Public service announcement: You can sell your clothes online and actually make some pretty decent cash. And I'm not talking about the pennies you get (if you're lucky, lol) from dropping things off at your local Plato's Closet, I'm talking actually getting some of your money back on those Revolve wedding guest dresses that you only wore a couple times or the poorly-fitting pants that you missed the return window on. There's a whole resale world out there—there are even people out here turning the clothing-reselling business into a full-time job!
If you're ready to squeeze a little more value out of the clothes you're decluttering this spring, it's time to sign up for a app or two. Below are all the things you need to know about how to sell your clothes online and all the tips and tricks that'll guarantee some quick cash. Better that a stranger gets some love out of your unused pieces than them taking up valuable wardrobe space, right? Now go forth and earn those dollars!
Gather up all the items you want to get rid of
Step one is to purge your dresser and/or closet of all the things that have been collecting dust. Be brutally honest with yourself as to whether you'll actually wear it, or whether you're hanging onto it for an occasion that hasn't (and won't!) come around. Once it's all set aside—or at least in a semblance of a pile—you can move onto the next step of photographing and cataloging each piece.
Start snapping those pics
Some resale apps let you take photos in the platform, but your best bet is using your phone camera to take pictures in bulk and then uploading photos as you list. Poshmark seller Candice Villano recommends using the same background and configuration for each picture so everything looks consistent when you upload it onto your seller page. Most people take photos of each item on a hanger or flat on the floor, but you can also chose to wear the pieces yourself so shoppers can see what they look like when worn.
Another tip: If it's a newer item, you might still be able to find it online and use the images from the brand's website. If you do this though, it's still best to document your item with a photo you've taken as shoppers typically ask to see the actual piece you're selling.
When it comes to your photos, they should be well-lit with any visible wrinkles smoothed out. If there are any issues with your previously-worn pieces like snags, small holes, or pilling, be sure to take pictures of those for quality transparency. If something is really worn beyond repair, it's probably best to donate it through something like Trashie or drop it off at a fabric recycling center near you.
Choose your app or website
There are so many resale platforms out there, and they're all slightly different. For example, some sites like The RealReal and ThredUP will require you to ship items for inspection, and then they'll take care of the images for you (nice, huh?!). But usually, you'll do the heavy lifting of putting up your items for sale. The plus of being more hands-on, though, is that you'll have more control over the pricing, the execution, and the look of your page. See the list below for a bunch of resale sites to take advantage of:
- Poshmark
- Depop
- ThredUP
- The RealReal
- ebay
- Mercari
- ReBag
- Vinted
- Facebook Marketplace
- Vestiaire Collective
- Etsy
- LePrix
- Crossroads Trading
- Beacon's Closet
Just keep in mind that many of these sites do take a commission from each sale, so be prepared that you won't get 100 percent of the money you're selling it for. These companies gotta make some dough, too!
Some of the main resale players out there...
Depop
Best for: Vintage finds, '90s vibes.
The platform has 10+ million (!) users. Prices are suuuper accessible—think $10 graphic tees and $30 or less for Wrangler jeans.
ThredUp
Best for: J.Crew blazers, Gucci purses, and everything in between.
Instead of pricing things yourself, you can mail in anything you want to sell in bulk and Thredup does the work for you. Great if you're lazy, not so much if you like control.
Poshmark
Best for: Brands like Adidas, Madewell, and Anthropologie.
Clothes and accessories are the biggest categories, but you can also sell makeup and home goods on here. The range!
The RealReal
Best for: Luxury items, special designer pieces, rare finds.
The clothes can obviously be costly, but sellers earn up to 85 percent for each sale... so you can make bank on your cleanout and give that retro Chanel bag you're eyeing new life in your own closet.
Start listing
Upload each item and then write up a description, being as specific as possible. Mention if you wore it only twice or if it's NWT (that's "new with tags" in reseller speak). Measurements help if you know them, like the length of a dress hem or the inseam on a pair of jeans, and list the fabric content, too. And if you want some help with how to price your item, just look at some other pieces from the same brand that other people are selling to get a ballpark figure.
Ship your sales out
You made a sale! Congrats!!! Once that happens, sites usually send you a shipping label, but you'll have to take care of boxing the item(s) up carefully before sending out to the buyer.
Pro tip: Reuse boxes that you were planning on recycling, or go to your local post office as they often have free boxes that you can use if your label is Priority Mail. Once everything is all boxed up with the label attached, drop your packages off where the label specifies, whether that be a USPS location or a UPS store.
Stay in touch with your buyer.
You definitely want to over-communicate if possible. If you're a little late with shipping it out, let them know! If there's a postal delay (as there often is), also let them know! It typically takes a couple days or more for a package to be delivered, depending on where you're both located and what carrier you use, but the customer service element really helps turn one-time buyers into repeat customers.
Get that cash.
Poshmark allows you to link your bank account so you can get direct deposits for your sales, but other sites may use PayPal or will mail you a check. You can find out the payment process on each resale app's website. And fair warning: Once you do receive your hard-earned dollars, you'll probably want to sell even more of your clothes, because it's a pretty satisfying feeling.
I'm Cosmopolitan's Associate Fashion Editor and write about any and all trends, major celeb fashion moments, and why wide-leg jeans are basically the best. I originally moved to New York City to audition for RENT, only to find out that the play closed 10 years ago.
