How to Start Selling Second-Hand Clothing

Introduction: The Rise of Second-Hand Clothing Sales

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Selling second-hand clothing is no longer just a weekend hobby; it’s a thoughtful way to earn extra income, reduce waste, and even explore the beginnings of a small business. Whether you're decluttering your wardrobe or building a structured selling routine, learning how to sell on eBay, Vinted, Depop, or Poshmark can give you a real head start.

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This guide shares practical, platform-specific, and geography-aware advice. You'll learn how each popular platform works, while avoiding common beginner traps and shaping your own approach to success.

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And the good news? You can start today with the clothes sitting in your wardrobe - items you’ve outgrown or forgotten. Fashion is cyclical, and someone out there might be searching for exactly what you’ve moved on from. Turning it into money in your pocket (and someone else’s favourite new find) supports circular fashion and keeps good garments from going to waste.

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Choosing Where to Sell Your Second-Hand Clothing​

 

eBay: How eBay Works

eBay is a global marketplace with millions of users and one of the most versatile platforms for second-hand sellers. Whether you’re listing vintage clothes, high-street fashion, collectibles, or niche items, eBay offers both fixed-price and auction listings. It’s particularly strong for sellers who want reach, structure, and flexibility across different categories.

• Best for: General goods, fashion, collectibles, and niche items (US + UK)

• Shipping:

  • UK: Royal Mail dominates for small parcels; eBay International Shipping simplifies overseas sales

  • US: USPS, UPS, or FedEx; Global Shipping Program (GSP) handles customs and duties

 

💡 Use “sold” listings to guide your pricing and study high-performing seller templates. Jump to the listing section below for comprehensive tips on standing out.

 

Vinted: How Vinted Works

Vinted is a favourite in the UK and much of Europe for casual and high-street fashion. The platform is simple to use, with no seller fees and buyer-paid shipping, making it ideal for low-value, everyday items that don’t justify higher platform costs. Though not dominant in the US, it's widely used across the UK for hassle-free sales.

• Best for: High-street fashion, kids' clothing, and casual everyday wear (UK only)

• Shipping:

  • UK: Integrated shipping; buyer pays postage

  • US: Not widely used or supported

 

💡 Price competitively - UK buyers on Vinted expect affordability, especially when they’re covering shipping. Jump to the listing section below for comprehensive tips on standing out.

 

Depop: How Depop Works

Depop blends social media and second-hand selling. Its visually driven feed rewards creative styling, good lighting, and aesthetic consistency. If your pieces appeal to a younger, trend-savvy audience, or if you can style looks in a unique way, Depop is an excellent choice. Engagement, such as liking and replying to messages, can boost your visibility in the feed.

• Best for: Trendy, vintage, and visually styled fashion (UK + US)

• Shipping:

  • UK: Royal Mail and Evri are commonly used

  • US: USPS with tracking recommended

 

💡 Quick replies, styled photos, and bundle discounts all improve your visibility in search and the feed. Jump to the listing section below for comprehensive tips on standing out.

 

Poshmark: How Poshmark Works

Poshmark dominates the US second-hand fashion space with its unique blend of fixed pricing and social selling. Listings are shared like social posts, and sellers are encouraged to engage with others to grow their visibility. Shipping is simple, with prepaid labels provided. While unavailable in the UK, US sellers use it heavily for mainstream brands and bundling.

• Best for: Women’s fashion, shoes, and accessories from popular US brands (US only)

• Shipping:

  • US: Prepaid USPS Priority Mail label (flat rate up to 5 lbs)

  • UK: Not available

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💡 Regularly share your listings (and others’) to maximise exposure. Engagement drives Poshmark’s algorithm. Jump to the listing section below for comprehensive tips on standing out.

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Cross-Platform Comparison

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• Fees can change. Always check the platform’s website for the latest details.

• Don’t cross-list blindly. Each platform has its own buyer psychology and expectations.

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Creating Listings That Actually Sell

 

Winning Photography Techniques

Think of your photos as your storefront. Great photography = trust, no matter whether you're creating an eBay listing, a Vinted listing, or a Depop listing.

• Use natural light or daylight bulbs

• Choose a plain background (use background removal tools if needed)

• Photograph: front, back, label (brand and care instructions), close-ups of flaws. A consistent background across your items also builds brand recognition.

