Goodfair Review: Is This Online Thrift Store as Good as it Seems?

Have you heard of Goodfair? This innovative online thrift store is on a mission to change the way we shop for clothes. By selling pre-owned clothing in mystery bundles at affordable prices, they aim to reduce fashion waste and encourage a more sustainable approach to style.

As someone always on the hunt for good deals and eco-friendly fashion, I was intrigued by Goodfair‘s unique concept. I decided to put them to the test and order a bundle for myself. But first, I wanted to do a deep dive into what this company is all about.

In this comprehensive Goodfair review, I‘ll share everything you need to know before you shop, including:

• An inside look at how Goodfair sources and curates clothing
• Details on their mystery bundle options and pricing
• The environmental and social impact of shopping secondhand
• My personal experience and tips for shopping at Goodfair
• Customer reviews and FAQs
• And my honest take on if Goodfair is worth trying

Let‘s get into it!

What is Goodfair? Sustainable Fashion Made Easy

Goodfair was founded in 2018 by Topper Luciani, a sustainable fashion advocate on a mission to fight fast fashion. After seeing firsthand the waste and unethical practices in the industry, he wanted to make shopping secondhand more accessible to the masses.

Here‘s how it works: Goodfair sources clothing from donation centers, thrift stores, and charities across the US. These pre-owned pieces are then sorted, cleaned, and curated into themed mystery bundles that are sold on their website starting at just $15.

You can choose from packs like the Vintage Graphic Tee Bundle, Cozy Loungewear Pack, Denim Jacket Duo, and more. Each bundle is totally unique and includes a surprise assortment of styles and brands in your size.

The concept takes the time and guesswork out of thrifting, while still offering the thrill of the hunt. It‘s like receiving a present in the mail that‘s good for your wallet and the planet.

Since launching just a few years ago, Goodfair has already made a big impact. To date, they‘ve diverted over 1 million pieces of clothing from landfills and saved 60 million kg of carbon, according to stats on their website.

How Goodfair Sources and Curates Its Thrifted Clothing

One of the things I was most curious about was how Goodfair actually finds and selects the pre-owned clothing that ends up in its mystery bundles.

According to the company, they source items from three main places:

1. Donation centers and thrift stores across the US
2. Clothing recyclers and rag houses
3. Deadstock and returns from major brands

This allows Goodfair to rescue clothes that would otherwise end up in landfills and give them a second life. Once the clothing arrives at their warehouse in Houston, a team sorts it by size, color, style, and quality to prepare for bundling.

Goodfair shares that they follow a grading system to ensure each piece meets their standards before it‘s sold. The clothes are checked for rips, stains, missing pieces, and function of elements like zippers. Anything that doesn‘t make the cut is downcycled or recycled.

While Goodfair describes their clothing as "thrifted" rather than vintage, you can still find plenty of unique and retro pieces in the mix. In my research, I saw photos of bundles that included everything from classic Champion sweatshirts to funky 90s windbreakers.

The company also partners with brands to offer curated sets of their excess inventory. For example, they teamed up with Nordstrom to sell exclusive packs of pre-2000s vintage gems handpicked from the department store‘s stock.

So while you‘re not necessarily going to receive a bundle of designer items, there‘s definitely potential to score some quality pieces and sought-after brands. It just requires a bit of luck and an open mind.

The Environmental and Social Impact of Shopping Secondhand

It‘s no secret that the fashion industry has a huge environmental footprint. In fact, it‘s responsible for 10% of global carbon emissions and 20% of wastewater, according to the UN.

The rise of fast fashion has only made the problem worse, with brands churning out cheap, disposable clothing at alarming rates. The average American now throws away 81 pounds of clothing per year, most of which ends up in landfills.

This is where companies like Goodfair come in, trying to extend the life of existing clothes and keep them out of the waste stream for as long as possible. By shopping secondhand, we can reduce the demand for new clothing production and lessen the industry‘s impact on the planet.

But the benefits go beyond just the environment. Buying pre-owned also means supporting more ethical labor practices, since no new clothes need to be made in often unsafe or low-wage factories.

Plus, thrifting makes fashion more accessible to people of all budgets. Goodfair estimates that they‘ve saved customers millions of dollars compared to buying new. Not to mention, shopping mystery bundles adds an element of fun and surprise to refreshing your wardrobe.

