Fashion is a high-demand, high-turnover industry.
Every year, millions of tons of clothing are produced, sold, and discarded. This is an incredible waste of resources. The good news? It’s also an opportunity for you to get some great deals on clothes that are still in excellent condition!
This blog will introduce you to the best apps for used clothes so you can make your closet look like it came straight from a runway without hurting your bank account or the environment.
best apps for used clothes
Today, you can shop online consignment stores to find a great deal, or sell clothes online as a side hustle to earn some extra cash. You could also save money by repurposing and refashioning those thrift-store finds, transforming basic pieces into something new and trendy.
It might be worth checking to see if some of those gently used clothes that no longer fit or that you know you aren’t going to wear are worth selling via an online platform. To get started, consider the following options, which are among the best sites and apps where you can sell clothes online.
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- Poshmark
Poshmark appeals to fashion lovers with new, pre-owned or vintage clothes they’re ready to part with. Upload photos of your items using the free app, write a description and set a price. You can attend virtual Posh Parties to sell items to friends and people you invite. When the items sells, you’ll be sent a shipping label so you can drop the item off at a USPS drop box.
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The company charges different fees depending on the amount of the sale. For sales under $15, you’ll be charged a flat rate of $2.95. For sales of $15 or more, the fee is 20% of the listing price. Poshmark takes care of all the financial transaction fees and provides a prepaid shipping label, so there are no other costs involved to make the sale.
Where to learn more: Poshmark website
Where to download the app: Google Play and the App Store
- ThredUp
When you’re ready to declutter your closet, you can order a Clean Out Kit from ThredUp. The bag included in the kit works as your shipment bag and can be filled with everything from women’s and kids’ apparel to shoes and accessories that are in great condition. The store won’t accept items with stains, holes, pilling or signs of wear.
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Where to learn more: ThredUp website
Where to download the app: Google Play and the App Store
- Tradesy
As long as your used designer clothing and other designer items are in good condition, Tradesy will help you sell virtually anything in your closet with a few screen swipes. You’ll get a free shipping kit once your item is sold. The company deducts a $7.50 commission fee for items under $50 and a 19.8% commission for items over $50. You have the option to transfer those funds directly to a PayPal account, checking account or debit card.
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Where to learn more: Tradesy website
Where to download the app: Google Play and the App Store
- The RealReal
Browse The RealReal’s Designer Directory to see what types of items the store will accept.
Individuals with 10 or more items from luxury brands suitable for consignment can make use of The RealReal’s White Glove service for at-home pickup. With less than 10 items, you will get a prepaid FedEx shipping label to ship all your items in. Full-service consignment with a free in-home pickup is available in many areas with the White Glove service, or you can get an in-person valuation at a store.
Your items will be listed if they are authentic, and you’ll receive a payment once they sell. You can earn up to 70% of the sale price of your designer clothing — and 80%-85% on high-value watches, purses and men’s sneakers.
Where to learn more: The RealReal website
Where to download the app: Google Play and the App Store
- LePrix
LePrix is an aggregator of designer boutiques that carry high-end pieces and trendy styles, giving you access to a larger inventory of available items. It only accepts the designer brands listed on its site.
LePrix offers a slightly different approach: You must consign with one of the consignment boutique partners, where you make an appointment and the items get listed on the site and placed in the store. If you decide to consign online, you can request free White Glove Consignment service via the Luxury Garage Sale. The company schedules at-home pickups in many major cities and drop-off options at partner boutiques. Alternatively, LePrix will send a prepaid shipping label so you can send in your items.
Where to learn more: LePrix website
Where to download the app: N/A
- Depop
For those who prefer using their mobile device instead of a desktop computer, this app provides all the benefits of online consignment store selling and buying from your smartphone or tablet. You can download the app and list items you want to sell in person or by shipping them to the buyer. Sellers can sell everything from pre-loved clothing to vintage goods and name their own price.
Where to learn more: Depop website
Where to download the app: Google Play and the App Store
- Swap.com
Swap.com claims to be the largest online consignment and thrift store for everything from women’s clothing to kids’ items. This company will give you a price it will pay for accepted items you send via an Inbound Box. You request this box and get a prepaid shipping label and send in your items for review, and Swap.com will list everything for you.
When the item sells, you can take a cash payout or get store credit to spend on Swap.com. Before you begin, it’s a good idea to review the acceptance criteria so you have an understanding of what items are accepted and in what condition.
Where to learn more: Swap.com website
Where to download the app: Google Play
- Flyp
San Francisco-based Flyp’s mission is “Less clutter. More empowerment.” The concept was meant for your closet, but the Flyp marketplace is definitely clean, simple and empowering to use.
The process is easy — take a single photo of each item you’d like to sell for professional sellers to view and bid on working with you. Review the proposals and choose a seller to handle the sale, from photographing to marketing to selling it and getting you paid. Depending on the pro you chose, you’ll make anywhere between 50% and 70% of the sales price.
The only drawback to Flyp is the brands it’s willing to accept. Many of the mall stores, such as Banana Republic, Nine West and Chico’s, don’t make the cut. Check the complete list of what labels are acceptable.
