10 Delightful Holiday Dresses Under $75 on Thredup

It’s always a wonderful idea to shop used for holiday dresses — considering they’re not part of your regular rotation and you may only wear them once or twice a year. But in 2022, secondhand shopping is especially wise. Even if you’ve managed the rising prices mostly unscathed, there’s enough uncertainty to justify being conservative with your clothing budget. And one of the best ways to do that involves shopping used for stuff you won’t wear that often.

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Buying used is trendy

Globally, the secondhand apparel market is expected to grow 3X faster than the overall apparel market. That stat, from Thredup’s 2022 Resale Report is just one data point that tells people what you and I already know: Buying used is trendy.

Imagine that! Fashion girls are finally warming to the idea of wearing someone else’s old clothes. Even as the industry tells us we need to remake our entire wardrobe every season to toss out the old and make new for whatever weird trend walked its way down the runway. I welcome the shift. I take it to mean budget fashion is cool again. And who doesn’t like being cool?

To celebrate the increased adoption of secondhand shopping, here’s a look at the 10 best holiday dresses on online consignment shop Thredup. (I’m also hoping to convince anyone who’s on the fence about shopping used that it truly is the most cost-effective way to add high-fashion flair to your wardrobe.) If you see anything you love, scroll to the bottom for Thredup shopping tips.

Gorgeous (used) holiday dresses

All of these dresses are priced $75 or less as of this writing. There is a sale happening at Thredup, so the prices may not stay this low forever.

1. Classy cocktail dress

Wear this dress to any cocktail party. It’s sure to impress. The Aidan by Aidan Maddox number has a classy midi length and subdued sheer panels. Accessorize it with diamond earrings and gold shoes. See details at Thredup.

2. Gorgeous in green

Jenny Yoo’s pretty scoop neck dress can take you to holiday parties and date nights in style. It’s slinky and sexy, without being too revealing. Wear it with strappy, nude or gray heels and your best pedicure. See the details at thredup.com.

3. Classic in blue

When everyone else is wearing an LBD, you’ll catch attention in this striking blue knee-length dress. You can almost guess it’s designed by Lauren by Ralph Lauren, with the classic shape and the singular detail of ruching. I’d pair this dress with silver accessories and doe-eyed makeup. See more details here.

4. LBD with a twist

An LBD with a twist — or a belt, actually. The vibrant red belt sets off this knee-length, a-line dress beautifully. The belt ties in the back in a bow, which is a cute touch. Add in the one-shoulder design and this dress is the perfect combination of classy and sassy. See the details here.

5. Scarlett number

You can keep things simple without being boring or frumpy. This dark red dress from Barneys New York is the proof. I’d add silver shoes, your prettiest pendant necklace, and sparkly earrings to finish this one off. See the details at thredup.com.

6. Lovely in lace

Black isn’t the only B in town. This blue number definitely falls into the category of little blue dress, with it’s short length and body-hugging cut. What I like is that the lace and floral details soften up the sexy silhouette so you’re showing off your bod in a girly kind of way.

7. Your ivory tower ($42)

No doubt you’ll turn heads in this ivory dress by Etcetera. It has a mysterious, exotic vibe to it, but of note is the neckline and shape of the sleeve. They put the top of your shoulder bone on display — and the effect is alluring.

8. Grey goddess ($49)

Here’s another dress that uses sheer layers to double-down on femininity. The single sheer arm with the rolled strap on the right side has a toga vibe that’s feels oh-so-elegant.

9. Slinky leopard ($48)

What can I say about this piece? You can’t go wrong with a slinky animal print with side ruching.

10. Silver sparkle ($52)

This Theory dress is a classic holiday pick, with the strapless construction and sparkle overlay. The high waist and A-line skirt will give you curves if you don’t have them, or show off your curves if you do.

Essential Thredup shopping tips

1. Act fast

There’s only one available. If you find something you love in your size, pick it up quickly.

2. Know the return policy

Thredup does allow for returns, but you have to send the item back in the exact condition you received it. Don’t try and wear it and then send it back — that’s bad form. You have 14 days from the day you received the product to get it back to Thredup and there is a $1.99 restocking fee. Refunds are processed to the original form of payment, but you do not get your original shipping refunded.

3. Try the Goody Box

The Goody Box is a collection of pieces picked for you by a Thredup stylist. You pay a $10 nonrefundable deposit for the box, which is applied to any items you decide to purchase. You keep what you want and send back the rest.

4. Read the descriptions

Thredup is great about telling you in the description if the dress has any flaws. Read the description carefully and don’t settle. There are so many secondhand holiday dresses out there — hold out for the one you’ll truly love.