6 Surprising Ways to Make Serious Cash Off Your Old Clothes

If you're like most women, you aren't wearing at least 20 percent of what's in your wardrobe. Even worse, according to a new report from fashion resale site ThredUp.com, those pieces — currently taking up precious closet space — are costing you. If resold at a thrift store or secondhand shop, those forgotten items could earn you a minimum $200. (If your closet includes designer duds, then just tack on an extra zero . . .)
But where do you even begin? For those new to the wonders of consignment, we culled the report's latest findings to provide five no-fail tips that will help turn you into a reselling pro.

Source: POPSUGAR Photography / THEM TOO

1 Give Thrifty Shoppers What They Want

        

Right now, the most-searched brands aren’t necessarily what's even available for consignment. They haven't trickled down just yet. So if you have these labels and wouldn't be too brokenhearted to part with them, you'll likely find they'll be scooped up quickly.

• Anthropologie
  
• J.Crew
• Free People
• Boden
• Lilly Pulitzer
• Tory Burch
• The North Face
• Zara
• Patagonia
• Athleta

                

2 Don't Hold Onto Bestsellers For Long

                                                                                         

    

One of the worst things you can do if you want to make consignment a regular source of income is to hold onto anything for too long. Rotating out just two to three pieces each month can bring in roughly $550 if those items are mainstream retail brands, or $1,150 if they include some designer splurges. And you'll likely get your check the same month if you focus on hot-ticket items that typically sell the fastest. The below product categories are generally snagged in three weeks or less.

• Handbags
  
• Wristlets and wallets
• Scarves
• Sunglasses
• Boots
• Coats
• Sneakers
• Yoga pants
• Flats
                

3 Consider an Item's Resale Value

                                                                                         

    

Like you would a house or a car, before throwing down a lot of cash on a new purchase, consider how it'd fare on the resale market down the line. Does it have lasting name recognition? Will people still consider this piece to be a worthy asset a few seasons from now? The following brands have proven to recoup the highest percentage of your original investment.

• Rebecca Minkoff
  
• Kate Spade New York
• Tory Burch
• Dooney & Bourke
• Marc Jacobs
• Rag & Bone
• Alice + Olivia
• Frye
• DVF
• Michael Kors

4 Opt For Universally Flattering Silhouettes

                                                                                         

    

When considering what to resell, skip items you've had tailored or formfitting dresses. Items that don't necessarily require an exact fit tend to have more success finding a second life. These four pieces are currently being sought most frequently.

• Tunics
  
• Vests
• Maxi Dresses
• Jumpsuits
                

5 Check the Tag For Quality Fabric

    

The exception to the above rule? Leather pants. High-quality materials that stand the test of time naturally do better on the resale market, whereas knitwear, polyblends, and cotton — textiles that tend to show general wear and tear more visibly — don’t.

• Leather
  
• Plaid
• Cashmere
• Flannel
• Lace

6 Spend Your Hard-Earned Cash Wisely

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Once you've made a pretty penny selling your used wares, consider buying that way too. But not all secondhand clothes are created equal: certain brands consistently sell for steeper percentage discounts than others, averaging upward of 80 percent off. A $112, ASOS tops can go for $20, a $360 Diane von Furstenberg wrap dress for $73, and a $900 Marc Jacobs bag for $225. Even gently worn shoes can sell for up to 70 percent off.

• ASOS
  
• Nanette Lepore
• Tibi
• DVF
• Cole Haan
• Sam Edelman
• Marc Jacobs
• Banana Republic
• Coach