There are more ways to sell clothes online than ever before. Facebook Marketplace, Vestiaire Collective, Tise, and Sellpy each attract different buyers, and the right platform depends on what you're selling and how much of the process you want to handle.
Selling through Vestiaire Collective or a local vintage boutique usually comes with a commission of at least 40%. That covers a lot of the heavy lifting. You hand the item in; they handle everything else. Selling directly through an app tends to cost less, though most of the work falls to you. Peer-to-peer selling through Facebook groups is free, reaches an engaged audience, and most well-run groups have their own rules to keep things honest. The tradeoff: you manage it all, postage included.
1. Spruce it up before you list it
Wash the garment, remove pills, trim any loose threads, and steam it back to shape. A well-presented piece photographs better, reads as more valuable, and sells faster. Steamery's Pilo Icon Fabric Shaver takes care of pilling cleanly, and a pass with the Cirrus Icon Handheld Steamer brings out the drape in almost any fabric.
2. Write a description that actually helps
Include the brand name and model name. Specify the material, and if it's wool, silk, or cashmere, say so clearly. A line like "pairs well with" or "works as a layering piece" gives buyers something to picture. Always include the size, and for certain garments, measurements matter even more than the label.
For pants and jeans, give the waist and inside leg. For dresses, note the full length and sleeve length measured from armpit to cuff. For skirts, include waist and length. For jackets and coats, measure collar to hem and sleeve length. For shoes, note the interior length and whether the fit runs narrow, standard, or wide. Manufacturer websites often carry this if you're not sure.
3. Be honest about condition
Second hand means worn, and buyers know that. What they need is specifics. Note any stains, where they are, and photograph them if you can. Mention loose hems or worn areas. Then say what's genuinely good about the piece. Transparency builds trust, and trust closes sales.
Four condition terms do most of the work when selling used clothes online. NWT (New With Tags) means unused, original label still attached. New means unworn; no label required. Good, used condition covers pieces with clean color and no visible flaws that have simply been lived in and washed. Used, but with plenty left to give is an honest, generous way to describe a garment that shows its age or carries a minor defect. Use it without apology.
Beyond condition, a few lines of context go a long way. Note whether you wash with an unscented detergent and no fabric softener, since buyers with sensitivities will look for that. Mention if you have pets or smoke at home. If the garment was recently dry-cleaned, say so. None of it is required, but it signals the kind of seller you are.
4. Photograph it like you mean it
Knowing how to photograph clothes to sell them is half the listing. Shoot in daylight with the flash off and a neutral background behind the garment. A spot beside a window works well. Avoid hard shadows and backlight. Four photos cover most bases: one full shot of the piece, one showing how it fits on a body (either a product image found online or a photo of you wearing it), a close-up of any defects, and a shot of the care label. That last one matters more than people think. A buyer who knows how to look after something is a buyer who commits.
5. Pack it well, ship it smart
Reuse what you already have. Brown paper bags stapled closed, old shoeboxes, or a simple mailing bag all do the job. Choose a courier that offers tracked shipping. It protects both of you and removes the one thing that can sour an otherwise smooth transaction.
Once you've listed a few pieces, the whole process settles into a rhythm. If it still feels like a lot, consignment is worth considering. You hand the garment over, the store handles everything, and you get paid when it sells. Most pieces move within a few days. Some don't. But that's the edit doing its work.
A note on commission: selling on commission means you're paid once the store has sold your garment. Turnover tends to be quick, often within a few days. And if a piece doesn't sell, you get it back and try elsewhere.
