Looking to make money by reselling clothes online? Now’s the perfect time!
With new tariffs driving up prices on new clothing, the demand for pre-loved clothing is going to be higher than ever.
In this blog, we’re going to explain why you should resell clothes online amid the ongoing tariff war and how you can get started as a reseller and scale your reselling business into a profitable side hustle or even a full-fledged income.
The Rising Costs of New Clothing
After the recent Trump tariffs, the prices of new clothing across America are expected to increase significantly.
Tariffs on imported apparel are expected to raise clothing prices in the US by a staggering 65%, while leather goods could jump by 87%. These aren’t small increases—they represent significant financial pressure that is going to be put on an average US household.
For an average US consumer, it means that a $30 t-shirt might soon cost nearly $50. A $100 leather handbag could skyrocket to $187. These price hikes are forcing buyers to rethink their buying habits and opt for pre-loved or secondhand options.
The Secondhand Clothing Market Boom
Even before the current tariff situation, the pre-loved clothing market was growing quickly.
The The State of Fashion 2023 report by McKinsey and Co. revealed that the global revenue from pre-owned fashion is expected to grow 11 times faster than apparel retail by 2025.
This growth reflects changing attitudes about pre-loved clothing and increasing interest in affordable clothing options.
Interestingly, the consumer demand for secondhand clothing is expanding rapidly not only in the US but also in Canada and other European countries.
While millennials and Gen Z shoppers were once the main buyers of secondhand clothing, the market now attracts people from all age groups.
Moreover, mobile app downloads for major secondhand marketplaces like eBay, Poshmark, and ThredUp are growing significantly in 2025, showing a strong demand for used clothing items.
Why Resell Clothes Online Amid Tariff War?
Starting a clothing resale business during this economic shift makes perfect sense for several reasons.
First, you’re entering a growing market with increasing demand. As new clothing becomes more expensive, more shoppers will turn to pre-loved clothing options.
Second, you likely already have inventory to start with. Most Americans own far more clothing than they regularly wear. The average person in the US uses only about 20% of their wardrobe regularly, leaving plenty of clothing items that could be converted into cash.
Third, the barriers to entry are remarkably low. With just a smartphone and some unwanted clothes, you can start listing items on any online marketplace in minutes. Unlike many business opportunities, online reselling of clothing items requires minimal upfront investment.
Getting Started Selling Pre-Loved Clothing Online
Beginning your reselling journey doesn’t have to be complicated. Start by sorting through your closet and selecting items you no longer wear but are still in good condition. Popular brands, classic styles, and seasonal items often sell best online.
Next, choose an online marketplace that fits your needs. Each marketplace has a different buyer base and fee structure. For instance, if you have branded luxury or designer clothing items, you should be reselling on Poshmark. However, if you want to make more profit then you should be reselling on Depop as there is no selling fee.
Lastly, start creating listings of your items. Take clear, well-lit photos of your items. Write SEO-optimized product titles and descriptions that include measurements, fabric details, and any flaws. Moreover, price your items competitively by researching what similar pieces have sold for recently.
Scaling Your Clothing Resale Business
Once you’ve sold unwanted clothing items in your closet and you’re out of inventory, you can consider sourcing inventory from other sources.
You can go to thrift stores and garage sales to find low-cost clothing inventory that you can resell at a profit. Many successful online resellers started with their own closets before expanding to these sourcing methods.
You can also source pre-loved clothing from your friends and family members that they no longer wear and looking to donate or give them to someone.
If you genuinely want to make it big in online clothing reselling, you can also focus on a specific niche.
You might have heard that “Riches are in Niches” and you’ll find many clothing resellers online who found success by focusing on one niche. That niche could be anything from vintage clothing, athletic wear, designer accessories, or plus-size fashion.
Looking Ahead
As the trade war continues to deepen, the secondhand clothing market will likely grow even more. So, the timing couldn’t be better to start reselling clothes online.
With rising prices for new clothing, growing acceptance of secondhand items, and many seller-friendly marketplaces, the barriers to entry for resellers in 2025 are lower than ever before.
By understanding the market forces at play and positioning yourself to meet growing demand, you can turn economic challenges into personal profit while helping others find affordable fashion clothing in challenging times.
