Having worked as a buyer on the high street for more than two decades, when it comes to clothes, I know what sells – and how to sell it.
Now, as the owner of Positive Retail, a resale brand stocking high-end clothes such as Prada, Burberry, Stella McCartney and Gucci, I get to see first-hand what it takes to get the best price for each piece of clothing.
I know what buyers are looking for when they go digging for secondhand treasures – and what can make the difference between a resale or a no sale.
The cost of living crisis is biting us all so if you’re looking at the designer clothes (or good quality high street clothes) in your wardrobe thinking now’s the time to sell them on to someone else, you’re not alone.
The secondhand market is set to nearly double by 2027, reaching $350bn, according to ThredUp, one of the world’s largest online resale platforms. Secondhand September has given us all an opportunity to stop and think about what we’re buying and why – and think about adjusting our spending habits to align more with what’s needed.
Here are my top tips to getting the best price for your designer clothes…
Sell it as you want to buy it
Our tagline when accepting clothes from a seller is: “Sell it as you want to buy it.” Rule 101 when it comes to selling your designerwear on Vinted or one of the other resale platforms is to never overstate the quality and condition of the garment – this can cause you a lot of bother and ruin your reputation. Customers want honesty and transparency about this more than anything, so be honest and realistic. The better the quality of the item, the better the price tag.
Prep your clothes
Firstly, wash the garment (you’d be surprised how many people don’t do this!), cut off any loose threads, bobble off any knitwear, and take coats to be dry cleaner. Take the time to ensure whatever item you’re selling is clean and looks as presentable as possible – a buyer will appreciate this and you’ll attract much more interest. I expect items in pristine condition, but I do understand we may have to press the odd thing or dry clean something if we get a huge box sent to us but generally we demand that people who sell with us have respected their clothes.
Quality, quality, quality…
Style and taste is all down to the individual, quality is not. When I’m sifting through new items to bring into my store or sell online, I first and foremost look at the quality of the garment. Where has it been made? Buyers will be the same. If you’re selling on Vestiaire, the fibre compositions and country of origins are usually listed. But on Vinted, not so much. So if you’re selling a Chloe bag, make sure to include the fabrics in your Vinted listing, as quality buyers will be looking for this information. And also be prepared to share this information if a seller asks for it, which I usually do.
Know when to sell
Selling your items when they’re coming into season means there will be lots more demand for your designerwear. If you’re selling items made from wool, cashmere, alpaca and mohair, save these items for the winter season, as more people will be searching for them. Stick to linens and other light fabrics in summer.
What price?
If you’re saying goodbye to your adored Burberry trench or your beloved Stella McCartney knitwear, you want to get the best price for it, that’s understandable. But you’ve also got to be realistic – do your research. Look at what the item would cost brand new, and then search on resale apps such as Vinted what similar items have been sold for, or are being sold for. Then, price your item accordingly.
Snap happy!
On your Vinted listing, photos are key. If you want your items to go for the best price possible, you need to present them in such a way. Don’t just snap a few pix on your iPhone, instead, clean, iron, or do whatever’s needed to present the garment in the best light. Take some clear photos with it on a plain background – a piece of card will suffice! – in daylight. Don’t rely on house lights as they could alter the colour of the item in the photos.
More is more!
Don’t scrimp on the details of your listing. If you’re expecting someone to pay hundreds of pounds, make sure to give them as much information to spark interest – and to attract the right quality of buyer. Be clear about the size and definitely alert them to any wear and tear. Label the item clearly with the designer’s name – check out online its full name as it might draw buyers in from general searches. Research which year and collection the item is from – if it was a big designer at the helm at that time, for example Phoebe Philo at Celine or Tom Ford for Gucci – it will be really coveted stuff and buyers will also know these items will hold their worth.
What not to do…
On Vinted, I only ever shop for new items with tags, new without tags or those in a very good condition. I avoid people who don’t have any reviews, and I’ll often ask sellers questions to see how they seem and if their knowledge is good and if they are open and honest people. You can tell a vibe a mile off. There are also pitfalls to avoid like people with really good BNWT Acne Studios items but no reviews. I have bidded on these before and had them cancel.
And tips for buyers…
Know what you love
Be specific with your searches – rather than typing ‘black mohair jumper’ into Vinted, which will return a massive list and your head might explode. Look into which designer brands you love and why. Is it Acne Studios or American vintage for mohair? Burberry for trenches? Stella McCartney for tailoring? Then use specific search terms, and cross reference other platforms – such as Vestiaire, eBay and Vinted – to find the best deals.
Enjoy it and play the long game
Buyers are allowed to make five offers a day to sellers on Vinted – and the site doesn’t let you make an offer for less than a certain percentage off. I’m forever sending offers for items and have a massive watchlist. Play the long game. I’ve sometimes had items on a watch list for more than nine months, and fully believe one day the seller will give in and give it to me!
Buy out of season
If you buy out of season, you’ll get a better deal. For example I am now researching for SS24 and looking at what is on Vinted. You can save searches on the platform, so I will look for ‘Isabel Marant summer jackets’ and put in prices I think are reasonable for this time of year. As we come into that season, items shoot up in price as demand for them hots up. If you can get into the habit of understanding your style and what works for you you can buy ahead and plan your next season’s wardrobe more cheaply!