One major incentive for me to thoroughly clean out my closet was the prospect of selling my gently-worn items. These are the things that I purchased but, for one reason or another, rarely ever used. They’re perfect candidates for re-sale, and the extra cash was a great opportunity to choose better spending habits.
The first thing to remember when selling your clothes is that you will never earn back what you paid– ever– without being dishonest.
In fact, what you earn from clothes you sell will be a small fraction of what you paid. (Think about that before you make your next purchase!)
The reason is, as soon as we purchase clothing, its value decreases. It’s kind of like buying a car– its dollar-worth takes a nose-dive as soon as money exchanges hands.
With that in mind, just remember that you won’t make a fortune selling the stuff in your closet, but you probably will earn something. Here are several easy options for doing so.
3 Ways To Sell Your Gently-Worn Clothing
1. Consignment.
What to sell: Consignment is reserved for designer labels only. This would include vintage pieces as well as anything from previous seasons. Examples include shoes, clothing, accessories and bags from brands such as Chanel, Marc Jacobs, Kate Spade, Tory Burch, Fendi, etc. Make sure that all labels are attached.
How it works: Consignment is basically having someone help you sell a luxury item. If the item does not sell, then you do not make money. However if it does sell, then you make anything from 40% to 70% of the going price. Consignment is usually the BEST price you will get for your items.
Where to sell: Consignment stores are usually not chains. Look online to find consignment shops near you.
2. Buy/Sell/Trade & Online Shops
What to sell: These shops tend to look for medium-range to high-range clothing and accessories, including brands from Forever 21 to Ann Taylor and higher. Think of your local mall and the brands there. Some places will even buy Merona (Target) or J.C. Penny.
How it works: Buy/Sell/Trade shops will pay you cash upfront for what you bring or send in. They tend to choose seasonal, trendy items that are in great condition. Due to the “upfront” nature of this operation, you will only make about 5% to 25% of the original price you paid. Again, not a profit, but some extra cash.
Where to sell: My favorite option for Buy/Sell/Trade is ThredUp! These stores are ONLINE and they send you a FREE bag to fill, pay for the shipping, and process your package within days. Twice tends to choose higher-end brands, while ThredUp will buy lower-end brands too! Before you send in your clothing, make sure to check their websites to see what brands they take.
3. On Your Own: eBay or Yard Sales
What to sell: This really depends on your neighborhood. Generally speaking, this is a good way to make some extra cash, but it’s difficult to sell your item at the highest price possible. To entice people to buy things on eBay or at a yard sale, you usually have to offer pretty low prices. But this can be a good option for things that you can’t sell elsewhere, but feel you can make some extra cash on (not old t-shirts).
How it works: If you sell items online, be sure to check their safety precautions. At a yard sale, it’s important to have enough friends or family members there to answer questions, make change, and look out for safety.
Where to sell: I’ve never organized a yard sale myself, but it’s important to spread the word. Sell in a neighborhood where people will be interested in what you have to offer. For example, sell lower-end items in a fun, hip, young neighborhood– as opposed to a wealthy suburb where people aren’t necessarily looking to bargain on inexpensive trendy clothes.
A free selling kit from Twice with a prepaid shipping label!
So, how successful have I been selling items? Pretty successful! I’ve made over $800 selling clothing via consignment, Twice and Thredup. That said, I had lots of items that were given to me over the years that were valuable but not my style. I also had items that I purchased on a whim and never wore.
But, if you think about that $800, it must have been less than half the amount of money spent in the first place. Imagine that! If all of that money were to be given to me now, I hope that I would be able to spend it better.
What can you do with your earnings? Well, one idea is to donate it, especially if you were going to ship the clothes off to Goodwill anyway. What’s neat is that $5 can go much further than a tank top, so that’s why I think we’re better off selling our clothes and donating our earnings, rather than donating our clothes.
The bottom-line is, selling your clothes is an excellent incentive for cleaning out your closet. It forced me to seriously consider whether I needed something, or if I’d rather have some extra cash in my pocket.
If you have any questions about selling your items, let me know! I’d love to answer them. Good luck, everyone!
