There is something about the first cold morning of autumn that sends everyone to the back of the wardrobe. The summer dresses go into storage, the coats come out, and somewhere in the middle there is a pile of things you have not worn in a year. That pile is worth more than you might think, and autumn is one of the best times of year to sell it.
Why autumn is a good time to sell
People buy for the season ahead. As the weather turns, buyers start looking for coats, knitwear, boots and layers, and they look second-hand because good outerwear is expensive new. Listing these pieces now, rather than in the middle of winter, means they are in front of buyers at exactly the moment they are searching.
It is also the natural moment to make space. You are already swapping summer for winter, so you are already handling everything you own.
The clear-out: a simple method
Take everything out of one section at a time, such as tops, then trousers, then outerwear, and sort it into four piles:
- Keep: you wear it and it fits.
- Sell: good condition, you have not worn it in a year, and someone else would be pleased to have it.
- Mend: a loose button or a dropped hem. Fix it this week or move it to another pile.
- Donate or recycle: worn out, stained or past saving.
Be honest about the "maybe one day" pieces. If it has not been worn through a whole year of seasons, it is unlikely to be worn next year either.
What sells in autumn
These are the pieces buyers look for as the weather cools:
- Coats and jackets: wool coats, trench coats, puffers, waxed jackets and denim jackets.
- Knitwear: wool, cashmere and chunky knits, cardigans and good-quality jumpers.
- Boots: ankle boots and knee-high boots in good condition.
- Denim: jeans that have kept their shape and colour.
- Party wear: as the year goes on, occasion dresses and smart outfits for the run-up to Christmas.
- Children's coats and school uniform: children grow out of these long before they wear out.
Summer pieces still sell, but more slowly. If you have a lot of them, it can be worth keeping them back and listing them in spring.
How to price second-hand clothes
Pricing is where most first-time sellers get stuck. Price too high and nothing happens. Price too low and you leave money on the table. Some guidelines:
- Start with the original price and the condition. New with tags can often ask around half of what it cost. Very good condition is more like a third. Visible wear brings it down further.
- Look at the brand. Premium and well-known brands hold their value better than fast fashion, which can be hard to sell for more than a few pounds.
- Check comparable listings. Search for the same kind of piece, in the same condition, and see what it is listed for.
- Think about the season. A good wool coat in October is worth more than the same coat in June.
- Leave a little room. If you are happy to accept offers, price slightly above the lowest you would accept.
If something has not sold after two or three weeks, reduce the price a little. Small, regular reductions usually work better than one big cut.
Get your listings right
A well-priced piece still needs a good listing to sell.
- Photograph in daylight, flat or on a hanger, against a plain background. Include the label and any flaws.
- Add measurements. On Rewear they are optional, but sellers can add them in centimetres, and buyers who have saved their own can see how a measured piece compares. For coats and knitwear, chest and length matter most. Our measuring guide shows how to take them.
- Describe the condition honestly. A small mark mentioned up front rarely loses a sale. The same mark discovered in the parcel can cost you a refund.
- Say how it fits if you have worn it: roomy, true to size, or snug across the shoulders.
Selling on Rewear
On Rewear, listing is free and there is no selling fee, so the price you agree is the price you are paid. The buyer pays for postage and a buyer protection fee of 30p + 3%, and you print a prepaid label from the app when it sells.
Before you post
When a piece sells, give it a final check, fold it neatly and pack it so it survives the journey. You have five days to post on Rewear. A clean, tidy parcel is the best review you can get.
The short version
Clear one section at a time, sell the good pieces you no longer wear, list coats and knitwear now while buyers are looking, price by condition and brand, and lower the price gently if something sits. Your wardrobe gets lighter, someone else gets a coat for the winter, and you make some money back.