STYLE / Organising your Resell pile

Apparently, the average UK woman hoards at least £285 of unused clothing! (1) Following your wardrobe clear outs, have a sort through the pile you have decided not to keep and see if there are any garments here which you could sell.

There are a few different options here, so consider which might be the best route to getting each piece into the hands of someone who is going to love and care for it.

To achieve this it can be useful to dip into what current trends are, particularly if using online platforms popular with a younger demographic such as Depop.

ONLINE ROUTES

DEPOP 90% of users are under 26 (2). At the time of writing anything from the 90’s or early 2000s and streetwear consistently has good resell potential. Micro trends also emerge on Depop; a visit to the search screen will give an indication of what is currently popular, as will the edits they put together, so you can then select garments from your pile that might be best suited to this route.

VINTED Great for a wider range of pieces, anything which doesn’t fit the bill elsewhere. There are no fees for sellers but be prepared to offer your garments at a low price in order to be successful. Vinted is a good option if you have a lot to clear quickly and don't require much back in return.

EBAY I’ve returned again recently, I think it the better route for brands whose target market is a slightly older demographic, for more classic designer labels or standout pieces that you would like to sell for a little more. It also has the Auction feature of course if you are unsure on how to price your garment.

VESTIAIRE COLLECTIVE Definitely worth considering if you have some real investment pieces in your pile. Seller fees are higher and sales generally a little slower but worth it if you have more valuable items to clear and are not in a hurry.

SOCIAL MEDIA Carefully selected Facebook groups can be another effective resell option. Brand specific and local marketplace groups are worth looking at, although these vary in how much buying takes place within them.

ONLINE TIPS

It can be time consuming listing items, so be selective and keep it seasonally appropriate, so as to not get overwhelmed.

All the usual good photography rules apply such as using a well -lit space with a clear or suitably styled background.

Show the clothing being worn if possible, particularly if using Depop or on a mannequin for eBay if you can. Otherwise, well presented on a hanger is sufficient.

IN PERSON

A lot of people still like to be able to feel and try on before they commit to buy, so it is great to know that there are also options for this within our communities

YOUR LOCAL COMMUNITY

In support of community localism it is good to see if there are any dress agencies in the area, who can sell your clothing for you in a store or online, usually for a 50:50 split of the sales.

At Olive and Rosy I operate a dress agency service specialising in Italian clothing, sustainable brands and fabrics, vintage and higher end high street.

I love to hear anecdotes and stories of the garments you bring, so if this would help you with letting them go onwards I will be all ears!

I also carry out very simple repairs or customisation to garments where required.

Vickie at Green Bee Trading in Langford Budville also takes a good range of clothing for resell alongside her lovely reclaimed housewares.

In Taunton there is Birdcage Dress Agency with a wider range, and is particularly good for occasion wear and designer brands.

PRE-LOVED SALES AND CAR BOOTS

Keep a look out for any table top or other pre-loved sales happening in your area, or why not team up with some friends and look into organising one of your own? In May our local town council are organising a Jumble Sale Trail around the town - what a great idea!

...OR CONSIDER SWAPPING INSTEAD

Look out for local clothes swaps or organise an informal one of your own at home with friends. These are perfect if you have quality items but don’t have the time or inclination to sell them and are a great opportunity to see circularity in action within your community. We especially love hearing people sharing their styling tips for how they wore items. Come along to our seasonal swaps at Pure Yoga to see what its all about, details of upcoming events are listed on our Events page.

Trying to match the garment to the best of these options will help to get it into the hands of a new owner who will love and care for it, keeping it in circulation for even longer.

Are there any other Resell routes that you would recommend?

Sources

1 – Loved Clothes Last – Orsola de Castro (2021) p.6,

2– The most surprising Depop trends and statistics in 2023 – Gitnux Blog