Sustainability

Wardrobe to Wallet: How to Resell Your Clothes

By Halls 06 Mar 2023

Live more sustainably and earn quick cash by rehoming your clothes!

The cycle can only continue with contributions from its community. That's why donating and selling your own stuff you don't wear anymore is so important. Start by identifying and organising your unused clothes into what is in good enough condition to be passed on, and what you can recycle at your nearest textile bank.

The clothes that are in good nick can then be sold or donated. Don't feel pressured into donating everything away, it's understandable if you want to earn at least something back on a high-quality item!

Where to sell your items

So if you go down the route of selling you need to first decide whether to do it in person or online. If you choose to do it in person you can sell your clothes in person through car-boot sales. These are weekly events held where you can set up shop with all your old chic and get to selling. You choose all your own prices so take some time to think through what's reasonable. Remember you are a buyer who wouldn't want to get ripped off so don't do it to other people! You will likely have to pay for your spot on the car boot sale so factor that cost into the prices of your items.

Most people choose to sell online these days as it has become a lot easier to do so. Here are some sites/apps we'd recommend, generally there are no charges for posting ads but the company might take a percentage cut of the sale:

Vinted - Most popular with students/young people as it's free and easy to use! You will usually find a lot of high-street brands here as they sell better than the rest compared to other sites/apps. It's a no-mess service which requires minimal effort.
Depop - Similar to Vinted with more of an Instagram feel to it. Vintage and unusual items usually do better on Depop, but you can set up a profile and become known for a certain type of item (build up your brand). To master it you have to be socially active and you could end up making a mini fortune!
eBay - An anything-can-be-sold service with the most charges, but attracts the biggest amount of traffic. Make an extra effort to stand out as you will have a lot of competition and tailor your ad to appeal to a wider audience rather than just fellow students or young people.
ASOS Marketplace - This is more for people who are trying to establish a business of selling their clothes, rather than one-time sellers. For instance, you have to maintain 15 or more listings to be able to sell on the site, which will take a lot of time and effort. ASOS is huge in the clothing market though so if you're dedicated enough, this will be the option for you.
Etsy - If you've got a talent for making your own clothing from scratch or know how to upcycle your old clothing then consider using this site/app. Etsy is more strict on what they will allow you to put up though as the site caters more for sellers who have homemade items as opposed to second-hand sellers.

How to sell like an expert

Follow these tips to make the process as smooth as possible:

Photos, photos, photos - Create a clear picture for the buyer of the clothes you're selling. Make sure they're high quality by using a good camera (most smartphone cameras will do), have the right lighting (generally natural lighting is the best) and if possible, have a model for the clothes. This can just be yourself or a friend, just so the buyer understands the fit and can envision themselves wearing the item.
Find your USP - Figure out your unique selling point/theme so you can build up a name for delivering high quality of a certain style. In season, retro, vintage, the best coats or trainers. Whatever suits what you are able to sell. Doing this will encourage repeat purchases.
Be the seller you would want - Don't lie about the condition of the items you are selling, you will just receive poor feedback which will scare off potential buyers. Communication is also key so make sure to respond to any messages you receive.
Fully wash your clothes - This may seem obvious but it's a must-do. Only send them off once they have received a good wash (and ironing depending on the item) so they are fresh and clean.
Nail the descriptions - Writing a full detailed and honest description makes all the difference. Include information such as size, condition, material, how to wash, and anything you think is worth mentioning. You will have happier customers and fewer complaints as they can't argue you hid information which may have affected their decisions.
Fashion trends and seasons - It's unlikely someone will buy a thick coat if it's the middle of summer so keep an eye out for the items that are currently selling the most. It will usually be obvious why, for instance, what season it is or if there are any particular events coming up such as a festival, then it's likely you will have more luck with selling items for those occasions.
The price is right - You of course will want to sell your items for as much as possible but remember that because they are second-hand, people will be less likely to pay as much as say it would appear in a store (or the price you paid for it when you first bought it). Keep it fair and look into how much similar items on the second-hand market are being sold for.
Deliver don't disappoint - Depending on the item, the cost of postage will vary. Factor in delivery options when coming up with your selling price so you don't lose out on cash. Always hold onto the proof of postage in case something goes wrong and your parcel doesn't arrive. If they are local, great! You can request for them to pick it up from your house or meet in the middle.