You could say I’m a secondhand addict. I’ve been buying hard-to-find pre-loved items on eBay since I was in college, and then I moved on to Poshmark when that arrived on the scene. I regularly send clean-out kits to ThredUp and use the money to shop for beloved items for my wardrobe every season. I even added secondhand shops like Amarcord Vintage and What Goes Around Comes Around when I was writing my book, The Encyclopedia of New York Fashion. The circular economy allows you to take care of waste, clear out your home, and maybe make a few bucks, too! The financial rewards of selling your clothes online can be quite substantial, especially if you have high-quality, sought-after items.
It can be overwhelming to begin selling your used items with so many resell websites available. However, each platform has its own unique features and benefits, catering to different types of sellers and buyers. Alana Isbell, the owner of My Devil’s Thrift, prefers Depop for her online sales. “I use Depop even though they take a high percentage of your sales. They are the best for vintage sellers,” she says. “Some other great platforms are Whatnot and Jamble, which are live-selling apps. You plan a date and time and go live so people can purchase items right then and there. I haven’t tried Vinted, though I have heard great things from other resellers in the community.” This variety of platforms ensures that there’s a perfect fit for every seller, no matter their preferences or selling style.
While you can always donate to local organizations like churches and buy nothing groups, if you’re looking to make some money from items like designer handbags, vintage tees, or workwear, check out the top places to sell second-hand clothes in 2024.
Best website to sell secondhand clothes quickly: ThredUp
ThredUp is an online thrift store known for selling secondhand clothing, accessories, and shoes. It has a wide assortment of items from Target and Old Navy all the way up to Louis Vuitton, and you can get rid of your gently used items easily and quickly. Sign up for ThredUp’s clean-out kit — it’s the quickest and easiest way to sell secondhand. Just sign up and ask for a kit, and ThredUp will send you a pre-labeled bag or a label to print on your box. This makes it a convenient option for anyone who wants to declutter their closets quickly.
What to know:
- Who it’s good for: People who want an easy and quick process and don’t care as much about ROI
- Effort needed: Very little
- Brands that sell well: Target, Old Navy, Rent the Runway, Marc Jacobs, Louis Vuitton
What we like:
- The convenience
- The ability to use credits to buy new clothes with thousands of pieces available
What we don’t like:
- Lower return than selling pieces individually
The bottom line:
ThredUp is an online thrift store that sells second-hand items and offers a clean-out kit to help you declutter quickly.
Best website to sell secondhand clothes for fun: Poshmark
Poshmark is a social commerce platform that connects buyers and sellers of clothing, shoes, and accessories in new or gently used condition. Poshmark’s interactive approach that encourages user engagement through comments, likes, shares, and live shows sets it apart. While Poshmark is often considered the gold standard for reselling sites, remember that to be successful, your descriptions and photos need to be of the highest quality. You’ll also need to share your closet regularly to get good visibility. We love that Poshmark has flat-rate shipping up to five pounds, so shipping is a breeze.
What to know:
- Who it’s good for: People looking for the most significant return
- Effort needed: A good amount
- Brands that sell well: Lululemon, Gucci, Free People, Coach, Nike
What we like:
- The return on investment
- The flat-rate shipping label is included in every order
What we don’t like:
- The amount of work it takes to upload and share items
The bottom line:
Poshmark is an excellent way to sell clothes online if you’re willing to do a little work.
Best website to sell trendy secondhand clothes: Depop
Depop is a platform that operates on mobile devices and focuses on stylish and fashionable items. The marketplace has a predominantly youthful audience and is recognized for its visually appealing product listings. Through Depop, sellers can share their unique style using photos and communicate with buyers from all over the world. However, since the platform caters to a specific group of people, the clothing items for sale may have limited demand.
What to know:
- Who it’s good for: People who have trendy clothes
- Effort needed: A good amount
- Brands that sell well: Gap, Polo Ralph Lauren, Tommy Hilfiger, Coach, NFL Jerseys
What we like:
- Strong, passionate audience
What we don’t like:
- A niche audience might limit visibility
The bottom line:
Depop is a platform for buying and selling fashion items through its mobile app, focusing on trendy, one-of-a-kind pieces.
Best website to sell trendy second-hand clothes worldwide: eBay
One of the most versatile and long-standing online marketplaces, eBay is a popular platform for selling a range of products, including clothing, and has a built-in worldwide audience. eBay offers sellers the option to use an auction-style or fixed-price format, which provides them with the flexibility to set prices. The large platform does mean your listing must have great keywords and descriptions, and you’ll have to manage shipping on your own.
