The clothes that sell best second-hand in winter are the ones people need for the weather and the season ahead: warm coats and jackets, good knitwear, boots, party outfits for December, festive jumpers, and children's coats, hats and snowsuits. List them early, before the cold or the party season arrives, with clear photos and measurements, and they are in front of buyers exactly when they start looking.
Winter is a busy time for second-hand clothing because good outerwear is expensive new and many people would rather buy a quality piece second-hand. Here is what to list, and how.
Coats and jackets
Outerwear is the backbone of a winter wardrobe, and buyers look for it as soon as the temperature drops.
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- Wool coats in classic shapes and neutral shades.
- Puffer and padded jackets, especially from well-known outdoor brands.
- Waterproofs and parkas for wet, windy days.
- Leather and shearling-style jackets.
Coats are where measurements matter most, because buyers need room for a jumper underneath. Add the shoulder, pit to pit, sleeve and length in cm. Our guide to how a winter coat should fit explains which figures buyers use, and our guide to checking a wool coat's quality shows what they will look for in the photos.
Knitwear
Jumpers and cardigans in natural fibres are winter favourites.
- Wool, merino, lambswool and cashmere, with the composition label photographed.
- Chunky and cable knits.
- Cardigans that work for layering.
De-bobble before you photograph, and say honestly what pilling remains. Our guides to removing bobbles and washing and storing knitwear help you present knits at their best.
Boots
Ankle boots, knee-high boots, walking boots and snow boots all sell as the weather turns. Clean them, photograph the soles, heels and insoles, and give the insole length in cm. Our guide to buying second-hand winter boots shows exactly what buyers check, so you can answer those questions in the listing.
Party wear for December
From late November, many people look for something to wear to work parties, family gatherings and New Year's Eve.
- Occasion dresses, sequins, velvet and satin.
- Smart trousers, co-ords and jumpsuits.
- Tailoring and blazers for men and women.
- Party shoes and evening bags.
Many of these pieces have been worn only once or twice. Our guide to second-hand Christmas party outfits covers what buyers look for.
Festive jumpers
Christmas jumpers are a classic second-hand buy, because most are worn for a few weeks a year. List them early in the season, since interest in them falls quickly after Christmas.
Children's winter clothes
Children grow out of coats, snowsuits and boots long before they wear them out, so other families look for good second-hand ones every winter.
- Coats and snowsuits in good condition.
- Hats, gloves and scarves, often sold as a set.
- Wellies and winter boots.
- School coats in plain, uniform-friendly shades.
Our guide on how to sell kids' clothes has tips on sizing and photos.
Accessories
Scarves, hats, gloves and wool socks can sell well together or alongside a coat. On Rewear a buyer can buy several pieces from the same seller as a bundle, with postage charged once, so listing accessories next to your coats and knitwear gives buyers a reason to add one.
When to list winter pieces
- Early autumn into November for coats, knitwear and boots, before the coldest weather.
- Late November into December for party wear and festive jumpers.
- During cold snaps, when buyers are reminded they need something warmer.
Out-of-season pieces still sell, but often more slowly. If you have summer clothes to clear, you could keep them back for spring.
Make winter listings work harder
- Photograph in daylight, which is short in winter. Use the brightest part of the day and the brightest window. Our guide on how to photograph clothes to sell has more tips.
- Show the warmth. Photograph linings, hoods, cuffs and the composition label.
- Add measurements. For coats and knitwear, chest and length matter most.
- Price realistically for the season. Our guide on how to price second-hand clothes explains how.
- Choose the right parcel size. Coats and boots are heavy, so weigh them packed. Our guide to posting clothes cheaply explains the sizes.
The short version
In winter, list coats, knitwear, boots, party wear, festive jumpers and kids' outerwear, and list them early. Photograph them in good daylight, show the linings and labels, add measurements in cm and price for the season.
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