If you know where to sell clothes online, you’re probably familiar with the relief that comes with looking at a clean closet.
But is doing so a good idea?
Absolutely!
Selling used clothing online not only cleans your house and makes you cash, but gives someone the option of buying secondhand from the comfort of their couch.
A critical pillar of sustainable fashion, buying new-to-you clothes and selling used clothing is one of the most important things you can do to re-(thrift) haul the fashion industry.
And the best places to sell clothes online provide a win-win-win for over-cluttered homes, uncluttered wallets, and our rapidly-cluttering planet.
And if you’re still wondering, “Where can I sell used clothes for cash?”, we’re here to help you finally cross “clean closet” off your to-do list.
How To Sell Clothes Online?
Like any money making endeavor, selling clothes online can be profitable but it pays to be strategic. There are several key steps as follows.
Step 1: Pick the right clothes
Given most of the best clothes reselling apps and platforms have reviews and algorithms to promote the better sellers, it pays to be choosy with your selection.
If you’re selling your old clothes predominantly to declutter, consider also using this as an opportunity to tidy your wardrobe of items you’re unlikely to sell. We have a handy guide to help with this: What To Do With Old Clothes.
In essence, we’d suggest gifting, swapping or donating clothes that are still in great condition but may not do well on a reselling app. This may be because they’re no longer trendy or are difficult to fully appreciate in online images.
You can also give consignment stores a try for old clothes that may not sell well online but are still in great condition.
So what kinds of clothes sell well online? Typically vintage clothing, higher value clothing and trendy clothing are what most buyers are after so our guidance would be to prioritize these in your selection.
Step 2: Pick Your Reselling Platform
Deciding where to sell secondhand clothes online is the next key step in the reselling equation. This guide focuses mostly on this question further down in this article where we provide 9 different places to sell used clothes and their respective attributes.
Step 3: Set Up Your Store & Start Selling Your Used Clothes
Here’s where we share some tips on how to be successful selling clothes online to give yourself the best chance of success. We’d also recommend checking out this guide if you plan to take this used clothes selling business to the next level: How To Start A Thrift Store.
Onto our list of top clothes reselling tips:
Photos Are Everything:
We live in a world inundated with images (think: Instagram, Pinterest, and VSCO).
The bar is high, and if you plan on selling that old leather jacket, you better make sure your photos are sharp. Think about what you would want to see if you were shopping for used clothes.
Take shots from plenty of angles, have a neutral background, and use good light. Natural light is best, (ideally near a window during “the golden hour”).
Model Your Clothes:
The best way to sell used clothes online is by showing what it looks like on a human, not a hanger. People are more likely to buy something if they can see themselves in it.
Honesty Is The Best Policy:
Be as specific and detailed as possible with descriptions, especially any flaws, wear, or defects. Not only is it just bad juju to lie about authenticity or condition, but it builds trust but good reviews.
Most online clothes selling platforms won’t let it happen, either.
Be polite and answer any questions your buyer may have.
Measurements Are Appreciated:
Often people will ask you for measurements, so save the extra steps and put the basic ones (inseam, waist, sleeve length, chest width, etc.) in the description from the jump.
This is especially important if selling women’s clothes online (because we all know women’s sizing follows no logic).
Clean Your Clothes:
This should go without saying, but don’t try selling dirty clothes online.
Most sites require things to be clean and if you’re doing a direct seller-to-buyer, buyers may return items (regardless of your return policy) if items do not come in the expected condition.
Share On Social Media:
Posting a link to your chosen online site to sell clothes is a good way to bring in traffic from people you know.
People are more likely to buy clothes from people they know. Maybe your friend didn’t know you were selling that skirt she’s loved for ages.
We independently research all featured brands and we ask them to confirm their claims. In many cases we personally review recommended products. This post contains affiliate links which means we may earn a commission if you buy something. Learn more here.
The Best Platforms To Sell Old Clothes Online
thredUP makes selling gently used clothes as easy as pre-loved pie thanks to their bulk buyout options.
Etsy’s curated and bespoke nature makes it one of the best places to sell vintage clothes online—though there’s no limit on what kinds of clothes you can post for sale here.
If you’re app-solutely set on finding the best apps for selling used clothes, Poshmark does the job.
Index: Where To Sell Used Clothes Online
- thredUP Jump to brand
- Depop Jump to brand
- Poshmark Jump to brand
- Etsy Jump to brand
- Vestiaire Collective Jump to brand
- Refashioner Jump to brand
- The Realreal Jump to brand
- Facebook Marketplace Jump to brand
- Mercari Jump to brand
thredUP
About thredUP
What is the fastest way to sell clothes?
thredUP may as well be called “spedUP” because they make the process quick and painless.
