To sell kids' clothes online, pick pieces in good condition that still have plenty of wear left, wash them, photograph them flat or on a hanger in daylight, never on your child, and give the age size from the label plus a couple of measurements in cm. Bundles of pieces in the same size often appeal to parents, and coats, shoes and school uniform sell well in season.
Children grow out of clothes long before they wear them out, which is why kids' clothing is such a good fit for second-hand. Here is how to get it listed and sold.
What sells well
- Outerwear: coats, snowsuits, waterproofs and puddle suits.
- Shoes and boots in good condition, including wellies.
- Babygrows and sleepsuits, often barely worn before they are outgrown.
- School uniform, especially plain pieces without a logo. Our guide to second-hand school uniform has more on this.
- Party and occasion outfits that were worn once.
- Fancy dress. Our guide on what to do with old Halloween costumes covers costumes in detail.
- Well-known brands and pieces with an obvious quality feel.
Everyday basics with heavy wear, such as stained vests or bobbly leggings, are much harder to sell and are often better donated or recycled.
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Check every piece
Children's clothes take a lot of wear, so check carefully in daylight.
- Stains on the front, cuffs and knees, where food and grass marks hide.
- Knees and elbows, for thinning or holes.
- Poppers, zips and buttons, all present and working.
- Elastic in waistbands and cuffs, still springy.
- Bobbling on fleeces and knitwear. Our guide to removing bobbles shows how to tidy it.
- Name labels. Remove or cover them, so your child's name is not in the photos or the parcel.
Wash everything before you photograph it, and make sure it is fully dry before you pack it.
Photograph without your child in it
Photograph kids' clothes laid flat or on a hanger, never being worn by your child. It keeps your family's privacy, and flat photos show the size and shape more clearly anyway.
- Lay the piece on a plain bed or floor near a window.
- Smooth it out and straighten the seams.
- Take the front, the back, the label and any flaws.
- For bundles, take one photo of everything together, then each piece on its own.
Our guide on how to photograph clothes to sell has more tips.
Describe sizes clearly
Children's sizes on Rewear run by age, from 0 to 3 months up to 11 to 12 years. But children of the same age vary a lot, and brands size differently, so add a little more:
- The size on the label, exactly as written, including height if it shows one, such as 116 cm.
- A couple of measurements in cm, laid flat. Pit to pit and length for tops and coats; waist and inside leg for trousers.
- Whether it came up big or small on your child, if you noticed.
Our guide to UK clothes sizes explains age and height labels, and our guide to measuring clothes shows how to take each measurement.
Selling in bundles
Many parents like to buy several pieces in the same size at once. On Rewear, a buyer can buy several pieces from the same seller as a bundle, with postage charged once. So it helps to:
- list pieces in the same size around the same time
- mention in each description that you have more in that size
- keep similar pieces, such as vests or leggings, together in one listing when they are too small to sell alone
Price realistically
Parents buying second-hand are looking for good value. Price with the original price, the condition and the brand in mind, and be realistic about everyday pieces. Coats, shoes and branded items can hold their value better. Our guide on how to price second-hand clothes explains the method.
On Rewear, listing is free and there is no selling fee, so the price you agree is the price you are paid.
Time it with the seasons
- Late summer for school uniform and autumn coats.
- Autumn for coats, boots, snowsuits and fancy dress.
- Spring for raincoats, lighter layers and summer clothes.
Keep a bag for each size as your child grows, and list it when it is full. Our guide to what sells best in winter covers the colder months.
Posting
Most children's clothes are light, so a small or medium parcel is often enough. Fold them tightly in a clean mailing bag and weigh the packed parcel before you choose the size. Our guide to posting clothes cheaply explains how.
The short version
Choose pieces with wear left, wash and check them, photograph them flat without your child, and give the label size plus a couple of measurements. List sizes together for bundles, price for value and time coats and uniform with the seasons.
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