Lipsy

Preloved Lipsy at ReTreasure is mostly party and summer dressing: floral and polka dot prints, puff sleeves, tie waists and hems that sit above the knee. The rail typically runs from UK 4 to 18 and mixes occasionwear with easier casual shirts and tops. Every piece is secondhand, checked, graded and photographed on the actual item you will receive.

4 products

Buying preloved Lipsy

What turns up on the rail

Dresses lead the way. Lipsy is a going-out and occasion label at heart, so the pieces that come through are often short, fitted through the waist and cut for a wedding, a birthday or a warm evening. Floral prints and polka dots show up again and again, along with puff sleeves and tie or wrap waists. Alongside those you will find shirts and lighter tops that work for everyday wear.

Sizes typically span UK 4 to 18, and the current Lipsy pieces are all graded Very good, which means light wear at most and nothing that stops you wearing them straight away.

Sizing and fit notes

Lipsy tends to be cut on the closer side, particularly through the bust and waist on bodycon and fitted occasion dresses. Many shoppers find they need their usual UK size or one up in those shapes. Looser styles, wrap dresses and shirts are more forgiving. Sizing has also shifted over the years and between ranges, so an older label may not match a newer one even at the same number.

Sleeve and bodice cuts vary a lot too. Puff sleeve styles can be snug at the upper arm, and tie waist dresses give you some room to adjust. Because of all this, please do not rely on the label alone. Message us and we will measure the actual garment, chest, waist, length, whatever you need, before you buy.

Why buy Lipsy secondhand

Occasionwear is the clearest case for buying preloved. A dress bought for one wedding often gets worn once, then hangs unused, which is why Lipsy pieces reach us in strong condition. You get a dress that looks new for a fraction of what it cost first time round, and it stays out of landfill.

It also gives you room to try shapes you would not risk at full price. A bold floral, a shorter hem, a puff sleeve you have never worn before. Buying one at a time from a graded, photographed listing is a low-risk way to work out what suits you. And because each item is a one-off, you are unlikely to see the same dress on someone else at the same party. Browse the rest of our womenswear if you want to build a full outfit.

Common questions

Is Lipsy mainly a going-out brand?

Yes, it is best known for party and occasion dressing, sold on the UK high street and online. That focus is why our Lipsy rail skews towards short dresses rather than coats or knitwear. You will still find shirts and tops, just in smaller numbers.

What condition are the Lipsy pieces in?

At the moment every Lipsy item is graded Very good, meaning light signs of wear such as a slightly softened print or minor pilling, with no holes or stains. We photograph any flaw we find and note it in the listing. If a piece has a mark we cannot shift, we say so plainly rather than hide it in the description.

Does Lipsy come up small?

Fitted styles often do, especially across the bust and hips, and sizing has changed between ranges over the years. Stretch fabric can hide some of that, but not all of it. Ask us for the flat measurements of the exact item and compare them to something you already own.

Are there reasons not to buy preloved Lipsy?

If you need a specific size in a specific print for a set date, secondhand may frustrate you, because each piece is a one-off and there is no restock. Delicate party fabrics can also show wear at the seams and zips after a few nights out, which we check but cannot reverse. If you want a guaranteed fit with easy exchanges, buying new may suit you better.

What if the Lipsy piece I want is not listed?

Keep checking back, as fresh stock goes up most days across all brands. You can also tell us the size and style you are after and we will keep an eye out when we sort new arrivals. Meanwhile it is worth browsing our other brands, since similar occasion shapes turn up under different labels.