Not only are they one of the best and only places to sell used clothes in bulk, but they were one of the first.
What started as a men’s shirt swap has turned into an exclusive resale platform for women and used kids clothes, boasting over two million items from ~35,000 brands.
Here’s how their online consignment service works:
- Order a Clean Out Kit (free unless you want them to return unaccepted clothes). They’ll send you a huge bag equipped with a prepaid shipping label and list of what’s accepted.
- Fill and send back.
- thredUP will decide which garments should be sold and how to recycle old clothes that can’t be.
- They professionally photograph each item and put them up for sale.
- You receive the money or store credit based on a payout percentage (the more you sell, the more you get to keep).
Alternatively, you can order a Donation Kit where the same process will apply but instead of money in your pockets, they’ll donate $5 to a charity in your name.
Why thredUP?
We’d bet the plethora of thrift stores in San Francisco was (at least in part) responsible for the inspiration behind thredUP.
Why?
Because that’s where they’re from.
Plus, they’re just about the easiest place to sell clothes online, as the consignment model is based on proprietary world-class visual recognition technology which identifies each garment.
Committed to a sustainable fashion future, thredUP is actively reducing the percentage (73%) of clothing being incinerated or landfilled.
Aside from offering circular solutions, they support the Circular Fashion Fund.
By partnering with several sustainable clothing brands, thredUP offers to recycle clothes for money or rather for store-specific credit if you order your Clean Out Kit through the brand.
Depop
About Depop
Apps, as it turns out, can be a lot of fun, as Depop proves.
This innovative app combines social media with a global marketplace.
Think Instagram-meets-Poshmark.
The platform has over 30 million users, the majority of whom (Gen Zers) reflect the unique, quirky, and sometimes totally out-there options.
By selling unique and unusual used clothes through an edgy, social media-esque site, they’re saying thrifting is not just for your grandma.
It’s for anyone wondering how to make a little extra dough via flipping your old duds online (regardless of birth year!). Here are a few reasons to try them:
- You can list items for free (and only pay 10% to Depop when it sells).
- Sell one item, sell a thousand—it’s up to you and your vibe.
- It’s a fun way to explore your style and branding—and earn some money along the way.
- The price is up to you and you get paid as soon as the item sells.
- It’s easy to connect with people around the globe, become inspired, and share your creative side (in an Earth-friendly way).
For those wanting to combine clothing selling online with making creative content, Depop is a low-risk/high-reward place to start.
Its contemporary and creative nature also makes it a prime marketplace for those looking to resell their thrift flip creations.
Poshmark
About Poshmark
Poshmark is a popular peer-to-peer site for thrifting and selling used clothes and shoes powered by you, the seller.
Here’s how you can become a Posher (seller) yourself:
- Use the app to take a photo of your item. Enter the item details and a brief description. In less than 60 seconds it will be added to your Poshmark “closet.” It’s as easy as the snap of your avocado toast you took this morning.
- Like you would on a social media platform, you can leave it up to organic searching, share your listing, or create a Posh Story to share your photos and videos on the app—bringing your listing to life. Or join a Posh Party, a real-time shopping event with varying themes, to target sellers looking for certain items.
- Respond to comments, questions, and offers on your item.
- When your item sells, print the prepaid shipping label, package, and mail via USPS.
With 25 million items from all brands—from ultra-posh Prada to fast fashion finds from Forever 21—it’s one of the best ways to sell clothes of all kinds.
Why Poshmark?
Millions of people sell used clothes online with Poshmark because the selling is in your hands, you can sell pretty much anything, and you make the majority of the profit—they deduct a small fee ($2.95 for sales under $15, 20% for sales over).
One of Poshmark’s biggest boons is pricing freedom. You set the price and determine how much lower you’ll go. Poshmark encourages haggling, so be prepared to bargain.
Sellers are protected against fraud.
Buyers are given 3 days to “accept” and rate an item before you get paid. If they don’t, Poshmark automatically releases the funds.
PS they offer free authentication with luxury items and unlike some popular alternatives, you can also sell men’s clothes online here.
Etsy
About Etsy
Etsy is a global and popular online marketplace that’s rapidly gaining ground for anything and everything—from sustainable Etsy gifts to natural skin care products.
But can you sell used clothes on Etsy?
You bet!
