Let’s be real for a second. Your closet is probably a graveyard for "who I thought I was three years ago" outfits. We all do it. You buy that neon green blazer because you saw it on a Pinterest board, or you snag those $200 boots that look incredible but kill your arches after ten minutes of walking. Eventually, you realize you need the space back. Or the cash. But figuring out where can you sell your clothes without getting ripped off or spending forty hours a week as a part-time shipping clerk is a whole different beast.
It's not just about getting rid of stuff. It’s about strategy.
Some people want the highest payout and don’t mind waiting six months. Others just want the bag of clothes out of their hallway before they trip over it again. I’ve spent years navigating the resale market—from the high-end madness of The RealReal to the chaotic "is this still available" energy of Facebook Marketplace. Honestly, the "best" place depends entirely on what’s in your pile. A vintage 1990s Harley Davidson tee shouldn't go to the same place as a pair of lightly used Lululemon leggings.
The Big Players: Where the Crowds Are
If you have brand-name items that people are actively searching for, you go where the eyeballs are. That’s Poshmark and Depop.
Poshmark is basically the social media of selling. You have to "share" your closet to keep your items at the top of the feed. It’s a bit of a grind. But for brands like Anthropologie, Free People, or Nike, it’s a goldmine. They take a flat $2.95 commission for sales under $15, and 20% for anything over that. It sounds steep, but they provide the shipping label. You don't have to calculate postage. You just print, tape, and drop it in a blue box. Easy.
Then there’s Depop. If your clothes look like something a cool teenager in London would wear, go here. It’s owned by Etsy now, and the vibe is very "streetwear meets vintage." You’ll see a lot of Y2K styles, baggy jeans, and graphic tees. The trick with Depop is the photography. If you take a grainy photo on your unmade bed, it won't sell. If you model it in front of a cool brick wall with some edgy lighting? Suddenly that old hoodie is worth $60.
The Luxury Tier
If you’re sitting on a Louis Vuitton Speedy or a pair of Gucci loafers, do not—I repeat, do not—put them on a general marketplace where people will lowball you for $50. You need authentication.
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The RealReal is the heavy hitter here. They’re a consignment shop, meaning they take your items, photograph them, authenticate them, and ship them. You don't do any work. The downside? Their commission structure is a labyrinth. Depending on the item’s value and their "loyalty tier," you might only keep 40% to 55% of the sale price. It hurts. But for high-end luxury, the peace of mind that you won't get scammed by a buyer claiming the bag is "fake" is usually worth the haircut on the profit.
Vestiaire Collective is the European equivalent that has taken a massive bite out of the US market. They have a more "do it yourself" listing process than The RealReal, but they still authenticate the goods. It’s great for niche luxury brands like Ganni or Jacquemus that might not move as fast on a US-centric platform.
The "I Want it Gone Yesterday" Options
Sometimes the mental clutter of having five bags of clothes in your trunk is worse than the loss of potential profit. We’ve all been there. You just want the floor space back.
ThredUp is the giant in this space. They send you a "Clean Out Kit" (basically a giant polka-dot bag). You stuff it full and mail it back. They do everything else. Here’s the catch: they are incredibly picky, and the payouts can be insulting. I once sent a bag of mid-range brands and got a literal $4.12 check. However, if you have high-demand brands like Madewell or Patagonia, you can opt for "consignment" where you earn more once the item actually sells. It’s the ultimate lazy person’s way to sell clothes.
Buffalo Exchange and Crossroads Trading are the brick-and-mortar versions of this. You walk in, a "buyer" (usually a trendy 22-year-old) looks through your stuff, and they offer you cash or store credit on the spot.
- Cash: Usually 30% of what they think they can sell it for.
- Store Credit: Usually 50%.
If you’re looking to refresh your wardrobe, the store credit is a killer deal. But be prepared for the ego bruise. They will reject things you love. They will tell you your favorite dress is "out of style." Don't take it personally; they’re just looking at local inventory levels.
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The Hidden Gems: Niche Platforms
If you’re a guy, or you’re selling menswear, Grailed is the only place that matters. It’s where the "hypebeasts" live. If you have Supreme, Off-White, or even just high-quality raw denim like Iron Heart or Momotaro, the buyers on Grailed actually know what they’re looking at. They won't ask why a pair of jeans costs $300; they’ll ask about the "slub" of the fabric.
eBay is the old guard. People think it’s dead for fashion, but they’re wrong. It is still the best place for vintage items that don't fit the "trendy" mold. If you found a 1950s wool coat in your grandma's attic, eBay is where the collectors are. Their "Managed Payments" system has made things a lot smoother lately, and their reach is global. You can sell a vintage Japanese kimono to someone in Germany in three days.