How would you sell an item you accidentally buy the wrong size in? I wore it once. The lady wants to know what I would part with. Thanks.
This is full of amazing info! I have so many good clothes I need to sell, and I’m definitely going to look into consignment and thred up! Thanks so much for the tips!
Thank you so much Vera!!
Exactly!! ThredUP is a great option especially for non-designer clothing that’s still desirable. After trying to sell my clothes (sending in a huge bag and getting only $60) I’ve actually become way more conscious about what I buy! Good luck selling, Robin!
Exactly! I’ve purchased several things from recycled clothing stores and loved them!
Yeah! It’s pretty great to know that lots of stuff will actually sell, even if it just means a few extra dollars!
Thank you Jeannette! I hope you are doing well!! I hope you enjoy selling your items and choosing where to give your earnings… It’s really the best way. There’s not much we can do about all the splurges from the past that ended up not being valuable… but making the most of them can actually mean earning some significant dollars back! Hope you’re having a wonderful week, friend!
Great post! Thank you for sharing!!
http://www.blondeincashmere.com
Thanks for sharing about thredUp – I had never heard of it before. I consign at a local store, and each time I’ve made about $30 on things I would have gotten rid of anyways. But, as you pointed out, it is better to not buy something to start with than to get rid of it a short time later!
This is such a great post! We buy so much these days and forget about the items that are sitting in our closets (: Why not let them be loved by others? (:
– Deniz
http://www.dressedupdeniz.com
This is great! I usually only try to sell my used designer jeans but I think I could sell some of my other pieces if I put some of this info to use!
Hello Daisy! Hope all is well with you. I have been de-cluttering my closet and have accumulated a few boxes now full of clothing that need a new home. Some of them with tags attached. I am actually amazed by the amount of money I have spent in stuff I didn’t really need or really like. I am definitively more aware now and conscious about what I buy and how I spend my hard earned money. I have been debating what to do with the boxes. I want to donate them but definitively not to Goodwill. I have learned several things from such non-profit organization that have made not want to either donate or buy from them. My mom also has a relative that used to work at one of their stores and I apparently she wasn’t treated right. Anyways, I am looking for an organization that helps women find jobs or something like that. Will see. I also have a few designer items that I want to sell. After reading your post, I think I will opt for selling them via a consignment store. I just need to look for one. Thanks so much for sharing Daisy. Have a wonderful Sunday! XOXO, Jeannette
http://www.msjeannieandhercloset.com
That’s great!! Enjoy– and thanks for stopping by 🙂
Awesome!! You definitely should. It’s SO easy– no need to leave the dorm! 😉
Awesome to hear that! I think a lot of people can be disappointed with how little they’re paid for their clothes… but I think we all need to realize how quickly our stuff loses value! I’ve always found them to be great, I’ve also called customer service before and they were really friendly. So definitely give it a shot!
Thanks lady! I hope you’re successful! 🙂
Well, I have to say that I did successfully consign a number of things– designer items given to me by people who were generous, but didn’t really get my style! I just wish they hadn’t spent that money on me. Consignment is so awesome though! Especially when you find something you really need and love! Have a good weekend Kiki!
Good timing! I need to do this now. Thanks for the encouragement and know how.
This is perfect! I’m going to clean out my closet at school once I have some spare moments, and I think I’ll give ThredUp a go. Thanks for the heads-up!
Great ideas, Daisy! I’m actually really happy to hear about your positive experience with Twice and Thredup; I was considering selling some clothing items and accessories through Thredup a few months ago but didn’t end up going through with it because I was reading some iffy reviews online. I would feel much more confident now selling through them 🙂 Thanks for the wonderful tips!
Amen to that!!
this is awesome and just what i needed to read! I have a huge bag of clothes and have no idea what to do with them!
Wow, I cannot believe you made that much on line! I’ve never heard of that. I tried one of those once and the sellers were weird about answering questions. But hey, this girl LOVES consignment. (; Have a great weekend Daisy!
http://www.accordingtokiki123.blogspot.com
Yes! Cleaning things out is the first step. Hopefully if places like ThredUp and Twice are super successful in the US, there will be something cropping up in Australia!
