Fashion

The Best Places to Resell Clothes

If your closet is overflowing with clothes you no longer wear, it’s time to turn that clutter into cash and find the best places to resell clothes!

Selling old clothes is not only a great way to declutter your space but also an opportunity to make money while giving your garments a new life. Whether you have trendy pieces, vintage treasures, or basic staples, there’s a platform or place suited to your selling needs. Let’s explore the best places to sell your old clothes and how you can maximize your earnings.

Best places to resell clothes cash in your closet

Best Places to Resell Clothes Online

Online platforms are some of the most popular and convenient ways to sell clothes. These websites and apps connect you with a global audience, increasing your chances of finding buyers who value your items. If you’re comfortable managing your own listings and shipping, online marketplaces can be an excellent choice.

Poshmark

Poshmark is one of my personal favorites! It is a user-friendly platform perfect for selling trendy, name-brand items and gently used clothing. Its social-media-like interface makes it easy to create a listing, share your items with followers, and even bundle deals for buyers who purchase multiple items from your closet.

Poshmark is known for its community of active users, which increases your chances of making sales quickly. However, it’s worth noting that Poshmark takes a 20% commission on sales over $15, so factor this into your pricing strategy.

On the plus side, the platform provides a prepaid shipping label for every sale, simplifying the shipping process. This is the best part- no weighing the items or figuring out shipping.

Click here to read my post with tips on reselling clothes on Poshmark.

reselling clothes on poshmark
My Closet on Poshmark

eBay

eBay offers unparalleled versatility, allowing you to sell everything from high-end designer pieces to everyday basics. You’ll have the best luck with name brands on Poshmark, but on eBay, you can sell almost anything.

The platform attracts a diverse audience, making it suitable for both specialty items and bulk clothing sales. They also make international sales easier with a special international shipping deal to ship through eBay.

Sellers can choose between auction-style listings, where buyers bid on items, or fixed-price listings for more straightforward transactions. eBay charges a fee based on the final sale price, but the ability to reach a global audience often offsets this cost.

If you have rare or unique items, eBay’s auction feature can drive up prices and maximize your profits.

Depop

Depop has gained popularity, particularly among younger buyers and sellers, for its focus on vintage, streetwear, and one-of-a-kind pieces. The app’s visually driven layout resembles Instagram, making it a great option for creative sellers who enjoy styling and photographing their items.

Depop takes a 10% commission on sales, and while the competition can be fierce, sellers who invest time in curating an appealing shop often find success. If you’re looking to target a trend-savvy audience, Depop is a fantastic choice.

ThredUp

ThredUp used to be one of the easiest and best places to resell clothes online, however their business model has changed, and they are no longer accepting clothing for resale.

Trashie

Trashie is the newest one on the scene, and it won’t make you any money, but it’s worth a mention. You send in your clothes in exchange for Trashie Cash which amounts to discounts at other retailers. The fast fashion industry has resulted in massive amounts of used clothing being resold or donated, and Trashie is trying to make better use of old clothing and textiles, before it is sent to a landfill.

Click here to read my full review of Trashie, after giving it a try. My review is not the most positive, as I tried it early on, when they initially had ads on Instagram promising “gift cards.” There are no actual gift cards, just deals and discounts.

Some Brands like Firebird Kids even have their own resale programs where customers can resell clothes directly to other shoppers.

toddler clothing

Best Places to Resell Clothes Offline

Consignment shops are the best places for reselling clothing if you have items that might not photograph well or dresses, shoes, and coats that are heavy and make shipping costs too high. The downside is you usually only make a fraction of what your item can sell for online.

Local Consignment Shops

Local consignment shops are a tried-and-true option for selling clothes without the hassle of online platforms. These shops typically accept higher-quality items or designer brands and will display your clothes in their store for customers to browse. I’ve had the best luck with reselling children’s clothing in consignment shops.

When your items sell, the shop takes a commission, usually ranging from 30% to 50% of the sale price. While this may seem steep, the convenience of having someone else manage the sale is worth it for many sellers. Plus, shopping locally helps support small businesses in your community.

The downside is that you have to check back every month to see what sold, and they will keep marking items down until they are gone. Also usually, you do not get the clothes back and they donate what did not sell.

Facebook Marketplace

Facebook Marketplace is a straightforward platform for selling clothes locally, though you can also add a shipping option.

