Old Clothes? Make Money off Them
Old Clothes? Make Money off Them
Here's how.
Hi Oddies,
I’m spending these early weeks of September cleaning out my apartment. I’m separating things into three piles: keep, donate, and sell. Today, let’s talk about the sell part.
If you have bags of stuff to get rid off, I’ll share some ways you can earn cash from those items.
Bookmark these two quick ways:
Poshmark: I’ve made over $1,000 selling clothes on the platform. It can take some time so I usually do this at night while watching TV. I’ll respond to messages and list new items around the house.
Trashie: I found this website that gives you gift cards when you mail them your old clothes. I’ve never used it before but it seems like a good idea — the downside is you have to pay to ship them your clothes.
10 Ways to Make Money from Selling Your Old Clothes
1. Vintage Clothing Curator
What it entails: Sourcing, authenticating, and selling high-quality vintage clothing.
How to make money: Buy vintage items at low prices and sell them at a markup.
Potential earnings: $30,000 - $100,000+ per year, depending on the scale of operation.
Skills needed:
Knowledge of fashion history and trends
Ability to authenticate vintage pieces
Eye for quality and condition
Marketing and sales skills
Getting started:
Research vintage fashion eras and styles
Start by selling your own vintage items online
Visit thrift stores, estate sales, and flea markets to source inventory
Set up an online store or sell through platforms like Etsy or eBay
2. Upcycled Clothing Designer
What it entails: Transforming old clothes into new, trendy pieces.
How to make money: Purchase used clothing cheaply, redesign and alter them, then sell at a higher price.
Potential earnings: $20,000 - $60,000+ per year, depending on creativity and marketing efforts.
Skills needed:
Sewing and garment construction
Fashion design skills
Creativity and trend awareness
Getting started:
Learn basic to advanced sewing techniques
Start experimenting with your own old clothes
Create a portfolio of your upcycled designs
Sell at local markets or online platforms
3. Clothing Flip Reseller
What it entails: Buying undervalued clothing items and reselling them for a profit.
How to make money: Source clothing from thrift stores, clearance sales, or wholesale, then sell at a higher price.
Potential earnings: $1,000 - $5,000+ per month, depending on time invested and inventory turnover.
Skills needed:
Knowledge of clothing brands and their value
Understanding of current fashion trends
Basic photography skills for listings
Negotiation skills
Getting started:
Research popular clothing brands and their resale value
Start with a small inventory and reinvest profits
List items on platforms like Poshmark, Depop, or Mercari
Build a following on social media to showcase your items
4. Personal Wardrobe Consultant
What it entails: Helping clients declutter their closets and sell unwanted items.
How to make money: Charge hourly rates for consultations and take a commission on sold items.
Potential earnings: $30,000 - $80,000+ per year, depending on clientele and location.
Skills needed:
Fashion knowledge and styling skills
Organizational abilities
Interpersonal and communication skills
Basic knowledge of clothing resale markets
Getting started:
Gain experience by helping friends and family
Create a portfolio of before-and-after closet transformations
Network with local fashion boutiques and stylists
Offer free initial consultations to attract clients
5. Costume Rental Business Owner
What it entails: Collecting and renting out vintage or unique clothing items for costumes.
How to make money: Charge rental fees for costume pieces or full outfits.
Potential earnings: $20,000 - $100,000+ per year, depending on inventory size and location.
Skills needed:
Knowledge of costume history and pop culture
Inventory management
Customer service skills
Basic clothing repair and maintenance
Getting started:
Build an initial inventory of unique and vintage pieces
Create a website or partner with local theaters and schools
Advertise your services for Halloween, theme parties, and productions
Consider specializing in a particular era or style
6. Clothing Swap Event Organizer
What it entails: Organizing events where people can exchange their old clothes.
How to make money: Charge entrance fees, sell refreshments, or take a commission on high-value item swaps.
Potential earnings: $500 - $3,000+ per event, depending on scale and frequency.
Skills needed:
Event planning and management
Marketing and promotion
Networking skills
Basic fashion knowledge
Getting started:
Start with small events among friends or in your community
Partner with local businesses or venues for space
Promote your events on social media and local event listings
Consider themed swaps (e.g., designer items, vintage, or seasonal clothing)
7. Secondhand Clothing Exporter
What it entails: Buying bulk secondhand clothing and exporting it to countries with high demand.
How to make money: Purchase large quantities of used clothing cheaply and sell in bulk to international buyers.
Potential earnings: $50,000 - $200,000+ per year, depending on scale of operation and market connections.
Skills needed:
Understanding of international trade regulations
Logistics and shipping knowledge
Negotiation skills
Market research abilities
Getting started:
Research countries with high demand for secondhand clothing
Connect with local charities or thrift stores for bulk purchases
Learn about export regulations and shipping procedures
Establish relationships with international buyers or marketplaces
8. Clothing Repair Specialist
What it entails: Offering repair and alteration services for vintage or valuable clothing items.
How to make money: Charge for repair services and upsell by offering to sell repaired items on consignment.
Potential earnings: $25,000 - $60,000+ per year, depending on skills and clientele.
Skills needed:
Advanced sewing and tailoring skills
Knowledge of different fabrics and repair techniques
Customer service skills
Basic business management
Getting started:
Gain formal training in sewing and tailoring or build experience through practice
Offer services to friends and family to build a portfolio
Partner with vintage clothing stores or dry cleaners
Create a website showcasing your repair skills and before-after examples
9. Luxury Consignment Shop Owner
What it entails: Operating a boutique that sells high-end secondhand clothing on consignment.
How to make money: Take a percentage of the sale price for each item sold.
Potential earnings: $50,000 - $200,000+ per year, depending on location and inventory quality.
Skills needed:
Knowledge of luxury brands and authentication
Retail management experience
Customer service and sales skills
Marketing and social media savvy
Getting started:
Research your local market for high-end consignment demand
Secure a retail space in a suitable location
Build relationships with potential consignors
Create a strong online presence and consider offering online sales
10. Clothing Rental Platform Entrepreneur
What it entails: Creating an online platform where people can rent out their clothing to others.
How to make money: Take a percentage of each rental transaction.
Potential earnings: Highly variable, from $10,000 to $1,000,000+ per year, depending on the platform's success.
Skills needed:
Tech savvy or ability to work with developers
Understanding of sharing economy business models
Marketing and user acquisition skills
Fashion industry knowledge
Getting started:
Develop a business plan and secure funding if necessary
Create a user-friendly website or app
Start with a specific niche (e.g., designer dresses or vintage wear)
Build a community of users through marketing and partnerships
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