That being said, it‘s important to have realistic expectations when ordering from Goodfair. This isn‘t the place to shop if you‘re looking for something very specific or only want high-end designers. You have to be willing to embrace the mystery and potentially end up with styles outside your comfort zone.

My Experience Ordering a Goodfair Bundle

Curious to put Goodfair‘s claims to the test, I decided to order a popular bundle for myself: the Vintage Graphic Tee 4 Pack. At $45 for 4 tees, it was pricier than thrifting on my own but still an affordable way to add some new-to-me pieces to my collection.

The ordering process was simple. I selected my size (they offer XS-3XL in most bundles) and was given the option to add notes about my style preferences. I mentioned that I was into retro rock bands and bright, bold colors.

My bundle arrived about a week later in eco-friendly, compostable packaging. The presentation was no frills, but I was surprised at how nice the tees looked upon first inspection. All 4 were soft, stretchy, and had no noticeable flaws.

As for the designs, I received a single stitch Harley Davidson shirt, an old school NASA logo tee, a tropical print from a Jamaican restaurant, and one with a quirky fishing graphic that gave me major dad vibes. So while not everything screamed "me", each shirt had a cool, vintage look that felt unique to my closet.

Overall, I was happy with my first Goodfair haul and the value for the price. I can see myself wearing all the tees, even if they weren‘t ones I would necessarily pick for myself in a thrift store. That‘s part of the fun though – stepping a bit outside your style box and experimenting with new-to-you pieces.

Of course, my experience is just one of many! I‘d recommend checking out customer reviews and photos on Goodfair‘s website and social media to get a sense of what others have received in their bundles. Some standout pieces I saw included vintage band tees, Harley Davidson and Disney sweatshirts, retro sneakers, and cozy flannels.

Tips for Shopping on Goodfair

If you‘re thinking of trying Goodfair for yourself, here are my top tips to keep in mind:

1. Read the product descriptions carefully and look at customer photos to get an idea of what to expect in each bundle. Goodfair shares examples of the types of pieces and brands you might receive.

2. Take advantage of the option to leave a note with your sizing and style preferences at checkout. While not guaranteed, this helps the team customize your bundle picks to your taste.

3. Be open minded and willing to experiment! Half the fun of a mystery bundle is seeing what surprises are in store. You may end up with a new style or brand you never considered before.

4. If you receive something you don‘t love, consider swapping with a friend or re-donating before contacting Goodfair for a replacement. The company offers "Second Chances" on most bundles if you‘re really unhappy, but returning items rather than keeping them in circulation somewhat defeats the eco-friendly mission.

5. Check for promotions before ordering. Goodfair frequently has sales like free gifts with purchase, bundle discounts, and insider perks for email subscribers.

6. Consider trying a subscription if you want to build a thrifted wardrobe over time. Goodfair will send you a seasonally curated bundle every 3 months, which is a great way to refresh your closet in a sustainable way.

Final Thoughts: Is Goodfair Worth Trying?

After such an in-depth look at Goodfair‘s model and impact, you‘re probably wondering – but is it actually worth ordering from them yourself?

In my opinion, a resounding yes! If you go in with an open mind and reasonable expectations, Goodfair is a fun, affordable, and eco-friendly way to thrift.

I love the company‘s mission of making secondhand shopping more accessible and fighting fashion waste. For many people, regularly thrifting in-person just isn‘t realistic, whether it‘s because of time, location, or lack of selection. Goodfair helps bridge that gap by curating cool pieces and delivering them right to your door.

I also appreciate the transparency around the company‘s sourcing, cleaning, and bundling process. You can feel good knowing your clothes had a thorough quality check and were rescued from an otherwise grim fate in the landfill.

All that being said, Goodfair may not be for everyone. If you have very particular style requirements or are only interested in luxury labels, you‘re better off looking elsewhere. The mystery bundle model inherently involves some risk, and you have to be okay with potentially ending up with pieces that aren‘t your usual look.

But if you‘re someone who loves a good thrift treasure hunt and wants to dress more sustainably on a budget, I think Goodfair is absolutely worth checking out. With so many bundle options and new arrivals all the time, you never know what gems you might uncover.

And even if not everything is a winner, you can feel great knowing your purchase supported a more ethical fashion model and saved perfectly good clothes from an untimely demise.

I hope this Goodfair review was helpful in deciding if this unique thrift store is right for you! With a little luck and a sense of adventure, you‘ll be well on your way to a more sustainable (and affordably stylish) wardrobe.