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Selling Your Clothes in 2025: An Honest Review of What’s Worth It (and What’s Not)

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Reselling your clothes isn’t just for thrifting hobbyists anymore. In 2025, it’s a practical, sustainable way to clean out your closet and make some money back on what you’ve already invested in your wardrobe. But not all platforms are created equal.

I’ve sold on just about every major resale site. Some work. Some waste your time. Some feel like throwing your clothes into the void and hoping for the best.

Here’s my honest breakdown of what’s worth your energy, what isn’t, and how to make the most of secondhand fashion, when trying to offload your closet.

eBay: Useful, But Not Exciting

I don’t feel strongly about eBay, and that says everything. It’s reliable in a neutral way. The interface has improved, but it still feels dated. It’s best for:

  • Unique or collectible items
  • Bulk listings (if you’re unloading a bunch at once)
  • Niche markets like vintage or hard-to-find brands

It’s not the most stylish or modern experience, but if you know how to title your listings and price competitively, you can move product. In my opinion, just don’t expect it to be your main money-maker unless you’re a power seller.

Poshmark: My Top Selling Platform

Excluding the summer slump, Poshmark consistently delivers for me. It’s easy to use, it feels active, and it’s ideal for selling my mix of preloved boho pieces, polished basics, and even corporate staples. The listing process is quick, and the buyer community is engaged.

My only critique? The Posh Closet Partner program. In theory, it’s a great way to offload items you don’t want to list yourself. But in practice, it felt like people were tossing junk into bags and hoping someone else would deal with it. It needs refinement. The bags I’ve received so far, were not worth the effort.

That aside, Poshmark remains my best-performing platform — hands down.

Shop my closet or join Poshmark here.

Crossroads Trading: Like ThredUp, But in a Different Font

My first bag with Crossroads was a success — much like how ThredUp reels you in with a great initial experience. But just like ThredUp, the magic seems to wear off quickly. After that first win, suddenly your items no longer meet the “standards” and most of your bag ends up being “donated.” The silver lining? Unlike ThredUp, Crossroads doesn’t hit you with obnoxious fees — but even so, it starts to feel just as not-worth-it.

I’ve also heard that if you pay the $15 fee to have your rejected items returned, mysteriously everything will end up getting accepted. Maybe I’ll test that theory if I do a next bag.

If you like to gamble, remember: the house always wins — so don’t send anything you’ll miss.

ThredUp: Still Not Worth Your Time

I’ve tried with ThredUp more than once. It never pays off. Actually, that’s a lie. Only once did it pay off, and that was when I sold a stained Kate Spade dress and made $75. Every other time has been a fail. I’ve sent in new-with-tags and high-quality items, only to have them rejected, while random out-of-date pieces get listed. The fees for the clean-out bag, for payout processing, for return shipping — make it feel like you’re paying to donate.

Unless you’re trying to ethically discard clothes you don’t care about making money on, skip it. The lack of transparency and low return just aren’t worth it in 2025. Even then, you’re better off donating to your local Salvation Army or women’s shelter.

Is Mercari Still Worth It?

I’ve been selling on Mercari for years, and while it really picked up for me post-pandemic, the momentum didn’t stick. These days, it’s pretty hit or miss, either I land a quick sale or it feels like a total ghost town. Because of that inconsistency, I don’t pour much energy into it anymore.

That said, this has just been my experience. Results can vary a lot depending on what you’re selling and how active you are. So if you’re thinking about giving Mercari a shot, I still think it’s absolutely worth trying!

The RealReal: Luxe Made Easy

The RealReal has become my go-to when I want to offload designer or high-end items but don’t want to manage the process myself. They handle photography, authentication, listings, and customer service. It’s streamlined and trustworthy.

No, the payout isn’t always what you think it will be. But that’s more about expectations than the platform. We tend to overvalue our pieces based on what we paid, not what the market is doing. The RealReal offers ease and reach, and that’s worth a lower cut.

Start selling on The RealReal.

Tips for Selling Secondhand in 2025

  1. Price it to move. Resale value is not retail value. Check comps before listing.
  2. Presentation matters. Clean items, well-lit photos, clear descriptions. It makes a difference.
  3. Be honest about condition. Transparency earns repeat buyers.
  4. Use keywords smartly. Think: brand names, style terms, colors, and trending aesthetics.
  5. Batch your listings. It’s more efficient to photograph and list in chunks.

Why You Should Be Shopping Secondhand Too

Selling your clothes is smart. But shopping secondhand? That’s next-level responsible. With increasing tariffs on imported goods, secondhand fashion isn’t just sustainable, it’s cost-effective.

Buying secondhand:

  • Circumvents tariffs and import fees
  • Reduces waste
  • Often gets you higher-quality pieces for less
  • Gives you access to limited-edition or sold-out items

There’s also a freedom in curating your style without participating in the churn of fast fashion. It’s intentional. It’s resourceful. And it’s the future.

Make Space, Make Money, Make Better Choices

In 2025, resale is less about flipping clothes for cash and more about thoughtful consumption. It’s about making space, making money, and making better choices for your closet, your wallet, and the planet.

Start where it makes sense for you. Just don’t let good clothes sit on bad hangers for another year.

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