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100 tips

100 Clothing & Secondhand Fashion Tips

Everything worth knowing about smart buying and selling of secondhand clothes, sizing & fit, pricing, photography, styling, care and closet organization — one tidy collection from the Take2 team.

🛍️ Smart secondhand buying

  1. 1Set a budget before you start — secondhand tempts you to buy more because prices are low.
  2. 2Search by brand and size to cut straight to what’s relevant.
  3. 3Save searches and items to "favourites" — a secondhand piece is one-of-a-kind and goes fast.
  4. 4Follow sellers whose style speaks to you — they list similar pieces again.
  5. 5Buy quality basics secondhand (jeans, a coat, a white shirt) — they’re especially worth it.
  6. 6Check the brand’s size chart, not just the label — sizing varies between brands and countries.
  7. 7Don’t settle for an "almost" piece — if it’s not perfect now, it’ll stay in the closet.
  8. 8Look for luxury brands in the less-popular categories — that’s where the bargains hide.
  9. 9Read the item description and materials — quality fabric survives far more washes.
  10. 10Shop for next season — end-of-season is the time to find unbeatable deals.

🔍 Inspecting before you buy

  1. 11Zoom into the photos and look for wear, stains, holes or pilling.
  2. 12Check the high-wear areas: underarms, collar, elbows, cuffs and hem.
  3. 13Make sure zippers, buttons and seams are intact and working.
  4. 14Ask the seller questions in chat — exact condition, source of any smell, reason for selling.
  5. 15Ask for an extra photo of a noted flaw — transparency is the sign of a good seller.
  6. 16Mind the fabric: stretchy material that has lost its elasticity won’t bounce back.
  7. 17Look for signs of repair — sometimes fine, sometimes a sign of heavy wear.
  8. 18For leather/suede — check for cracks, dryness and peeling.
  9. 19For knits — look for pilling and stretching; they reveal quality and use.
  10. 20If something’s unclear — better to ask before buying than to be disappointed after.

📏 Sizing & fit

  1. 21Measure a favourite item from your closet and compare its cm to the listing.
  2. 22Know your measurements in cm: bust, waist, hips and length — not just S/M/L.
  3. 23Vintage sizing runs smaller than modern — don’t be scared off by a number.
  4. 24Stretchy fabric is more forgiving; stiff fabric needs an exact size.
  5. 25A slightly large item can be tailored; too small is nearly impossible.
  6. 26For blazers and coats — the shoulders are critical; the rest can be adjusted.
  7. 27For trousers — the rise and hip matter; length is just a hem.
  8. 28For dresses — mind the waist placement and total length relative to your height.
  9. 29Don’t fear men’s sizes for an oversized look — sometimes it’s exactly the cut you want.
  10. 30A good tailor is a secondhand shopper’s best friend — a small alteration changes everything.

🏷️ Selling fast on Take2

  1. 31Write a clear title: item type + brand + standout feature (e.g. "Zara floral maxi dress").
  2. 32Fill in all the details — size, colour, condition and material — a detailed listing sells faster.
  3. 33Price fairly for the condition; a well-priced item sells within days.
  4. 34List several items together — a tidy shop attracts followers and repeat buyers.
  5. 35State the condition honestly — good reviews bring more sales.
  6. 36Reply quickly to messages and offers — an excited buyer doesn’t like to wait.
  7. 37Use AI photo enhancement so the item looks its best (and mark it if you used AI).
  8. 38Add materials to the listing — buyers filter by fabric and it boosts visibility.
  9. 39Share your shop and items on social — a direct link brings buyers.
  10. 40Refresh your shop weekly — fresh items bump you up the feed.

