Have you ever looked at your overflowing closet and wondered, “Where can I sell these clothes?” You’re not alone. Selling used clothes is a smart way to declutter your wardrobe, make some extra money, and participate in sustainable fashion. The good news is that there are numerous options available, both online and in physical stores, to help you turn your pre-loved garments into cash.
This guide will walk you through the best places to sell used clothes, whether you’re looking for the convenience of online platforms or the immediacy of in-person stores. We’ll cover everything from online consignment shops to secondhand stores, providing you with the knowledge and resources to successfully sell your used clothing and fill your pockets while emptying your closet.
| Online Platforms | In-Person Stores | Additional Information |
|---|---|---|
| Top Online Consignment Stores Other Online Marketplaces Tips for Online Selling Success | Best Secondhand Stores Tips for Selling to Secondhand Stores Donating Clothes for Tax Benefits | Getting Started with Selling Used Clothes |
Online Consignment Stores
Forget the hassle of yard sales and embrace the digital age! Online consignment stores have revolutionized the way we sell used clothes. These platforms connect you to a global marketplace of buyers, tapping into the booming multibillion-dollar secondhand clothing industry.
The business models vary: some stores offer upfront payment for your accepted items, while others operate on consignment, sharing a percentage of the profit once your clothes sell. Here are some leading online consignment and secondhand stores to consider when you’re ready to sell used clothes online:
1. thredUP: The Ultimate in Convenience
For sellers prioritizing ease and convenience, thredUP is a top choice. They streamline the entire process, from start to finish. Simply order a “Clean Out Kit” – thredUP’s signature mailer bag – fill it with your gently used women’s and children’s clothing and accessories, and send it off.
thredUP’s team of experts then takes over, sorting through your items and deciding which pieces align with their current inventory needs and quality standards. For the items accepted, thredUP handles everything else: professional photography, listing creation, pricing, and customer service. Once your items sell, you earn a percentage of the sale price on consignment. Historically, commission rates have ranged from a modest 5% for lower-priced items to a generous 80% for high-value pieces.
For items thredUP doesn’t accept, you have options. They can donate them to charity on your behalf, or you can choose to have them returned for a small fee of $10.99. thredUP focuses on women’s and children’s apparel and accessories, making it a perfect platform for those categories.
2. Tradesy: Fashion-Forward Selling with Enhanced Listings
Tradesy is designed for sellers who want a bit more control over their listings while still benefiting from a user-friendly platform. To sell used clothes or accessories on Tradesy, you’ll start by uploading your own photos of the items. Don’t worry about professional photography skills; Tradesy enhances your images to ensure they look polished and market-ready, optimizing them for the platform’s aesthetic.
You have the freedom to set your own prices on Tradesy. The fee structure is straightforward: Tradesy charges a flat fee for sales of less expensive items and takes a commission percentage on higher-priced pieces. To simplify shipping, Tradesy provides a prepaid, pre-addressed shipping kit once an item sells, making the process seamless for sellers.
3. Poshmark: Your Go-To for Designer and High-End Fashion
If your closet is home to designer labels and high-end fashion, Poshmark is an ideal marketplace to sell used clothes. This platform specializes in connecting buyers and sellers of premium and luxury clothing, shoes, and accessories.
On Poshmark, you are in charge of setting your prices, giving you control over your earnings. Poshmark’s fee structure involves either a flat fee for lower-priced items or a 20% commission on higher-value sales. Similar to other platforms, Poshmark simplifies shipping by providing a prepaid, pre-addressed shipping label once you make a sale, streamlining the process and making it easy to send your items to their new owners.
4. The RealReal: Luxury Consignment Experts
The RealReal positions itself as the premier destination for luxury consignment. If you have clothing, handbags, accessories, fine jewelry, watches, home decor, or art from their accepted designer brands, The RealReal offers a high-end selling experience.
