What to do with my nice (and now too small) work clothing - YouLookFab Forum

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What to do with my nice (and now too small) work clothing

mtnsofthemoon

Veteran

I was just reading Janet's post on closet editing and I though I would ask for help/input on my current situation.

I recently retired from my job after 15 years. I worked in a "corporate" ish work environment. We moved from So California to the Pacific Northwest. I did some editing and donating before the move. But I held onto many of my work clothing mostly because its the nice stuff I really like and will have a harder time letting go of. I also held onto some clothing items that are too small for me but was hoping "to loose the weight" and be able to wear again. Yes even at the age of 55 its still difficult to let go of the "downloaded" thinking I know isn't good for me or realistic.

My question. I would like to sell if possible some of my nicer items. Mostly Banana Republic, JCrew, BHWM blouses, blazers, trousers, skirts and dresses. I have never done this before and know there are many, many options out there. But I have no idea where to start; online?, consignment? style exchange (here on YLF) etc?

Suggestions are much appreciated. Also I don't want to be a slave to some online store I have to create and chronically update to get exposure, sales. My DD does this on Depop with donated items and thrifting she does. Its wayyyy too much work for me at this stage in my life. Just looking to make a little $, not a lot from my items.

Thanks ladies!

General

22 replies

Latest reply was from ZoeyGirl

Anonymous

You might consider donating them to Dress for Success. They partner with consignment stores to sell them on their behalf. It won't put any money in your pocket, but it's a great cause!

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

If your DD already has the setup, why not ask what she’d charge to sell the for you?

rachylou

Veteran

Do you guys have anything like a Buffalo Exchange or Cross Roads Trading up there? ‘Upcycle’ for college kids…

chewyspaghetti

Veteran

I would find an inpersonsecond hand shop (like rachylou issuggesting), and just sell the lot.

MsMary

Veteran

Gently, it is vanishingly unlikely you will get much money for your items by selling them, especially if they are several years old. I second the suggestion of donating to Dress for Success (and you can take a tax deduction to recoup some of your investment).

Gigi

Veteran

I would try a consignment store. The ones by me look through your stuff and then take what they want. Since they're selling them, you don't have to worry about it. Then I would donate the remainder to a secondhand shop.

Greyscale

Veteran

I sell on Poshmark. It lets me feel less bad about unexpectedly poor choices, like shoes that ended up hurting my feet or a jacket that never got worn.

In-person stores like Crossroads are reluctant to take career clothes, because their audience is more teens. But you can try!

Poshmark has the whole range of customers, including some who go there looking for duplicates of their favorite J Crew or BR pants. You can take a look at what sells by choosing the "sold items" option in the menu on the left. For instance, here are Banana Republic pants that sold.

But selling there is a lot of work.

Or you could send it all to ThredUP and they'll choose what they want to sell and list it for you. You get paid if it sells. I don't know what tends to sell (but I bet there's a way to look at what sold) or how their process works.

When I was a grad student I sometimes looked for professional clothes at Goodwill, so donating there is another option.

mtnsofthemoon

Veteran

Thanks ladies for all your great suggestions. I am pretty sure there isn't a Dress for Success nearby but I like that idea. Also i don't think many college students would be interested in my 'career wear". I do like the idea of possible serching out a grad college program and maybe just post something - students can look and see if there is something that works for them.

My DD would not in a 100 years want to have my "old lady" stuff on her Depop account, hahaha.....but I got a good chuckly thinking about that one!

RobinF

Veteran

There is Thred Up, an online second hand store. I think you just send them your stuff and they pay you a certain amount so it isn't consignment and you don't have to post the items yourself.

JAileen

Veteran

I’ve never sold anything. I just donate to the non profit I belong to. All the money raised is spent in our community helping needy children, seniors, etc. We do get in a lot of professional clothes and they go pretty quickly. We price them higher than the run of the mill items, so $10 - $20 rather than $5. I worked this past weekend and saw some great things. People tell me they donate to us because they like our charitable programs. And you get a great feeling helping others.

Sal

Veteran

Not in the US, but when I have edited out similar pieces I have either sold on TradeMe (Ebay equivalent) or Facebook Marketplace or donated to Dress for Success or Charity Shops.

I haven't made much money selling online, but it is something (but a bit of a hassle).

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I've sold some things on Poshmark, but there are also about a half dozen things I've had listed since January that are still unsold there. And some are nice things (a Belstaff leather jacket that's a full size too small), so I'm not willing to part with them for pennies. It is a bit of a hassle, but can get results if you're willing to spend a little time and effort.

I think for the kind of thing you're letting go, donation or finding a friend or acquaintance who can use the pieces is the best bet. I don't think there's a big market right now. Everything has gotten more casual; people are working from home more. Perhaps a young friend who is entering the workforce?

Dress for Success is a nice idea, but I tried and our closest chapter was not taking donations during Covid, and they seem to be rather limited in what they accept. Their hours are really restricted too. Not sure if your nearest chapter would be more amenable.

Lately I have been donating clothes through GreenDrop, since they pick up from home, and you can choose the beneficiary (American Red Cross, National Federation for the Blind, Purple Heart).

bj1111

Veteran

pay your daughter a commission and get her to do it for you.

Anonymous

As others have already stated, there is minimal demand for a middle-aged woman’s pre-owned professional/business casual wear, with a semi-exception for brands with a reputation of very high quality such as Eileen Fisher, Lafayette 148, etc.
If you can’t bear to donate, RobinF’s suggestion of ThredUP is a viable option. You won’t make any $ to speak of, but you also won’t invest much time or effort.

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

Have people here been able to sell to ThredUp? I recall visiting their website repeatedly in the months before we moved. They were never buying, but they did stuff my inbox with ads of things they were trying to sell. That was 3 years ago; it may have changed since then.

cat2

Veteran

The consignment stores near us and the online service I investigated only want designer pieces. As for donations, the American Cancer Society store is screening donations and is also really fussy. So we donate to a thrift in a rural area near where we vacation; they are not swamped by upper middle class women Marie Kondo-ing their closets and are glad to see us.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I donate my own clothes to DFS Seattle, or pass them on to friends. Sorry! Have no experience selling wardrobe items. But congrats on the exciting new chapter in your life, and good luck

AndiB

Veteran

I always want to sell but mostly have Purple Heart pick up. I have some of the same brands, mid level nothing special. I have tried to donate several times to DFS but they’ve only wanted larger sizes. An upside of Covid really is cutting way back on clothing purchases and reducing my carbon footprint… and with weather conditions in the PNW… yikes, stay cool.

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

Thredup if they are accepting (I have not sold there but have heard about it) is your best bet. Poshmark and ebay is a lot of work, and depop is the wrong demographic. Facebook marketplace might work, but it still might not be worth the hassle. Finding a woman's shelter or similar and donating might be the best idea.

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

Here’s an option that wasn’t mentioned.
https://www.realsimple.com/hom.....1410083762

Anonymous

I've not tried selling on online consignment but on Full Life Reflections, Debbie talks about her experiences.
I've taken things to in person consignment, they keep about 50%. Plus at least here they say nothing over 2 or 3 years old.
TBH now I just donate to local orgs, cause what I take there is nicer and more current than their usual.

ZoeyGirl

I have never sold clothing, but have success selling other items on Facebook marketplace. I would post all on one day, and plan time the week following to communicate with buyers, and pack up and mail. After that, I do recommend buy nothing as a way to locally donate. The buy nothing community is amazing! If someone wants it, you know they will use it, and it's local. After that, donate the rest with a clear conscious, knowing you did your best match making of the items to new owners. Good luck!