In fact, Etsy makes it easy and its eclectic range of creatives and sellers make it particularly suited for selling vintage clothes online or starting an upcycled clothing business.
While the setup process is a bit more intensive than others, that makes it the best place to sell used clothes online for those who want ultimate customization, curation, and marketing to a target audience.
- Create your very own shop and connect a bank account to get started.
- List your handmade and vintage items one by one, setting each item’s selling price and shipping options. Don’t forget to maximize the tags so Etsy shoppers can find your listings.
- Let Etsy do all the work promoting your items to almost 100 million prospective buyers using the site.
- Once your item sells, print a shipping label through Etsy within your set shipping time frame and send it off to its new home!
Why Etsy?
Etsy is a phenomenal place to flip your unwanted goods—especially if you’re looking to make a business out of selling women’s clothes online.
You can customize and build your online store with as many or as few details—a logo, brand name, story, and more—as you like.
This freedom and branding makes it a popular choice among vintage curators and upcycled clothing brands.
Even if you’re not looking to make a hobby or a hustle out of selling used clothing items, Etsy allows for tons of freedom, meaning you can open a casual and temporary store for clearing your closet or even selling baby clothes online.
Etsy’s 6% commission fee (plus minimal $0.20 listing fees and credit card fees) is considerably lower than other websites to sell items.
Not only are they helping reduce the impact of textile waste, but the other impacts associated with selling used clothes online, thanks to their free carbon-neutral shipping and renewable powered website.
Vestiaire Collective
About Vestiaire Collective
Who says selling used clothes for money can’t be high-class?
If you’re looking to sell designer clothes online, look no further than Vestiaire Collective.
Their service includes authenticity checks, so prospective buyers of high-end clothing and accessories from premium and designer brands frequent this site for quality assurance.
Whether you have rare vintage items or a Louis Vuitton purse from last year you just don’t use, chances are, you’ll find someone who will treasure it here.
To use Vestiaire to sell clothes online for cash, simply:
- Take clear photos of the item you want to sell, write a detailed and accurate description, and set the listing price.
- Submit your listing for review, in which Vestiaire will assess if it meets their quality and authenticity standards.
- If they decide the item requires authentication, send it to Vestiaire Collective’s authentication team.
- Once verified, the listing goes live for shoppers both online and through their app.
Why Vestiaire Collective?
Vestiaire Collective is one of the prominent and reputable global platforms for reselling designer clothes.
Their strict quality control process makes them trusted among buyers and the niche nature of luxury goods means you’re getting people definitely interested in premium fashion and willing to pay more for them—versus shoppers on other sites who might expect luxury goods at thrift store prices.
The platform also provides resources and guidelines for sellers to create appealing listings, enhancing the chances of their items selling quickly.
Like apps to sell clothes like Poshmark, sellers and buyers can negotiate to strike a bargain that best suits both parties.
Refashioner
About Refashioner
Looking to sell used vintage clothes online?
Refashioner puts the ‘RE’ in REally exclusive vintage clothing.
The clothes they accept don’t need to be fancy, but they can never be mass-produced.
Not only do they ensure each piece is genuinely vintage, but every garment comes with a story, like who wore it or what happened to that 1970s fringed leather jacket.
Shoppers can search by decade (as early as the pre-1940s), item, garment type, or seller.
Why Refashioner?
One of the first online vintage-specific places for buying and selling used clothes for cash, Refashioner has amassed quite a following—so much so that there’s a huge backlog of garments people are hoping to consign online.
While the barrier to entry on Refashioner is higher than other online consignment brands on this list, there are benefits if you succeed.
High standards and unique focus equates to a high sales ratio and an equally high pay-day.
By targeting an audience interested in times-past, it’s easy to sell niche items, like a dress from some avant-garde designer items you found in your grandmother’s attic.
The Realreal
About The RealReal
The RealReal is one of the world’s top authenticated luxury online consignment stores.
Based on the notion that “the future of fashion is circular,” they want to empower both consignors and buyers to extend the life cycle of luxury shoes, clothing, jewelry, and handbags.
Here’s how to sell clothes online from home with The RealReal:
- Choose what to consign (men’s and women’s fashion and accessories, jewelry, fine art, and more)—just be sure the items come from the approved designers list.
- Chat with a Luxury Manager in a free consignment appointment OR book a free expert consultation to chat about pricing.
- Send your items directly to TheRealReal (for free).
- Relax and let the experts do all the work, “experts” being a team of 100+ authenticators, art curators, horologists, and gemologists. They’ll take photos, price items accurately, and sell them quickly.
