
If you're looking to declutter your closet and make some extra cash, selling used clothes online is a great option. You can list your gently used items on various platforms, including eBay, Poshmark, and ThredUp.
eBay allows you to list your items for a fixed price or auction them off to the highest bidder. You can also use eBay's shipping labels to send your items to buyers. With over 183 million active buyers, you can reach a large audience.
Poshmark is a popular platform for selling gently used clothing and accessories. You can list your items for a flat fee of $0.20 per listing, and Poshmark handles shipping and customer service for you. You can also earn rewards and cash for referring friends to the platform.
ThredUp is an online consignment store that allows you to sell your gently used clothing and accessories. You can use their "Clean Out Kit" to send in your items, and they'll handle the rest. ThredUp offers a cash payout for your items, and you can also earn rewards for referring friends.
A different take: How to Determine Shipping Costs When Selling Online
Best Places to Sell Used Clothes
Selling clothes online is a great way to declutter your wardrobe and earn some extra cash. It can also be a great way to launch a business, whether you’re dropshipping or making the clothing yourself.
Some platforms are better for casual sellers, while others are built for full-scale businesses. Vinted and Poshmark work well for selling everyday clothes, they’re simple to use and attract plenty of people looking for casual, secondhand pieces.
Many of us have garments hanging in closets that we never wear. You may be wondering how to sell preloved clothes online. Consignment websites like the one described allow sellers to list items they want to sell and offer a wide variety of garments for sale.
Selling clothes online requires attention to detail, including paying attention to the quality of your garments, accurately detailing sizes and measurements, taking clear pictures, and including details about your item’s condition. Sellers can withdraw their earnings at any time and receive payments usually within three business days.
Some sites have additional services such as promoting your listing on social networks for a fee, which helps increase awareness of your item. Sellers can track their sales and view their account information from the site.
Recommended read: Selling Thrift Store Clothes Online
Other Online Marketplaces
There are many other online marketplaces where you can sell your used clothes, each with its own unique features and fees.
eBay, for example, offers a huge audience for sellers, but you'll be responsible for everything, including listings, shipping, and customer service.
Sellers on eBay can list items as "Buy It Now" or set up auctions, but be aware that you may be responsible for paying eBay a percentage of the final sale price after costs are subtracted.
You can also sell on Etsy, which allows sellers to list items as "Handmade" or "Nostalgia" items, each with different profits.
Etsy charges sellers 5% plus $0.25 per transaction, and you can withdraw your earnings at any time.
If you prefer to sell in bulk, you can try ThredUP, which will take care of the images for you, but you'll need to ship items for inspection.
Some other popular resale platforms include Poshmark, Depop, ThredUP, The RealReal, Mercari, ReBag, Vinted, Facebook Marketplace, Vestiaire Collective, LePrix, Crossroads Trading, and Beacon's Closet.
These sites all take a commission from each sale, so be prepared to give up some of the money you're selling for.
Here's a list of some of the most popular resale platforms:
- Poshmark
- Depop
- ThredUP
- The RealReal
- ebay
- Mercari
- ReBag
- Vinted
- Facebook Marketplace
- Vestiaire Collective
- LePrix
- Crossroads Trading
- Beacon's Closet
Best Practices for Selling
To get top dollar for your used clothes, take a little time up front to carefully package items so they're less likely to get wrinkled or damaged in transit.
Carefully taking high-quality photos is a must, use bright, consistent lighting and an uncluttered background, and take pictures from multiple angles so customers know exactly what they'll be getting.
Set a realistic price by considering the "one-third rule", where you set the price at about one-third of the original retail price, and label the brand, color, and size on the item to ensure it appears in search results.
Presenting any defects upfront will preserve your reputation and seller rating, so be honest in your description and tell prospective buyers everything they need to know about the item.
Take Clear Photos
To take clear photos of your items, start by using bright, consistent lighting. This will help your items stand out in a sea of dimly lit cell phone shots.