Listings are easy to create, and you can communicate directly with potential buyers through Facebook Messenger. Since there are no selling fees, you keep 100% of the profit.

If you’re selling items that are heavy or hard to ship, such as coats or shoes, Facebook Marketplace can be a practical solution.

The downside is dealing with a lot of people that send the message, “Is this still available?”, right after you post. Then you reply and never hear back. Or they want to offer you half of what you listed it for. Facebook Marketplace can get a little annoying (speaking from personal experience.)

Plato’s Closet

Plato’s Closet is a chain of resale stores that buy gently used, trendy clothing from brands like American Eagle, H&M, and Zara. Unlike consignment stores, Plato’s Closet pays you on the spot for your items, making it a great option if you need quick cash. However, keep in mind that they may offer lower payouts than other options, as they resell items at affordable prices.

Plato’s Closet can be hit or miss. The audience skews very young, so keep that in mind. I love that they pay on the spot, but they are very picky. Last time I brought in a giant box of clothes. They kept only a few things, and I walked out with $10. And that was after waiting 45 minutes for them to look through it.

Garage Sales

If you have a large quantity of clothes to sell, consider hosting a garage sale. This is an excellent way to clear out your closet quickly while interacting with buyers face-to-face. To attract shoppers, advertise your sale on community bulletin boards, local Facebook groups, or platforms like Nextdoor. Be prepared to price items affordably, as garage sale buyers often expect bargains.

Deciding Where to Resell Clothes

When clearing out old clothes, I make 3 piles: Goodwill, online and consignment. Here’s how I decide what goes where, what effort is involved, and what kind of payout to expect.

Donate to Goodwill

You won’t make money, but you can get a donation receipt for your taxes. If it’s unbranded, tags are cut out or shows visible wear, it goes to Goodwill. (Or some similar type of donation place)

It takes minimal effort to toss everything in a bag and drop it off. Even less effort if you call a place like Vietnam Veterans of America, then you leave everything on your doorstep, and they pick it up.

Online Sales

Selling in an online marketplace like eBay or Poshmark is where you’ll make the most money but also have to put in the biggest effort. I only do this for new looking items with easily searchable brand names. It takes a decent amount of time to take pics and create listings, plus add in time for shipping and answering inane questions you probably already answered in your listing.

You also have to be prepared for the possibility of returns. You can always stipulate “final sale” but then it won’t sell as easily. I get an average of $5-$10 an item, vs. 50 cents from the consignment shop.

Consignment Shops

The best places to take baby clothes are the types of consignment baby boutiques that buy on the spot. For adult clothes, the places that pay you when the item sells are the best option.

I took a lot of clothes in 5 months ago, sold 3 things so far and have made $12. In comparison, I put a bunch of clothes on eBay two weeks ago, sold two items and have made $37.

The Final Breakdown

Let’s say you have an item you think is worth $20.

On eBay it will probably sell for $15 and after subtracting fees you profit $12.

On consignment they might start at $20, then mark it down and down until they finally donate it. So depending on their cut and final sale price, you could profit anywhere from $10 to $0. The downside is you don’t get it back if it doesn’t sell. The upside is you might make a few dollars with minimal effort and at least it’s out of your closet.

Or you can donate it and get $0, but it’s easy and it’s gone

Clothes do best on eBay or consignment, household items, furniture, appliances, toys, etc. do better on places like Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace (basically, anything where the shipping would outweigh the value)

consignment funny meme

Tips for Successful Selling

To maximize your earnings, there are a few tips to keep in mind. First, make sure your clothes are clean, wrinkle-free, and in good condition. Items that look fresh and well-maintained are more likely to attract buyers.

Take clear, well-lit photos to showcase your items, especially if you’re selling online. Include detailed descriptions, mentioning brand names, sizes, and any unique features. Lastly, be responsive to potential buyers, as prompt communication can make or break a sale.

By exploring these options and choosing the right platform or place for your needs, you can turn your old clothes into cash while helping them find a new home. Whether you prefer the convenience of online marketplaces, the simplicity of consignment stores, or the immediacy of local sales, there’s a method for everyone. Now go make some cash!


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7 replies »

  1. I sold lots of my children’s clothes on Facebook market place and made a tidy sum. I really do need to try ebay. xxx

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