9 Platforms To Sell Clothes Online – Rags To Riches
Ahhh, the relief that comes with looking at a clean closet.
The capsule-closet cherry on top?
Knowing your cleaning efforts that contribute to a cleaner planet also puts a bit of money in your pocket.
Selling clothes online provides a unique opportunity to do both.
It not only cleans your house and makes you cash… but gives someone the option of buying used clothes from the comfort of their couch.
In fact, buying and selling used clothing is the single most important thing you can do to rehaul the fashion industry.
This practice is a critical pillar of sustainable and ethical fashion. And the best places to sell clothes online provide a win-win-win for over-cluttered homes, uncluttered wallets, and our rapidly-cluttering planet.
So, sit back, have a read, and then get ready to finally cross “clean closet” off your to-do list.
Don’t forget to read beyond the brands to check out our tips for selling used clothes online.
*This post contains affiliate links
QUICK LINKS FOR THE BEST PLACES TO SELL CLOTHES ONLINE
1. THREDUP
About ThredUp
Fed up with all of those unworn clothes hogging valuable closet realestate?
ThredUp, the “online consignment & thrift store for you, your wallet, and the planet”, can help.
Not only are they one of the best places to sell clothes online, but they were one of the first.
What started as a men’s shirt swap has turned into an exclusive secondhand clothing sales platform for women and kids, 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 shipping label and list of what’s accepted.
- Fill and send back.
- ThredUp will decide how to recycle old clothes and which garments should be sold.
- 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 is One of the Best Websites to Sell Clothes Online
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.
And using their platform is one of the easiest ways to sell clothes online, as the consignment model is based on proprietary world-class visual recognition technology which identifies each garment.
Selling clothes online has never been this easy (and stress-free).
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.
Available: ThredUp
2. DEPOP
About Depop
Depop is an innovative app that combines social media with a global marketplace.
Think Instagram-meets-Poshmark.
The platform has over 15 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.
Why Depop is One of the Best Places to Sell Clothing Online
Depop is best places to sell clothes online for several reasons:
- 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.
Available: Depop
3. POSHMARK
About Poshmark
Poshmark is a popular peer-to-peer thrifting website 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 in the item details and a brief description and post. In less than 60 seconds it will be added to your Poshmark “closet.” It’s as easy as the snap of that smashed avo you took this morning.
- Like you would on a social media platform, share your listing. You can even 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 pre-paid label, package, and mail via USPS.
With 25 million+ items from all brands—from ultra-posh Prada to fast fashion finds from Forever 21—there isn’t much clothing you can’t sell.
Why Poshmark is One of the Best Apps to Selling Clothes Online
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.
Available: Poshmark
4. EBAY
About eBay
Join millions of people selling their clothes on eBay—the OG place to sell second hand clothes online.
eBay is the world’s biggest platform for selling online and clothing is its #2 top-selling category (electronics being #1), with 20,000,000+ items under “Fashion.”
As for how to sell clothes online through eBay:
- Create an eBay account.
- Create a listing. eBay is full of helpful tips—down to how to write a perfect title.
- Add photos, a description, characteristics (preset depending on item category), and choose a selling format (fixed price vs auction) and shipping service.
- All that’s left is accepting payment, packaging, and mailing using eBay’s subsidized printable postage.
The fee structure is dependent on the item category, but you can list <250 items monthly for free.
They use innovation and technology to help people build their own businesses on eBay, and have a range of awards to show for it, including the Dow Jones Sustainability World Index for Responsible Business.
Why eBay is One of the Best Places to Sell Used Clothes Online
eBay is “the world’s online marketplace”, and thus one of the best online store to sell clothes to the widest audience.
Think how often eBay listings come up in basic Google searches.
They connect people from all over the world, providing buying and selling opportunities for individuals everywhere.
It’s simple, free, protected, and reaches more than 170 million people.
Available: eBay
5. TRADESY
About Tradesy
Most women have $1,000 worth of clothing in their closets and Tradesy as one of the best places to sell womens’ clothes online, will help you realize that value in hard-cash.
