We all have that friend. The one who scores the perfect pair of worn-in Levi’s at Salvation Army and who just “happens” upon a vintage Coach crossbody at Goodwill.

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The one whose effortlessly cool style makes you question why anyone would ever shop at a mall — until, of course, you spend four hours in a dust-covered store finding nothing but a headache.

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Some people seem genetically programmed to rescue those once-and-lifetime gems from the chaos of a thrift rack.

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While we can't replicate their magic touch, we can pay them to shop for us.

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What is a thrift bundle (aka style bundle)?

Today’s online resellers are moonlighting as personal shoppers by offering thrift bundles, also commonly known as style bundles or style boxes, i.e., carefully curated secondhand items tailored to your style and size.

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(A tip for the homebodies out there: There are plenty of decor sellers adopting the style bundle, too — you might see them called mystery bundles, surprise boxes, decor bundles, etc.)

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Simply choose the number of items you want, fill out a deeply detailed questionnaire, and wait (impatiently) for your haul to arrive.

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Like most of the internet’s promises, thrift bundles are at once intriguing and terrifying. Because like walking into a thrift store IRL, you never know what you’re going to get.

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Unless you do your due diligence of vetting your seller, you have just as much of a chance at scoring a vintage leather jacket as you do a box of recycled Shein.

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To see if these curated secondhand wardrobes are really worth the hype, I ordered a mini-bundle from reseller Arianna Davis (a dancer, actor, and singer who sells secondhand clothes via her business, @_thrifts_by_ari).

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Armed with only a Pinterest board and a very vague description of my personal style, she still somehow found three items that fit seamlessly into my wardrobe: a ruffled crochet duster, a vintage silk slip and the Madewell gingham midi skirt of my dreams — all of which fit like a glove.

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Arianna is clearly that friend.

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So I spoke with her and fellow vintage reseller Abbey Crittenden, co-founder of The Siren Collective, to get the scoop on how thrift bundles work, what to expect, and how you, the buyer, can help them deliver the goods.

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How do thrift bundles work?

Think of thrift bundles as less of a mystery bag and more of a personal styling service.

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Rather than sifting through racks of clothes yourself, you pick the number of items you want — bundle sizes vary, but they typically range from three to 18 items — and provide the seller with your size, aesthetic, and any specific goals you have.

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Whether you’re entering your cottagecore era or updating your wardrobe for the fall, your personal thrifter is on the case.

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“Some people love thrifted clothes but don’t feel like they’re good enough to do it by themselves,” says Arianna, who started selling bundles in 2023 because she saw a lack of size inclusivity.

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“I love to make people’s dreams and Pinterest boards come to life, no matter what size they are.”

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The cost is still nowhere near a pricey, designer-filled styling service, and you’re getting more bang for your buck in terms of the number of pieces you receive.

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But you’re also paying for the curation process, which takes time, skill and clear communication.

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Bespoke services rely on thoroughly understanding their client’s needs and preferences.

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So if you want the best possible chance at getting your dream secondhand wardrobe, read on for Arianna and Abbey’s tips on how to work with your bundle reseller.

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How to get the best bundle for your buck
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1. Find someone who matches your aesthetic.

Just like you wouldn’t get a geometric design from a tattoo artist who specializes in watercolour, you shouldn’t expect a preppy-leaning seller to perfectly replicate your whimsy-goth wardrobe.

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Arianna suggests scoping out sellers on Instagram and TikTok to find someone who matches your vibe before making a purchase.

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“Go and look at the bundles they’ve done for other people,” she says.

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“I know not everyone is good at posting content, and I totally understand that, but if I were buying a bundle, I would want someone with a lot of videos that show the work that they’ve done.”

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2. Watch out for red flags.

Back in August, Abbey went viral on TikTok for stitching a video with a buyer who felt her bundle (which was purchased from a different reseller) didn’t match her style at all.

