How To Resell Dresses At A Profit In (2024)

Are you sick of that cluttered closet stacked with tons of clothes you never wear? You’re not alone.

Luckily, you can resell dresses to get rid of the mess and make a profit at the same time. This way, you get to collect enough money to buy the items you want.

Instead of throwing clothes away, preloved fashion has paved the way for people to make use of unwanted pieces. Not only does this solve the problem of overconsumption, but it’s also a great way to eliminate waste.

In this article, we discuss everything about reselling dresses, what to consider when doing so, and if it’s a good way to make money.

Is It Possible To Resell Dresses?

Absolutely. With the rising technology of online marketplaces, reselling dresses is now easier than ever. Doing brief research, you can even find some platforms dedicated to selling clothes (aka secondhand fashion).

What Kinds of Dresses Sell Well?

Generally, many styles sell well in the world of fashion, most importantly of which are the essentials. Classic little black dresses, basic bodycon with solid colors, and chic cocktail dresses are all must-haves for any wardrobe.

Versatile items also sell quickly. Dresses that fit many occasions attract a large customer base. Such items are great for weddings, formal events, and parties alike.

In all cases, you should keep an eye on the current fashion trends and seasonal demands to profit from your dress reselling venture.

What Is the Value of Dresses?

If you think about starting a small clothing business from home, you need to know how to price them. You don’t want to offer used dresses at too low or too high a price. Whether you sell clothes online or in-store, middle-range prices are the way to go.

Secondhand experts recommend selling clothes at a decent price-quality ratio. As a general rule, used garments should sell for no more than 30%–40% of their original price. That’s about a third of the value of a new similar item.

What matters most when pricing your used dresses is their current retail value.

Do Dresses Lose Value Over Time?

The value of dresses fluctuates over time. It’s usually influenced by factors such as fashion trends, the condition of the dress, and the brand’s reputation. While some dresses can maintain their worth, others decrease in value as they go out of fashion.

Of course, this doesn’t apply to vintage or designer clothing, especially those with historical significance. Such items can increase in value over the years.

Things To Consider When Reselling Dresses

Whether you do it to declutter or you decide to start a side hustle reselling clothing, there are things you need to consider.

1. Price Your Items Correctly

Some dresses can sell for more than a third of their current retail value, depending on their condition. Many people are willing to pay much more for unworn dresses with tags. That’s why it’s essential to price each item separately.

2. Check the Dress’s Condition

You should always avoid selling clothes with defects, rough edges, poor stitching, or other irregularities. For such items to sell, you need to go extra low with the price. Otherwise, it’s better to consider donating or recycling them.

3. Be Specific

You need to be specific when describing the items you display, even if you think something isn’t worth pointing out. Not only does that convey your honesty, but it also helps you avoid customer complaints.

4. Put More Effort Into the Photography

Generally, professional photography in good light gives the clothing item justice and helps with the sale. It also gives you leverage and makes you stand out among the competition. Not putting enough effort into photography eventually leads to items not selling as well as they should.

5. Prearrange Shipping and Packaging

Efficient shipping and secure packaging are essential components of a successful dress reselling venture. Presentable packages play a huge role in leaving a good impression on potential buyers and encouraging them to come back.

Where To Resell Dresses

When it comes to reselling dresses, your options are countless. From online marketplaces to local stores, you can always find a suitable venture for your needs.

In this section, we give you a few ideas to explore.

1. Plato’s Closet

Plato’s Closet is a popular chain of clothing resale stores. They specialize in buying and selling gently used clothes and accessories. The store’s concept revolves around offering fashionable secondhand clothes at affordable prices.

Such a place is a great choice for budget-conscious shoppers as well as resellers. All you need to do is take the items you want to sell to your nearest Plato’s Closet store for evaluation. Selling to Plato’s Closet, you have the complete freedom to accept or decline the offered prices.

• Fees/Commission: Plato’s Closet offers about 30% of the price tag they plan to put on the item. For example, if they decide to offer a specific dress for $15, they pay you about $5 for it.
• Payment Methods: Plato’s Closet offers two payment options. You can cash out your money or turn it into store credit for future purchases.

2. Poshmark

Poshmark is an online social platform and marketplace that allows users to buy and sell used fashion items. It’s a peer-to-peer platform that lets individuals set up virtual boutiques and list the clothes they want to sell.

What’s great about such a platform is its community-driven approach. It lets people interact with each other through sharing listings, following one another, and liking items. To start selling on Poshmark, you only need to create an account and list your dresses for sale.

• Fees/Commission: Poshmark takes a selling fee of 20% of the item’s sale price. Yet, for items under $15, the platform has a flat rate of $2.95.
• Payment Methods: You can keep your earnings as store credit on your Poshmark account. If you want to cash out, you can either set up a direct deposit to your bank or have them send a check to you.

