The RealReal
Authenticated luxury consignment for actors who want designer pieces at resale prices
Overview
The RealReal is the largest authenticated luxury consignment marketplace, offering designer clothing, shoes, and accessories at significant discounts from retail. Every item is inspected and verified by their team of experts, so you know you are getting the real thing.
For actors, The RealReal is a way to build a high-quality wardrobe for events, press days, and industry meetings without paying full designer prices. You can find current-season pieces alongside timeless classics from brands like Gucci, Prada, and Saint Laurent.
How It Works
The platform operates online and through physical consignment offices in major cities. Items range from gently used to new-with-tags, and detailed condition notes accompany every listing.
Prices vary widely depending on the brand and condition, but discounts of 40 to 80 percent off retail are common. Flash sales and promotional events offer even deeper savings on already-reduced items.
Who Uses It
An excellent resource for actors who want to invest in a few standout designer pieces for their public-facing wardrobe. Selling pieces you no longer need through the platform can also offset the cost of new acquisitions. The RealReal's authentication process provides confidence that every item is genuine, which is important when you are wearing designer pieces in public settings where industry professionals and press photographers will notice details. Their editorial content and buyer guides also help you make informed decisions about which brands and styles hold their value best over time.
Pricing & Plans
The RealReal's pricing structure is based on market-driven consignment, with items typically listed at 40 to 80 percent below their original retail price depending on brand, condition, and demand. Entry-level designer pieces from brands like Theory, Vince, and AllSaints can be found for $30 to $150, while premium luxury items from Chanel, Hermes, and Louis Vuitton range from $200 to several thousand dollars, still at significant discounts from retail. The platform charges sellers a commission that varies by consignment tier, but as a buyer you simply pay the listed price plus applicable tax and shipping. Shipping costs are typically $12 to $20 for standard delivery, with express options available at higher rates. Flash sales and promotional events, which occur several times per month, can offer an additional 20 to 40 percent off already-reduced consignment prices. Compared to buying the same pieces new at retail, or even from discounted outlets, The RealReal consistently offers the best prices on authenticated luxury goods available online.
Pros & Cons
What's Great
The RealReal's rigorous authentication process, conducted by a team of trained experts and gemologists, is its most critical differentiator and gives buyers confidence that every piece is genuine. The breadth of inventory is staggering, with hundreds of thousands of items across clothing, shoes, handbags, jewelry, and accessories from virtually every major luxury brand. Detailed condition reports using a standardized grading system let you understand exactly what you are purchasing, from pristine new-with-tags pieces to gently worn items with honest descriptions of any wear. The platform's commitment to sustainability by extending the lifecycle of luxury goods appeals to environmentally conscious actors who want to look their best without contributing to new production waste. Physical consignment offices in New York, Los Angeles, and other cities allow you to inspect items in person before purchasing, which is useful for high-value acquisitions. The ability to sell your own pieces through the same platform creates a circular wardrobe economy where the proceeds from items you no longer wear fund your next acquisition.
What Could Be Better
Return policies are more restrictive than typical retail, with a limited return window and certain categories like fine jewelry and final sale items being non-returnable, which adds risk to purchasing sight unseen. The condition grading system, while detailed, still involves subjective judgment, and occasional discrepancies between the listed condition and the received item can be disappointing. High-demand pieces from brands like Chanel and Hermes sell within minutes of listing, creating a competitive shopping environment that requires constant monitoring or results in missed opportunities. Shipping times can be slow for standard delivery, which is problematic when you need a piece for an upcoming event on short notice. The platform's commission structure for sellers means consignors receive less than they might through private sale, which can discourage listing and reduce inventory inflow over time. Not all listed items include detailed measurements beyond basic sizing, which makes online purchasing of clothing riskier than it needs to be given the inconsistency of designer sizing.
Our Recommendation
We recommend The RealReal for actors who want to build a curated designer wardrobe for public appearances, industry events, and press opportunities at a fraction of retail cost. It is the ideal platform for strategic purchases of timeless luxury pieces from brands like Gucci, Prada, Saint Laurent, and Celine that hold their value and project the right image at premieres and galas. Actors who primarily need everyday audition wardrobe should focus their budget on accessible retail options like Zara and H&M, as designer consignment is better suited for event and public-facing wardrobe. If you prefer the rental model and do not want to own garments permanently, Rent the Runway offers a more flexible approach to designer fashion access. For actors who are cautious about buying secondhand sight unseen, visiting The RealReal's physical locations in New York or Los Angeles allows you to inspect pieces in person before committing. The platform works best when used patiently and strategically, monitoring for deals on specific brands and styles rather than impulse shopping.
Pro Tips
Set up saved searches and email alerts for your preferred brands, sizes, and categories so you are notified immediately when matching items are listed, as the best pieces sell within hours. Focus your purchases on classic, timeless pieces rather than trend-driven seasonal items, as classic designer garments serve your public-facing wardrobe for years while trendy pieces lose relevance quickly. Check the measurements section carefully and compare against your own body measurements rather than relying on the listed designer size, since sizing varies dramatically between brands and even between collections from the same brand. Time your purchases around The RealReal's promotional events and sitewide sales, which can stack meaningful additional discounts on top of already-reduced consignment prices. Use the sell-to-buy strategy by consigning designer pieces you no longer wear to fund new acquisitions, creating a self-sustaining wardrobe rotation that minimizes out-of-pocket costs. Inspect high-value purchases carefully upon receipt and report any condition discrepancies promptly within the return window, as The RealReal's customer service team is responsive to legitimate concerns about item accuracy.