Pre-Owned Fashion Under ₹500

Bundles are where the value is

At this price, one garment rarely justifies a trip across town for either of you. The best buys in this band are lots: five shirts, a set of kurtas, a child's clothing bundle in one size. Search for sellers near you, ask whether they have more in your size, and buy several items at once. Many sellers clearing a wardrobe will happily group items together rather than deal with separate buyers.

Ask for measurements every time

Label sizes are unreliable across brands, and at this price sellers often do not know the original brand sizing. Ask for the garment laid flat and measured: chest or bust, waist, shoulder and total length. For footwear, ask for the insole length in centimetres rather than the marked size. Two minutes of messaging prevents a wasted trip for something that will not fit.

Condition checks

• Underarms, collar and cuffs — where wear and discolouration show first.
• Pilling and thinning — hold the fabric up to light; thin patches mean the garment is near the end of its life.
• Zips, buttons and hooks — test every one. A broken zip is often not worth repairing at this price.
• Footwear soles and heels — check for uneven wear and whether the sole is separating.
• Smell — mustiness means it was stored damp, and does not always wash out.

Before you wear it

Wash or dry-clean everything before use, regardless of what the seller says. Ask when it was last cleaned anyway, since it tells you how the item was stored. Remember that there are no returns on a private sale, which is exactly why measurements and a proper look in daylight matter.