Where to learn more: Flyp website
Where to download the app: The App Store
- Vestiaire Collective
If you have a collection of designer duds you’re ready to part with but want to make sure they’re appreciated by other fashionistas, Vestiaire Collective should be on your shortlist. Vestaire Collective started in France in 2009 and has 7 million high-fashion lovers in 50 countries ready to buy your pieces.
All you need to do is download the app, fill out a listing form and upload images. Once the item sells, ship it to VC for free so its experts can handle the authentication of the item and send it to the buyer. You’ll receive up to 80% of the selling price for the item. Vestiaire Collective is a great option when you have items that don’t typically lose their value and could use international exposure to sell them for top dollar.
Where to learn more: Vestiaire Collective website
Where to download the app: Google Play and the App Store
- Rebag
Rebag specializes in luxury handbags, accessories, watches and jewelry. What makes Rebag unique is Clair, the artificial intelligence software that will appraise your handbag or accessories based on the photo scan you provide through the app. If you accept Clair’s quote, you can send your item using a prepaid shipping label or by dropping it off at a Rebag location. The team will authenticate your accessory and you’ll receive payment after three to four days, based on your choice of an ACH transfer, a check in the mail or store credit.
If you’re planning on using the cash you get from your current handbags for new ones, check out Rebag’s Infinity Exchange program. It’s similar to renting a luxury handbag. You may return a purchased bag (kept in good condition, of course) within 12 months and get a credit for 70% to 80% of the purchase price to use for the next bag you can’t live without.
second-hand clothes app
10 Used Clothing Apps For Second-Hand Shopping
Are you looking for a sustainable way to refresh your wardrobe? Shopping sustainably doesn’t have to mean buying something new; second-hand clothes can be a great alternative and better for the planet and your bank account.
The average American throws away around 81 pounds of clothing each year, so it’s clear there are already more than enough clothes out there in circulation. Shopping second-hand could mean visiting your local thrift store or vintage shop, but why not enjoy the great deals from the comfort of your own home? Used clothing apps are the perfect way to shop second-hand, and we’ve handpicked our favorites to share with you!
1) FLYP
Shipping: U.S.
Ideal for those of us who don’t have as much time to sell clothes, Flyp connects you to a network of independent “Pro Sellers” who will sell your clothes for you. It’s a great app to start your second-hand journey with everything from clothes and shoes to bags and accessories.
Flyp carefully curates what clothes are accepted on the app, meaning you will only find high-quality clothes on here from the more desirable brands like Nike, Lululemon and Urban Outfitters.
If you’re selling on the app, Pro sellers have a vested interest in selling your clothes, and it’s more likely that they will sell to someone who genuinely wants them – an added sustainability benefit. You do have to pay a commission to the person who sells your clothes for you, but this is a similar amount to other apps costs.
2) THREDUP
Shipping: U.S., Canada
Offering a huge range of brands, ThredUP is available as an app on your phone or through your desktop if that’s what you prefer. When you’ve selected which clothes you’re ready to part ways with, you send them off to ThredUP, who sell them for you, keeping some commission and paying you a percentage.
This would be great for anyone who has a lot of clothes to get rid of and not much time to do it themselves.
Pros: The filter options make shopping on the app a painless experience, refining your search and saving you time. Plus, the “Buy & Bundle” shipping option combines items from multiple orders into a single package and ships everything together.
Cons: ThredUP is allowed to offer discounts on all clothing, meaning you may lose some profit from your sales. The payouts for your sold clothes are considerably lower than other second-hand clothing apps, so you could make less money selling on ThredUP.
3) DEPOP
Shipping: worldwide
Originally a social network, Depop is a fun, interactive second-hand shopping experience that replicates a lot of what we like about online shopping.
With a mix of fast fashion brands, vintage pieces and independent sellers, Depop offers a huge variety of different styles all under one (digital) roof.
Pros: Depop is a great place to find quirky, unique clothing items no one else would have. You can tailor the search criteria and save your preferred sizes, making it easier when you go back on the app and continue shopping.
Cons: Sellers can contact you through direct messages if they feel you’ve shown interest in their item, and it can get slightly intrusive. Be aware that fast fashion resellers operate heavily on Depop, buying up large volumes of the same piece of clothing and selling it on for a profit. They can also trick you into thinking you’re buying from an independent designer when it’s, in fact, cheap, imported fast fashion – lookout for sellers with multiple sizes of the same item. While you aren’t charged for listing items, there is a 10% fee to pay when it sells.
4) EBAY
Shipping: worldwide
Not just for online auctions anymore, the eBay app offers some brilliant bargains on anything from designer bags to activewear.
There are also many independent businesses on the app to support, plus a lot of vintage clothing—an excellent place to start if you are testing the waters of second-hand fashion.
Pros: With 185 million active buyers by the end of 2020, eBay has an enormous built-in base of shoppers who are ready to buy your unwanted clothes, making selling them a lot easier. For buying on the app, you can set up alerts for keywords so you get notified when a new item is listed that you might be interested in.
