The Ultimate Guide to Selling Second-Hand Clothes

At iSelect we’re all about helping our customers to save money, but we also know that making a little extra money yourself can be handy.

Given many of us have a wardrobe full of old clothes we don’t wear anymore, it can be a good idea to turn them into cash. 

This article has a few handy tips to help you do just that. 

Why should you sell your second-hand clothes?

 It’s not just about making money. Selling your second-hand clothes can have other benefits too. 

Making money.

Yes, I know! But I said: “it’s not just about making money”. The good news here is that by following a few simple tips, you can make sure you make the most out of your sales. 

Recycling is good for the planet.

Selling your second hand clothes extends their life, stops them going into landfill and cuts waste. It also helps cut your carbon footprint (even if you’re not selling shoes). 

Declutter.

You don’t have to be Marie Kondo to declutter. So if your clothes ‘no longer bring you joy’, or simply don’t fit, why not sell them? After all, money can help bring joy! Truth is, if you’re struggling to motivate yourself to declutter then perhaps the thought of all that extra cash from selling your unwanted gear will finally get you to tackle that overflowing wardrobe. 

Have fun.

Yes, it can be a lot of fun selling clothes. You may share a stall at a market with a friend and have a great day meeting people, looking around and making some money at the same time. 

Update your look.

When we said about making money, we didn’t say you couldn’t spend it too. So, while you’re selling, in second-hand websites, markets or stores, you can keep an eye out for something for yourself. You’ve earned it. 

When done right, it can be a quick & easy process and money for jam! 

Can I sell any old clothes?

Well, yes and no. 

You can try to sell any old clothes, but it’s a fact that certain clothes sell better than others. 

The following types of clothing are particularly popular: 

Vintage.

Exploring a vintage clothes shop or market stall is like walking through recent history. It’s fun, engaging, and nostalgic. Vintage clothes tend to sell well second-hand. 

Designer labels.

Everybody loves getting a designer bargain. 

Well-known high street brand names.

If people recognise a quality name, they are more likely to want to own that piece of clothing. 

Well presented clothes.

If you take a bit of time to get your presentation right, you’ll find that the clothes will sell more easily. See the tips below. 

How do I present my clothes for sale?

You may be selling your clothes at a market, to a second-hand store, or online. However you’re doing It, it’s important that your clothes are: 

Clean. Always wash or dry clean your clothes before selling. 

Crease-free (unless they’re meant to be creased). 

Not overly damaged/worn. 

Online Photographs.

• Try to photograph your clothes hanging up in nice surroundings. Perhaps against a plain wall. 
• Use soft natural light. Enough to bring out the true colours of the garment, but not so harsh as to emphasise creases etc. 
• Hang your clothes, where possible. They look better hanging than lying on the back of a chair or sofa. 

Pay attention to detail.

When people are buying, there are things they need to know, so provide full details: 

• Accurate sizing. 
• Good description of item (if selling online) 
• A short history of the item, especially vintage clothing, can help potential buyers get attached to the piece. 
• Sell in season. You’re going to stand a better chance of selling your warm woolly jumpers in winter than in an Aussie summer, and people tend to be looking for light tops and tees in summer. 

Selling second-hand clothes online.

These days there are quite a few options online for selling your clothes. 

Online free sites.

If you’re selling online, you can choose to sell through a free site, such as Facebook Marketplace , or, sell more personally on your own Facebook and Instagram profile. Free sites tend to attract serious bargain hunters who will expect to find low prices. 

Online paid sites.

One of the most famous paid sites is ebay where the fees are not prohibitive, and the audience is large. There are many out there, so it’s worth googling around. Some of the better-known sites include: 

• Depop 
• SWAPUP 
• POSHMARK 
• carousell 
• Reloop 
• Etsy 

Find the right site.

Make sure you do your research and find a site that is suitable for what you’re selling. You’re not going to sell your expensive, worn once, designer frocks on a site that mainly sells thrift items. There are specialist sites out there for expensive, designer, and vintage clothes, both Australian and International.  They won’t be hard to find online. 

Some things to watch out for when selling online.

• Beware of giving out personal information like your address online. Best to arrange to meet in a busy neutral place. 
• Same with your phone number, don’t share it. Keep communication online. 
• Go meet them with a friend if possible. 
• If people come to your house, meet them outside and ideally have more than one person at home. 
• Or simply pay the postage and avoid any contact at all. 

So, where else can I sell my second-hand clothes?

Markets.

Getting a market stall can make for a great day out. Generally starting at the crack of dawn, you’ll set up your stall and spend a day in the fresh air selling your clothes. It’s a good idea to do this with a friend or two, then you’ll have someone to watch the stall while you go and grab a coffee or have a scout around the other stalls. If you’re selling designer or specialist articles, then it may be worth checking for specialist second-hand clothes markets in your area. 

Garage Sales.

Okay, you’re not necessarily going to make the big bucks with a garage sale, but you can increase your chances by presenting your clothes nicely. 

Advertise your sale in good time, put posters in shop windows, on local lampposts etc. Then on the day, make sure people know your sale is on. Real estate agents always use street corners to advertise their opens, take a leaf out of their book. 

Second-hand Clothing Exchange stores.

Stores like this buy your clothes from you directly. It makes it quite simple for you to sell. You’ll have to make sure you have evidence that your clothing is freshly cleaned, and don’t expect top dollar, you’re selling it to them as a wholesaler. They need to put their mark up on top. 

Consignment stores.

Some stores will sell your clothing on your behalf for a percentage of the sale price. They won’t sell everything; just stuff they feel is saleable. It’s a fairly simple way to sell as they do all the work. 

Saving money and saving the planet

So, there you have it. You didn’t realise what a gold mine was hanging behind your wardrobe doors. We hope it inspires you to find a new source of income. 

Meanwhile, iSelect can also help you save on a whole range of things from home and car insurance, internet plans, home loans and more. So, once you’ve sorted out your wardrobe by selling all your old clothes, why not start comparing all the other savings you can make right here.