Are you seeking a convenient way to boost your income? Selling clothes online could be the perfect solution. As fashion trends continue to evolve and thrift shopping gains popularity, now is an ideal time to declutter your wardrobe and part ways with items that no longer fit or align with your style.
To assist you in making informed decisions, we've curated a detailed list of the 12 best online platforms for selling clothes. This comprehensive guide ensures that you can maximize your financial returns with confidence.
1. Tezda
Tezda is an innovative social commerce platform that integrates robust communication tools with a dynamic marketplace, all within one centralized app. Users can seamlessly connect, manage, and promote their entrepreneurial ventures.
Tezda features specialized commerce hubs and advanced functionalities such as AR, 3D, and VR integrations, empowering users to effectively launch and operate their online shops. Best of all, starting your own shop on Tezda is completely free, offering a competitive edge in today's evolving digital landscape.
2. ASOS Marketplace
Kick-start your online selling journey with ASOS Marketplace, a seller-driven resale emporium that caters to a global audience of fashion enthusiasts. With a wide range of styles, from edgy vintage finds to contemporary gems, this platform offers a diverse selection of clothing, shoes, and accessories from over 900 boutiques and independent sellers across 50 countries.
While ASOS Marketplace charges a 10% commission on the sale price, the exposure to a vast international market makes it a worthwhile investment. To become a seller, you'll need to be at least 18 years old and have a valid PayPal account for seamless earnings deposits. Crafting detailed product descriptions is key to ensuring your items are easily discoverable amidst the countless categories on this reseller website.
3. Etsy:
Although primarily known as a platform for handmade goods, Etsy has carved out a niche for vintage sellers and fashion enthusiasts alike. Tap into Etsy's vibrant community of artisans and curate a collection of finely curated vintage or handmade styles that resonate with your personal aesthetic.
Etsy's reselling policy is straightforward – you must disclose if the item is vintage or designed by another brand or individual. Attempting to pass off clothing as your own creation is a strict no-no. With seller fees on the lower end of the spectrum (6.5% transaction fee, 3% payment processing fee, and a mere 20 cents to list an item), Etsy provides an attractive platform for budding entrepreneurs. However, be prepared for a 15% offsite ad fee if your item sells through external advertising channels.
4. eBay:
When it comes to reselling clothes, eBay needs no introduction. As the pioneer of online consignment shops, eBay has consistently served as a reliable source for all your reselling needs, catering to both one-time sellers and seasoned veterans.
For occasional sellers, eBay offers the convenience of free listings (up to 250 listings). After that, an insertion fee is charged for creating new listings, along with a final value fee upon successful sale. The beauty of eBay lies in its potential for bidding wars, allowing you to fetch a higher price for your designer collaborations or coveted pieces.
However, with an abundance of listings, ensuring your product stands out is crucial. Crafting a detailed and enticing description, coupled with high-quality images, can make all the difference in attracting potential buyers amidst the sea of options.
5. Poshmark:
Poshmark has emerged as a fashion reseller's haven, catering to the sartorial desires of fashionistas worldwide. According to Manish Chandra, Poshmark's CEO and founder, "We made an early decision to allow everything to be done on the phone with no need to go to a website. When selling from your closet, start by listing 5-10 items. We find that closets with at least five listings sell more than those with less."
Chandra emphasizes the importance of personalization and community engagement, encouraging sellers to "search for other women like yourself who are likely to be interested in your closet. Whether you share similar styles or the same size, you'll want to follow them, begin interacting with them, and shop their closet!"
With a diverse range of brands, from Brandy Melville to Céline, Poshmark allows sellers to curate their personal style and create a virtual magazine out of their closet. Each seller sets their own pricing, and when a buyer purchases an item, Poshmark provides a prepaid shipping label, making the process seamless and hassle-free.
6. The RealReal
If you're seeking to unload high-quality designer items, The RealReal is your go-to destination. With a focus on buzzy luxury brands like Gucci, Jacquemus, and Loveshackfancy, this platform ensures your coveted pieces find their new homes within three days, on average.
Sellers can keep up to 70% of the sale price, depending on their consignor status and the assigned value of their pieces.
While the commission payout arrives on the 15th of each month, the wait is well worth it for those looking to clear out their designer goods efficiently.
In addition to clothing, shoes, and accessories, The RealReal also accepts fine jewelry, home decor, and even fine art. Their team of luxury experts meticulously inspects each item, either virtually or in-person, to ensure you receive the best possible payout for your designer treasures. Convenient shipping options, including free in-home pickup in select metropolitan areas, make the process seamless.
7. thredUP:
If convenience is your top priority, thredUP offers a hassle-free solution for decluttering your wardrobe. Simply request their "clean out kit" – an empty bag that you fill with your unwanted items – and leave it out for the mailman with a prepaid label. thredUP takes care of the rest.
While sellers can earn up to 80% of the resale price, the true value lies in the effortless process, making it an ideal choice for those short on time or reluctant to fuss over listing and promoting their items online. thredUP's extensive inventory, with tens of thousands of styles listed daily, ensures a vast selection of clothing, from cozy sweaters to formal dresses, catering to every sartorial whim.
8. Crossroads Trading:
With physical locations across the United States and a convenient online platform, Crossroads Trading offers a seamless experience for selling your second-hand designer goods. Whether you prefer to visit one of their stores or request a prepaid shipping bag, Crossroads Trading simplifies the process of parting ways with your gently used treasures.
Crossroads Trading accepts "on-trend contemporary, vintage & designer clothing, shoes & accessories," providing guides to help you identify the styles and trends that are currently in demand. While their tastes are discerning, their payout options are enticing – 50% of the sales price as store credit or 30% as cash via Zelle.
