t’s wild to think that in 2026, the secondhand clothing market is officially outpacing traditional retail by nearly 300%. I remember standing in my bedroom in early 2022, staring at a mountain of clothes that no longer fit my style or my body. I was a total skeptic. I thought online marketplaces were just digital garage sales where people expected everything for a dollar. My first big win happened when I listed a vintage denim jacket I’d bought for $10 at a local thrift store. It sold in less than four hours for $85. That hit of dopamine was addictive. Since then, I’ve processed over 4,500 sales and built a business that generates enough profit to pay my mortgage and then some.
How to Sell Clothes on Poshmark: The First Steps
If you’re wondering how to sell clothes on poshmark, the process starts with the mindset of a curator, not just a seller. You can’t just throw a wrinkled shirt on the floor, snap a blurry photo, and expect it to move. I learned this the hard way back in November 2022 when I tried to list a designer silk blouse. I took the photo in a dark room with yellow lighting. The blouse sat for three months. I eventually deleted the listing, ironed the shirt, took a photo in natural sunlight, and it sold for my full asking price within two days.
Here's where it gets interesting: the algorithm. Unlike some other websites for selling clothes, Poshmark is "social." This means your listings appear higher in search results based on how recently they were "shared." You can share your own items to your followers or to "Posh Parties" that happen throughout the day.
Now the tricky part is the volume. Sharing 500 items manually three times a day is a recipe for carpal tunnel syndrome. I use Closo Free sharer to automate this specific task – it saves me about 3 hours weekly and ensures my closet stays at the top of the search results while I’m actually out sourcing new inventory or, you know, living my life.
How Do You Sell Clothes on Poshmark Effectively?
When people ask me how do you sell clothes on poshmark, I always tell them to focus on the "Three Pillars": Photography, Description, and Customer Service.
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Photography: Natural light is your best friend. I use a simple white foam board from a craft store as my backdrop. I also invested in a Neewer Ring Light for those gloomy winter days when the sun refuses to come out.
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Description: Be honest. If there is a tiny snag or a missing button, say it. I once missed a small bleach stain on the hem of a pair of leggings. The buyer opened a case, I had to pay for return shipping, and I lost the sale. It was an $18 mistake that taught me to inspect every seam under a magnifying lamp.
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Customer Service: Ship fast. Poshmark gives you a "Fast Shipper" badge if your average shipping time is under two days. I aim for same-day shipping whenever possible. I use a Rollo Wireless Printer for my labels and Amazon Basic Polymailers for a professional look.
And don't forget that you are selling an experience. I include a small, handwritten thank-you note in every package. It sounds "extra," but my repeat customer rate is nearly 15%, which is huge in the world of clothes online selling.
Can You Sell Used Clothes on Poshmark?
This is a question I see all the time: can you sell used clothes on poshmark? The answer is a resounding yes! In fact, used items—or "pre-loved" as we like to say—make up the vast majority of the site’s inventory. However, there are rules. You can’t sell used underwear, used makeup (gross, right?), or anything that is counterfeit.
But can i sell used clothes on poshmark that have a few flaws? Absolutely. The key is transparency. If you’re selling a vintage band tee with "perfect" distressing, people will pay a premium for it. If you’re selling a modern sweater with holes, you need to price it accordingly. I’ve sold everything from a $500 used Louis Vuitton bag to a $15 used Old Navy tank top.
So, when you decide to sell clothes on poshmark, start with what’s already in your closet. It’s the best way to learn the ropes without any financial risk. In May 2023, I helped my sister clear out her college wardrobe. We listed 40 items and made $600 in one week. Most of it was used fast fashion from Zara and H&M. (Actually, Zara has one of the highest resale values for fast fashion brands, which is a great tip to keep in mind).
How to Sell Your Clothes on Poshmark and Scale Up
Once you’ve exhausted your own closet, you’ll probably want to know how to sell your clothes on poshmark as a consistent business. This is called "sourcing." I spend my Saturday mornings at thrift stores, estate sales, and "The Bins" (Goodwill Outlet stores where you pay by the pound).
In March 2024, I had my best sourcing day ever. I found a vintage 1990s Burberry trench coat at an estate sale for $25. I knew it was a goldmine. After doing my research on "Sold" listings, I priced it at $450. It took about three weeks to find the right buyer, but the $335 profit (after Poshmark’s 20% cut) paid for my entire sourcing trip for the next month.
Here's where it gets interesting: the competition. There are millions of sellers on the platform now. To stay ahead, you need to understand where to sell clothes online to get the best return. While Poshmark is my home base, I also cross-list my items to eBay and Depop. I use Closo 100% Free crosslister to move my inventory between platforms – it saves me so much time and ensures I’m not putting all my eggs in one basket. If you're serious about this, you should definitely read about how to get paid on Poshmark so you understand the financial side before you start scaling.
