Most people who clear out a closet drop everything into a donation bag and call it a day. A reseller who says they have made well over a hundred thousand dollars in net profit flipping used clothes would like you to pause first, because some of what is hanging in your closet, or sitting on a thrift store rack, may be worth far more than you think.
The YouTube channel @listingtofreedom shared seven kinds of secondhand clothing that tend to sell quickly, along with real sold examples. Some are everyday items that bring $30 to $50 and move fast. Others sold for hundreds. Here is the list, so you know what to look for in your own home or at the thrift store.
1. Hunting apparel
The tip is to think about purpose. When someone needs an item for a specific activity, demand goes up. A vintage Patagonia canvas hunting jacket sold for $449 at full asking price on eBay. A camouflage jacket from Cabela’s sold for $170 after an offer, and a camo vest from First Light went for $100. Look beyond jackets to hunting pants, bibs and vests, and ask what the item was designed to do: is it insulated, does it have special pockets?
2. Plus size clothing
These do not need to be luxury brands to sell. The seller calls them bread and butter flips because buyers are actively searching for larger sizes. Examples: a Woman Within jacket in 5X sold for $38 after an offer, a Torrid swimsuit with a mermaid design sold for $50, and a Maggie Barnes leather jacket in 5X sold for $55. Newer, in-style pieces do best with Torrid, and quality materials like leather help.
3. Outdoor men’s pants
Brand matters here. The seller names Kuhl, REI and Prana. The Kuhl pants have reinforced areas, a boot hook and ankle zips, and a pair sold for $60 at full price, convertible REI pants sold for $45, and Prana pants for $38. A clue: technical pants often feel thick and stretchy. On some tags you will find a style number, which you can search to find out exactly what you hold.
4. Novelty clothing and accessories
Anything with a specific theme or design can attract collectors who set up alerts for it. A carousel-horse sweater from Storybook Knits sold for $106, a vintage Nicole Miller scarf with board games on it sold for $67, and an Eddie Bauer golf cardigan sold for $58. Think cats, dogs, horses, golf, fishing, gardening and college logos.
5. Fishing gear
A Columbia vented fishing shirt sold for $30 within days. A Patagonia fishing vest went for $100. And waders, which many sellers avoid because they are bulky, can bring real money: an LL Bean pair sold for $43 and a pair from Simms sold for $475.
6. Workwear
Carhartt is the famous name, but the seller cautions not to stop there. A vintage Five Brother striped shirt sold for $60, and a pair of Duluth Trading overalls sold for $50. Look for the letters FR on the tag, which stand for fire resistant. A pair of fire-resistant work pants from Workrite sold for $50 at full price. Buyers who need these for their job are very motivated.
7. Statement sweaters
Bold, unusual sweaters sell because there may not be many like them. A Titleist golf sweater sold for $65, a Nordic sweater made in Finland sold for $88, and the chunky, textured Coogi-style knits can fetch far more. The seller says you are looking for the look, not just the label.
The big lesson
Brands help, the seller says, but they are not the whole business. Learn the purpose of an item, the style, the material, the details, the keywords and who the buyer is. Many of these items sold quickly because a particular buyer needed them.
How to use this list at home
You do not have to hunt thrift stores to benefit. Go through your own closets, garage and the clothes of grown children, and look for these categories.
- Check the tags. Look for brand names, “FR” labels, and fabric content on the inside.
- Think of the hobby. Was this bought for golf, fishing, hunting, hiking or gardening? Specialty items often attract devoted buyers.
- Search sold listings. Type the brand and item into eBay, then filter to sold items to see what people actually paid.
- Save the best for last. Clean, good-condition pieces with no stains or odors sell best.
- Use the right words. Include the brand, size, color, material, and the activity, such as “hunting,” “waders” or “fire resistant.”
- Take bright, clear photos and lay the item flat. Add measurements.
- Be ready to take offers. Many of the sales came after a buyer’s offer.
Also note that fees and shipping reduce what you keep, so a $30 sale is not $30 profit. But for items that cost you nothing, it is still a better ending than a donation bin. Before you bag up the next load, take one last look at the labels.
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