What to know:
- Who it’s good for: People who want a global platform
- Effort needed: A good amount
- Brands that sell well: Michael Kors, Supreme, Ray Ban, Adidas, Air Jordan
What we like:
- The large international audience
- Auction-style and fixed-format pricing
What we don’t like:
- The seller is responsible for handling the shipping
The bottom line:
eBay has a broad audience and often lets you get the highest return but requires more effort with listing, shipping, and customer interaction.
Best website to sell kids’ second-hand clothes: Mercari
Mercari is an excellent site for selling items—just create an account, take photos, write a description, set a price, and choose who pays for shipping. While there are no listing fees, many sellers have complained about Mercari’s commission structure, processing fees and direct deposit fees. That being said, it has a great selection of adult and children’s second-hand clothes (and their buyers).
What to know:
- Who it’s good for: People who want to sell kids’ clothes and adult clothes
- Effort needed: A bit
- Brands that sell well: Patagonia, Everlane, Allbirds, Eileen Fisher, Victoria’s Secret
What we like:
- Easy user interface
- Focused audience
What we don’t like:
The bottom line:
Mercari is a great fee-based platform for selling secondhand clothes for adults and children.
Best website to sell designer clothes: Vestiare Collective
Vestiaire Collective is an online platform for buying and selling high-end designer clothing. They authenticate all items through a quality control process, guaranteeing authenticity. With over three million rare and desirable items, the platform promotes sustainable fashion through the buying and selling of unique pre-loved pieces.
What to know:
- Who it’s good for: People who want an easy and quick process and don’t care as much about ROI
- Effort needed: Very little
- Brands that sell well: Hermès, Dior, Saint Laurent, Céline, Fendi
What we like:
What we don’t like:
The bottom line:
Vestiaire Collective is an excellent online app that specializes in buying and selling designer clothing and luxury fashion items.
Best website to sell clothes locally: Facebook Marketplace
Facebook Marketplace is a convenient and user-friendly online platform that lets you trade a range of items and services with other users within your local community. This platform is particularly good for those who want to sell their clothes to people in their immediate vicinity without worrying about the hassle of shipping. It’s particularly good for selling men’s clothing brands, business wear, and jeans for women. That does mean you’ll have a heavy lift when it comes to communicating with potential buyers, and then you’ll have to meet up with them at a safe location. With Facebook Marketplace, users can easily create listings, communicate with potential buyers or sellers, and complete transactions safely and securely.
What to know:
- Who it’s good for: People who want to sell quickly to locals
- Effort needed: High
- Brands that sell well: The North Face, Gucci, UGG, Burberry, Kendra Scott
What we like:
What we don’t like:
- No platform support if a problem arises
- Lots of coordination with buyers
The bottom line:
Facebook Marketplace is a great place to sell clothes with 100% profit if you’re willing to do the work.
Best website to sell everyday secondhand clothes: Vinted
Vinted is a platform that provides a straightforward way to sell secondhand clothing. It’s easy to navigate and doesn’t charge sellers to list their items, making it ideal for those who don’t sell frequently. Vinted allows sellers to set their prices and communicate directly with buyers, giving them complete autonomy over their sales. It’s especially useful for those selling gently used clothing meant for everyday wear.
What to know:
- Who it’s good for: People who want an easy and quick process and don’t care as much about ROI
- Effort needed: A bit
- Brands that sell well: Uniqlo, COS, Reiss, Sandro, vintage tees, and denim
What we like:
- Affordable shipping
- Seller keeps 100% of the selling price
What we don’t like:
- As a newer app, there is a smaller audience.
The bottom line:
Vinted is an excellent app for selling secondhand clothes: no fees, direct communication with buyers, and complete control for the seller.
Best website to sell luxury clothes: The RealReal
TheRealReal specializes in consignment of high-end fashion items. These items undergo verification by a team of experts to ensure their authenticity, instilling trust in buyers when searching for genuine designer pieces. Sellers have the option to consign luxury clothing, accessories, and fine jewelry. TheRealReal provides a curated shopping experience that caters to those interested in luxury fashion but at a more affordable price.
What to know:
- Who it’s good for: People who want to sell luxury at a reasonable price
- Effort needed: Very little
- Brands that sell well: Miu Miu, Prada, Zimmermann, The Row, Rolex
What we like:
- It’s as easy as submitting and sending in your pieces
- Often have the highest prices for luxury items
What we don’t like:
- The platform decides the price items will sell at
The bottom line:
TheRealReal is an easy-to-use platform for selling luxury clothing online.
