How to Sell New Clothes Online

Co-authored by Alice Wu

Last Updated: June 20, 2021 References

If you like to shop, you know that buying new clothes can be tricky. The size could be wrong, clothes bought online might not fit well, or you might like it better in the store than you do at home. If you have new, unwanted clothes laying around, selling them online is an easy way to clean out your closet and make some money!

Part 1

Part 1 of 4:

Preparing Your Clothes

1
Check if the item still has a tag attached. Clothes with tags can be sold at higher prices as it is proof that the item is new. If the item does not have tags, you can still specify that the item is new, but it is possible that it may sell for less.
- Popular designer brands and unique patterns tend to sell faster because they are more in demand. ^{[1]
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2
Determine the condition of the item. Clothes that have holes, stains, or odors from normal handling typically are not sold as “new.” Washing or repairing the item qualifies it as used clothing.
- Give an honest assessment about the quality of the item. If the fabric is thin or the pattern of the item is not flattering, it may not sell very quickly. ^{[2]
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3
Take multiple, high-quality pictures of the item from all sides.^{[3]
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Expert Source

Alice Wu
Image Consultant
Expert Interview. 12 June 2020.} If the item has tags, make sure to include them in the picture. This gives proof to the potential buyer that the item is new and unused.
- When taking the pictures, make sure the area has good lighting. If you can, model the clothing or ask a friend if they'll model for you. Shoppers will be more likely to purchase your item if they see it on a real person.^{[4]
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  Alice Wu
  Image Consultant
  Expert Interview. 12 June 2020.}
- If the item has a pattern or design, take an up-close picture of it to show all of the details.
- In addition to the item by itself, take photos accentuating the item with any accessories you have on-hand. For example, you might pair a shirt you’re selling with some jeans and matching jewelry. ^{[5]
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- If the item has any blemishes or imperfections, take photos of those, too.
- Make sure the clothes are free of wrinkles and several different angles are used. ^{[6]
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Part 2

Part 2 of 4:

Finding an Online Marketplace

1
Look for websites and apps specific to selling clothes.^{[7]
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Expert Source

Alice Wu
Image Consultant
Expert Interview. 12 June 2020.} Multiple apps and website exist with different methods for individuals to buy and sell clothing. While most of these websites are tailored to used clothing, new items with and without tags are also permitted and may sell for higher. ^{[8]
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- Most of these platforms, like Poshmark, allow you to create your own listing. Others, such as ThredUP, ask you to send your items to them and they will handle the listing process. Be mindful that these types of websites also control the pricing and may decide not to buy the items that you send.
- Most of these websites will keep a percentage of your sales as commission. The amount varies between platforms.
- You can be paid in various ways, including PayPal, direct deposit into your bank account, or a gift card.
- Certain platforms only allow clothing for women or children to be posted. Websites for women and children only include ThredUP, Tradesy, and Refashioner. Websites that also include menswear are PoshMark, Mercari, and ASOS Marketplace. ^{[9]
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2
Sell the item on general marketplace websites and apps. General online marketplaces are open channels to sell almost anything. Because these platforms are not specific to clothes, you will need to create detailed, specific product listings that include a description, price, and shipping method.
- Open marketplaces are usually designed for direct communication between the seller and the buyer. These websites often do not require a commission and makes the process more flexible in terms of payment and item exchange.
- General marketplace websites and apps include eBay, The RealReal, Bonanza, Amazon, LetGo, and Craigslist. ^{[10]
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3
Post the item on social media. Social media has expanded beyond interacting with friends to include buying and selling interfaces. Selling an item on social media platform is similar to selling on a general online marketplace.
- The most common social media selling platforms are Instagram and Facebook.
- When selling on Instagram, make it clear that the item is for sale in your pictures. It is a photo-centric platform that makes captions secondary. If you only post selling information in the captions, potential buyers might scroll right past the item without realizing it’s for sale. ^{[11]
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- Selling on Facebook is easier than ever with their expansion of Facebook Marketplace. Marketplace operates identical to general online marketplaces. ^{[12]
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Part 3

Part 3 of 4:

