Every thrifter dreams of that one store where the racks are full of good stuff. For Mcthriftzie, who goes by Kenzie, it is her Goodwill “honey hole.” She has popped in and out of it 10 or more times over the past month, and she says her average cost of goods there is around $7 to $7.50 per item. Her latest haul included one dress that stopped her in her tracks: a Rachel Antonoff frog print piece with comps she says run from $200 to $300.
The dress is a long sleeve, square neckline mesh maxi in a size 1X, in a print she calls something like “frog dissection.” She had never found the brand before, and she says certain prints from it are collected and searched out by buyers.
What She Kept for Herself
Before getting to the resale pile, Kenzie shared what she held back. That included a pretty mug for $2.99, a green Lululemon teddy sherpa jacket with a cinch at the bottom, tan suede water-repellent boots from Nordstrom, a sky blue crossover blouse from Anthropologie, a Free People velvet top, and a western-style brown belt she has already worn a couple of times. A nice reminder that smart thrifters shop for themselves too.
What She Plans to Resell
The rest is going into her Poshmark closet, and she explained why each piece caught her eye. This is useful, because it shows how a seasoned reseller thinks.
- A new-with-tags Commense maxi dress in a size medium with a fish print, with comps she puts at about $50 to $65.
- An Anthropologie Tiny dress with mismatched prints, in excellent condition, for fall.
- A Chico’s duster-length cardigan in a size 3, which is a US extra large. She says cardigans are her best-selling cut by far, and Chico’s is her second best-selling brand.
- A J. McLaughlin silk blend dress with an equestrian print. She notes the most in-demand pieces from that brand are made in its Catalina cloth, and this one is not, but the material and print sold her.
- A new-with-tags Palomino Place tiered mini dress in a size XXL, a line sold through Tuckernuck.
- A Vince linen blend marigold midi dress in extra small with no flaws. She guesses it retailed for $300 to $400 or more.
- A fully beaded silk cocktail dress by Sean Couture, extra small, which she thinks is a 90s or Y2K brand, with no missing beads.
- A Boden navy jersey dress in a size 10, with a possible price of $30 to $35.
- A 100 percent silk Banana Republic midi that looked brand new, for $7.99, and a Talbots merino wool sweater she estimates at around $35.
- Linen pieces from Sigrid Olsen, J. Jill, and Quince, plus a Torrid leopard print dress, Farm Rio blouse, and a Ted Baker floral mini dress.
- Shoes, including maroon Madewell platform loafers in a size 12 and Bed Stu crisscross sandals.
She mentions that tops at that Goodwill are $5.99, and she held a thin Free People piece up to the light several times to check for tiny holes.
What Her Haul Teaches
You do not have to resell to learn from her approach. Her system is easy to borrow if you are shopping smart on a budget, or if you are decluttering and wondering what your own closet might be worth.
- Know your brands. She says some labels, like Free People, Chico’s and Anthropologie, consistently sell for her. Others are hit or miss.
- Check the tag. She prefers newer tags, because they signal a more current piece.
- Look at fabric. Silk, linen and merino wool tend to be valued, and she checks them carefully for flaws. Merino shows wear quickly.
- Think about the season. She is more selective with linen once linen season is over, unless a piece has a lot going for it.
- Rare sizes help. A 1X in a sought-after print, or a size 12 shoe, can sell better because fewer are available.
- Always check for flaws. Hold items to the light, look inside, and check zippers.
A Word on Those Comps
A “comp” is short for comparable sale: what the same or similar item has recently sold for. A $200 to $300 comp is not a guarantee. The comp is a guide, not a price tag, and some pieces sit for months. Look at sold listings, not asking prices, and remember that platform fees and shipping come out of what you earn.
Still, the numbers show why her Goodwill has her coming back. At roughly $7 a piece, even a handful of strong sellers can make the whole bag worthwhile, and one lucky dress can pay for the entire trip.
If you are thinking about trying resale to make room in your own home, her advice is a good starting point: pick one store, visit it often, learn what sells, and keep your cost of goods low.
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