This was originally published on The Penny Hoarder, which helps millions of readers worldwide earn and save money by sharing unique job opportunities, personal stories, freebies and more. The Inc. 5000 ranked The Penny Hoarder as the fastest-growing private media company in the U.S. in 2017.
This doesn’t have to be a spring cleaning-related overhaul. We recommend you go through your closet seasonally.
Here’s a great place to start: make a giant pile of all the clothes you don’t wear anymore. Yes, that means going to the hall closet and looking through your winter gear, your swimsuit collection and, yes, all the shorts and shirts you said you would keep in case you had a grandchild. You can buy them new clothes with the money you make on your old items.
As you examine each piece, ask yourself some key questions: Does this fit? Do I still like it? When’s the last time I wore it?
If your answer is no, no and it’s been years, then it’s time to sell. We’ve rounded up the best ways to do that in this handy guide, whether you choose to sell online or in person.
Sell Used Clothes Online
Whether you want to sell clothes online just this once and be done with it or set up a clothes-reselling empire, you have plenty of apps and websites to choose from.
For selling used clothes online consider these sites:
For selling used clothes online consider these sites:
1. Depop
2. EBay
3. Facebook Marketplace
4. Poshmark
5. swap.com
6. ThredUP
7. Tradesy
8. The RealReal
9. Mercari
Sell Used Clothes In Person
For selling used clothes in person consider these national outlets:
10. Buffalo Exchange
11. Clothes Mentor
12. Once Upon a Child
13. Plato’s Closet
14. Style Encore
15. Uptown Cheapskate
16. Crossroads Trading
17. Bonus: Local Consignment Shops
1. Depop
Depop is fast becoming the top app for fashion-minded Zoomers. It’s as much of a lifestyle and social media app as it is a clothing marketplace, and that means high-quality photos with unique staging are a must.
The app is user friendly, and you can set up an account, sync it to your PayPal and start listing clothes in just a few minutes. Depop doesn’t charge you to create a listing. Instead, it takes a 10% cut when your item sells.
You can also choose your shipping method. You can either ship through Depop using the U.S. Postal Service or arrange your own shipping. You can choose to provide free shipping or charge your buyer for shipping.
Website: www.depop.com
Download the app: App Store, Google Play
Good for: The latest trends in street and vintage wear
Payout: Direct deposit, PayPal or store credit
2. Ebay
Compared to other websites and apps, eBay may seem like a relic of the past. But the site, after more than 25 years, remains a solid option for selling just about anything online — used clothes included.
So long as you create fewer than 250 listings each month, making a listing won’t cost you a dime. Like most e-commerce sites, eBay does charge seller fees. For most clothing, eBay charges 15% of the total amount of the sale if the item is sold for $2,000 or less. If the item is over $2,000, eBay takes 9% of the total amount of the sale. For select clothing, like men’s or women’s athletic shoes, those numbers are lower — 8% of a sale of $100 or more and 12.9% of a sale that is less than $100.
EBay provides a variety of shipment methods, and the price is based on the dimensions and weight of your package. You can also choose to offload those costs onto the buyer. And if the buyer is local, you can forgo shipping altogether by allowing for pickup.
Website: www.ebay.com
Download the app: App Store, Google Play
Good for: All types of clothing and accessories for primarily national buyers
Payout: Direct deposit
3. Facebook Marketplace
In recent years, Facebook has invested a lot into fine-tuning its Marketplace feature, which is built into the regular Facebook app. There is no standalone version, meaning you must have a Facebook profile to use it.
Creating a free listing is almost as easy as creating a status update. Look for the storefront icon along your menu bar, click or tap “create a new listing,” follow the prompts, add some well-lit pictures and thorough descriptions, and you’re good to go.
Facebook Marketplace caters mostly to local sales, but it does allow for nationwide shipping as well.Oh, and get ready to haggle.
Website: www.facebook.com/marketplace
Download the app: App Store, Google Play
Good for: Online sales for all types of clothing without the need for shipping
Payout: Facebook Pay or any other agreed-upon method such as cash or PayPal
4. Poshmark
As a “social marketplace,” Poshmark really encourages you to attend buying and selling events, interact with its community and share fashion tips. But if you just want a quick way to get rid of your whopping wardrobe, you can skirt all the bells and whistles and make a listing relatively easily.