 

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• You might think showing flaws would hurt your chances of selling, but it’s often the opposite. Transparent photos help prevent disputes, bad reviews, and return costs. Many buyers are surprisingly open to small imperfections, especially if you give them a heads-up.

• Want to go a step further? Offer a care tip or do a quick fix yourself - snipping loose threads or noting that a mark might come out in the wash goes a long way.

 

Crafting Irresistible Descriptions

When writing your eBay listing or Vinted listing description, focus on clarity and completeness. Your listing is your sales pitch. Don’t just say “good condition” - be specific.

• Include: Brand, size, condition, colour, fit, measurements, fabric, and flaws

• Avoid jargon - write how your buyer thinks, and highlight useful product features

 

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• “What’s the pit-to-pit measurement?” Yes, buyers really do ask that - and for good reason. Sizing is one of the most common reasons for returns, even for brand-new clothing. With second-hand items, fit can be even more unpredictable. Clothes may have shrunk, stretched, or been altered without the seller remembering.

• It might feel tedious, but experienced sellers consistently recommend including key measurements to reduce misunderstandings and prevent sizing-related returns. It builds trust and ultimately saves time for both you and the buyer.

 

Optimising Titles and Tags

Different platforms = different title styles. On eBay, more is more. On Depop, less is more.

 

eBay Listing Title Tips:

• Prioritises brand, item type, size, colour, and condition

• Structured and keyword-rich for high search visibility

• Avoids filler, abbreviations, and special characters

 

Vinted Listing Title Tips:

• Repeats crucial attributes buyers are likely to search (brand, colour, size, condition)

• Helps surface the listing even if these details are elsewhere on the page

• Balanced and informative without overloading

 

Depop Listing Title Tips:

• Includes era, brand, item type, colour, size, and style

• Clean and clear for aesthetic-focused, youth-driven buyers

• Tailored to visual subcultures like Y2K and streetwear

 

Poshmark Listing Title Tips:

• Brand, item type, style, size, and condition upfront

• Emphasises clarity and product highlights for quick scanning

• Appeals to US-based buyers looking for brand + quality in one glance

 

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• On Depop, style and subculture terms like “Y2K” or “streetwear” help. On eBay and Vinted, repeat key details. Across all platforms, keep it clear, buyer-focused, and honest.

• Platform algorithms change over time. We stay up to date so you don’t have to - Join the As Good As Ever waitlist to get listing support that evolves with the platforms.

 

 

Pricing Your Items Like a Pro

 

How to Research What Sells

• Check sold listings on each platform

• Use Google Trends to see what’s in demand

• Look up similar items' sell-through rates

• High price ≠ high profit. Include platform fees, shipping, and time when calculating margin.

 

Pricing Strategy Tips

• Use a 25–75% rule based on retail price

• For rare items, check niche pricing guid

• Consider psychological pricing: £19.99 often performs better than £20

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Affordable and Sustainable Packaging

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• Use mailers or cardboard boxes (depending on the item)

• Wrap carefully with recycled/reused materials if possible

• Use a postal scale to weigh items accurately if you can

 

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• You don’t need to buy fancy packaging when starting out. Reuse boxes and mailers from your past e-commerce orders - just make sure they’re clean, sturdy, and that you remove any personal or branded information. It’s better for the planet and your budget.

• Photograph the packed item and receipt in case of shipping disputes.

 

 

Staying Organised and Managing Growth

 

Inventory Management

• Use spreadsheets or tools like Notion

• Assign SKU numbers to keep track

• Track listing dates, platforms, sale prices, and status

 

Financial Tracking for Second-Hand Sellers

• Log every cost: item, packaging, postage, fees

• Use basic accounting tools (or spreadsheets)

• Keep a percentage aside for tax

• Don’t get caught unprepared - treat this like a business from day one.

 

Building Your Brand and Community

• Use the same visual style for all photos

• Develop a store name and consider social media promotion

• Offer bundle discounts and friendly, responsive communication - nothing beats great customer service

 

 

Conclusion

 

Selling second-hand clothing is a skill - and like any skill, you get better with time. Whether you’re just testing the waters or eyeing this as your next venture, keep learning, stay consistent, and treat each listing like a storefront window.

 

And remember - every time you list something from your wardrobe that would have otherwise been forgotten or binned, you're participating in circular fashion. Small steps, big impact.

 

You don’t have to go it alone. Tools like As Good As Ever can help make the journey smoother, more efficient, and - dare we say - more fun!​​​​