And yes, donating things can always work. I’m finding increasingly shelters and charities are looking for brand new items.. so a yard sale is also a great way to go!
Great! Yes, they’re pretty great because there’s no need to wait in line at a physical buy/sell/trade shop, and they’re super fast!
Yes exactly!! Both Twice and ThredUp are great companies to work with because of the upfront payment. A few dollars really can do wonders in the right hands!
Great! Enjoy decluttering 🙂
Awesome! It’s a great company to work with.
Thanks lady!! That’s why I love Twice and ThredUp– they mail you all the stuff, and you mail it back, no need to leave the house! Then they mail you a check! 😉
Ah that’s awesome!!
Good to hear, Cassie, thank you! 🙂
Yes! I think that giving clothing to people we know that need it is a great thing. I didn’t include it here, but it’s definitely something I’ve done! If someone would LOVE to have one of my items, then I gladly give it to them because it preserves value!
And that yard-sale of Angel’s clothing sounds like it was fantastic!!
You have inspired me to try selling some stuff on Twice and Thread Up! — Just the spring cleaning I need!!! <3
These are some great tips! Although I’ll be honest, I always feel like it’s too much work and always go the donating route.
xo
Michaela
http://michaelajeanblog.com
http://www.etsy.com/shop/MichaelaJeanArt
I’ve been thinking about using ThredUp! And some other online shops like those. Right now, though, my wardrobe is divided behind my house at home and my college apartment–but I can’t wait to actually go through everything and de-clutter!
Awesome tips! Will definitely be needing these!
Xo, Juliana
http://www.julianaisaac.com
I love your logic about selling clothing versus donating it straight to Goodwill or a shelter. You are so right that $5 can go much farther than a tank top. I have a large back of unwanted, lightly worn clothing in my front hall closet waiting on my decision. I’ve been torn about that to do with the clothes. Twice sounds like it might be something I could do. Thank you for writing the post and giving me all this very useful information!!
Much Love,
-Stephanie Eva
http://www.stephanieheva.blogspot.com
I didn’t know about either Twice or Thread Up. Now I’m motivated to clean out my closet and get better value for my items. Thanks Daisy!
I think the choices for those in the US are a lot better than they are here in Australia! In Australia, you can consign (designer) items, or you can see your own stuff on ebay/gumtree. That’s it! ha! No in-betweens.
I agree with you that it’s nice to get some money back for things you no longer wear, and troubling when you realise it’s only a fraction of what you paid! What I tend to do is get a bit ‘donate’ pile going(under the desk in the study!), with everything, household items, shoes, clothes accessories….then when it gets too unruly I decide if I want to waste my time listing it on ebay or can’t be bothered and just donate it to the local shelter.
I need to do something about the pile at the moment, but I don’t have the time for a trip to the shelter and I don’t have the time for ebay either, so it’s kind just growing…sigh. At least I’ve taken the step and removed it from my wardrobe! 😀
Away From The Blue
I haven’t heard of Twice but I LOVE ThredUp. This is such an informative post, thanks for sharing!
Wow, you’ve definitely been strategic and successful with selling your clothing! I usually love what I have and wear it till it’s very worn out, so selling isn’t usually an option for me. I also have a sister in college and a cousin in high school who are the same size as me, so whenever I didn’t want something anymore for whatever reason, I’d ask them first before donating or consigning. I think when it comes to clothes, giving specifically to people who you know will use it and find it helpful is my favorite strategy, possibly because I tend to get emotionally attached to my clothes, haha! When we moved to Asia, obviously I had to get rid of the entire winter side of my wardrobe. I’m happy to know my sister is now wearing the brown leather boots I loved so much and the winter coat Angel bought me right after we were married, and I know having “new” clothes is fun for her! I did sell Angel’s winter clothes at our pre-move yard sale since we didn’t have any family that could fit them. He’s about the size of a young teenage boy, so there were a bunch of moms excited about snatching up clothes for their sons! 😛