They boast a generous payout structure, with sellers earning up to 80% of the item’s selling price. The RealReal provides multiple convenient options for getting your items to them: you can schedule a complimentary in-home pickup for larger consignments, ship your items using a prepaid label, or drop them off at one of their retail locations. Once they receive your items, The RealReal handles authentication, photography, pricing, and listing, making it a truly hands-off selling experience for luxury goods.
5. Swap.com: The Budget-Friendly Online Thrift Store
Swap.com caters to a broader range of clothing styles and price points, positioning itself as an online thrift store experience. They accept a wide variety of used clothing, provided it meets their quality standards.
The selling process with Swap.com is straightforward. You mail in your clothing, and they manage the rest. Swap.com takes care of listing, pricing, photographing, and shipping your items. The commission structure on Swap.com ranges from 15% to 70% of the selling price, depending on the item’s value. This tiered commission system allows for potential for higher earnings on more desirable pieces.
6. Le Prix: Designer Consignment with a Boutique Touch
Le Prix specializes exclusively in designer labels, focusing on luxury brands like Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Gucci, and more. If your wardrobe is filled with high-end designer pieces, Le Prix offers a curated selling experience.
To sell through Le Prix, you can connect with one of their boutique partners located in various cities. Alternatively, for a more streamlined approach, you can request a prepaid shipping label through their White Glove Consignment Service, allowing you to send your items directly to Le Prix for processing. Le Prix has established boutiques in major fashion cities like Los Angeles, New York, Miami, and Washington, D.C., further emphasizing their focus on high-end designer consignment.
Other Online Marketplaces to Sell Clothes
If you prefer a more direct selling approach, where you interact directly with buyers and manage your own listings, consider these online marketplaces. While they require a bit more effort on your part, you often retain a larger portion, or even all, of the profits. These platforms can also be excellent avenues for those interested in building their own brand or even venturing into creating their own clothing line.
1. VarageSale: Hyperlocal Online Yard Sale
VarageSale takes the traditional yard sale concept and brings it into the digital realm. This platform focuses on connecting buyers and sellers within local communities. VarageSale is an excellent option if you want to sell clothes online to people in your immediate area.
When a buyer expresses interest in your items on VarageSale, you arrange a convenient meeting spot to complete the exchange in person. This hyperlocal approach can be ideal for those who prefer face-to-face transactions and want to avoid shipping.
2. eBay: The Established Online Auction and Marketplace
eBay has been a dominant force in online selling for decades. When you sell used clothes on eBay, you are responsible for managing the entire process, from listing creation to shipping. This includes writing item descriptions, taking photos, setting prices (either fixed price or auction-style), and handling customer communication.
Building a positive seller reputation on eBay is crucial for long-term success. Consistently providing high-quality items, accurate descriptions, prompt shipping, and excellent customer service will help you establish trust and attract repeat buyers. Be aware of eBay’s fee structure, which may include an insertion fee for listing your item and a final value fee based on the selling price and category.
3. Facebook Marketplace: Leverage Social Selling
Facebook Marketplace offers a free and accessible platform for selling used clothes if you have a Facebook account. Listing items on Facebook Marketplace is straightforward and doesn’t incur any listing fees.
Similar to eBay and other direct-selling platforms, you manage the entire selling process on Facebook Marketplace. This includes taking and uploading photos, writing detailed descriptions, setting your prices, and coordinating transactions directly with buyers. Communication and payment processing are typically handled directly between buyer and seller, offering flexibility but also requiring more direct involvement.
4. Instagram: Visual Showcase for Fashion Sales
Instagram, while not primarily a selling platform, has become a popular avenue for individuals to market and sell used clothes, often using the hashtag #shopmycloset. Instagram’s visual nature makes it ideal for showcasing clothing and creating appealing listings.
While direct sales transactions are not built into Instagram itself, sellers often use the platform to display items, provide descriptions and pricing in captions, and then manage bids or purchase inquiries through comments or direct messages. Payment is typically facilitated through third-party platforms like PayPal or Venmo.
