New year, new ways to earn $$$ (and closet space). Here to help us figure that out is Carmen Lopez (she/her), founder and president of luxury and designer consignment shop Current Boutique. But if even thinking about clearing out your closet feels overwhelming, Carmen has some advice: “If you haven’t worn an item in over 6 months, it needs to be sold or go to a donation outlet. Also, remember to breathe. This process should feel cathartic, not stressful. If you have a sentimental tie to a particular piece, then set it aside and come back to it when you’re done sorting. As Marie Kondo reminds us, determine if the clothing you’re considering purging ‘sparks joy.’ If it does, then keep it. If not, then recycle it responsibly and sustainably.”

Keep reading for Carmen’s methods to make money off your wardrobe.

What are your top tips on making money from selling old outfits?
With rising inflation costs impacting everything from clothing to gas prices, many Americans are looking for innovative ways to make money. Reselling your clothes through a secondhand business is a great way to declutter your closet, pay off those holiday bills faster, and earn some extra cash.

1. Look for name brands. From my experience, the ones that sell the fastest are well-known brands and designers such as Kate Spade, Rebecca Minkoff, Tory Burch, Marc Jacobs, Rag & Bone, Alice & Olivia, and Diane von Furstenburg. Of course, you should also consider including a few of the premier brands as well such as Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Gucci, and Christian Dior. All high-end designers focus on quality, and secondhand shoppers expect high-quality pieces from those brands.

For this reason, fast fashion brands rarely end up on consignment due to the poor quality materials they use for their garments. Unfortunately, these pieces end up in landfills after just a few wears and that has a negative impact on the environment because of the extended length of time it takes to break them down.

2. Clean and repair before selling. It’s important to know that resale websites and consignment businesses won’t accept damaged, ripped, or heavily worn clothing to be sold. Well-maintained clothing and accessories are preferred by secondhand buyers because they are more likely to sell for a higher price. So it’s best to take the extra time to put in a bit of elbow grease to bring your designer pieces back to life.

You do not have to go to the extreme in repairing and cleaning your clothes. However, removing stains, washing, and steaming can go a long way to boost the value of them. Plus, the better you treat your clothes while you own them, the more likely they will be in saleable condition.

3. Sell with the seasons. Similar to regular retail stores, consignment stores and e-commerce sites tend to stock and feature seasonal items. (It’s no secret that a sundress sells better for retailers in May than in September.) So, if you want your clothes to sell quickly and for a higher price, I recommend selling in-season items and preferably at the beginning of each season.

However, if you’re cleaning out your closet in the spring and have winter items to get rid of, you don’t have to hold on to them for a year. Many consignment stores and e-commerce sites will still accept your items, but you may have to be patient with an extended selling period. The average selling time frame is approximately 3-4 months, but sometimes faster for high-end brands that are in demand.

4. Look for trending items and timeless classics. It’s helpful if you examine them first to determine if they are a “timeless” piece like a cashmere sweater. These items will always sell, no matter the year, season, or changing trends. In addition, “vintage” and one-of-a-kind designer pieces sell well, too.

Thanks to TikTok and other social media platforms, trending items do really well on the resale market now. For example, leather has been a hot trend this winter so we asked our sellers to bring in all their leather pieces to get top-dollar. Fashion trends are also cyclical, so pieces you own from a few years ago might be back in style by next season.

5. Be patient. The saying “pack your patience” is relevant in this process, as your clothes probably aren’t going to sell overnight. E-commerce sites and consignment stores take time to sort your pieces, determine which they’ll accept, ensure they’re clean and ready for sale, and even photograph and do product descriptions. You then have to wait for the right person to spot it in-store or online. But if you’re concerned after a few weeks or months, don’t be afraid to reach out for an update on your garments.