📸 Photographing listings

  1. 41Shoot in natural light near a window — no flash, which flattens colours.
  2. 42A clean, plain background (white/beige wall) keeps the eye on the item.
  3. 43Shoot the item both on a hanger/body and laid flat to show the cut.
  4. 44Add a close-up of the fabric, the label and the seams.
  5. 45Photograph every flaw honestly — it prevents returns and builds trust.
  6. 46Make sure the colour in the photo matches reality — misleading colour disappoints buyers.
  7. 47The main photo matters most — pick the most flattering angle.
  8. 48Keep a consistent photo ratio across the shop — it looks professional.
  9. 49Iron or smooth the item before shooting — wrinkles cheapen the look.
  10. 50Don’t miss special details: buttons, embroidery, weave — they sell the piece.

💰 Pricing right

  1. 51Check prices of similar items on the site before you price.
  2. 52Rule of thumb: an item in excellent condition — about a third to half of the original price.
  3. 53A luxury brand holds value — don’t sell too cheap.
  4. 54A tagged (new) item justifies a higher price — say so.
  5. 55Allow offers — a little negotiation closes deals.
  6. 56A round, clean price looks more attractive.
  7. 57If an item doesn’t sell after a few weeks — lower the price a bit or refresh the photos.
  8. 58Offer a bundle price to anyone buying several items.
  9. 59Factor shipping cost into the overall price.
  10. 60A fair price builds reputation — a happy buyer returns.

✨ Styling & combinations

  1. 61Build a "capsule" — a few basics that mix together into many looks.
  2. 62One statement piece + a clean base = a look that always works.
  3. 63Layers add depth and extend the wearing season.
  4. 64Accessories (belt, jewellery, scarf) elevate a simple piece.
  5. 65Match tones from the same colour family for a polished look.
  6. 66Shoes and belt in the same shade tie a look together.
  7. 67Don’t fear contrast: delicate with rugged, tailored with sporty.
  8. 68A winning cut matters more than a trend — buy for your size.
  9. 69Balance one oversized piece with something fitted.
  10. 70One vintage piece per look adds personality without looking like a costume.

🧺 Care & upkeep

  1. 71Wash cold (30°) — it protects colours, the fabric and your bill.
  2. 72Turn coloured items and denim inside out before washing.
  3. 73Wash less — airing a garment between wears is usually enough.
  4. 74Wool and cashmere — hand wash and dry flat, not on a hanger.
  5. 75Remove a stain immediately, blot (don’t rub), and wash only after it’s gone.
  6. 76Remove wool pills with a fabric shaver to refresh knits.
  7. 77Hang shirts and fold knits — to keep their shape.
  8. 78Avoid the dryer for elastane blends — heat ruins the stretch.
  9. 79Store in a dry, ventilated closet; lavender against moths.
  10. 80For the full guide, see our garment-care page.

🪟 Closet organization

  1. 81Empty everything once a season — it’s easier to see what you have and what’s excess.
  2. 82A "one in, one out" rule keeps the closet balanced.
  3. 83What you haven’t worn in a year — probably time to sell or donate.
  4. 84Vertical folding in drawers saves space and shows everything at a glance.
  5. 85Matching hangers give a clean, tidy look.
  6. 86Arrange by category and colour — it shortens the morning decision.
  7. 87Store seasonal items separately in breathable fabric bags.
  8. 88Keep a "to repair" shelf so items aren’t forgotten.
  9. 89What leaves the closet — sell it on Take2 instead of throwing it away.
  10. 90A small, quality closet is worth more than a full one you don’t wear.

🌍 Sustainability & responsible fashion

  1. 91Every secondhand item saves water, energy and carbon versus new production.
  2. 92Buying secondhand extends a garment’s life and reduces textile waste.
  3. 93Choose quality over quantity — a good piece lasts for years.
  4. 94Repair instead of discard — a small stitch extends a garment’s life.
  5. 95Prefer biodegradable natural fibres over synthetics.
  6. 96Cold washing and fewer washes shrink your footprint.
  7. 97Sell or donate items you don’t wear — give them a second life.
  8. 98Avoid "fast fashion" — it’s cheap but costly to the planet.
  9. 99Upcycle an old piece into a new one instead of getting rid of it.
  10. 100Mindful buying is a statement — fashion can be beautiful and responsible.

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