How to sell your wardrobe online
Depending on how you’ve edited your wardrobe, there may be pieces you’ve decided no longer go with the rest. When parting with these past purchases, you have a few options - including recovering some of your spend through online markets.
I have been buying and selling on eBay for about 10 years - before the other platforms even existed - it used to be the only way I could afford to buy any designer clothing! But then sometimes, those purchases didn’t work out, and I became a seller on the platform as well, taking guidance from my own experience as a buyer to ensure my listings included everything you’d want to know.
Depending on what you’re selling, there are now various ways to resell goods to the right customer, at the right price.
The better the images, the more likely to sell
From experience, a listing with clear, bright images is much more appealing to a potential buyer. This includes natural lighting, the items to be clean (which includes an iron or a steam if necessary), and to be shot against a plain background. Ensure you cover off different angles, like an online store would - front, back, and on person. Hot tip: if you’re not comfortable posing for the camera, work towards starting to save down images from the retailer online when you buy something, so you have them on hand if you ever resell.
Include the finer details
Things like fabric composition, brand and size labels, even measurements can answer queries from a buyer you might receive from the listing. I try to include a reference about the fit in the copy, whether it fits small or large to size, as well as international conversions.
Don’t ignore any flaws
It may seem like the more flaws you call out, the less interested a buyer would be, but it’s really better you cover yourself off. Any platform will protect a buyer if the item is “not as described” so not only mention flaws in copy, but reference images of them as well. This can be anything from thread pulls, pilling of fabrics, marks, loose stitching, a missing label, you name it! Be very open and honest, because at the end of the day, it is second hand.
Listing takes a bit of time, but once the hard work is done, you just let buyers find it and wait for a sale! So put the time in to make the listing professional and clear. And then it will be about setting the right price.
Depop
For high street items, I would recommend Depop as your platform.
Pros
Easy to upload with no approval process
Social media aspect with likes and follows on profiles
Cons
Poorer image quality and not designed for higher value goods
Ebay
A sweeping trick to keep your wardrobe in its best condition is to ensure that you are storing goods in the gentlest way. The last thing you want is for an item to be deteriorating when you’re not even wearing it, which can unfortunately happen if you’re not careful.
Pros
No approval or authentication process
Strong buyer/seller protection in case of any issues
Compatible with PayPal for easy payments
Faster with items going straight to buyers
Commission paid out monthly
Cons
Becoming more of a professional marketplace like Amazon
Lowered demand for luxury and high street fashion
Flat commission rate (10%) plus PayPal (3%)
Shipping liability (encourage insured and tracked postage)
Vestiaire Collective
A sweeping trick to keep your wardrobe in its best condition is to ensure that you are storing goods in the gentlest way. The last thing you want is for an item to be deteriorating when you’re not even wearing it, which can unfortunately happen if you’re not careful.
Pros
Full authenticity checks for buyer confidence
Prepaid labels for all shipments
Price offers can be no less than 80% of original listing
Cons
Scaled commission rates (up to 34%, based on sale value )
Slower with items being checked before forwarded onto buyer
Commission taken before payment received
Delays in payment (the following Thursday from shipment to buyer)
Can only decrease price once live
Do not accept stock photos, only those taken personally
If you aren’t up for reselling your goods, I would recommend passing the pieces out to friends and family or donating them to a local charity shop such as the Cancer Research Society or Salvation Army.