How to Make Money on Poshmark: Pricing and Negotiation
Learning how to make money on poshmark is really about mastering the art of the "Offer." Poshmark has a "Make an Offer" button on every listing, and buyers will use it. In fact, about 80% of my sales come from an offer rather than a full-price purchase.
My pricing strategy is to list items about 15-20% higher than my "bottom line" price. This gives me room to negotiate. When someone "Likes" an item, I send them a "Private Offer" with a 10% discount and discounted shipping. This creates a sense of urgency. I once had a buyer counter-offer me five times on a $30 dress. It was exhausting, but we finally settled at $24. (Sometimes you have to swallow your pride to keep the inventory moving).
Now the tricky part is knowing when to say no. If you have a high-demand item—like a Patagonia Better Sweater or a pair of Lululemon Align Leggings—don't be afraid to hold out for your price. These items have a "market value" that remains very stable. I admissions—I’ve sometimes been too stubborn and let an item sit for six months because I wouldn't budge on $5. Don't be like me. Cash in hand is almost always better than a "perfect" profit margin.
Where to Sell Clothes Online: Comparing Platforms
While we are focusing on Poshmark, it’s important to understand the broader landscape of sell clothing online. Not every item is right for every platform.
I’ve found that my vintage 90s pieces fly off the shelves on Depop, but my "Career Wear" (think Ann Taylor or J.Crew) does much better when selling clothes on poshmark. If you're feeling overwhelmed by all these choices, you can check out how to remove listing eBay or how to delete Depop listing if you accidentally sell something on Poshmark first.
But I'll be honest: Poshmark is still the easiest platform for shipping. They provide a flat-rate prepaid label for anything up to 5 lbs. You don't have to weigh your boxes or guess the postage. You just print the label, tape it on, and drop it at the post office. This simplicity is why I always recommend it as the first of all the websites for selling clothes you should try.
People always ask me: Do I need a professional camera?
I see this question in every reseller forum. The short answer is: No. I used my iPhone 12 for the first two years of my business. Most smartphones in 2026 have cameras that are better than the DSLRs from ten years ago. The secret isn't the camera; it's the light.
I remember a failure back in early 2024 where I bought a fancy mirrorless camera thinking it would magically double my sales. It didn't. It just made my workflow slower because I had to transfer files to my computer. I went back to my phone within a week. (I eventually sold the camera... on Poshmark, ironically).
Common question I see: Is it worth it to buy a mannequin?
This is a bit of a "it depends." For dresses and structured coats, a mannequin helps the buyer see the fit. For t-shirts and jeans, a "flat lay" (where you lay the clothes on the floor) usually looks better. I use a "half-form" mannequin that I bought for $30 on Amazon. It hangs on a hook on my wall, and it's much easier to store than a full-sized dress form.
Advanced Tips for Selling Clothes on Poshmark
If you’ve been doing this for a few months and your sales have stalled, it’s time to look at your data.
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Relist Stale Items: If an item has been sitting for more than 60 days, it's "stale." The algorithm has stopped showing it. I delete the listing and use Closo 100% Free crosslister to recreate it. This gives it a "Just In" tag and a fresh chance at the top of the search.
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Keyword Stuffing (The Right Way): Don't just say "Blue Shirt." Say "Royal Blue Silk Button Down Blouse Size 8." Think about what a buyer would type into the search bar.
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Inventory Management: I use a bin system. Each item is in a clear poly bag with a number. I store this number in the "Private Info" section of my Poshmark listing. (There is nothing worse than selling a shirt and not being able to find it in your guest room).
I once lost a pair of Madewell jeans that sold for $45. I looked for three hours. I had to cancel the sale and apologize to the buyer. It turned out the jeans had fallen behind my packing desk. Since that day, I’ve been religious about my bin system.
And finally, be patient. Reselling is a marathon, not a sprint. Some days you’ll have ten sales, and some days you’ll have zero. I admissions—I still get a little discouraged during a "dry spell," but then I remember that the data always balances out in the end. To keep your shop healthy, I recommend reading about inventory management Posh Mark to avoid the mistakes I made early on.
Conclusion: Turning Threads into Gold
Selling clothes on Poshmark has completely changed my life. It started as a way to clear out some clutter and turned into a thriving business that gives me freedom and flexibility. My honest assessment? It’s the best "side hustle" for anyone with a closet and a smartphone. While the 20% fee is higher than some other sites, the ease of shipping and the supportive community make it worth every penny.
My personal recommendation is to start today. Don't wait for the "perfect" lighting or the "perfect" inventory. Grab five things you don't wear, take some photos by a window, and get them listed. You’ll make mistakes—you might miscalculate a shipping weight or miss a small stain—but that’s all part of the learning curve.