Creating Your Listing

1
Title the listing as a brief description of the item. Do not make the title too long or wordy; be as concise as possible. Include the style, cut, size, and color of the item. If the item is from a popular brand name, include that in the title as well. ^{[13]
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- Putting the brand name in the title provides recognition for potential buyers. Brands from high-end and popular designers tend to sell quicker and for higher.
- It may help to phrase the title exactly as it was written when you purchased the item. If the item still has tags, the description may be printed on the tag.
- If you are posting the listing on a website specifically for clothes, it may not be necessary to put the size of the item in the title since you will need to specify that when you post the item. However, if you are using a general online marketplace, be sure to include the size.
2
Specify that the item is new in the title. Use words like “New,” “Never Worn,” and “Lightly Used” to convey that the clothing is new. Other popular acronyms include NWT, or “New with Tags,” and NWOT, or “New without Tags.” ^{[14]
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- It is best to put these words in all uppercase letters to make them stand out in the title.
- Put these phrases at the beginning of the title, before the brief description.
3
Upload your quality pictures to the listing. Make sure the pictures show up well and are large enough for potential buyers to zoom in. Upload multiple pictures of the item with different angles and accessories if possible. ^{[15]
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- Pictures of the item with accessories give potential buyers an idea of what to pair the item with and if they have other clothes to go with it.
- Upload any photos of imperfections as well.
4
Write a thorough description of the item. Here you want to include every detail you can about the clothing, including materials used, if the fabric is heavier or lighter and if it has any stretch, colors, length, fit, type of neckline, and how to wash it. Be honest about the condition of the item in the description. ^{[16]
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- Make sure the description is expanding on what potential buyers can see in the photos.
- If the item is from a popular or high-end brand, be sure to repeat this in the description.
5
Specify if you accept returns. Many websites that are specific to clothing do not accept returns through their platform. You may be able to specify if you accept returns in your own listings by providing professional contact information.
- If you are selling on a general marketplace website, be sure to indicate if all sales are final.
6
Include your shipping method and time in the description. If you are selling on a general online marketplace, specify what shipping method you will use and the approximate time it will take you to ship the item. This is a courtesy to your potential buyers, so they know when they can expect the item to arrive. ^{[17]
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- If you are selling more than one item and might use multiple shipping companies, list the ones you may use in the description.
- Many websites that are clothes-specific will send you prepaid shipping boxes that have a set delivery time once shipped. ^{[18]
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7
Set your price. The easiest way to determine price is by researching what similar products sell for within the same or similar brand.^{[19]
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Expert Source

Alice Wu
Image Consultant
Expert Interview. 12 June 2020.} Because the clothes are new, you may be able to sell the item for more than related used products. ^{[20]
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- Prices fluctuate for products during different seasons. A sundress may sell for more during the late spring than in the middle of winter, for example.
- When setting your price, make sure to consider the cost of shipping if you intend on mailing it yourself. Websites that are clothes-specific will oftentimes send you prepaid shipping boxes instead.
- If the item is still sold in stores or online from the place you purchased it, use the list price as a starting point.
- If your clothing does not sell for a while, try incrementally dropping the price.

Part 4

Part 4 of 4:

Communicating with the Buyer

1
Answer any questions that potential buyers have. If potential buyers contact you with additional questions about the clothing, be polite and quick to respond for a quicker selling time. Update the listing with more details as you receive questions.
2
Give the buyer the shipping information when the item ships. Try to make sure your shipping method has a tracking number so that you and the buyer can monitor the package. Websites that are specific to clothes may already provide a tracking number for prepaid shipping boxes to both you and your buyer.
- If the package is late or off-schedule, contact the buyer to let them know of the delay. Be specific and polite in answering any questions they may have.
- If you are shipping the package yourself, it may be beneficial to purchase additional shipping insurance in case the package is lost in transit.
3
Talk with the buyer to make sure they are satisfied with the product. After you get confirmation that the package has arrived at its destination, contact the buyer to confirm they have received the item and that it to their liking. If the package arrived damaged or is missing an item, try to resolve the issue and send them the rest of their order. ^{[21]
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- An example of a message to send to your buyer would be "Hello! I have received confirmation that your package has been delivered. I hope you have received the package and that you enjoy the items! If you have any concerns about the condition of the package or the items inside, don't hesitate to contact me. Thank you!"
- If the package is missing or damaged, contact the shipping company you used to resolve the issue.

Expert Q&A

Question

How do you successfully sell clothes online?

Alice Wu
Image Consultant
Alice Wu is an Image Consultant and Personal Stylist based in San Francisco, California. She is the Owner of Styled by Alice, an image consulting service offering private styling services for men and women. Focused on personalizing the styling experience, Alice provides closet edits, personal shopping, wardrobe planning, and other services such as event styling.

Alice Wu

Image Consultant

Expert Answer

Model the clothes or have a friend model them, then take several high-quality photos for your listing. The more detail shoppers are able to see, the more likely they'll be to make a purchase.