With thousands of new items uploaded every single day, Vinted can feel a bit overwhelming. It’s easy to get lost in the sheer number of options, and finding exactly what you want can seem like an impossible task. But once you’ve learned a few thrifting tips, it becomes much easier to filter everything out and discover those second-hand bargains.
Whether you're new to Vinted or a long time user struggling to find specific items, this guide will help you refine your searches so you can curate your dream wardrobe without the stress.
How to Find What You Want on Vinted
I have previously written an in-depth guide to Vinted with everything you need to know about the technical side of buying from Vinted including making payments, buyers rights, and how to avoid scams.
This guide is all about thrifting your dream wardrobe with advice that will help you search the app and find exactly what you're looking for, whether it’s a dress you missed out buying in the sale or a one-of-a-kind vintage gem no one else has.
Personalise Your Searches
One of the first things you should do after setting up your Vinted account—aside from adding your payment details!—is to personalise your search settings. Under the personalisation tab on your profile, you’ll find options to input your preferred sizes, brands, and categories.
This will ensure that every search you make is automatically filtered to only show items in your size and preferred style—avoiding the frustration of finding the perfect item only to realise it won’t fit or isn’t available in your size.
Be Specific with Keywords
The most crucial aspect of finding what you want on Vinted is using very specific keywords. General searches like “jeans” or “dress” will give you thousands of results to sift through, and most of them won’t be what you’re looking for. To save time and get closer to your dream wardrobe, you need to narrow down your search by including details that matter to you.
If you’re looking for something like a dress or a pair of jeans, make sure to include as many descriptive words as you can about the style, fit, and even the occasion. For instance, "high-waisted straight leg size 10 jeans" or "black tiered sleeveless evening dress size 8." By including these defining features, you’ll filter out irrelevant options and have more chance of finding exactly what you want.
One of the most frequent questions I get on TikTok is, "What keywords do you use to find items on Vinted?" The answer is simple: be really specific! Think about all the things that make an item perfect for you. Do you prefer cropped or oversized? Is a particular sleeve length important? What about the fabric? Including these details in your search drastically improves the quality of your results. Be clear and precise, and you’ll end up with the right match.
Use Filters to Narrow Down Your Search
While keywords are essential for describing the item you're looking for, filters are your secret weapon for fine-tuning your search. After typing in your detailed search terms, use the filters to narrow down your results even further.
Vinted allows you to filter by category, size, colour, brand, condition, and price range. Using these filters in combination with detailed keywords is the best way to cut down on the number of items you have to scroll through to find the items you’re interested in.
Save Your Favourite Searches
If you’re looking for something very specific that might take a while to find, use Vinted’s “save search” function. This is the best way to snag items that are hard to come by, like sold-out pieces from a recent collection or unique vintage finds.
By saving your search, you can quickly and easily check back later to see if anything new that matches your criteria has been listed. This also avoids you wasting time on repeating the same searches over and over again.
Use the ‘Favourite’ Function
Favouriting items isn’t just for things you want to buy—it’s also a useful tool to help Vinted learn what you like. When you favourite an item, even if it’s not quite right (maybe the wrong size or colour), Vinted’s algorithm will start recommending similar items to you in the "Recommendations" section.
A lot of sellers don’t use the best keywords, which can make their listings hard to find. By favouriting items that are close to what you want, you’re giving Vinted a chance to recommend the right piece later on. This increases your chances of finding what you want, even if it’s poorly listed or would have otherwise been missed in a regular search.
Look At Recommendations
Don’t underestimate the power of Vinted’s recommendations. As you continue to search and favourite items, the algorithm gets better at understanding your preferences. The "Recommendations" section is a great way to discover hidden gems that may not show up in your regular searches, especially when items are poorly listed or missing key details.
Most of my Vinted purchases haven’t come directly from searches but from the Recommendations page. Vinted’s algorithm has learned my style over time and often suggests items that didn’t appear in regular searches—either because they were poorly listed or missing key details. It’s also great for suggesting items I hadn’t thought to look for, but match my style perfectly.
Turn Notifications On
If you’re actively searching for a hard-to-find item, turning on push notifications is a must. Vinted will notify you when new items matching your saved searches are listed, or when a seller drops the price on something you’ve favourited. Since items can sell quickly, these notifications make sure you don’t miss out on your dream item.
Check Regularly
Patience is essential when shopping for your dream wardrobe on Vinted. With thousands of items listed every day, it’s important to check the app frequently, especially if you’re after something specific. Make it a habit to browse through your saved searches daily—you never know when that perfect piece will be listed.