Local Selling: No Fees, Big Hassle
Facebook Marketplace and Nextdoor are the wild west. There are no seller fees. You keep every cent. That’s the pro.
The con? People are flakes.
You will get twenty messages asking "Is this still available?" and then they’ll ghost you. Or they’ll show up at your house and try to negotiate the price down another $10 after you already agreed on $20.
Pro tip for local selling: Always meet in a public place, like a grocery store parking lot or a police station "safe swap" zone. Never give out your home address to a stranger for a $15 t-shirt. It’s just not worth the risk.
What Actually Determines if Your Clothes Sell?
You can pick the perfect platform, but if your listing sucks, the clothes will sit. The internet is a visual medium.
Lighting is everything. Don't use your bedroom light that makes everything look yellow. Stand near a window during the day. Natural light shows the true color of the fabric. If there’s a pill on the sweater or a tiny stain on the hem, take a photo of it. Being honest builds trust. If a buyer receives an item and finds a hole you didn't mention, they’ll open a dispute, get their money back, and you’ll be stuck with a "bad seller" rating.
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The Description. Keywords matter for SEO within these apps. Don't just write "Blue Dress."
Write: "Navy Blue Zara Midi Dress, A-line, Size Small, 100% Linen, Great for Summer Weddings."
Think about what you would type into a search bar if you were looking for that item.
Measurements are the secret weapon of pro sellers. Sizes are fake. A "Medium" in H&M is a "Small" in oversized brands and a "Large" in Italian luxury. Lay the garment flat and measure the "pit to pit" (chest) and the length. Include these in the description. It cuts down on 90% of the questions from buyers and prevents returns.
The Financial Reality of Resale
Let’s manage expectations. Unless you are selling rare collectibles or high-end luxury, you are going to get back about 10% to 30% of what you originally paid.
The "Fast Fashion" problem is real. Brands like Shein, Fashion Nova, and even some Forever 21 items have almost zero resale value. Why would someone pay $10 for a used Shein shirt plus $7 shipping when they can buy a brand new one for $8? If your closet is full of ultra-fast fashion, your best bet is to donate it to a local textile recycler or a shelter, or sell it as a "bulk lot" on a local page for a few bucks.
On the flip side, "Buy It For Life" brands hold their value incredibly well. Brands like Patagonia, Arc'teryx, and Dr. Martens have cult followings. There are people who specifically hunt for "Made in England" Docs or vintage Patagonia Synchilla fleeces. These are the items that make the effort of listing worthwhile.
Step-by-Step: Your Game Plan for Selling
Don't try to do it all at once. You'll get overwhelmed and end up throwing everything in a donation bin out of spite.
- The Great Sort: Create three piles.
- Pile A: Luxury or high-end items (The RealReal / Vestiaire).
- Pile B: Trendy, brand-name "mall" brands (Poshmark / Depop / Crossroads).
- Pile C: Basics, fast fashion, or items with minor flaws (ThredUp / Local Donation).
- Clean it up: Wash the clothes. Use a lint roller. If something is wrinkled, steam it. It takes two minutes but adds $10 to the perceived value.
- The Photo Session: Batch your photos. Do 10 items at once. Take a photo of the front, back, the brand tag, the size tag, and the fabric care label.
- Cross-List (If you're serious): There are apps like Vendoo or ListPerfectly that let you post one item to multiple sites at once. If you have a lot to sell, this is a lifesaver. Just remember to delete the listing everywhere else once it sells on one platform.
- Ship Fast: Once someone buys, get it in the mail within 48 hours. Most platforms reward fast shippers with better visibility in the search results.
Selling clothes isn't just a way to make extra coffee money. It’s part of a "circular economy." Every piece of clothing that gets a second life is one less piece of trash in a landfill. It’s a win for your wallet and a small win for the planet.
Start with the five most valuable things in your closet. List them this weekend. Once you get that first "Your item has sold!" notification, the dopamine hit is real, and you’ll be hooked on the decluttering process. Just try not to spend all the profit on buying more clothes from other sellers on the same app. It’s a slippery slope.