Using funds from renting out her bedroom, and selling artwork from her car, founder Tracy DiNunzio created Tradesy so women could access high-quality fashion without breaking the budget or our planet.
It’s sold more than a billion dollars of pre-owned fashion, much of which are designer goodies.
Why Tradesy is One of the Best Places to Sell Used Clothes Online
If you want to sell used women’s clothes online, Tradesy makes the process easy (and lucrative).
While they accept some mid-tier brands (like Zara and J Crew), their schtick is bags, shoes, clothes, and accessories from designer brands like Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Burberry, and Prada.
Tradesy enhances your item images to attract attention. Then you’ll set the price OR they’ll choose it for you, based on smart data.
Once you make a sale, Tradesy sends a prepaid shipping kit and you get the majority of the $$$ (via a debit card, Paypal, or an ACH transfer).
They’ll deduct a fee of $7.50 for items less than $50 and 19.8% for items over.
Available: Tradesy
6. 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 is One of the Best Places to Sell Used Clothes Online
One of the first online vintage stores, they’ve 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 you found in your grandmother’s attic.
Available: Refashioner
7. THE REALREAL
About The RealReal
The RealReal is one of the world’s top authenticated luxury online consignment shops (with four brick-and-mortar locations, too).
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.
The fundamentals for The RealReal are:
- 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.
Sell Used Clothes Online With The RealReal
Not only does The RealReal’s version of sustainable luxury allow more people to access their favorite brands at better prices, 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.
With minimal effort required from you, TheRealReal is an easy way to sell clothes online.
Available: The RealReal
8. FACEBOOK MARKETPLACE
About Facebook Marketplace
Chances are, many of us have already purchased an item on Facebook Marketplace.
With more than 800 million people across 70 different countries using Facebook Marketplace, its reach is unmatched.
It’s basically the biggest classified ad with a simple startup 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.
If you do want to take your Facebook selling to the next level, you can use the Facebook Shop, which will have associated costs.
Sell Used Clothes On 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 to cars.
Naturally, you can sell clothes online, and even sell used kids clothes online.
The entire process takes no longer than a few seconds and it’s all in your hands, making it one of the simplest and most stress-free processes—that’s also absolutely free.
Available: Facebook
9. 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.
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 is One of the Best Places for Selling Clothes Online
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, authentication services for designer products, and Buy Now, Pay Later plans make it equally as straightforward and safe for buyers.
Available: Mercari (US only)
HOW TO SELL CLOTHES ONLINE
So you’re feeling inspired to a) tackle that pile of random clothes hanging out in the back of your closet; and b) build the resale empire of your dreams (or, put some green in your eco friendly wallet while keeping clothes out of landfills).
Fantastic, but how does one actually do it and what is the easiest way to sell clothes online?
Reselling clothing is a bit like utilizing those thrift shopping tips: knowing the secret sauce can really up your chances of success.
Here are the top tips on how to sell used clothes online:
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 clothing 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 widtth, etc) in the description from the jump.
This is especially important if selling womens clothes online (because we all know women’s sizing follows no logic).
Clean your clothes.
This should go without saying, but the clothes should be clean and free of wrinkles when you send them out.
Share your store on social media.
Posting a link to Poshmark or Depop is a great 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.
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 every day 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 you can 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%.
By deciding to sell pre loved clothes online, you’re making that possible.
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.
Having said that, there are many bespoke brick-and-mortar stores – 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.
When you’re in control of the sales, you can keep selling until it finds a second home.
FINAL THOUGHTS ON SELLING CLOTHES ONLINE
Isn’t it the best when you can do your part to save the planet—and end up with some extra cash in your pocket?
We happen to think so, especially since selling clothes online has never been easier, and making earth-conscious choices can oftentimes cost a little more upfront.
So let’s all get snapping, listing and flipping business to change the fashion industry (and the way consumers approach shopping) for the better.
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.