Lifestyle

We tried ThredUp, the online consignment shop fashion bloggers love

LifestylePublished May 25, 2017
By Jessica Torres
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ThredUp

A new online shop for second-hand clothes solves the biggest problems with thrift shopping: digging through piles of clothes and dealing with... smells.

ThredUp carries clothes and accessories for men, women, and kids — and they didn't forget about plus-size fashion. 

Prices run from as low as $1.99 to a dress that sells for $1100.99, while brands run the gamut from Forever 21 to Marc Jacobs. Everything is promised to arrive clean, odor-free, and packaged neatly in a cute shipping box.

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thredup plus size
Fat Girl Flow

We first spotted it on Fat Girl Flow's YouTube channel, but there are tons of ThredUp hauls and unboxings on YouTube.

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Revelist/BrittanyFowler

After watching vloggers talk it up, Mary and I decided to put ThredUp to the test.

We went online and looked for three items that we could incorporate into our wardrobe.

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thread up try on review
Revelist/Brittany Fowler

Mary was up first. With all the options available in her size, Mary made a complete look.

The blazer, ($28.99, Susan Graver) tank top, ($7.99, Ann Taylor LOFT), and pleather leggings ($16.99, Express) shown here are all from ThredUP, while the shoes were Mary's own.

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threadup try on review
Revelist/Brittany Fowler

One of our fears about used clothes was germs. This fear turned into a reality when Mary pulled a used Kleenex out of her pocket!

"I was happy the jacket had pockets. However, when I put my hand in the pocket, I was scarred for life. There was a USED TISSUE in the pocket. I was somewhat confused because I thought they cleaned the items before selling, so I wondered if they really clean them as much as they say," said Mary

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threadup try on review
Revelist/Brittany Fowler

Though there are lots of options for plus-size women on ThredUp, I didn't find them to be as fashionable as the ones in the straight size section. To start, I found this $10 jacket.

Jacket, $9.99, iB Diffusion

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threadup try on review
Revelist/BrittanyFowler

The jacket fit comfortably and the closures worked like they were brand new.

My jackets didn't have pockets, but I was completely fine with it after what happened to Mary.

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threadup try on review
Revelist/Brittany Fowler

Mary's second look had her feeling like Olivia Pope.

"I'm ready to take on the White House," she said. 

Blazer, $49.99, BCBG Max Azria; trousers, $23.99, Eva Mendes; tank top ($7.99, Ann Taylor LOFT; shoes, Mary's own

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Revelist/BrittanyFowler

As comfortable as this blazer was, it wasn't perfect — the snaps were broken.

"I was really excited to see the blazer! I thought the blazer was as cute in person as it was online. It wasn't stiff and felt more like sweatshirt material, which was nice. However, I wish it hadn't kept unbuttoning! There was this little snap that wouldn't stay snapped. I guess I'd have to buy my own closure and have it sewed on the jacket."

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threadup try on review
Revelist/BrittanyFowler

But she still loved the look and quality of the pants.

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Revelist/Brittany Fowler

Since making a complete outfit with separates was not going to happen, I bought a dress.

I love the vintage style of the dress ($28.99, Adrianna Papell). Oddly it was advertised online with a belt but arrived with no belt, which left me with empty loopholes that I'd probably just cut off.

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thread up try on review
Revelist/Brittany Fowler

I actually liked this dress and it suits my style. I just wish it fit a little better.

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threadup try on review
Revelist/Brittany Fowler

For her third and final look, Mary channeled her inner boho goddess.

Top, $19.99, Ann Taylor LOFT; black skirt, $7.99, Old Navy; shoes, Mary's own 

"The top looked like new, and I think for the price — $19.99 compared to $60 retail — it was a good deal. I would've probably gone a size up for a more voluminous, boho vibe. The skirt was a little odd at the top since it bubbled out," she said.

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threadup try on review
Revelist/Brittany Fowler

The peekaboo slit was her favorite part.

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Revelist/Brittany Fowler

The last item I tried on left me in complete shock.

$15.99, Torrid 

These were advertised as pants and the mannequin wore them with a loose fit. I tried them on and they were actually leggings!

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Revelist/Brittany Fowler

Were they comfortable? Yes. Would I buy these again? No.

FINAL THOUGHTS:

Pros:

  • ThredUp carries plus sizes and straight sizes and cuts out the work of searching through thrift store racks. 
  • You can't beat finding tops for almost a dollar.

 

Cons:

  • It promises to be super sanitary but our Kleenex surprise proves otherwise.
  • The options for plus-size women are outdated and limited. The higher you go in size, the fewer options you have. 
  • You only get 14 days to return the clothes for a refund.

 

It's a great business concept that will hopefully get better with time. It's certainly worth checking out if you love thrifting but hate spending hours in thrift stores!

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