Intriguing read: Selling Items Online Earning Revenue
Place your clothing on a flat, plain surface to reduce shadows. If you don't have a plain surface, a solid-colored bedspread or blanket will work in a pinch.
Take a picture of the tag to show authenticity. This is especially important if you're selling designer or brand-name items.
Use multiple angles to show customers exactly what they'll be getting. This will also help you showcase any unique features or details of the item.
Carefully arrange your items to minimize clutter and distractions in the background. A clean and simple background will make your photos look more professional.
Set a Realistic Price
Setting a realistic price is crucial to selling your clothes quickly and for a good price. Consider the "one-third rule" which suggests setting the price at about one-third of the original retail price.
If you're selling a preworn item, use this rule to guide your pricing decisions. For example, if you bought a jacket for $150, you should set the price around $50.
Selling a like-new item? You can try selling it for more, perhaps $75 to $100. This will give you some wiggle room to negotiate with potential buyers.
Label Brand, Color, Size

Labeling your item with its brand, color, and size is crucial for making it easily discoverable by potential buyers. This is especially important if you're putting a label on it, as it ensures your item appears in search results.
A clear and concise label will help shoppers quickly identify what they're looking at, and it's a good idea to include any other important information. For instance, "Blue North Face Jacket, Size 4, in Great Condition" is a clear and well-labeled example.
By following this best practice, you'll make it easy for buyers to find what they're looking for, and it will save you time in the long run.
See what others are reading: Why Is Selling Important
Stay in Touch with Buyers
Staying in touch with buyers is crucial for building trust and turning one-time buyers into repeat customers.
Over-communicating is key, especially if you're running late with shipping. If you're a little late, let them know!
It typically takes a couple of days or more for a package to be delivered, depending on your location and the carrier you use. This can sometimes cause delays, so keep your buyer informed.
Letting your buyer know about postal delays can help manage their expectations and show that you're proactive in keeping them updated. This customer service element can go a long way in building a positive relationship.
Get That Cash
Getting paid for your sold items is a crucial part of the resale process, and the payment methods vary depending on the platform you're using.
You can link your bank account to Poshmark to get direct deposits for your sales, which is a convenient way to receive your earnings.
The Real Real Sell allows you to withdraw your earnings at any time, and they're typically deposited into your account within three business days.
You'll need to check the website of each resale app to find out their specific payment process, as some may use PayPal or mail you a check.
Once you receive your earnings, you might just find yourself wanting to sell even more of your clothes – it's a pretty satisfying feeling, as many sellers can attest.
A unique perspective: Safest Payment Method When Selling Online
Starting Your Online Business
Selling clothes online takes effort and understanding who you're selling to is key. To make real money, you need to know where your target market shops and how your pieces fit into the market.
More than 1 out of 10 American households rents offsite storage for extra belongings, rather than selling them. Throwing things out is hard, but selling used clothes is an excellent side hustle.
To start making a profit, you need to understand your target market and the market itself. This is especially true if you're just offloading used clothes from your own closet.
A unique perspective: Selling Children's Clothes Online
Shopify
Shopify is one of the best e-commerce platforms, used by millions of brands in 175 countries, including big names like SKIMS, Netflix, Kylie Cosmetics, and Mattel.
It offers customization, branding options, and complete control over pricing and inventory, making it an excellent choice for serious sellers who want to build a business and have autonomy over their sales process.
Shopify requires more initial setup and a monthly fee, but for many, it's worth the investment for the level of control it provides.
Some customers express hesitation due to Shopify's relatively hands-off approach in dealing with fraudulent sellers, with instances of buyers receiving no communication or products from a store, and minimal intervention from Shopify even after complaints.
Ideation and Concept Development
Starting your online business requires a clear idea of what you're selling and how you'll create it. Your niche determines your platform, pricing, and pitch.
You'll want to narrow your focus to a specific area, such as flipping vintage denim, designing your own pieces, or upcycling thrifted finds. This will help you decide on the best approach for your business.