For sales under $15, Poshmark charges a flat fee of $2.95. For sales above $15, Poshmark takes 20%. So for items straddling that cut off point, you’ll want to think carefully about how much to charge. $15 for that vintage tank top and you’ll have to fork over $2.95. $20 for the same tank, and the fee would drop to $2.
What’s nice about Poshmark is that for each order, the company provides a prepaid shipping label.
Website: www.poshmark.com
Download the app: App Store, Google Play
Good for: Popular mid- to high-end brands for men, women and children
Payout: Direct deposit, check (via USPS) or store credit
5. Swap.com
Unlike most other places to sell used clothes online, Swap.com does almost all of the work for you. But that convenience comes at a price.
When you sell with Swap.com, you pay $14.99 for a shipping label, load up the high-quality clothes you want to sell, and they do the rest. They’ll inspect them, photograph them, list them and sell them for you.
For items with a sales price of $8 and under, you will receive only 15%. For items that sell for more than $8, you receive 70% of the sales price but are also subject to a flat $4.95 processing charge.
Given these steep fees, you’ll want to be sure your clothes meet (and exceed!) the Swap.com’s acceptance criteria.
Website: www.swap.com
Download the app: Google Play
Good for: Well-known, higher-end brands for men, women and children
Payout: Direct deposit, check (via USPS) or store credit
6. ThredUP
ThredUP’s mission is to reduce fashion waste. And it does this by allowing you to sell your used clothes easily. Quickly? Now that’s another story. The entire process, from shipping to payout, could take months.
To sell with thredUP, you simply choose a “clean out kit,” which they mail to you with a provided shipping label. You fill up the bag and send it back. Then you wait for them to inspect your clothes and list them. Once they’re ready to be listed, you have a window of time to choose how much you want to charge for them. (Alternatively, you can use a suggested price.)
For the clothes that are accepted and sold, you receive a portion of the profits depending on the sales price of the item. For items that aren’t accepted, consider them donated. Otherwise, you’ll need to pay to have them returned to you.
The payout system for thredUP is more complicated than most other comparable marketplaces. Check out this chart or click here to read more.
ThredUP Payout System
Sales Price
Payout Percentage
$5 to $19.99
3% to 15%
$20 to $49.99
15% to 30%
$50 to $99.99
30% to 60%
$100 to $199.99
60% to 80%
$200 or more
80%
Website: www.thredup.com
Download the app: App Store, Google Play
Good for: Mall- and designer-brand clothes that you’re okay with donating if they don’t get accepted
Payout: PayPal, prepaid Visa or store credit
7. Tradesy
think again. The company boasts millions of people who use its marketplace to sell gently used designer brands for women.
Items that sell for $50 or less incur a flat $7.50 seller fee. For items above $50, Tradesy takes a 19.8% commission. All of your profits are kept in a Tradesy wallet, available for withdrawal for a 2.9% transaction fee. You can skirt the fee by spending your earnings on Tradesy.
The good news is that the buyer pays the shipping fees, and Tradesy provides you, as the seller, a prepaid shipping label and box to load up your finest fashion.
Website: www.tradesy.com
Download the app: App Store, Google Play
Good for: High-end women’s fashion
Payout: PayPal, direct deposit or store credit
8. The RealReal
The RealReal is a great place to sell online if you want to get top dollar for your clothes and they’re luxury or high-end. The online marketplace sells everything from fine jewelry to kids clothing. Some recent sales include a $3,000 Chanel vintage quilted bag, a $645 Versace silk mini dress and $5,650 Rolex. If you think you have things that fit into this category, why not try your hand at this?
The process is simple: either schedule a pickup, ship or even drop off in a limited number of locations. The RealReal has authentication experts that will review each item to see its value. Once your items have been accepted, the site does all the work for you — photography, listing, pricing.
And if your item does sell, you’ll make more money percentage-wise based on how much it sells for and what sort of item you’re selling. Percentage-wise, collectibles, watches, handbags and outdoor equipment tend to do best. If you have annual sales over $1,500, for example, you can make 60% commission off of each item you sell.