5. Mercari: Mobile-First Marketplace
Mercari is designed as a user-friendly marketplace for buying and selling a wide range of items, including used clothing. You can list and sell items directly from your computer or through their mobile app.
The selling process on Mercari involves creating listings with photos and descriptions. Once an item sells, Mercari offers the convenience of prepaid, pre-addressed shipping labels and options for home pickup through USPS, FedEx, or UPS in some cases. While listing on Mercari is free, they charge a selling fee, typically 10% or more of the selling price, and there may be payment processing fees to consider.
6. Vinted: Fee-Free Fashion Marketplace
Vinted is another popular app specializing in secondhand fashion. It distinguishes itself by not charging any fees for listing or selling items, making it attractive to sellers looking to maximize their profits.
Once you sell an item on Vinted, they provide a prepaid shipping label, simplifying the shipping process. Earnings from your sales on Vinted can be used to purchase other items within the Vinted app or can be withdrawn to your bank account, offering flexibility in how you use your earnings.
7. Depop: Trendy and Vintage Fashion Community
Depop is a mobile-first marketplace that has gained popularity, particularly among younger demographics, for its focus on trendy, vintage, and unique fashion items. Beyond clothing, Depop also caters to jewelry, art, sports equipment, and more.
When you sell an item on Depop, you have the option to ship it yourself or utilize Depop’s shipping label service for a fee. Depop charges a 10% fee on sold items. Proceeds from your sales can be deposited directly into your bank account. Depop’s community-driven aspect and focus on unique fashion make it a strong choice for sellers with trendy or vintage pieces.
8. Rebag: Luxury Handbag and Accessory Specialist
Rebag focuses specifically on designer accessories, particularly handbags, but also including other luxury accessories. If you have designer handbags, wallets, or other accessories to sell, Rebag offers a streamlined selling process.
To get started with Rebag, you upload photos and descriptions of your designer items. Rebag then provides you with an upfront quote for the current resale value of your items. If you accept their offer, you can ship your items to Rebag or drop them off at one of their retail locations. Once Rebag authenticates and processes your items, you receive payment within a quick timeframe, typically three to four business days.
Tips for Online Selling Success
For platforms where you manage your own listings, presentation is key. Here are essential tips to maximize your success when selling clothes online:
1. Capture Attention with High-Quality Photos
Invest time in taking excellent photographs of your clothes. Good photos are crucial for attracting buyers online. Prioritize bright, natural, and consistent lighting. Use a clean and uncluttered background to keep the focus on the clothing itself.
Capture your items from multiple angles to provide a comprehensive view. Show the front, back, sides, and any important details like embellishments, unique features, or flaws (if any, be transparent about condition). Clear, well-lit, and detailed photos build buyer confidence and showcase your items effectively.
2. Price Realistically for Quick Sales
When setting your prices, adopt the “one-third rule” as a general guideline. A common practice in secondhand clothing sales is to price items at approximately one-third of their original retail price.
For example, if you’re selling a pre-owned jacket that you originally purchased for $150, a starting price point of around $50 would be reasonable. If the item is in like-new condition, or is a highly sought-after brand or style, you might be able to price it slightly higher, perhaps in the $75 to $100 range. Researching comparable listings on the platform you’re using can help you gauge the current market value and price your items competitively.
3. Provide Essential Details: Brand, Color, and Size
Make it easy for shoppers to find your items by including all relevant information in your listings. Clearly state the brand name, color, size, and any other pertinent details. Accuracy and clarity are essential for searchability and buyer satisfaction.
Use concise and descriptive titles and descriptions. For example, instead of a generic title like “Jacket,” opt for something like “Blue North Face Jacket, Size 4, in Great Condition.” Providing specific details ensures your items appear in relevant search results and helps buyers quickly assess if the item meets their needs.
Online consignment shops and marketplaces offer wide reach, but brick-and-mortar stores provide another avenue for selling used clothes.