Consider whether your niche is something you can scale, and if so, how you'll manage to do it. Scaling your business will depend on your niche and how easily you can replicate your products or services.
Your niche will also influence your pricing, as some niches may be more lucrative than others. For example, flipping vintage denim may be more profitable than designing your own pieces.
Ultimately, your niche will be the foundation of your online business, so take the time to get it right.
Worth a look: How to Start Online Selling Business from Home
Setup Store
Setting up your online store is a crucial step in starting your online business. More than 1 out of 10 American households rents offsite storage for extra belongings, so selling clothes online or at a secondhand store is a great way to earn money and declutter your closet.
Take a look at this: Online Selling Store
To build your website, focus on the design, user experience, and ease of navigation. This will ensure that your customers can easily find and purchase the clothes you're selling.
For marketplaces, learn about their selling policies, fees, and how to optimize your listings for better visibility. You can also consider taking part in marketplace ads to reach a bigger audience.
Sponsored listings on marketplaces like Etsy can help put more eyes on your clothes if you have few sales. This can be a game-changer for your online business.
Tips for Success
If you're selling clothes online, you'll want to make a great impression with your photos. Professional photographers will take care of this for you on sites like thredUP.
Consider the presentation of your clothes if you're using a site like eBay or VarageSale. You'll need to think about how to showcase your items in the best possible light.
Take great photos of your clothes from different angles, so buyers can see the item clearly. This will help you sell your clothes online successfully.
Recommended read: Selling Self Portrait Photos Online
Decluttering and Donating
The average closet holds 100 items, 22 of which are never worn. This is a staggering amount of unused clothing.
Consider the environmental impact of your unused clothes. The average woman owns more than $1000 worth of underused or unworn clothing items, which could be contributing to the problem.
By decluttering your closet and donating or selling your unwanted clothes, you can help reduce the carbon footprint associated with the fashion industry.
Declutter Your Wardrobe
You have a lot of clothes in your closet, but how many of them do you actually wear? The average closet holds 100 items, and 22 of them are never worn.
Selling clothes online is a great way to declutter your wardrobe. It's easy to do, and you can make some extra cash in the process. You can list items for free on Facebook Marketplace and reach local buyers.
Before you start selling, take a good look at your clothes and get rid of anything that's in poor condition or doesn't fit anymore. If it's in good condition, consider listing it on eBay or a local Facebook sale page.
The average woman owns over $1000 worth of underused or unworn clothing items. Do we really need to make more when we have so much? Selling clothes online is a great way to reduce the clutter in your closet and make some extra cash.
Take a look at this: Local Online Selling Websites
Alternative Donation Options
If you're not ready to part with your gently used clothes just yet, consider selling them online instead of donating. You can use websites like VarageSale, which brings the concept of a yard sale online, allowing you to sell clothes to people in your area.
To do this, you'll need to list your items and handle transactions, but you'll get to keep most of the profits. eBay and Facebook Marketplace are other options for selling your clothes online.
If you're looking for a more direct approach, you can use Instagram or Mercari to sell your clothes to customers. Vinted and Depop are also great platforms for selling second-hand clothing.
If you're looking to sell high-end or luxury items, Rebag is a great option.
Check this out: Sell Cosplay Prints
Popular Platforms for Preloved Items
If you're looking for a hassle-free selling experience, consider using platforms like Vinted and Poshmark for everyday clothes. They're simple to use and attract plenty of people looking for casual, secondhand pieces.
ThredUp is another great option, especially for those looking to unload multiple pieces of women's and kid's clothes at once. You can send them your clothes, and they'll take care of everything from photography to pricing, earning you 60% to 80% of the sale price.
For those who prefer a more hands-on approach, consider using e-commerce platforms like Shopify or BigCommerce. You'll have greater control over your store, but you'll also need to manage your storefront using HTML or other coding languages.