Website: https://www.therealreal.com/
Download the app: App Store, Google Play
Good for: High-end luxury items
Payout: Check, direct deposit or store credit
9. Mercari
Mercari brands itself as a site for people to declutter, and what’s great about it is, in their own words, “you can list almost anything.” Unlike more authentication-driven sites, Mercari puts the onus in the seller’s hands — take photos, describe your item and price it.
You can ship on your own dime, purchase a prepaid label or have UPS pack and ship the purchase for you. After the item is delivered, the buyer has three days to review it and rate the transaction. Sellers will receive their money either through instant pay or direct deposit.
If you want to get rid of a few things around the house with little additional effort, Mercari may be the way to go.
Website: https://www.mercari.com/
Download the app: App Store, Google Play
Good for: Clothing, beauty, collectibles and household goods
Payout: Direct deposit or instant pay
Sell Used Clothes In Person
While there are many options to sell your clothes online, maybe you don’t have the technical know-how (or the patience) to do it yourself. Don’t fret.
There are several national brick-and-mortar places to pawn off your used clothes, shoes, handbags, accessories — even baby clothes, toys and supplies — to get cash in your pocket by the end of the day.
10. Buffalo Exchange
Founded in 1974, Buffalo Exchange has remained family owned as it has expanded. The company is a firm believer in reusing and recycling clothes to reduce waste and pollution (and save cash). Each store also partners with local charities.
Buffalo Exchange accepts a wide array of clothes for both men and women — vintage, athletic wear, plus sizes and more. Contrary to its name, it does not accept livestock at this time. Sorry in advance.
Website: www.buffaloexchange.com
Located in: 17 states
Good for: Everyday staples in popular brands, including plus sizes and menswear
Payout: Cash or store credit
If you don’t live near a Buffalo Exchange, the company also has a sell-by-mail program.
11. Clothes Mentor
Clothes Mentor is a one-stop shop for fashionable women’s clothing size 0 to 26 and maternity wear. It’s a hub for those who want designer brands without designer price tags.
Clothes that sell well include Anthropologie, Banana Republic, Saks Fifth Avenue, White House Black Market and others. Shoes, accessories, jewelry and handbags are also accepted. Clothes Mentor has a number of stores in the U.S. — click here to see them all.
Website: www.clothesmentor.com
Located in: The Northeast, South, West Coast and Midwest
Good for: Designer women’s fashion and maternity wear
Payout: Cash or store credit
12. Once Upon a Child
It’s no surprise that child care expenses are a budget buster, but Once Upon a Child can help keep costs down when it comes to baby clothes, supplies and even furniture.
In addition to children’s clothes in sizes preemie to youth 20, Once Upon a Child will buy used cribs, cradles, strollers, baby electronics, Halloween costumes and toys. Even more good news for parents: You won’t have to look very far. Once Upon a Child has more than 400 stores across the U.S. and Canada.
Website: www.onceuponachild.com
Located in: Find a store near you
Good for: Children’s clothes, costumes and accessories
Payout: Cash or store credit
13. Plato’s Closet
Ah, the ole standby, Plato’s Closet. You may not have known this was a clothing exchange store, but it’s likely that you’ve caught a glimpse of one of its more than 480 locations in North America — probably tucked between your local Chinese buffet and the grocery store.
Plato’s is Winmark Corp.’s most successful clothing exchange franchise, and it’s aimed at teens and young adults. Everyday styles from Abercrombie & Fitch, American Eagle, H&M, Nike and Obey are typically in demand.
Plato’s Closet also buys athletic wear, shoes and accessories.
To see if your wardrobe surplus is a good fit for Plato’s, browse its website for other brands and styles that sell well.
Website: www.platoscloset.com
Located in: Find a location near you
Good for: Casual wear for teens and twenty-somethings
Payout: Cash or store credit
14. Style Encore
Another solid option from Winmark Corp. is Style Encore. It’s like Plato’s sibling, only slightly older and more sophisticated.
Style Encore accepts women’s clothing from brands like Banana Republic, Calvin Klein, Coach and Kate Spade. Like Clothes Mentor, Style Encore has personal stylists to help you look like a million bucks (without spending a million).
It’s Winmark’s newest clothing exchange brand, so there aren’t as many locations as its other stores.
