Let’s get one thing out of the way: the closet clean out is a lifelong pursuit. I could sit here and wax poetic about curating the perfect wardrobe so you never have to think about it again, but that’s just not life. Even when you’re shopping consciously, prioritizing repair, or even just on a spending freeze, somehow the things in your closet seem to pile up, and every once in a while, it’s time to make a change.
With this stress though, can come great rewards, and during the holiday season, cleaning out your wardrobe can actually make you some extra money … if you do it the right way.
Ahead, are a few tips that will help you not only clean out your closet, but make sure those discarded pieces leave the door and find a new home.
Assess Your Closet
Before you can make money, or do any type of organizing, you need actually to figure out what you have. If your closet is already organized, you can skip this step.
If it’s not, this is what I’ve found works. Take everything out of your drawers or closet, putting it into piles by style and color (white tees, black tees, white long sleeves, sweaters, black skirts, etc.). I know this sounds chaotic, but trust me — you will quickly see how many things you either don’t wear or have repeats of.
What You Can Sell
As you look through your clothing and shoes, put aside the pieces you’re ready to part with. Think about whether you wear it, if you still like it, and the condition. If you don’t wear it (maybe because it doesn’t fit, your style has changed, etc.), you DO like it, and it’s in good condition, this might be the perfect piece to sell. Sure, it’s hard to get rid of things we technically still love, but if you’re not actually using them, that means someone else probably will.
Now that you have that pile it’s time for a strategy.
How to Actually Sell
Now that you have your pile of clothing, it’s time to list. eBay makes this easy. By uploading a well lit photo of your item, you can see other similar listings that will help you determine price and even give you some suggestions on how to describe your title. I recently sold a pair of boots that didn’t fit but are from a popular brand. When I uploaded the photo, the listing was autofilled based on others and I edited to something more precise. (Click here for eBay specific tips.)
