Have some old clothes that you want to get rid of? This guide will teach you about selling them online!
Even if you’re pretty sensible with buying clothes, you likely have some pieces in your wardrobe that haven’t seen daylight in quite some time.
And while not everyone will go the whole nine yards and work on building a minimalist wardrobe, pretty much everyone can benefit from having less clutter in their closets.
If you’re not sure where to start, check out this video for a complete guide on how to go through your closet and get rid of old clothes.
While donation has been the traditional go-to route for getting rid of old clothes, more people are taking advantage of the resurgence in buying and selling used clothing.
Popular platforms like Grailed, Poshmark, and Depop have millions of users who are looking for good secondhand apparel.
Depending on how many old clothes you have and how often you buy new, selling clothes can be anything from an easy spring cleaning strategy to a bona fide side hustle.
But first, you’ll need to know the basics, and that’s where this guide comes in. I’ll go over best practices for selling clothes online, share the best clothing marketplaces, and more.
The Basics of Selling Clothes Online
While this guide is going to specifically cover selling secondhand menswear online, there are some fundamental best practices that you should become familiar with.
Here are five essential tips for selling clothes online:
Take High-Quality Photos
Even though just about everyone has a smartphone with a great camera, there are tons of bad photos on clothing marketplaces. These images usually suffer from poor lighting, lousy framing, or both.
When you’re taking photos, make sure you’re shooting in a well-lit space. Natural light is usually best. In most cases, you’ll do just fine to take photos inside during the daytime.
You don’t need a fancy camera unless you’re planning on making a serious side gig out of selling clothes.
Take several pictures (especially if there are imperfections) to mimic the experience of looking over an off-the-rack in a store. Close-ups of any key details can also help someone who’s browsing.
Master the Description
The ideal listing description is detailed, thorough, and informative. You’re not just expanding on the title here — you’re providing key info that can help your buyers.
First, you should include item details such as brand, garment type, size, and condition. It’s important to include these details in the description even if you’ve put them elsewhere.
Next, write a short description of the item. Some people copy and paste the brand’s description, which you can do, but you’re better off writing a paragraph of your own.
You can use this space to expand on the condition and communicate any information that’s not evident from the photographs (like the exact color or fabric texture).
It’s also a good idea to include the measurements of the item. You can either take photos of the item being measured or simply list the measurements in the description. This will make it much easier for your buyers to determine whether the garment will fit.
Price Wisely
In general, you’ll want to price your items based on how other sellers are pricing identical or similar items.
A good strategy is to conduct a few searches across multiple clothing marketplaces to get a general price range. Then you can choose a specific dollar amount within that range based on the condition of your item.
Unless you’re selling something that’s brand new and never worn, you shouldn’t even bother paying attention to the item’s original retail price.
Understand Shipping
Shipping can be a bit tricky because each platform handles it a little differently. It’s best to dig into this early on, especially if you’re selling on multiple sites.
In some cases, the marketplace platform will provide discounted shipping through specific couriers. In other cases, you won’t get any discount or prepaid labels and will have to do everything yourself.
Some platforms also approach free shipping offers a little differently, so that’s another aspect that’s worth looking into when doing your research.
Fill Out Your Profiles
Whether you plan to sell two items or two hundred, you should completely fill out your profile on each site you use so that your buyers can see you’re a real person and not a bot.
This is particularly important for new sellers with zero reviews or transactions. You want to communicate that you’re a human being who actually has these items, and filling out your profile in detail goes a long way toward that.
Where to Sell Clothes Online
There are plenty of places to sell clothes online, so depending on what you’re selling, you might want to use one particular platform or cross-list your items across multiple platforms.
Here’s an overview of the main sites to be aware of:
eBay
Despite its age, eBay is still one of the most widely used sites for selling secondhand clothes.
This massive platform has just about everything you can think of, so it’s great for selling most types of clothes.
Read our guide to eBay for more information.
Poshmark
Poshmark has shot up in popularity thanks to its simple shopping experience and highly active community.
It’s a great platform for selling all but the most expensive menswear, and it’s easy for new sellers to get started quickly.
Read our guide to Poshmark for more information.
Grailed
If you’re selling more upscale clothing, you might want to look into Grailed.
It focuses more on designer and streetwear items, though you can also find many common brands up for sale.
Read our guide to Grailed for more information.
Depop
This stylish platform is like Instagram for buying secondhand clothes. Expect to find lots of thrifted vintage pieces alongside more familiar brands.
90% of its users are under 26, which makes it a great place to sell trendy garments.
Read our guide to Depop for more information.
Etsy
While Etsy is mostly known for being an arts and crafts site, it also has a surprisingly active clothing marketplace that has lots of unique menswear items.
The only catch is that items must be either vintage or handmade, so you won’t be listing everything here.
Read our guide to Etsy for more information.
FAQs About Selling Clothes Online
Here are our no-nonsense answers to some of the most common questions about selling clothes.
What’s the Best Way To Sell Clothes Online?
If you want to have the most success with selling clothes online, you need to learn selling best practices. That means getting familiar with the platforms, learning to create good listings, and being communicative with your shoppers and buyers.
Is Selling Clothes Online Profitable?
Selling clothes can be profitable, but it all depends on what you’re selling. Items will hold value differently depending on the brand and type of garment. Generally, you can expect to make a fair amount of cash, but it’s not a get-rich-quick scheme.
What Websites Are Good To Sell Clothes On?
If you’re just starting out with selling clothes online, try out eBay and Poshmark first. These beginner-friendly platforms are great for all types of clothing.
Where Can I Sell My Clothes To Make the Most Money?
For upscale clothing, Grailed is your best bet. If you have particularly pricey items, you might want to look into other platforms like The RealReal that specialize in luxury consignment.
Wrapping Up
Selling clothes online is easy once you know the basics, and it’s a fantastic (and convenient!) way to declutter an overflowing closet.
If you want some extra know-how before you start, go on each platform you want to sell on and just browse for a while.
As you’re looking around, think about which listings give you the most information as a shopper. These are the kinds of listings you’ll want to make as a seller.
From there, you’ll have everything you need to get a great start on any reselling platform, whether you’re planning to sell regularly or just occasionally. That flexibility is a big part of what makes selling clothes online so great.
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