3. Vestiaire Collective

Vestiaire Collective is another online marketplace specializing in selling and buying pre-owned fashion items. It caters to a wide range of designer and high-end brands, making it a popular destination for many shoppers.

The platform also offers authentication services for high-value items to ensure that the products are genuine. That’s why it’s one of the safest and most trustworthy marketplaces.

• Fees/Commission: The platform deducts a flat fee of $7.50 for any items sold for less than $50. For anything over that price mark, Vestiaire Collective charges 19.8% of the sale price.
• Payment Methods: Vestiaire Collective offers multiple options to cash out your earnings. You can transfer money to your Paypal, debit card, or checking account. You can also keep your money as store credit to buy from the website.

What You Will Need To Resell Dresses

If you decide to turn reselling dresses into a small business, you should be aware of some essential tools and preparations. Here’s what you will need:

1. Collection of Dresses: Collect dresses in good condition by asking your friends for items they don’t want to keep and going through the racks of your local thrift stores.
2. Internet Access: Ensure you have a reliable internet connection to list your clothes online for sale.
3. High-Quality Images: Make sure to take clear photos of the dresses and write accurate descriptions to attract buyers.
4. Storage Space: Set up a designated area to keep your dresses organized and in perfect condition.
5. Shipping Supplies: have boxes and packaging materials ready for secure delivery.
6. Excellent Communication Skills: Build trust with the buyers through decent customer service and well-established communications.

How To Resell Dresses: Step-By-Step Instructions

Reselling dresses can be rewarding, whether to clear some wardrobe space or make a profit. To help you navigate through the process, here are the steps you need to follow.

Step #1: Dress Selection

Go through your dresses and choose the items that are more likely to sell, including dresses in good condition and on-trend. Ensure the selected dresses are clean and not damaged. If you think specific repairs can enhance their appeal, go for it.

Categorize each piece and sort out its pricing and detailed description. Research the market to determine competitive prices for similar dresses. Consider some essential factors, such as the brand, condition, and style.

Step #2: Photography

After sorting out the entire selection, you should start snapping pictures. Experts recommend using the same configuration and background for all photos to boost consistency. Taking photos of the dresses while wearing them can also be a great idea.

Step #3: Choosing the Venue

With so many options out there, choosing a platform can be confusing. Make sure to research how each of them works before making a decision. For example, some websites require shipping the items for inspection before you can make a listing while others don’t.

Aside from the locations mentioned above, you can also check out:

• Clothes Mentor
• ThredUP
• Etsy
• Facebook Marketplace
• The RealReal

Step #4: Packaging and Shipping

While websites usually send you a prepaid shipping label, taking care of the boxing and shipping is your responsibility. You can save money on shipping supplies by reusing discarded boxes. In all cases, you should deal with a reputable shipping company to avoid any delays.

Step #5: Customer Service

Try to address any issues or concerns professionally. Communication is essential. So, be honest with your customers regarding any issues that come up. You also need to check in with the buyer after delivery to make sure everything is ok.

This way, you build trust with your customers and urge them to buy from you again.

Can You Make Money Flipping Dresses?

Flipping dresses can be a profitable business, especially when you have keen fashion knowledge, market awareness, and effective selling strategies. As a flipper, you search for fashionable, in-demand dresses that are underpriced and sell them for higher.

What Is a Dresses Resale Business?

A dress resale business is the process of buying and selling secondhand dresses for a profit. You source pre-owned items, curate a collection, and list it on various platforms for sale. You can also display the collection in real-life stores.

This type of business utilizes sustainable fashion practices that appeal to many shoppers seeking affordable clothing.

Is Reselling Dresses a Good Way To Make Money?

Yes, such a business can be a great way to make money. Yet, it depends on many factors, such as how good you are at spotting fashion trends and your ability to identify a good catch. Reselling dresses can also be affected by competition and fluctuations in market demand.

Frequently Asked Questions

Similar Tutorials To Check Out

If you look forward to making a profit from reselling clothes, the following articles can be of great help to you.

• Resell Prom Dresses: By understanding the market and waiting for the perfect opportunity, reselling prom dresses can be quite profitable.
• Resell a Wedding Dress: Wedding dresses are always in demand, and reselling a wedding dress can be a great idea.
• Resell Bridesmaid Dresses: Reselling bridesmaid dresses is the perfect way to declutter your closet, especially when you’re not planning to wear them again.

Wrapping Up

Some people resell dresses for their wardrobes to remain organized, while others do it for the money. Whatever your intentions are, making a profit never hurts anybody. All you need to know is how and where to display the items you plan to sell.

Many venues help you resell your fashion items. Whether online or in-store, make sure to know the value of the dresses you sell.

Tell us your thoughts about reselling or flipping dresses for profit, and share this article with your friends if you think it was helpful.