Best places to sell your clothes online

Got a wardrobe crammed full of clothes you never wear? You could be making a heap of cash from selling them online.

It's a dilemma we've all faced at some point in life - you're staring at a wardrobe filled with clothes, yet somehow, you still have absolutely nothing to wear...

If you find yourself hoarding masses of clothes you never use, it's time to clean out your closet and make some cash in the process.

Selling clothes online is easier than ever - there's now apps and services that have streamlined the process so even if you're a newbie to the game, you can start making cash instantly.

There are a few different routes you can go down, so we've put together a list of some of the best options, as well as some top tips to help you start raking in those sales.

Top sites for selling your old clothes

1. Depop

   Best for: Pretty much everything, but vintage and quirky items sell best

   Charges: Depop charges 10% of each sale

   Top of our list goes to Depop, your go-to app for selling (and buying) second-hand clothes.

   The app is designed just like Instagram - you upload a picture of your item in the usual square format (and you can upload a series if you want), and add a caption underneath with more information.

   There are also options to set the prices and select the item size. For newbie sellers, the process of uploading your stuff and making your first sale is super easy.

   You can sell pretty much anything that's in your wardrobe on here, but vintage stuff tends to be the most popular, or high street clothes that have now sold out in store.

   You can post clothes, shoes, jewellery and even lifestyle stuff like posters, books and records - literally anything goes.

   Find your niche, build a mini-brand and expand your followers - believe us, Depop is even more addictive than Instagram.

   Start selling on Depop »

2. Vinted

   Best for: Everything, but upmarket high street brands (think Zara and Mango) tend to do best

   Charges: None (Buyers are charged a fee though)

   Vinted is a huge online market place for selling clothes, with millions of users. It's similar to Depop in that pretty much anything goes - you upload your items, set the fee and package things off when they're sold.

   However, in comparison to Depop, Vinted has a slightly older target audience - you're more likely to find your mum on there.

   Like with most platforms for second-hand clothes, if you've got anything that you've bought recently but doesn't fit, it's way more likely to sell than something from a few years ago.

   Even better, if you can bag a popular high street item that sells out in store quickly, you'll be able to sell it for twice the price on here.

   Start selling on Vinted »

3. Ebay

   Best for: Everything

   Charges: 10% charge on all sales

   It might seem like the Ebay boom is over now, but the site is still hugely popular and can be a great option for selling clothes.

   The great thing about Ebay is that you can sell literally anything on there - but it can also be your downfall too.

   The key to good business is trying to find out what people are searching for - look for niche markets or demands, and create listings that target key search terms.

   Remember, there are also two selling options to go for. 'But It Now' allows you to set a non-negotiable price, but if you opt for an auction, buyers can place bids.

   The second option is a great way of trying your luck for a bumper price - plus you can set a starting bid which means the item won't be sold for a price you're unhappy with.

   Try to schedule your bidding to close on a Sunday, the busiest day of the week for the site. We've even got more advice on how to become an eBay pro.

   Start selling on Ebay »

4. ASOS Marketplace

   Best for: Clothing entrepreneurs

   Charges: £20 a month, 20% charge on all sales

   So this one isn't for newbies or those just looking to make an extra few quid by selling their last season cast offs - this is for dedicated clothes sellers looking to establish their own business (or who already have a business).

   To get started you need to apply for a boutique - they'll only consider if you make your own unique clothing, have a large selection of high quality vintage garms or you've already established yourself as an independent fashion label.

   Compared to other options listed here, it's quite pricey (although you can get a sweet discount with your TOTUM/NUS Extra card!) but if you're determined to make a proper go of it, having access to ASOS's huge audience is a major plus.

   Start selling on ASOS »

5. Facebook marketplace

   Best for: Selling locally

   Charges: Completely free

   Facebook Marketplace isn't known for being the most successful platform for selling clothes, but since it's completely free, it might be worth a shot.

   The Marketplace allows you to upload items in the traditional way, but it has also been merged with Facebook selling groups.

   These groups are normally specific to certain locations, like towns or boroughs, allowing you to potentially cut out postage costs by selling to people who live close enough to come and collect their items.

   Don't count on getting a great response for high-quality vintage or niche items, but if you've got a large bundle of clothing you want rid of, this might be a good way of selling it quickly and without charges.

   Start selling on Facebook »

6. Etsy

   Best for: Homemade and vintage items

   Charges: 3.5% transaction fee + 3% payment processing fee

   You might normally associate Etsy with selling homemade craft items, not second-hand clothes.

   But if you make your own or upcycle clothing, then this could be a great way of standing out from the crowd.

   You could sell printed t-shirts or hand embroidered vintage clothing, for example. Homemade jewellery or badges are also a great one here too.

   Etsy do have strict rules on what you're allowed to sell, however, so make sure you check the small print first.

   Start selling on Etsy »

7. Rebelle

   Best for: Designer clothes and bags

   Charges: 17% - 33% commission depending on the price of your item

   If you're lucky enough to own some designer clothes (that you no longer want) then Rebelle is one of the best platforms for selling them - and getting a decent price.

   Unlike the sites listed above, you list your item and then send it to Rebelle.

   They will verify the quality and authenticity of the item, essentially preventing any fraudsters from ripping anyone off.

   Once the item is sold, they'll post it off to the buyer and transfer the money to you. This is by far the most hassle-free of all clothes selling online - no postage headaches!

   So if you've got any Louis Vuitton or Prada handbags tucked away somewhere, you could make a killing with Rebelle.

   Start selling on Rebelle »

Tips for selling clothes online

1. Photos are THE most important thing - Make sure they're really clear with lots of natural light and taken with a good quality camera. If possible, try and take a photo of someone wearing the item - it's much easier for buyers to visualise what the item will actually look like that way.
2. Try and find a niche - Do you have a certain style such as retro or vintage, or large quantities of a certain item like trainers or jewellery? If you can give your page a theme, you'll attract loyal customers who'll keep coming back for more.
3. Maintain a good reputation - Be honest about the quality of the item, and that means revealing if there's any stains or tears! Always respond to messages and feedback, and maybe throw in a little handwritten note thanking the buyer for shopping with you.
4. Make your descriptions accurate - Make sure the sizes you're advertising are spot on, and if it's labelled as a size 12 but feels more like a 10, let shoppers know! No one likes buying clothes online that turn out to be the complete wrong size.
5. Keep up with the trends - Certain things will come in and out of style, so jump on top of trends and make some cash from it .
6. Remember your international audience - If it's winter here it's summer somewhere else, so make sure you're offering a wide range of styles all year round.
7. Don't get caught out on the postage - Check postage prices in advance and add that on top of the advertised selling price (most sites will have a separate section for this). You can splash out on tracked or signed for delivery, but as a minimum you need to keep a hold of the proof of postage in case something goes wrong and your parcel doesn't arrive.

There are loads of ways you can make money from the comfort of your bedroom - here's how to make money on social media.

Do you have any clothes selling success stories? Let us know in the comments and we could feature you on the site!

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