How to Fund your Next Shopping Spree by Selling Old Clothes Online

How to Fund your Next Shopping Spree by Selling Old Clothes Online

Is your closet filled to the brim with last year's moccasins and mullet skirts? If you're ready for a new look but your summer holidays are leaving you short-changed, you might want to think about sorting and selling all of those animal print jumpers from last winter. Selling your clothes is no longer a hassle. You can write all of your listings from home over a nice glass of wine rather than hawk your wares at consignment shops all over town. And for a minimal amount of effort, you will be rewarded with more cash in your pocket to stock up on the latest high street trends or a few gorgeous new classics!

Getting Started

The first order of business is to go through your closet, attic, basement, or any other area where you have hidden away old clothing. Look at your pieces with a critical eye, and think about how frequently you wear them. Many of us have old favourites that we hold onto for sentimental value, but realistically will probably never wear again. It's hard to let go of these, but just think about all the fabulous new frocks you can buy if you sell them! Wash and iron the clothing, looking at each garment carefully for signs of wear and tear. If there are visible stains or holes, they may be better off recycled or donated. 

Where to List?

Perhaps the most well-known marketplace for used clothing is eBay, and this site can still work wonders for casual sellers. You can sell using the auction format, or set a "buy it now" price. The advantage of eBay is that you will have a huge audience of potential buyers, but its sheer volume can also mean your fabulous outfits may get lost in the shuffle. Another option is to choose a more localised service. You may have seen the comical adverts for Quicksales, which is a marketplace specifically within Australia. Listing on a local website allows you to potentially do away with shipping, because some buyers will be willing to come to you. If you have local designer labels this audience will be more likely to appreciate your good taste as well.

There are now numerous apps that allow you to sell from your smartphone. Although not mention ed in the adverts for Quicksales.com.au, this site has a mobile app that allows you to list and sell from your phone. Another mobile app is Threadflip, which allows you to snap artsy photos and upload them for sale instantly. Etsy.com is a popular marketplace in North America for crafts and vintage clothing, and many local consignment stores allow you to list your items online.

Tips for Success

Listing your clothing on a variety of sites could be the best plan of attack. It's important to take great pictures of your clothing if you want to stand out from the competition. Buyers have no way of trying on the clothes, so they will rely on your photos to get a sense of how the piece fits. You can choose to model your own clothing, enlist a friend, or hire a mannequin. Be sure to use good lighting and iron clothing before photographing it for the most professional and appealing result.

With great photographs and descriptive listings, you should be able to sell your old clothing to the highest bidder and be able to go on a shopping spree of your own!