what does this mean for thrifty, recycling-minded shoppers? When buying second-hand, use good judgment. Most clothing is safe enough, but avoid metal buttons that may contain lead or parts that can easily break and leach chemicals if a child puts it in their mouth. And when it comes to used toys, cribs and other children’s items, it would probably be best to avoid any imported or plastic products altogether.

Do your research, be smart, and rest assured that as this law goes into effect, safer products will be entering the second-hand product stream, and that’ll make the eco-friendly option of buying gently-used just that much better.

Image: notic

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Vintage and thrift store shopping isn’t for everyone, but I’d recommend it to any one who speaks eco-chic fluently. You’ve heard my spiel on the topic of fashion seconds so I won’t run you over with details, but suffice it to say I’ve found some fantastic designer pieces by stopping in a boutique on a whim.

Stopping in on a whim is easy when the shop is ModCloth. The online store offers everything from vintage duds to vintage-inspired new collections by up and coming designers. The One of a Kind section should be your first stop – it’s where the ecoista in you will find fulfillment. Everything from peep toes to party dresses to patent purses are on hand. Don’t fret that their vintage goods are Sold Out. New stuff will show up after the holiday rush has passed.

ModCloth came to be when a married couple decided her thing for thrift stores and his website savvy could make a business. Now the company has 20 employees and over 300,000 shoppers per month. Success stories such as this help make vintage more than a trend.

Remember, second-hand shopping is all about having a no-agenda attitude. Stay open to whatever speaks to your inner chic. Notice the details of each item – even if the whole piece doesn’t appeal maybe it has charming buttons that you can reuse for something else. It’s also all about having fun!

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