Where and How to Sell Clothes Online

There are many sites to sell clothes online. Pick one based on your style and the level of effort you're willing to put in.

Is your stuff mostly from H&M and Gap, or are we talking LV and Gucci? Do you want to simply send off a bag of clothes and let someone else deal with it, or list and ship each piece yourself?

Top sites offer nuanced approaches and charge varied fees.

Best places to sell clothes online

1. ThredUp

Good fit for: Those looking to unload multiple pieces of women’s and kid’s clothes at once.

Effort needed: Minimal (you send stuff; the site gives you money).

ThredUp is an online consignment shop just for women’s and children’s clothing (sorry, fellas). The resell company’s concept takes the grunt work out of selling loads of clothes, but may not earn you as much as you would selling items piece by piece.

Start the process by ordering a prelabeled bag to fill with clothes and send back. You can also request and print a shipping label for your own box. ThredUp stands out because it accepts all brands, but clothes must be clean and in good condition.

The company receives, inspects, lists and ships your items, and says you can expect your stuff to start selling four to six weeks after sending your bag. You earn a percentage of what sells. For example:

• You get 60% to 80% for clothes that sell for $100 to $199.99, but only 3% to 15% for those that sell for $5 to $19.99. 

• ThredUp also deducts a $14.99 service fee for standard bags ($34.99 for bags of premium clothes) from your earnings once clothes sell. 

The reseller works with a third-party partner to recycle the clothes it won’t accept, or you can reclaim your unsold items for a $5.99 fee.

2. Poshmark

Good fit for: People looking to list a variety of everyday clothes, personal care products and select home goods, piece by piece.

Effort needed: Hands-on (you list items, set prices and ship).

Poshmark is a peer-to-peer marketplace where you can post all sorts of women’s, men’s and kid's clothing, plus accessories and more for resale.

Unlike with ThredUP, you post and price each item yourself on Poshmark. When you make a sale, Poshmark emails a prepaid shipping label so you can pack up and ship the item(s).

Poshmark takes $2.95 on sales under $15 and 20% of the listing price for transactions of $15 or more. After the buyer receives the item, you get your share within three days.

The app also hosts “Posh Parties” a few times per day. During these events, you can submit items that fit into the designated fashion theme so motivated buyers can find them.

3. The RealReal

Good fit for: Fashion-forward types who have designer items for women, men and kids to offer.

Effort needed: Minimal (you send stuff; the site gives you money).

The RealReal is like ThredUp, but for designer items — think Gucci, Chanel or Louis Vuitton. According to its website, you first print out a free, prepaid shipping label to attach to your package of goods. Or, depending on where you live, you may be able to drop off your items at one of The RealReal’s locations or even schedule a pickup.

The RealReal sets prices for your items based on market trends, an item’s condition and other factors.

Unlike other online consignment stores, you won’t get paid per clothing item. Instead, you’ll receive a commission for everything sold over a calendar month, starting at 20% for sales of $99 or less.

Commission percentages increase with higher sales. Selling $5,000 plus will net you 70% of proceeds, for example.

4. Vestiaire Collective

Good fit for: People with expensive taste looking to put fancy clothes up for sale.

Effort needed: Hands-on (you provide photos, set prices and handle shipping).

Vestiaire Collective is a peer-to-peer marketplace that specializes in luxury brands. Like with Poshmark, you're responsible for listing, pricing and shipping items. However, the company is keen on authentication and says it carefully reviews each item listed before publishing.

Once an item sells, you print a label, pack and ship it in your own package.

Vestiaire Collective takes 10% of an item’s selling price if it is between $83 and $16,667. For sales less than $83, a $10 fee applies. For items $16,668 and up, Vestiaire has a fixed fee of $2,000. It charges a payment processing fee of 3%, too.

Other ways to sell clothes online

Neighborhood sites. If you’d rather sell clothes nearby to avoid shipping, try listing locally through sites and apps such as OfferUp and Facebook Marketplace. Note that these sites don’t operate like consignment stores. You post your own listings and work directly with the buyer.

Broader websites. You can also explore websites that cover a wider range of products, such as Etsy and eBay. Both sites allow sellers to list clothing, shoes, accessories and other items.

How to sell clothes online: Best practices

Take a little time up front to get top dollar for your clothes.

Freshen up your merchandise

Wash or dry-clean your items before putting them on the market. Polish hardware on shoes and handbags and buff the scuffs.

Carefully package items so they’re less likely to get wrinkled or damaged in transit.

Take clear photos

Bright, clear pictures will help your items stand out in a sea of dimly lit cell phone shots if you're posting items yourself. Place your clothing on a flat, plain surface and angle a few lamps at it to reduce shadows. Take a picture of the tag, to show authenticity.

Don’t have a plain surface? A solid-colored bedspread or blanket will work in a pinch.

Write an honest description

Tell prospective buyers everything they need to know about the item you’re selling. Use short, but complete sentences. Give basic information on size, brand and condition, as well as more nuanced details. Does a pair of jeans sit low on the hips? Is the fabric heavy or stretchy? Put it in the description.

Well-loved items likely have a scuff or scratch. Presenting any defects upfront will preserve your reputation and seller rating, which are everything in some consignment circles.

Price clothes to sell