How to Shop TheRealReal
Do you remember the days when our Tumblr dash was saturated with gifs of Naomi Campbell in the 90s? How we wished we could own the, now vintage, runway looks of Vivienne Westwood, Valentino, or Chanel. Or maybe you’ve been noticing the comeback of ballet flats and, like me, light a candle every night so that the Simone Rocha platform ballerina shoes will fall from the heavens into your lap. Lovers of luxury awaken! Luxury brands need no longer to remain a figment of our dreams. There are ways to obtain the designer items you’ve saved to your Pinterest board. So, put on those cute lil blue light glasses of yours and prepare for a lesson in shopping on TheRealReal.
TheRealReal is an online and brick-and-mortar global marketplace for authenticated luxury items. The circular economy is at the center of their ethos. TheRealReal’s mission is to “extend the lifestyle of luxury.” We realize TheRealReal has been a topic of controversy in recent years over their authentication processes. But we believe in allowing Sustainable Baddies to make the conscious choice of where they shop themselves, no judgment! Especially, if they are mindfully trying to shop more sustainably.
In my many hours spent on TheRealReal (I beg you not to check my screen time) I’ve picked up on a few things that have allowed me to purchase some of the most unique and cherished pieces in my closet, by my favorite designers, for highly discounted prices. You must be calculated and cunning when it comes to shopping resale luxury, and if you are, I promise you will own that designer bag for half the price! With that being said, let’s get into it. 😈
Getting Set Up
Once you make your account *fly-like hand rub* you’re ready to start exploring. Don’t forget to check your welcome email before checking out for the first time because TheRealReal gives shoppers $25 off their first purchase. You can also peruse the marketplace through the app or a web browser, for more sophisticated virtual luxury hunting.
TheReal Real’s default settings has a feature called “My Sizes'' that you can enable during your searches. When enabled, TheRealReal will only show search results in your sizes. I recommend inputting your sizes and enabling “My Sizes” before starting your searches. I would hate to see you find the item of your dreams only for you to realize that it’s not in your size.
Know Who You’re Looking For
If you’re relatively new to high fashion or luxury items, TheRealReal’s Editors Picks is a great place to explore different brands and find out who you like!
Photo: Marine Serre dress
If it was 2011 I would have recommended scrolling through Tumblr for inspo. But given our mother is no longer who she once was, I would recommend checking out Pinterest mood boards or scrolling through your faves’ Instagrams to see who they are wearing.
In case you really don’t know where to start, a few of my personal faves are Miu Miu, Simone Rocha, Jean Paul Gautier, Blumarine, Anna Sui, Rodarte, and Chopova Lowena.
Read the Description and Zoom In
If you find an item you really like, but the price is outside of your budget. Read the item title and the description and try those keywords in the search bar. This is another great way to discover new brands and likely, lower prices.
Just because an item is marked as “vintage” doesn’t mean it doesn’t have a few wrinkles from the time it took to gain that title. Some of the items on TheRealReal date back to the 80s, 70s, even 60s. Make sure to check the condition of the item, which can range from Fair to Pristine. Click on the item photos and zoom in to get a better look. The item color and condition might look different when zoomed out. I say this because I once bought a green bag, thinking it was black. Zoom girly!
Photo: Alexa Chung blouse
Refine andSave Your Searches
In case you find an obscure designer that you really like and don’t want to forget their name or just don’t want to keep typing the same thing into the search bar over and over, TheRealReal has the option of saving your searches. After saving a search you can find them on the “My TRR” tab. I like to check back every now and then to see what’s new in stock.
This is also really helpful if there is a specific design you’re in search of but haven’t yet found the item that has made it past “Add To Cart.” For example, I’m looking for a pair of riding boots (less Christian-girl-autumn, more Mia Thermopolis riding side saddle on a horse) but haven’t quite found the boots for me yet. I saved the search “Riding Boots” and will check back periodically to see if my dream boots have arrived at TheRealReal’s warehouse.
I also like to play with their filters and occasionally check the “Vintage” box so that I only see vintage items in my search results. It’s no secret that luxury items are outside of most peoples price range. Personally, I’m a filter: low-high girl and will set a maximum price, but you do you! Check off Editors Pick or hide the sold items if you don’t want to see them.
Pro tip: Don’t ignore pieces because they have already sold, use them as inspo, or maybe join the waitlist. That item might come back.
Play the Waiting Game…
If you really want a piece but the price isn’t super sexy then the best advice I can give you is to wait. More often than not, TheRealReal will discount that item just a bit more and you might be able to get it for a more affordable price. You do run the risk of someone else buying the item, but sometimes that's a risk you have to be willing to take if it means getting a sweet deal. TheRealReal also occasionally has sales, so it might be worth waiting for the next discount code to purchase.
My Obsessions
No, you don’t understand, I’m obsessed. No, but really, I love that you can heart items as you look through the app that will appear in the Obsessions page. I don’t necessarily treat this page like it’s a wishlist but more like a style inspo board. I’m not going to stop myself from hearting a ruby necklace just because it’s $38,000. A girl can dream 🥸
I also use the Obsessions page to track those items that I’m hoping for a price drop on. I definitely won’t buy everything that I add to my Obsessions, but it gives me an idea of the style of a designer or era I like and then maybe I can find something similar by another designer.
TheRealReal is more than just clothes…
TheRealReal sells more than just designer clothing. They also sell luxury furniture, jewelry, accessories, and home decor. Tell me why there’s a really cute dresser listed for only $33 right now??? And I just found a Barbie Doll from the 90s that my sister had when we were kids. I hope she doesn’t read this because that’s her Christmas present.
The sunglasses… I will be purchasing my next sunglasses and spectacle frames on TheRealReal and getting them formulated. It will probably be more economic that way. Though I’ve yet to purchase anything besides clothing on TheRealReal it is a great place to find unique furniture, knick-knacks, and additions to your home.
Photo: Reformation dress
Returns
Returning an item at TheRealReal can be a little bit tricky. Here are some things to keep an eye out for:
Try the piece on before taking the tag off! Some items become non-returnable once the tag is ripped off. Don’t take that tag off babes. I have made that mistake.
Some sale items are also marked as non-returnable. Check the conditions before checking out because that item you’re iffy about might not be returnable.
Make sure to return before the return period closes. Online returns must be requested within 14 days of shipment and returned within 21 days.
If you miss the return date or took that tag off (ughhh I told you not to!) the item might still qualify to be consigned with TheRealReal. They will help you resell the item and will provide a free shipping label to get it from you.
Now my sweet sweet baddie, I think you are ready to scroll through TheRealReal. Scroll without rose colored glasses, but wide eyed with the excitement of treating yourself. Have fun! And don’t forget to @ Sustainable Baddie in your luxury outfit pics!