The Art of Reselling Vintage, Contemporary, and Designer Goods

I recently helped my friend with a massive closet and storage clean out. We spent about 5 hours to go through a dozen bins and her closet and determined what’s staying and going. My friend is a fashion lover like I am so she has tons of vintage and designer pieces that she wants to resell to make some extra cash. Reselling vintage, contemporary, and designer goods is a great way to make extra cash and put quality items back in the circular economy! Because we were working with so much inventory I discovered a few things about the world of reselling, from vintage treasures to contemporary pieces and designer gems. Read on to discover the ins and outs of reselling!

If you’re new to reselling, it offers a responsible and profitable alternative in today’s fast-paced fashion world. It promotes sustainability by extending the lifespan of clothing, encourages upcycling, and reduces waste. Reselling also allows you to earn extra cash while decluttering your wardrobe. By choosing to resell, you can contribute to a more sustainable fashion industry, make money, and elevate your style with special pieces that have a story and history behind them.

The Reselling Process: Where to Sell Your Clothing

When it comes to reselling your items, sorting through and creating categories is a crucial step. You want to identify large quantities of items in these specific categories. When working with my friend, we created 3 categories for reselling: vintage, contemporary and designer. We also had a donation category for items in great condition but just didn’t fit one of the 3 categories. If you have damaged items, do NOT donate them instead consider using the Take it Bag from For Days as they’ll recycle even holey socks. The reason for sorting items into categories is that not all resell websites are created equal, as some are better suited for designer goods, while others cater to contemporary or vintage brands.

Vintage Items

In my experience, consignment stores that specialize in vintage perform the best. Look to connect with local vintage stores versus a store that would require a lot of back and forth shipping. Many of them offer a 50% cut on the sale price and can handle bulk selling easily. Many will allow you to do a drop off or email pictures and they will offer a buy out price. If you prefer to do the work yourself, options like Etsy, Depop, eBay, and Vestiaire are great choices for selling vintage garments.

Contemporary Items

For contemporary clothing, there are plenty of resale websites that can do the work for you, but they may take a significant cut of the sale price. Some resale sites also offer credit from partner brands in lieu of cash back. For example, ThredUp offers credit at Reformation for the items you send them. This can be a great option for contemporary brands (excluding designer items). If you prefer to do the work yourself, eBay, Poshmark, and Depop are good options where you can keep 80% or more of the selling price.

Designer

When it comes to designer goods, especially handbags, there are popular resale sites like The Real Real, Rebag, What Goes Around Comes Around, and Fashionphile that offer online consultations, pricing, and even buyout options. Fashionphile even offers 10% more if you opt for credit to use on their website. These sites can be a convenient way to sell your designer items and get a fair price.

Sorting and categorizing your items and choosing the right resale website is crucial for successful reselling. Local consignment stores, like Vestiaire, eBay, and Poshmark, and designer resale sites like The Real Real, Rebag, What Goes Around Comes Around, and Fashionphile are all excellent options depending on the type of items you are selling. Researching and utilizing the right resale websites can help you make money while being sustainable and promoting upcycling in the fashion industry.

What to Consider Reselling

When it comes to reselling vintage and designer clothing and goods, some items tend to hold high value due to their rarity, brand reputation, and historical significance. Keep in mind that fashion trends and preferences can change, so it’s essential to stay up-to-date with the market. Here’s a list of the top 10 items to consider for reselling:

1. Vintage Handbags: Iconic designer handbags from luxury brands such as Chanel, Hermès, Louis Vuitton, and Gucci are highly sought after and often appreciate in value over time.
2. Designer Watches: Vintage timepieces from renowned brands like Rolex, Patek Philippe, Omega, and Audemars Piguet can be valuable collectibles, especially if they are limited editions or have historical significance.
3. Vintage Denim: Rare and well-preserved vintage jeans from brands like Levi’s, Wrangler, and Lee can command high prices among collectors and fashion enthusiasts.
4. Designer Clothing from Iconic Eras: Clothing items from influential designers of specific eras, like Christian Dior’s “New Look” from the 1950s or Yves Saint Laurent’s “Le Smoking” tuxedo from the 1960s, can hold significant value.
5. Vintage T-Shirts: Rare and authentic vintage band T-shirts, sports team shirts, and limited-edition promotional tees can be highly sought after by collectors.
6. Sneakers: Limited-edition or vintage sneakers from brands like Nike, Adidas, and Converse can be extremely valuable, especially if they are associated with collaborations or special releases.
7. Designer Scarves: Silk scarves from luxury brands like Hermès and Chanel have a dedicated collector base and can fetch high prices.
8. Vintage Jewelry: Antique or vintage jewelry pieces, particularly from esteemed jewelry houses like Cartier, Tiffany & Co., and Van Cleef & Arpels, can be valuable collectibles.
9. Designer Sunglasses: Vintage sunglasses from luxury brands like Ray-Ban, Persol, and Cazal can be popular among fashion-conscious buyers.
10. Limited-Edition Collaborations: Any limited-edition collaborations between fashion designers and artists or brands can become highly sought after by collectors and enthusiasts.

While the value of these items can fluctuate depending on the current market trends and demand, there is typically a great market for them if you’re reselling. It’s essential to research thoroughly, authenticate the items if needed, and assess their condition before investing in reselling them.