Secondhand Stores: In-Person Selling Options
If you prefer the immediacy of selling in person, consider brick-and-mortar secondhand stores. These stores offer a direct way to sell your clothes for cash or store credit. Here are some well-known secondhand clothing store chains with locations across the U.S.:
1. Clothes Mentor: Contemporary Women’s Fashion
Clothes Mentor specializes in buying and selling gently-used, brand-name women’s apparel, shoes, handbags, and accessories. With stores nationwide, there’s likely a Clothes Mentor location near you.
Clothes Mentor typically operates on a walk-in basis, meaning you don’t need an appointment to bring in your items for evaluation. They offer cash on the spot for items they accept, providing immediate payment for your clothes. They focus on current styles and brands that are popular with their customer base.
2. Buffalo Exchange: Trendy and Vintage Styles
Buffalo Exchange buys, sells, and trades men’s and women’s clothing, accessories, and shoes. They have stores in 17 states and are known for their eclectic mix of trendy and vintage styles.
Most Buffalo Exchange locations accept walk-ins for selling during regular business hours. They also offer a “Sell by Mail” program for those who don’t live near a store or prefer to sell remotely. Buffalo Exchange typically pays in cash or store credit, with store credit often offering a slightly higher payout percentage.
3. Uptown Cheapskate: Fashionable and Affordable
Uptown Cheapskate focuses on buying and selling trendy, brand-name clothing, shoes, and accessories for teens and young adults. With nearly 100 locations, Uptown Cheapskate has a broad reach.
Uptown Cheapskate generally accepts walk-ins, making it convenient to bring in your clothes for evaluation. They purchase items that align with current fashion trends and are in good condition. For items they don’t accept, Uptown Cheapskate often donates them to charitable organizations, offering a socially responsible option for your unsold clothes.
4. Plato’s Closet: Teen and Young Adult Fashion
Plato’s Closet caters specifically to the teen and young adult market, buying and selling gently-used clothing, shoes, and accessories from popular mall brands. If you have teenagers who have outgrown their wardrobes, Plato’s Closet is a convenient option.
Plato’s Closet stores typically accept walk-ins. They focus on current styles and brands popular with their target demographic. They pay cash on the spot for items they accept, providing immediate payment for your teen or young adult clothing.
Tips for Selling Used Clothes to Secondhand Stores
Secondhand stores have specific criteria for the clothing they accept. To increase your chances of selling successfully, keep these tips in mind:
- Quality Matters: Secondhand stores prioritize quality. Clothes should be in excellent condition – clean, free of damage (stains, tears, holes), and with minimal wear.
- Current Styles: Stores generally prefer items that are currently in style or are recent trends. Vintage or classic pieces in excellent condition may also be considered.
- Seasonality: Bring in items that are appropriate for the current or upcoming season. Stores are more likely to accept spring clothing in the spring and fall/winter items as those seasons approach.
- Brand Recognition: Name-brand and popular brands often have higher resale value at secondhand stores.
Payout from secondhand stores is typically a percentage of their anticipated selling price. Expect to receive approximately one-quarter to one-third of the price the store will sell the item for. While the payout might be modest, selling to secondhand stores is a quick and easy way to get cash for clothes you no longer wear.
Donating Clothes for Tax Benefits
If you have clothes that are too worn to sell but are still in usable condition, donating them to charity is a worthwhile option. Donating not only benefits those in need but can also provide you with a financial benefit in the form of a tax deduction.
Donating to qualified charities, such as Goodwill, can be tax-deductible in many countries. The exact rules and regulations regarding tax deductions for charitable donations vary, so it’s essential to consult your local tax guidelines or a tax professional. Keep records of your donations, including receipts from the charity, as documentation for tax purposes.
Getting Started Selling Used Clothes
Decluttering and selling used clothes is a win-win. Instead of letting clothes gather dust in your closet or paying for storage, turn them into cash.
Selling used clothes, whether online or at secondhand stores, is a practical and rewarding side hustle. You’ll not only free up space in your home but also gain extra income – a truly beneficial outcome. So, sort through your wardrobe, choose your selling method, and start turning your used clothes into cash today!
