I still remember the exact moment I realized the power of a simple piece of cardboard. It was 2018, and I was staring at two identical J.Crew blazers in my "death pile" (that shameful stack of unlisted inventory every reseller hides in their closet). One blazer I had worn to three weddings and a funeral; it was in great shape, but definitely used. The other was a thrift store find, pristine, with the original $198 factory tag still dangling from the sleeve.
I listed the used one for $35. It sat for weeks. I listed the tagged one for $85. It sold in four hours.
That $50 difference wasn't about the fabric quality. It wasn't about the style. It was entirely about the psychology of "New." When a buyer sees those three letters—NWT—they aren't just buying a piece of clothing; they are buying the retail experience without the retail price tag. They are buying a gift they can give without shame, or a treat for themselves that feels crisp and untouched.
So, if you are new to the resale game and wondering why everyone is obsessed with acronyms, you have come to the right place. We are going to break down exactly what this term means, why it matters for your wallet, and the dangerous gray areas that can get your account banned.
What Does NWT Mean (Strictly Speaking)?
At its core, NWT meaning is binary. Either the item has the tags, or it doesn't. There is no "mostly NWT."
When I say "tags," I mean the manufacturer's hangtag that includes the barcode, price, or style information. This is usually attached via a plastic barb, a safety pin (common with brands like Reformation), or a string loop.
However, here is where it gets interesting... the definition expands depending on the category.
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Clothing: Must have the hangtag attached.
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Shoes: "NWT" usually implies "New in Box" (NIB), but on apps like Poshmark, you can list shoes as NWT if they have never been worn, even if the box is missing. (Though, personally, I always clarify "No Box" in the description to avoid angry emails).
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Swimwear: This is the strictest category. NWT means the hangtag is attached and the hygienic liner is intact. If the liner is peeling or missing, it is not new.
I once made the mistake of listing a bikini bottom as NWT because the paper tag was attached, but the hygiene liner had fallen off in transit. The buyer opened a case immediately. I lost the item and the money. Lesson learned: condition is a holistic concept, not just a piece of paper.
What Does NWT Mean on Poshmark?
If you are selling on Poshmark, the stakes are slightly different than on eBay or Mercari. What does nwt mean on Poshmark? It’s a specific condition filter that puts your item into a different search algorithm entirely.
Poshmark allows buyers to filter by "Condition: New With Tags." If you select this option when listing, your item appears in the feeds of buyers looking specifically for gifts or pristine items.
The "Boutique" Distinction
Poshmark also has a "Boutique" tag. Many new sellers confuse NWT with Boutique.
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NWT: A single item you bought at Nordstrom, didn't wear, and are reselling.
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Boutique: Inventory you purchased wholesale from a distributor that has never been sold to a retail customer before.
You can have an NWT item that isn't Boutique, but every Boutique item must be NWT.
Now the tricky part... Poshmark buyers are incredibly particular. If you mark an item as NWT, they expect perfection. I’ve seen cases won by buyers because an NWT tag had a crease in it, or the price was blacked out with a sharpie (common for items sourced from Tj Maxx or Marshalls).
(Note: While blacking out the price doesn't technically violate NWT status, it looks tacky. I recommend using a sticker remover tool or simply disclosing "Price tag marked out to prevent store returns" in the description.)
The Financial Impact: Why NWT Matters
Let's look at the math. In 2024, I conducted a personal experiment with my inventory of Madewell jeans. I had acquired a liquidation lot that included customer returns (some with tags, some without).
I listed the NWT pairs at an average of $68. I listed the NWOT (New Without Tags) pairs at an average of $45.
The NWT pairs sold 2.5x faster. Why? Because NWT meaning clothing translates to "Safe."
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It implies no one has sweated in it.
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It implies it hasn't been shrunk in the dryer.
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It implies it is giftable.
When you are sourcing inventory, whether you are scouring the bins at Goodwill or doing retail arbitrage at Ross, finding that tag is like finding gold. I will gladly pay $5 more for an item with a tag because I know it will sell for $20 more on the backend.
NWOT Meaning: The Dangerous Gray Area
If NWT is the gold standard, what does nwot mean? NWOT stands for New Without Tags.
This is the most subjective and dangerous category in reselling. It describes an item that has never been worn or washed but is missing the retail hangtag. Maybe it fell off in the store; maybe you cut it off, tried it on, hated it, and threw the tag in the trash.
The Problem with NWOT
The problem is that "New" is a feeling, and without a tag, that feeling is hard to prove. I once bought a pair of "NWOT" Lululemon Align leggings. The seller swore they were never worn. When they arrived, there was pilling in the inner thigh area. Clearly, "New Without Tags" meant "I wore these to yoga three times but didn't put them in the dryer."
What does nwot mean on Poshmark specifically? Poshmark actually doesn't have an official "NWOT" checkbox. You have to list it as "New with Tags" (and hope no one notices? No, don't do that) or list it as "Standard" category and write "NWOT" in the title.
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My advice: Never list NWOT items as "New" in the system settings. List them as used/pre-owned, and write "New condition, no tags" in the description. It lowers your visibility slightly, but it protects you from return cases.
And honestly, as a buyer, I rarely trust NWOT unless the seller includes close-up photos of the care tags. (If the care tag is faded or wrinkled, it's been washed. That's a dead giveaway).
The "NWT" Trap: Honest Failures and Scams
Just because a tag is attached doesn't mean the item is perfect. This is a hard lesson I learned during a sourcing trip in 2021.
I found a stunning Diane von Furstenberg wrap dress at a rack store. The tag was attached. I bought it for $60, thinking I could flip it for $150. When I got it home and put it under my photography lights, I saw it: a massive makeup stain on the collar. Someone had tried it on in the store, smeared foundation on it, and put it back.