9. Vestiaire Collective:
Vestiaire Collective, a European powerhouse in the resale market, has gained a loyal following akin to The RealReal and Depop in the United States. This online reseller offers a wide variety of high-quality designer brands, from brand new with tags to gently worn but still in solid condition.
One of the standout features of Vestiaire Collective is the higher payout potential, as sellers photograph and ship items themselves. Additionally, buyers and sellers can engage in bargaining chats to secure even better deals, adding an interactive element to the shopping experience.
All sales on Vestiaire Collective are final, eliminating the hassle of returns. Unlike reseller sites that use algorithms to mark down slow-moving items, Vestiaire Collective empowers sellers to control any discounts offered on their listings, ensuring a fair and transparent pricing process.
10. Depop:
Depop has emerged as the trendy go-to for young people seeking to buy and sell their clothes. With apparel from over 1,500 designers, ranging from sporty favorites like The North Face and Adidas to high-end fashion houses like Prada, Gucci, Louis Vuitton, and Chanel, this platform caters to the Y2K and vintage aesthetics coveted by Gen Z shoppers.
Boasting over 30 million users, Depop offers a vibrant community of active buyers and sellers. Selling clothes on Depop is a breeze – create a free account, verify your phone number, set up your shop with a cover image and description, link your social accounts and PayPal, and you're ready to start listing.
Depop charges a 10% commission on the transaction total (including shipping) if the item sells, making it an affordable option for those looking to tap into the Gen Z market.
11. Vinted:
What sets Vinted apart from the crowd is its unique approach to fees. Instead of charging sellers, Vinted charges buyers a fixed amount of $0.70 plus 5% of an item's sale price, known as the Buyer Protection fee. This fee safeguards buyers' money and adds an extra layer of security to their purchases, keeping their information secure.
For sellers, this translates into a significant advantage – you can list your clothing and accessories without paying a single fee. Simply sign up, add up to 20 photos for each item, provide a detailed title and description, and select the appropriate category, condition, brand, and price. Vinted even offers the option to indicate your interest in swapping items, allowing you to score fresh pieces in exchange for your unwanted clothes.
12. Craigslist:
While Craigslist might not be the first platform that comes to mind for selling clothes, it offers a compelling advantage – it's completely free for both buyers and sellers. With no fees or commissions to worry about, you can maximize your profits.
Craigslist allows sellers to maintain complete control over pricing and listing details. However, this freedom can also be daunting when it comes to deciding how to present your products effectively. Providing detailed descriptions, high-quality images, and listing popular items can help your listing stand out.
One popular strategy on Craigslist is to sell clothing in lots, allowing you to bundle items that haven't sold on other apps and offer them as a bulk sale. This approach can be particularly appealing to buyers seeking variety and value.
Pro Tips for Selling Clothes Online
Now that you're armed with a comprehensive list of the best places to sell clothes online, it's time to delve into the strategies that will set you apart from the competition. We've gathered insights from professional online clothing retailers to help you maximize your reselling success.
1. Choose Clothes that are On-Trend or from a Particular Decade
When curating your inventory, consider focusing on items that are currently trending or develop a niche by selling similar pieces from a specific decade or era. "You can sell items that correspond to each other. Some sellers focus on specific decades, styles, colors, or type of item," advises Kristina Franco, owner of the Etsy shop Allen Company.
2. Photograph Items Clearly
High-quality photographs are essential in capturing the attention of potential buyers. "Utilize natural light and capture the images with a quality camera," recommend Laura Mae and Amanda Jean, owners of the Etsy shop MaeJean Vintage.
3. Provide Accurate Measurements
Sizing can vary significantly across brands, so providing accurate measurements can be a game-changer for online shoppers. "It isn't easy to convey all the lovely aspects of a garment on a computer screen," says Lauren Naimola, owner of the Etsy shop Dear Golden.
"Many people want to feel the garment and try it on, so you have to be exhaustive in the way you render the garment visually as well as describe it. Measurements are provided for every garment. A dress is measured at the shoulders, bust, waist, hip, and length. Every girl should know her measurements, especially if she wants to shop online."
4. Be Transparent About the Condition of Your Items
Building trust with potential buyers is crucial, especially when they cannot physically inspect the items. "Accurately portray your items and be upfront and honest about the details. This is the only way to gain the trust of buyers who are already faced with the challenge of buying something they cannot try on or inspect. A good reputation goes a long way!" emphasizes Franco.
5. Consider an International Audience
Online selling opens up a world of opportunities, quite literally. "Selling online allows you to reach a very wide and international audience," notes Lauren. "A lot of my business comes from awesome vintage-loving gals in Australia and the UK."
While selling to a local consignment boutique limits your reach by locality and seasonality, selling online enables you to cater to a global market. For instance, You might be selling a coat in the spring when no one in your local area is interested, but someone in the Southern Hemisphere, where autumn is approaching, could be eagerly seeking that very item.
6. Prioritize Customer Service
Exceptional customer service can set you apart and foster long-term relationships with buyers. "Customer service is so important," say Mae and Jean. "We have a very flexible return policy so that if customers are not 100% content, they are welcome to ship items back to us."
7. Educate Yourself on Vintage Fashion
Knowledge is power in the world of vintage fashion reselling. "There are many people selling vintage online, but there are only a few who are educated about garment dating and fabric composition," says Lauren. "Learn as much as possible about vintage garments."
"Do your research," adds Kristina. "Knowing vintage labels, silhouettes, styles, fabrics, and designers is half of the fun."
By leveraging these expert tips and exploring the diverse online platforms, you can transform your pre-loved fashion into a profitable and sustainable venture. Whether you're decluttering your wardrobe or curating a niche collection, the world of online reselling offers boundless opportunities to monetize your passion for fashion while embracing the principles of conscious consumption.