The 5 Best Places to Sell Used Clothing

Spring is coming, and with it comes spring cleaning! I always love to clear out my old stuff and often list things on eBay and Poshmark to make a little extra money if it’s worth selling. Sometimes I’m surprised at how much things go for! It’s worth a try if you have clothes you don’t want that are in good condition.

Selling Your Old Clothes for Cash

If you’re looking to declutter your closet and make some extra cash from your old clothes, there are several great options to consider. But how do you know what’s worth trying to sell?

I have a general rule that if I’m not making at least $10, then it’s not worth posting. You have to factor in the time it takes you to take the photos and create the listing, deal with shipping, and general customer service if you choose to sell online.

To determine if your clothes are worth reselling, consider the following factors:

1. Condition: Ensure the clothes are in good condition without significant wear and tear, stains, or damage. Items with minimal signs of use are more likely to fetch a good price. Also, having the clothing tags intact is a must if you want to get the best price.
   Most resell places won’t accept clothes without tags, which is where I usually fail. I cut the tags out of a lot of things because they are scratchy!
2. Quality: High-quality fabrics and well-constructed garments tend to retain value better. Designer or premium brands also have higher resale potential. I usually list those on Poshmark for the best price.
3. Trends and Style: Clothes that are on-trend or timeless in style are more likely to attract buyers. Consider the current fashion trends and the timeless appeal of the pieces.
4. Market Demand: Research the demand for similar items on platforms like eBay, Poshmark, or specialized resale websites. Check if there’s a market for the specific brands or styles you’re looking to sell.
5. Potential Earnings: Estimate the potential earnings, factoring in the effort required for listing, selling, and shipping. Consider if the expected earnings justify the time and effort involved.

By carefully evaluating these factors, you can make an informed decision about which clothes are worth reselling for a profit.

5 Best Places to Sell Gently Used Clothes

Online Marketplaces

Online platforms like eBay, Poshmark, and Depop provide a vast reach and a diverse user base, making it easier to find potential buyers for your items. The drawback is having to create an account, then take the photos and create a listing for each one.

Online marketplaces are usually the most work, but also reach the most people and often bring in the most money.

Local Consignment Shops

Consignment shops offer a convenient way to sell a large amount of clothes at once, without the hassle of dealing with listings and photos. It’s also a good place to sell formal wear like ball gowns and men’s suits.

Be aware that consignment shops are very picky about what they accept, so be sure to call ahead of time before you haul in a bunch of clothes they won’t take. You can also ask what clothing items they are in need of and what they aren’t taking at all.

You also need to be ready to accept a very small amount in return, as many items are marked down if they are there too long, and end up selling for a few dollars, if that!

Specialized Resale Websites

Websites like ThredUp and TheRealReal specialize in selling secondhand clothing. These platforms streamline the selling process and are particularly great for high-quality, designer items.

Be aware that they do charge a fee for the service, so your return will be less than if you took your clothes to a consignment shop. However, the upside is that you don’t need to deal with anyone- you just load your clothes into a bag and send them for the place to sort out.

ThredUp will even send you a free clean-out bag for you to fill and send back! They don’t charge anything upfront but do take a $15 fee out of your sales. I just ordered one for myself, so I’ll be doing a follow-up post on how that goes and if it is really worth it.

*Follow-up – Only use ThredUp if you don’t care at all what you get in return. I sent an entire bag of clothes that probably could have gotten me several hundred dollars on Poshmark, but earned me $15 on ThredUp.

*Follow-up #2 – ThredUp is no longer accepting clothes!

Facebook Marketplace

Leveraging the power of social media, Facebook Marketplace allows you to connect with local buyers, and even all of Facebook if you offer shipping.

Facebook Marketplace can be one of the more tedious places to sell, as you have to create each listing and then deal with a bunch of messages asking, “Is this still available?”

Yard Sales and Flea Markets

Hosting a yard sale or participating in a flea market not only provides an opportunity to sell your old clothes, but anything else you want to get rid of as well. This is a good option if you are doing a full house cleanout and have a lot more than just clothes to sell.

Whether you prefer the convenience of online selling or the personal touch of in-person transactions, these options offer something for everyone looking to part ways with their old wardrobe staples. Happy selling!