If you're looking for a platform that's easy to use and specializes in secondhand clothing, ThredUp is a good choice. Sellers send their clothes to ThredUp, and the company takes care of everything from photography to pricing.
Here are some popular platforms for preloved items:
Thredup
ThredUp is a popular platform for selling preloved clothes online. It's ideal for those looking to unload multiple pieces of women's and kid's clothes at once.
You can start the process by ordering a prelabeled bag to fill with clothes and send back, or request and print a shipping label for your own box. ThredUp accepts all brands, but clothes must be clean and in good condition.
You can expect your stuff to start selling four to six weeks after sending your bag, and you'll earn a percentage of what sells. For example, you get 60% to 80% for clothes that sell for $100 to $199.99, but only 3% to 15% for those that sell for $5 to $19.99.
ThredUp also deducts a $14.99 service fee for standard bags ($34.99 for bags of premium clothes) from your earnings once clothes sell. If your items don't sell, you can reclaim them for a $5.99 fee.
Here's a breakdown of ThredUp's earnings structure:
ThredUp also offers a "Sell It Now" option, where sellers list their items at their set price and are paid when the item sells or after 30 days have passed. Sellers can choose to have ThredUp donate their unwanted clothes for free or give them an instant trade-in credit.
However, sellers are limited to how many items they can list unless they pay a monthly membership fee.
Vestiaire Collective
Vestiaire Collective is a peer-to-peer marketplace that specializes in luxury brands. It's a great platform for people with expensive taste looking to put fancy clothes up for sale.
The effort needed to sell items on Vestiaire Collective is hands-on, as you'll need to provide photos, set prices, and handle shipping. You're responsible for listing and pricing your items, but the company carefully reviews each item listed before publishing.
Vestiaire Collective takes a 10% commission on items sold between $83 and $16,667, and a $10 fee applies to sales less than $83. For items $16,668 and up, a fixed fee of $2,000 is charged.
You'll also need to pay a payment processing fee of 3% on your earnings. This fee is in addition to the commission and any other fees.
To give you an idea of the fees involved, here's a breakdown:
Once an item sells, you'll need to print a label, pack, and ship it in your own package. This can be a bit of a hassle, but it's worth it if you're looking to make some extra money from your luxury items.
Select the Right Platform
If you want control over your branding, pricing, and customer experience, consider building your own store with an e-commerce platform like Shopify or BigCommerce.
You'll need an e-commerce hosting provider to keep your site up and running if you're using a platform that doesn't host your site for you.
Marketplaces like eBay, Etsy, or Amazon are easier to get started with, but you won't control the platform or customer data.
You'll benefit from built-in traffic, but be prepared for listing fees, competition, and rules you'll need to follow.
For selling everyday clothes, Vinted and Poshmark work well and are simple to use, attracting plenty of people looking for casual, secondhand pieces.
If you plan to scale beyond individual buyers and start selling wholesale to boutiques or retailers, you'll need different tools than consumer marketplaces offer.
Kidizen
Kidizen is a platform where you can sell your preloved clothes, but it's essential to consider the shipping costs carefully. Sellers are responsible for shipping costs or Kidizen will pick up the item.
Sellers may only list clothing items that are in good condition, so make sure to inspect your items before listing them. This ensures a smooth transaction for both you and the buyer.
To avoid any issues, sellers should carefully review the listing process before adding their items to Kidizen Sell.
Get Started
To start selling used clothes online, you need to understand who you're selling to, where they shop, and how your pieces fit into the market.
More than 1 out of 10 American households rents offsite storage for extra belongings, so it's a good idea to sort through your wardrobe and sell used clothes to earn money.
To get started, sort through your closet and separate items to sell from those to keep or donate. Throwing things out is hard, but selling used clothes can be a win-win situation.
You'll need to upload each item and write up a description, being as specific as possible. Mention if you wore it only twice or if it's NWT (new with tags).
Measurements help if you know them, like the length of a dress hem or the inseam on a pair of jeans.
Featured Images: pexels.com