Because the tag was attached, I mentally skipped the inspection process. I listed it as NWT. A buyer bought it, opened a case, and sent it back. I was out the shipping costs and had a stained dress.
Lesson: NWT meaning refers to the status of the item, not necessarily the condition. An item can be NWT and still be damaged, faded, or flawed. Always inspect NWT items just as rigorously as used ones.
The Re-Tagging Scam
Here is something darker. You can buy a "tagging gun" on Amazon for about $12. Unethical sellers will take a used item, dry clean it, and re-attach a tag using a plastic barb.
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How to spot it: Look at the plastic barb. Is it the right size? Does the tag look weary? Is the tag attached in a weird spot (like through the fabric instead of the seam label)?
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Opinion: This is fraud. Don't do it. But be aware it happens.
Sourcing Strategies: Finding NWT in the Wild
If you want to build a business around NWT inventory, you have to change where you look. You won't find much NWT at the bins (Goodwill Outlet).
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Retail Arbitrage: Stores like TJ Maxx, Marshalls, and Nordstrom Rack are NWT goldmines. The margins are slimmer (you pay more to buy it), but the sell-through rate is faster.
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Liquidation Pallets: You can buy boxes of "shelf pulls" from major retailers. These are items that didn't sell in the store. They are almost always NWT, though you risk getting damaged goods.
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The "Closet Cleanout" Source: Friends and family are great sources. Everyone has that one dress they bought for a wedding, left the tags on, and never wore.
I use Closo to automate my cross-listing to eBay and Mercari – saves me about 3 hours weekly – because NWT items tend to sell faster when they are visible on multiple platforms simultaneously.
NWT Meaning Clothing: Specific Nuances
Different categories have different unwritten rules about what constitutes "New."
Shoes
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NWT: Usually means box included.
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NWOB: New Without Box.
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If you sell shoes on StockX or GOAT, "New" means the box must be in perfect condition too. On Poshmark, a crushed box is usually acceptable if disclosed.
Beauty/Skincare
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NWT: Means sealed.
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If you open a moisturizer to smell it, it is no longer NWT. It is used. Do not sell used cosmetics; it is against the TOS of most platforms and is gross.
Handbags
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NWT: Often implies the dust bag and registration cards are included.
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If I am selling a Kate Spade bag as NWT, I make sure to photograph the tag, the care card, and the stuffing paper inside.
Comparison: NWT vs. NWOT vs. EUC
Here is a breakdown of how these conditions translate to value and risk.
People always ask me...
"Does the price need to be on the tag for it to be NWT?"
Common question I see. The answer is no. Many people buy gifts and cut the price part of the tag off, leaving the barcode and brand logo intact. This still counts as NWT. However, on Poshmark, some buyers are suspicious. If the price is cut off, they might wonder if you bought it at a deep discount outlet.
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My strategy: I take a photo of the tag. If the price is cut, I write: "NWT - Brand tag attached (price portion removed)." Honesty kills returns.
"Can I list an item as NWT if I have the tag but it's detached?"
Technically, no. If you have the hangtag but it fell off the string, you cannot select the "New With Tags" checkbox on Poshmark. You should list it as "New Without Tags" and include the loose tag in the pocket.
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(Some sellers will use a tagging gun to re-attach it. While common, if you attach it in the wrong place, you damage the item. I prefer to just put the loose tag in the photo and explain.)
"What if the tag is from a different store (like The RealReal or Goodwill)?"
Here is something everyone wants to know: Does a Goodwill tag count as NWT? Absolutely not. NWT meaning refers to the manufacturer's tag. A tag from a thrift store or a consignment shop does not make the item new. In fact, showing a Goodwill tag in your photo is a great way to get lowball offers because buyers know exactly what you paid for it. Remove store tags immediately.
Conclusion
Understanding nwt meaning is about more than just vocabulary; it is about protecting your reputation as a seller and maximizing your profits. Those three letters are a promise to your buyer that they are getting a fresh, untouched product.
If you respect the tag, inspect the item, and price it right, NWT inventory can be the backbone of a six-figure resale business. Just remember: a tag doesn't make an item immune to flaws, and "New Without Tags" is a slippery slope that requires over-communication.
When in doubt, under-promise and over-deliver. It is better to list something as "Like New" and have the buyer be pleasantly surprised, than to list it as "NWT" and deal with a return case because of a missing hygiene liner.
If you are looking to source more NWT inventory, check out our guide on [where to find the best liquidation pallets for resale]. And once you have that inventory, make sure you aren't leaving money on the table by only listing on one site—read our [guide to cross-listing platforms].
FAQ Page Schema
Here's something everyone wants to know: Does "New With Tags" mean the item is perfect? Not necessarily. "New With Tags" (NWT) simply means the item has never been worn or washed and still has the retail tags attached. However, NWT items can still have flaws from the factory, damage from being tried on in the store (like makeup stains or loose threads), or fading from storage. Always inspect NWT items closely before buying or selling.
People always ask me: Can I return an item on Poshmark if it was listed as NWT but arrived damaged? Yes. Poshmark's "Posh Protect" policy covers items that are not as described. If an item listed as NWT arrives with stains, holes, or missing tags, you can open a return case within 3 days of delivery. You will need to upload photos of the damage to prove the item does not match the "New" description.
Common question I see: Is NWOT (New Without Tags) the same as NWT? No. NWOT items are missing the retail hangtags. While the seller claims the item has never been worn, there is no physical proof (like a tag) to verify this. As a result, NWOT items typically sell for 20-40% less than NWT items and carry a higher risk of being actually used.