You’ll be paid based on their commission levels. The more you consign, the more you earn.
Why RealReal?
With minimal effort required from you, TheRealReal is an easy way to sell your clothes online.
Not only does their version of sustainable luxury allow more people to access their favorite brands at a better price, but they’ve also made a significant positive impact on our environment.
So far, they’ve saved 756 million liters of water, 16,105 metric tons of carbon, and made a conscious effort to support diversity.
Facebook Marketplace
About Facebook Marketplace
Sometimes, the best way to sell clothes online is to first look local.
Chances are, many of us have already purchased an item on Facebook Marketplace.
With more than 800 million people across 70 different countries using the platform, its reach is unmatched.
It’s basically the biggest classified ad with a simple selling process:
- Click on the Marketplace icon.
- Click + Create New Listing, then Item for Sale.
- Click Add Photos, then enter a description and choose a price.
Your item will show up in related searches based on your selling location. People can contact you via Facebook to barter and set a time to meet. Be sure you exercise caution for your safety.
However, for safety and wider reach, Facebook allows you to mail items to non-local buyers.
Why Facebook Marketplace?
If you’re looking to sell used clothes online and want to do so without setting up an additional account or working out a complex fee structure, Facebook Marketplace is the place for you.
You can sell pretty much any item, from sustainable sofas and cars to clothing. You can even sell baby clothes online, which many others on this list don’t allow.
They’re also one of the few places where you can sell clothes online for free—since Facebook doesn’t take any commission from your sale.
But if you do want to take your Facebook selling to the next level, you can use the Facebook Shop, which will have associated costs.
Mercari
About Mercari
As one of the USA’s most popular websites for selling clothing online, Mercari boasts over 50 million app downloads and 350K+ new items listed every day.
With their seamless website and app combo, “letting go has never felt so good”.
Want to know how to sell clothes online with Mercari?
Just snap a few pictures, enter the item details (some may autofill based on algorithmic patterns of similar past items), set your price, and post. Once it sells, print a prepaid shipping label from the app.
Not only is Mercari a website for selling clothes, but just about anything else you’re looking to declutter, including home decor, old electronics, collectibles, home goods, and more.
Why Mercari?
Unlike many other sites to sell clothes online, you can choose any of the three major shipping providers to keep costs low based on your item’s size and weight—thus increasing the probability of selling.
Mercari Local eliminates unnecessary shipping emissions by connecting you to local sellers. But unlike other local trade platforms, exchanges are contact free and both parties are protected by exchanging payment via the app first.
Features like buyer protection, price negotiation, authentication services for designer items, and Buy Now, Pay Later plans make it equally straightforward and safe for buyers.
Why Sell Clothes Online?
Landfills are inundated with one garbage truck of textiles every second.
Let the image of 1.5 Empire State Buildings of thrown-away clothing everyday sink in for a moment…
While a lot of this textile waste happens not on the consumer level, but on the production level (fabric offcuts, deadstock clothing, etc), we still have the power to cut that clothing trash by a significant margin.
How? By changing how we consume new clothes and dispose of old ones. Extending the life of a garment is an important facet of slow fashion.
While selling old clothes online (or elsewhere) is not the only way to do so, it’s perhaps the easiest and the most eco-friendly thing to do with old clothes. You’re not only not throwing something away, but providing shoppers with an alternative to buying new: win win.
The resale of just one second-hand item reduces its carbon, waste, and water footprint by 82%. Heck, just extending a garment’s life by 3 months decreases its impact by 5-10%.
If money isn’t a factor for you, you may be wondering if reselling platforms are better than just donating in bulk. Donated clothes (to organizations like Salvation Army and Goodwill) have only a 20% resale rate.
When you’re in control of the sales, you can keep selling until it finds a second home.
That said, there are many bespoke brick-and-mortar stores, too. We’re compiling a list of the best thrift stores in your city (in the US and beyond) so have a scroll for our thrifting recommendations near you.
Hello, I currently have my closet on Poshmark and am thinking of changing platforms and Maricar looks good but can I sell in Canada as that is where I am located.
Does it cost to post my goods online and what are the rates? How would I choose the best shipping option? Am I allowed to sell perfume?
How long does it take to get funds from a sale? Can the funds be posted to a credit card or just bank account?
I really appreciate your reply
Thank you
Leigh-Ann
After I sell my clothes on this platforms how do I get paid?
Hi Gita, it will really depend on which clothes selling platform you choose to sell on. I suggest reaching out directly to the platforms who will be able to give you a better answer.