How to sell bags and accessories second-hand: belts, scarves, hats and jewellery

Bags

Clean and empty it

• Empty every pocket, including the hidden ones. Receipts, coins and old lip balm are common finds.
• Turn the lining out if you can and shake out crumbs and dust.
• Wipe the outside with a slightly damp cloth for leather and synthetics, or brush suede gently with a suede brush. Test anything stronger on a hidden spot first.
• Air it for a day if it smells of the inside of a wardrobe.

Photograph what buyers check

1. The front, back and both sides, standing upright.
2. The base and the four corners, where wear shows first.
3. The handles and strap, including where they join the bag.
4. The hardware: zips, clasps, buckles, feet and any engraving.
5. The inside and lining, with the bag open.
6. The inside label or stamp, straight on and in focus.
7. Any marks, scratches or peeling, each up close.

Give the measurements

Rewear does not ask for measurements on bags, so put them in the description, in cm:

• width across the base
• height from base to top edge
• depth from front to back
• handle drop, from the top of the handle to the top of the bag
• strap length, and whether it adjusts

It also helps to say what fits inside: "fits an A4 notebook" or "fits a phone, keys and a small purse".

If the bag is from a designer brand, our guides to selling designer clothes and spotting fake designer pieces explain the extra photos and proof buyers look for.

Belts

• Photograph the buckle, the tip and the back of the belt as well as the front.
• Measure from the end of the buckle to each hole, or at least to the middle hole, and give the width.
• Mention any cracking at the holes, which is the most common wear on leather belts.

Scarves

• Give the size in cm, length and width.
• Photograph the composition label, the pattern laid flat and the edges.
• Mention any pulls, holes or bobbling. Hold knitted scarves up to a window to check for small holes.

Hats and gloves

• Give the size on the label and, for hats, the inside circumference in cm.
• Photograph inside and out, including the inner band, where hats show wear.
• For gloves, check the fingertips and between the fingers.

Jewellery and watches

• Photograph each piece on a plain background, with something for scale.
• Only describe the metal as gold or silver if it is hallmarked or you know for certain. Otherwise describe it as gold-tone or silver-tone.
• Mention any tarnish, missing stones or stretched links.
• For watches, say whether it is working and when the battery was last changed.

Describe condition honestly

Choose the condition grade carefully and describe wear exactly: "light scratching on the clasp", "small mark on the base, shown in photo 4", "slight darkening on the handles from use". If you are deciding whether a bag is leather, our guide to telling real leather from fake can help. Only call it leather if you know it is.

Pack it to keep its shape

• Stuff structured bags with paper so they hold their shape, and wrap straps and hardware in tissue so they do not scratch the leather.
• Use the dust bag if you have one.
• Use a box for structured bags. Soft, slouchy bags can travel in a strong mailing bag.
• Small accessories such as scarves, belts and jewellery can go in a padded envelope.

On Rewear, small accessories and jewellery are usually the small parcel size, which fits through a letterbox. A bag is often medium or large depending on what it weighs packed. Our guide to posting clothes cheaply explains each size.

On Rewear there is no selling fee, so the price you agree is the price you are paid. Buyers pay postage and a buyer protection fee of 30p + 3%.

The short version

Clean and empty it. Photograph corners, handles, hardware, lining and label. Give the measurements in cm in the description and describe wear exactly. Only name a metal or leather you are sure of, and pack bags stuffed with paper so they arrive in shape.