Prom season comes and goes, leaving beautiful dresses hanging in closets. That sparkly gown you wore just once shouldn’t collect dust for years!
Selling your prom dress not only frees up closet space but puts extra cash in your pocket. Many teens and parents don’t realize the value prom dresses still hold.
The good news is that you have plenty of online marketplaces for selling your gently used formal wear, each offers different benefits. Many buyers are out there looking for affordable prom dresses just like yours.
Before we dive into where to sell prom dresses, remember that timing matters. Start listing your prom dress right before prom season begins, when demand peaks and buyers are actively searching.
With the right approach, your once-worn prom dress can find a new home and make another person’s prom night magical.
9 Places Where You Can List and Sell Prom Dresses
1- Facebook Marketplace
Facebook Marketplace has become a go-to destination for selling prom dresses, with nearly 40% of Facebook’s monthly users making purchases there. This platform shines for local transactions where you can meet buyers in person and avoid shipping hassles.
Setting up a listing takes minutes on Facebook Marketplace – just snap clear photos of your prom dress, write an honest description mentioning any flaws, and set your price. The fee structure is seller-friendly too. You have to pay nothing for local sales completed offline, while online transactions only incur a 10% fee for items over $8 (or a flat $0.80 for items less than $8).
The biggest benefit of selling on Facebook Marketplace is the massive built-in audience already browsing for formal wear locally. Just remember to practice safety when meeting buyers – choose public locations for exchanges and bring a friend when possible.
2- Poshmark
Poshmark is one of the best online marketplaces for selling pre-loved clothing. The buyers on the marketplace actively search for special occasion wear like prom dresses. Poshmark connects style-conscious buyers with sellers through its social-media-like interface.
Listing your prom dress for sale on Poshmark is straightforward through their user-friendly app. Take multiple photos showing your dress from different angles, create a detailed description highlighting designer names or special features, and respond quickly to interested buyers’ questions. When your prom dress sells, Poshmark also provides a pre-paid shipping label, simplifying the selling process.
The fee structure is transparent but worth noting – they take $2.95 for items under $15 and 20% for items priced more than $15. The platform’s popularity among young women means your prom dress will get exposure to the right audience, commanding a better price than on mass marketplaces.
3- The RealReal
For designer prom dresses from popular luxury brands, The RealReal offers a convenient consignment experience combined with authentication services. Unlike other online marketplaces, they handle the entire selling process after you submit your item.
The process begins with submitting photos of your dress through their app or website. Their experts will evaluate whether your prom dress meets their designer requirements and condition standards. If accepted, they’ll handle pricing, photography, listing, and shipping to buyers.
Commission rates vary widely between 20% and 70% based on the item’s value and your selling history with the platform. While this means giving up a larger percentage than other marketplaces, the professional presentation and authentication can attract buyers willing to pay premium prices for designer formalwear. This option works best for high-end prom dresses from known luxury brands.
4- eBay
eBay remains a powerful platform for selling prom dresses of all styles and price points. This huge marketplace connects you with 133 million active buyers worldwide, making it especially suitable for mid-range and budget-friendly prom dresses. Setting up your listing is straightforward—simply download the eBay app, snap quality photos of your dress, and create a detailed description highlighting key features.
The platform’s auction format creates excitement and competition among buyers, potentially driving up your selling price. While the fee structure might seem complex at first (15% for sales under $2,000 plus a small per-order fee), the massive audience reach often compensates for the selling fee.
Remember to factor shipping costs into your pricing strategy and consider offering returns to build buyer confidence in your prom dress listing.
5- Depop
Depop has emerged as the go-to marketplace for fashion-forward Gen Z shoppers looking for new and pre-loved trendy fashion clothing. If your prom dress leans trendy, vintage, or has unique design elements, this platform offers the perfect audience. The visual-centric, Instagram-like interface lets your dress’s beauty take center stage.
Try creating an eye-catching listing with multiple angles and styling options to boost your chances of making a sale. Depop’s fee structure is relatively straightforward—there’s no upfront selling fee, though you’ll pay a 3.3% payment processing fee plus $0.45 per transaction for US sellers. The platform’s search algorithm heavily favors relevant hashtags, so include terms like #promdress, #formalgown, and descriptive style keywords.
The messaging feature facilitates direct communication with interested buyers, allowing you to answer questions and negotiate prices seamlessly.
Also Read: How to Get More Sales on Depop
6- ThredUP
ThredUP operates differently from other online marketplaces, with a more selective approach to formalwear. While they don’t typically accept traditional prom dresses, cocktail-style prom dresses often qualify under their guidelines. This distinction makes ThredUP worth considering if your dress features a shorter hemline or more versatile styling potential.
The selling process follows a consignment model—you send your dress to ThredUP, they evaluate, photograph, and list it, and you receive payment when it sells. This hands-off approach saves you time but comes with fees: a $14.99 service charge on successful sales plus potential shipping costs. Adding Return Assurance for $10.99 protects you if your dress doesn’t meet their acceptance criteria.
Before sending your dress, carefully review ThredUP’s current acceptance standards and condition requirements to avoid disappointment and unnecessary shipping expenses.
7- Mercari
Mercari stands out as a reselling app that connects perfectly with younger shoppers looking for prom dresses. The simple interface lets you snap photos, write descriptions, and set prices in minutes. You’ll appreciate how easy it is to chat with interested buyers directly through the app.
One standout feature is Mercari’s local delivery option powered by Uber, launched in 2021. This means buyers nearby can receive your prom dress quickly, which is definitely a plus during the busy prom season. For sellers, this often leads to faster sales and fewer shipping headaches.
The cost structure keeps things affordable too. While there’s no fee to list your prom dress, you’ll only pay a small processing charge when withdrawing your earnings – $2 for standard transfers or $3 if you need the money instantly. This reasonable fee structure helps you keep more of what you earn when selling your prom dress.
8- Vinted
Vinted stands apart in the resale market as one of the few platforms where sellers keep 100% of their profits. Unlike competitors, Vinted shifts all fees to the buyer, making it financially advantageous for sellers looking to maximize returns on their prom dresses.
Though more established in Europe, Vinted’s American user base continues to grow steadily. The platform’s clean, intuitive design makes creating appealing listings straightforward. To stand out among increasing competition, consider creating bundle deals by pairing your prom dress with matching accessories like jewelry, shoes, or a clutch.
Vinted’s strong community aspect also works in sellers’ favor, as the platform encourages buyer reviews and seller ratings. Building a positive reputation can help you sell premium items like formal dresses more quickly and at better prices. Their messaging system also facilitates smooth negotiations with buyers.
9- Vestiaire Collective
Vestiaire Collective caters specifically to the luxury and designer resale market, making it perfect if your prom dress carries a luxury label. The platform maintains strict quality standards and doesn’t accept fast fashion brands, focusing instead on authenticated designer items.
When you make a sale, Vestiaire Collective simplifies the shipping process by sending you a pre-paid, pre-addressed shipping kit. This convenience factor removes one of the common hassles of selling formal wear online. Funds transfer directly to your PayPal account or debit card after the sale is complete.
Bear in mind that the platform’s selective approach means your dress must meet certain criteria—it should be from an accepted brand and preferably unaltered from its original design. While their fee structure includes commissions on sales, the platform’s targeted audience of fashion enthusiasts often means you can command higher prices for quality designer dresses.
