Vinted is a leading online marketplace for buying and selling second-hand, pre-loved clothes and items, making it a form of digital or "online thrifting". While traditional thrifting involves physical charity shops, Vinted offers a similar experience of finding affordable, unique items, but operates as a peer-to-peer platform.
Vinted is a diverse community marketplace dedicated to making second-hand first choice. Every day millions of our members buy and sell pre-loved items across Europe. Sell without fees and browse unique, quality items – including fashion, electronics, home decor, pet supplies, and more.
Charity shops may also be referred to as thrift stores in the United States and Canada (a term which also includes some for-profit stores such as Savers), hospice shops, resale shops (a term that in the United States also covers consignment shops), opportunity (or op) shops (in Australia and New Zealand), and second- ...
The most sold items on Vinted are typically branded casualwear, activewear, outerwear, Y2K/vintage fashion, and kidswear, with popular brands like Nike, Adidas, Zara, and H&M moving quickly, especially when offered in bundles or as part of trending aesthetics like "coquette" or "+sizes". Footwear, accessories, and unopened beauty products also perform well, alongside home décor and books.
In the UK, "thrifting" is primarily called shopping at charity shops, where donated items are sold to raise money for good causes, with popular examples being Oxfam, British Heart Foundation, and Cancer Research UK. Other related terms for finding second-hand bargains include bargain hunting, visiting car boot sales (similar to garage sales in a field), and exploring vintage stores or online marketplaces.
WHAT HAVE I DONE!? Thrifting from Vinted vs Charity Shops
What is the English version of a thrift store?
I've always thought THRIFT STORES were what the North Americans call CHARITY SHOPS (or CHAZZERS as we sometimes call them in the UK). They're run by all kinds of different charities and people donate stuff to them and they sell it - clothes, books, old DVDs, vinyl records, kids' stuff, etc.
If you've ever heard someone say they're going to go thrifting, you might be wondering what they mean. Simply put, thrifting means to go shopping at a thrift store, garage sale, or flea market where you'll find gently used items at discounted prices.
Generation Z (Gen Z) is often labeled the "unhappiest generation," reporting higher rates of anxiety, depression, and despair than previous generations at the same age, driven by factors like intense social media use, economic instability, academic pressure, and growing up amidst global crises (pandemic, climate change) that have disrupted traditional life paths, challenging the "happiness hump" where midlife was usually the lowest point, with unhappiness now hitting young people earlier, say researchers from Dartmouth College and other universities.
The popularity of thrifting is negatively impacting low-income folks who depend on thrifting to put clothes on their backs. Great deals and being sustainable by thrifting can lead to overconsumption. Buying from secondhand stores causes the need to wash more clothes.
Most fake buyer scams start with a friendly and eager message saying they want to buy your item right away. They often ask to move the conversation off the Vinted app, suggesting email, WhatsApp, or text instead. While this might seem easier, it's actually a big warning sign.
According to recent research, just under half of people in England and Wales are shopping more in charity shops, or considering doing so due to the rising cost of living.
Shimokitazawa in Tokyo is known worldwide for its thrifting culture, but it's not the only one of its kind in Japan — there are more places scattered across the archipelago that are just waiting to be discovered.
Women's fashion sells best on Vinted, with dresses, shoes, handbags, and accessories leading the platform in 2026. Men's casual wear, outerwear, and designer sneakers are also top performers, along with fast-moving kids' bundles and toys.
