The online apparel resale market is absolutely booming, expected to double from $36 billion in 2021 to over $77 billion by 2025 according to research firm GlobalData.
As both buyers and sellers realize the economic and environmental benefits of secondhand clothing, these online marketplaces make finding new homes for used items easier than ever.
From high-end luxury consignment to everyday fast fashion, you can leverage these apps to turn unwanted clothes into cash quickly and conveniently.
In this comprehensive guide, I‘ll compare the 11 top clothing resale platforms helping savvy sellers profit from their closets. Let‘s explore the fees, features, tips, and metrics driving this hyper-growth fashion trend.
The Rise of Clothing Resale Apps
Once seen as dusty thrift stores focused purely on bargains and necessities, online apparel resale now intersects with profit, style, and sustainability.
For sellers, these clothing apps allow monetizing unwanted items just taking up space by easily listing to millions of buyers globally. Compared to holding a garage sale, the exposure, trust, and handling is completely managed by the platform.
Buyers now recognize secondhand marketplaces focused on quality and exclusivity can offer premium brands at heavily discounted prices. Paying $200 for a like-new $800 designer bag that a seller only used once is the ultimate deal.
And for Gen Z especially, buying resale allows access to unique vintage items and reducing fashion‘s environmental impact including textile waste and emissions.
Apparel resale platform ThredUp also forecasts the total secondhand market reaching $82 billion in the next five years:
From Gucci handbags to Forever21 finds, let‘s explore how these apps are driving the future of sustainable fashion commerce.
Top Brands Selling Strong in Resale
While almost any apparel brand appears across resale apps, some labels consistently command higher prices post-purchase showing enduring value and demand.
According to TheRealReal‘s 2022 Clothing Resale Report, these luxury brands achieve the highest resale value year-over-year:
- Hermès
- Chanel
- Louis Vuitton
- Cartier
- Tiffany & Co.
- Prada
- Rolex
- Burberry
- Fendi
- Christian Louboutin
Categories like handbags, fine jewelry, watches, and leather jackets tend to retain value exceptionally well compared to fast fashion or trends.
Understanding which specific items sell for higher prices helps maximize your profit when listing. For example, Hermès‘ famous Birkin and Kelly bags often sell for more secondhand than original retail pricing!
How Do These Resale Apps Work?
While each clothing app has unique features, most follow this general structure:
- Sellers list items – Upload photos, descriptions, brands, sizes, etc.
- Optional pre-inspection – Some apps authenticate before listing
- Items get exposed to buyers – Platforms promote just-listed pieces
- Buyers purchase item – Make offer or purchase outright
- Seller ships sold item to buyer – Some apps handle shipping
- Platform releases seller‘s earnings after commission – Typically after buyer confirms receiving item
Sounds simple right? Now let‘s explore how the top 11 clothing apps specifically compare across metrics like fees, audience demographics, listings, and more.
Breakdown of Clothing Resale App Fees
While ease-of-use continues improving across resale platforms, commission structures and fees vary widely:
| App | Seller Commission Fees | Additional Fees |
|---|---|---|
| Vestiaire Collective | 15% transaction | $8 item activation |
| Mercari | 10% transaction | 2.9% + $0.30 processing per order |
| Facebook Marketplace | None | None |
When pricing items, be sure to account for the 8-15% average commission. Some apps like Depop also charge payment processing fees around 2-4% further minimizing margins.
Optimizing the asking price involves finding the balance between covering these commissions + item costs and keeping pricing competitive.
How to List an Item for Sale
While every platform has a unique interface and process, listing generally involves:
- Research demand and trends for item – Understand relative value based on brand, condition, and style to optimize pricing.
- Photograph front, back, details in good natural lighting – Show any flaws clearly and honestly.
- Write compelling yet honest title and item description – Include fabric, color, sizes, damage details.
- Select appropriate category tags – Helps exposure in filtered searches.
- Price competitively – Compare similar sold listings pricing items attractively.
- Optional: Share newly listed item across profile and groups – Helps more buyers discover your just-posted clothes.
Now let‘s explore how some of the most popular clothing apps specifically compare across metrics like audience demographics, listings, ease of use, and more:
Vestiaire Collective:
As a luxury-focused marketplace connecting over 5 million members worldwide, Vestiaire Collective offers sellers of premium brands high visibility matched with strong buyer willingness-to-pay.
Given the high average sale price of $480 USD, its 8-15% commissions remain reasonable compared to alternatives. Sellers praise the platforms marketing of new listings to drive rapid sales.
Consider consigning that Chanel bag collecting dust in your closet or pile luxury watches not getting any wrist time. For premium pieces, Vestiaire Collective delivers exceptional access to buyers uncompromising taste in labels but savvy about scoring deals.
Poshmark:
Known for its highly engaged community encouraging sellers to "list often, share constantly, follow back quickly", Poshmark sets the standard for social shopping.
Buyers and sellers connect as friends versus anonymous counterparts on a transaction-focused website, even commenting to ask questions or negotiate. Rather than purchases occurring in private, the vibrant feed creates a supportive environment full of inspiration.
One teenager used Poshmark earnings from cleaning out her closet to fund buying her first car. The platform allows custom virtual "Posh Parties" around themes like luxury brands, fitness gear, or formals driving targeted traffic to listings.
While the audience skews 70% female, youth-oriented culture embracing fashion experiments over minimalism perfectly aligns with Gen Z‘s sustainable and economic priorities.
Expect Poshmark‘s community-driven approach only to continue winning this emerging generation of shoppers balancing conscience and expressing identity through shared clothes.