Website: www.style-encore.com
Located in: Find a store near you
Good for: Higher-end brands in women’s fashion
Payout: Cash or store credit
15. Uptown Cheapskate
Want to show off some labels? Uptown Cheapskate is your place. It’s a cross between a trendy boutique and a thrift store for young adults. You can sell or trade in men’s and women’s clothes at any of its more than 100 locations nationwide. Sellers either get 25-35% of the item’s price in cash or 50-60% of the item’s value in store credit.
Brands that do well at Uptown Cheapskate include Nordstrom, Madewell and Lululemon. If you’re unsure if your clothes will fit in style-wise, visit the store’s website for more info on trending brands and styles.
Website: www.uptowncheapskate.com
Located in: Find a location near you
Good for: Trendy brands in men’s and women’s fashion
Payout: Cash or store credit
16. Crossroads Training
Crossroads Trading is like a trendier version of Plato’s Closet or Buffalo Exchange. With locations scattered throughout the country, you have a good chance at finding one within a relative radius of where you live.
Crossroads stores focus on trendier items — they currently list Y2K trends, micro mini skirts, crochet and kitten heels among the items they’re looking for. Name-brands are particularly desirable.
When sellers bring their clothes to Crossroads, they either get 50% of the store price in store credit or 30% in instant cash.
Website: https://crossroadstrading.com/
Located in: Find a location near you
Good for: Trendy brands in men’s and women’s fashion
Payout: Cash or store credit
17. Bonus: Local Consignment Shops
If none of the above stores fit the bill, you can always try your nearest consignment shop.
These shops work a little differently than clothing-exchange stores, because consignment stores may not pay you until your item sells. That means it’s unlikely you’ll walk out with a pocketful of cash. It’s also difficult to predict what brands they will buy, because most local stores don’t have databases and metrics to go off of. Sales are often based on personal taste or season.
But hey, anything is better than leaving unused clothes tucked away in the furthest corner of your shelf for years to come.
Quick Tips on Getting the Most Cash From Your Clothes
Some things are guesswork when trying to sell your clothes. Stock at brick-and-mortars are constantly in flux and styles change, so it’s hard to say for sure which brand or outfit will sell. However, there are a few things you should always take into consideration, no matter the item or the store.
Following these few guidelines will ensure you get the most money for your clothes.
Clean and Fold Your Clothes
Almost every store and online marketplace recommends washing your clothes before taking them in or shipping them off. At in-person clothing exchanges especially, your payout is based on an associate’s quote. After they carefully check each item, you don’t want dirt or food caked to your shirt. It’ll definitely go in the “no” pile.
In general, to keep colors bright, you can soak your clothes in salt. Only wash them as needed — inside out and in cool water to avoid fading.
Likewise, super wrinkly clothes come across as unwashed, and you don’t want to give that impression. So be sure to fold them neatly before taking them in or pack them neatly if you’re shipping.
Use a Nice Basket or Hamper to Carry Your Clothes (if You’re Selling In Person)
Quick! What do you think of when you see trash bags?
Trash, right? Not clothes.
Again, presentation matters. The appraisers checking your clothes don’t want to sift through trash bags. So after you’ve washed all the clothes you want to sell, fold them and place them in a basket, hamper or box that you can take to the store.
Check for Damage or Pit Stains
If you were a shopper, would you buy a shirt that had pit stains or a missing pocket? Didn’t think so. No one wants damaged, stained or heavily faded clothing.
Before you take your clothes in or list them online, examine them under a bright light to check for tears or discoloration. With some online options, if you send them low-quality clothes they’re unable to sell, they might ship them back to you — at your expense.
Sell Your Clothes Often
Buffalo Exchange’s biggest tip is to buy or sell your clothes every three months. That way, your clothes cache will always be in style, which means more money in your pocket when you sell.
Since most clothing exchanges buy with seasons in mind, it may be best to wait till spring or summer before purging your bathing suits.
Unless you live in warm winter places such as Florida, Arizona or Southern California — then January’s probably fine.
Adam Hardy is a former staff writer for The Penny Hoarder who specializes in stories on the gig economy. Elizabeth Djinis is a contributor to The Penny Hoarder, often writing about selling goods online through social platforms.
This was originally published on The Penny Hoarder, which helps millions of readers worldwide earn and save money by sharing unique job opportunities, personal stories, freebies and more. The Inc. 5000 ranked The Penny Hoarder as the fastest-growing private media company in the U.S. in 2017.