Tips for how to sell clothes online
Matching your wardrobe with the right platform is essential for success. It’s not just about getting rid of clothes but identifying the ideal audience that will appreciate the stories behind your garments. Whether you choose ThredUP’s ease, Poshmark’s diverse audience, or The RealReal’s discerning curation, consider which platform will showcase your clothing in the best way possible. Here are three tips that can help you sell your clothes online.
1. Take clear, well-lit photos.
If you decide to sell your clothes on ThredUP or TheRealReal, you won’t have to worry about taking professional-looking photos since the site’s photographers will do it for you. If you choose to sell your clothes on eBay, Facebook Marketplace, or Poshmark, you’ll need to pay more attention to presentation.
To ensure high-quality photos, use bright and consistent lighting with an uncluttered background. Ensure your clothes are wrinkle-free and hung against a plain, well-lit background. Take close-up shots of labels and any wear and tear. Consider taking pictures from multiple angles to provide customers with a clear and comprehensive view of the product they will be purchasing.
2. Set a realistic price.
According to the “one-third rule” rule, you should set the price of the product at around one-third of its original retail price. For instance, if you purchased a pre-owned North Face jacket for $150, then you should set the selling price at approximately $50. However, if the coat is in excellent condition, you could try selling it for a higher price of $75 to $100. Exclusive and luxury items often sell for higher than retail, so check “comps” or comparative selling prices of similar items.
3. Describe your items clearly.
To increase the visibility of your products, provide essential details such as the brand, item name, color name, size, and condition. A prime example of a precise label that can enhance the appearance of your item in search results is “Lululemon Define Jacket in Luon
Strawberry Milkshake Size 4 Excellent Condition XS S.” Many trendy brands have cult followings and websites where you can look this information up, and you can also use Google Lens to do a reverse image search, too. General condition terms used for online reselling sites are: NWT (New With Tags), Like New, EUC (Excellent Used Condition), GUC (Good Used Condition) and Fair. In this example, “Light pink Lululemon Zip Up Jacket Size 4 XS Small EUC” will help you in search engines much more than just “pink workout jacket.”
How to avoid scams when selling clothes online
To avoid scams, select platforms that have stringent policies for protecting buyers and sellers and secure payment methods to avoid scams. Never take a sale off the platform, as it gives both the buyer and seller protection. If you’re selling clothes locally using Facebook Marketplace, Next Door, or Craigslist, check the profile of the individual and always meet at a public place like a police station or school. It’s recommended that community feedback be reviewed and that the safety guidelines provided for each platform be adhered to.
How we selected the best sites to sell clothes online
My selection of the top nine platforms for selling clothes online was based on the following factors: selling price, ease of use, offered brands, audience size, and platform reputation. When choosing a platform, consider all of its features. I also drew extensively on my experience in the fashion industry, especially my personal focus on secondhand and vintage clothing and experiences selling (and buying) secondhand clothing.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
Is it a good idea to sell clothes online?
Selling your pre-loved clothes online can be a win-win—you can earn some extra cash while also clearing out your closet. Keep in mind that while selling your clothes online can be worth it, only clothing in high demand and excellent condition will yield the best results. Pay attention to any applicable fees and shipping rates to ensure you’re getting the best return. But doing good for the Earth and decluttering your home can be thanks enough!
How profitable is selling clothes online?
It depends on what you’re selling, what season you’re in and what fashion trends are. Parkas, puffer jackets, and jeans for men sell best in the winter months, while tank tops and sundresses do better in summer. For the best chances of selling, try to get your items on second-hand selling apps a few months before each season. To make the best profit, keep clothes in great condition and sell them when trends are hot.
Which app is best for selling clothes online?
All of our top nine sites to sell secondhand clothes are recommended due to their high customer satisfaction, but each has its strengths. Poshmark, ThredUp, and Vinted are excellent options for selling casual attire, like t-shirts for women, jeans for women and flannels for men thanks to their easy-to-use interfaces and engaged users. These platforms offer a broad selection of fashion styles and appeal to a diverse audience of potential buyers.
The RealReal and Vestiaire Collective are excellent choices if you’re interested in selling premium fashion items. These platforms offer authentication services and have a customer base that is specifically looking for high-end products. Their emphasis on luxury brands helps ensure that your designer clothing will be exposed to the appropriate audience, and Poshmark and eBay verify luxury purchases over a certain price point.