Cons: On the flip side, there is a lot of competition for sellers on the app, which could make it harder for your clothes to get noticed. When searching for clothes to buy, it can feel quite daunting with the number of items available; it may take you some time to track down what you’re looking for.
5) VINTED
Shipping: worldwide
Vinted sells a wide range of low-cost second-hand clothing, with a focus on high street brands like Free People, Forever21, Gap and Anthropologie.
Vinted also offers buyers and sellers the option to swap clothes, with a ‘swap’ filter option so you can search for items that people are willing to swap with you.
Pros: There are zero listing or selling fees, so what you earn is yours to keep. Your orders are protected when you pay through Vinted, and you’re entitled to refunds, which is not always an option with second-hand apps. Vinted has forums on the app so you can engage with other buyers and sellers for support and advice.
Cons: Buyers are charged a service fee that covers the payment method’s cost, which can vary in price. You will have to check if the seller has been active recently as you may be buying from someone who is no longer active on the app.
6) POSHMARK
Shipping: U.S., Canada
Offering up to 70% off prices on thousands of popular brands, Poshmark is an ideal app for bargain shoppers.
From clothing to homeware and even pet accessories, it’s a treasure chest of second-hand goodies.
Pros: Poshmark offers protected payments, so if it’s not what you thought you were buying. you can get a refund. The app is often referred to as a community, with 70 million ‘Poshers’ and ‘Posh Party’ selling events. Poshmark makes it easy to haggle a price with the “offer” button.
Cons: For items over $15, Poshmark takes a 20% commission from your sale; for more expensive items this could see you potentially losing a lot of money. When searching on Poshmark, they don’t indicate how many listings there are available, leading to endless scrolling trying to find the item you want.
7) VESTIAIRE COLLECTIVE
Shipping: worldwide
A global marketplace of pre-owned luxury fashion, Vestiaire is the top destination for discounted designer pieces and vintage clothing.
Clothing, bags, shoes and jewelry from hundreds of brands, with thousands of new items, added every day. It’s definitely a fashion lover’s paradise.
Pros: Vestiaire offers an optional ‘authentication’ feature on items, so the product you’ve ordered is first checked and approved before being sent to you. The app enables you to ‘like’ items which are then added to your favorites, making it easier to go back and see your wish list.
Cons: Nearly everything on the app is expensive, so not accessible for most people. They also don’t have a good variety of sizes on offer, with most clothing items only available in small to petite sizes. A majority of the clothes and accessories on Vestiaire contain some form of animal material (silk, leather, wool, etc.), so it’s not suitable for vegan fashion shoppers. The authentication feature costs you extra as a buyer, so depending on the value of the item, this may not be worth adding on.
8) GRAILED
Shipping: worldwide
One for the boys! Grailed is the one-stop destination for buying, selling and exploring menswear, although they do also offer womenswear now. Selling both used and new clothing on the app, Grailed is hailed as the world’s most popular menswear resale marketplace, and the place to go to find that item you obsessed over but couldn’t find. Grailed is filled with streetwear brands, vintage pieces and independent designers, and their team makes sure everything is authenticated.
Pros: Grailed offers a space for men to explore sustainable fashion in an inclusive setting, something that we need more of the industry. You have buyer protection as PayPal is the app’s payment method, so your transactions are eligible for refunds. You can also shop at Grailed through your desktop.
Cons: Grailed has been criticised for their high international seller fees; for domestic (American) sellers, the fee has risen to 9% per sale, on top of the mandatory 2.9% (plus 30 cents) PayPal fee.
9) ASOS MARKETPLACE
Shipping: worldwide
Marketplace launched in 2010 with just 20 sellers and has grown to become the leading online platform for independent brands and vintage boutiques, with over 800 boutiques from around the world. Offering a unique range of clothing, footwear and accessories, Marketplace is the ultimate location for finding that one-of-a-kind item that you’ve been looking for.
Pros: By shopping with Marketplace, you are supporting independent retailers and designers, which helps support the sustainable fashion industry and gives you an added connection to your clothes that you just don’t get with big fashion brands. All transactions are protected, and they have a great customer service system in place to support you.
Cons: If you are an overseas buyer, you may be subject to import duties and taxes, which are levied once the package reaches your country. You will have to communicate with each boutique or brand for your purchase, so your experience can depend on their customer service skills.
10) MERCARI
Shipping: U.S.
The go-to second-hand clothes destination for true bargain hunters, Mercari offers up to 70% off retail prices on thousands of popular brands. With 350,000 new items listed daily, there is always a huge selection of clothing, footwear and accessories. Essentially a thrift store in an app, Mercari will definitely have something for you if you have the time to search!
Pros: You will definitely be able to save money on your clothes shopping when you buy from Mercari, and with buyer protection and easy returns, this app offers a safe and fun way to shop second-hand fashion. You can also set up email alerts to be notified when an item you’ve been hunting for is added to the app.
Cons: The app has been known to accept very used items to be sold, so watch out for transparency on sellers’ descriptions. Some sellers can be difficult to reach or slow to respond, making the buying process frustrating.
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