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So if you’re worried about being the victim of a Shein bait-and-switch, she advises looking out for these warning signs:

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Quick turnaround time: A good thrift is rarely instantaneous. If someone claims that they can ship out your bundle within a week, there’s a chance they’re not actually taking enough time to curate pieces for you.

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Overly simplistic questionnaire: Sellers need details to understand your style and preferences. The less they ask, the less likely you are to get a bundle that feels tailored to you.

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No return policy: Even the most gifted thrifters know there’s always a chance something won't work out. If you’re unhappy with what you receive, be sure to ask if there’s a plan in place — be it returns, replacements, or a credit for a future bundle.

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Continued below

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3. Load up that Pinterest board.

While the people-pleaser in me wouldn’t dare subject anyone to the 4,000 pins I’ve organized by season and occasion, Abbey says Pinterest boards are the easiest way to showcase your sense of style — even if it’s aspirational.

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“I love it when I get a Pinterest board that takes me, like, two hours to go through,” she says. “Even if [the clothes] are very similar, it will give me such a good idea of what vibe you're going for.”

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4. Measure yourself and your favourite items.

Most sellers will ask for your body measurements and standard sizes.

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But even with that info, it’s hard to gauge how a piece will fit until you’re actually wearing it.

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To get the best fit, Abbey suggests taking flat-lay measurements of your favourite-fitting items (especially jeans and pants!) and sharing those as well.

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5. Don’t forget your don’ts.

If you’re allergic to wool, hate the colour pink, or have a strict no-crop-top rule, tell your seller.

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Arianna says it’s important to communicate any hard no’s; otherwise, you might end up with a bunch of clothes that you’ll never wear.

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6. Be super specific.

Thrifting for a particular item is always bound to end in heartache. But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t inform your seller of your favourite fabrics, sleeve lengths and shades of blue.

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Arianna pinky swears you’re not annoying your seller with your crazy-long descriptions of how you like your tank tops to fit. As a personal shopper, the more details you can give her, the better.

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“We got to know why certain things fit a certain way,” she says. “Like, ‘Yes, I’m a size small, but sometimes I wear a size medium because I have broad shoulders,’ or ‘I have thicker size, but my calves are small, so I have a hard time finding pants.’”

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Sure, filling out that level of detail may be tedious, but if you want your seller to take the time to really find your hidden gems, it’s worth putting in the work on your end, too.

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7. But keep an open mind.

While Abbey welcomes a challenge to find that holy grail item, she also believes that an itemized list of must-haves defeats the purpose of a thrift bundle.

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“I won't always respond to a person if they have a very, very specific idea of what they’re looking for,” the Boston-based seller says.

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“That’s not the spirit of a thrift bundle. Having a general style goal and wanting to update your wardrobe in a specific direction is usually the best way to get the most out of it.”

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So rather than asking for two patterned vests, a pair of bell bottoms, and a faux fur coat, tell the seller that you're looking for '70s-inspired pieces or boho-chic staples to update your summer wardrobe.

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Remember, surprise is part of the fun. Lean into it.

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Where to find thrift bundles

Here are a few sellers to check out that offer this styling service.

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Thrifts by Ari | @_thrifts_by_ari

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The Siren Collective | @thesirencollective
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Elizabeth O. Vintage | @elizabethovintage

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Saint Ivy Vintage | @saintivyvintage

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Uncloseted by Andie | @unclosetedbyandie

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Vervain Vintage | @vervain_vintage

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Honour Thrifts | @honour.thrifts

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A Curated Thrift | @a_curated_thrift

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The Goods Vintage | @thegoods.vintage

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Pretty Oddities | @prettyodditiesny

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Emily Blackwood is a freelance journalist based in San Diego, California. She covers entertainment, wellness, travel, home, food, culture—all the things that make life interesting, tantalizing, and just the right amount of weird. Her work has been published in SELF, Apartment Therapy, Stylist, HuffPost, and National Geographic. Learn more at emily-blackwood.com.

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