How to Fund Your Summer Vacation With Unwanted Winter Clothes

The cold weather is finally lifting in many parts of the country, somewhat affirming Punxsutawney Phil's prediction of an early spring. Pretty soon, we'll put our winter clothes away and take out the t-shirts and shorts. And while you might want to save some winter clothes for next year, there's a big opportunity to turn those clothes into a summer vacation savings fund while the weather is still cold. Yes, you can sell them.

True, a one-week vacation in 2024 is pretty pricey, with an estimate of $2,000 per person, according to GoGo Charters. Unless you work in fashion -- or at least dress fashionably -- you probably won't pay for your entire vacation with unwanted winter clothes. But you can pay for a portion of it, especially if you've had a major life event this year (or expect one next), like moving or having a baby.

To bolster your travel fund (and personal finances), here are some profit-maximizing ways to sell used clothes.

1. Pick the right clothes to sell

When it comes to turning a profit on your old winter clothes, think quality, not quantity. Take a look at the condition, see if it's well-worn or stained, and decide if it's something someone else would actually wear. You might love your 90's parachute pants and Creed 2002 tour sweater, but unless it has the band's signatures on it, you're probably not going to get much.

Aside from condition, some items are always in higher demand, even if they're not in the best shape. For example, my wife was able to sell her very well-worn Tiffany sunglasses on eBay, even though a consignment store wouldn't take them because of their condition.

If you don't have any brand name items you can still make some sizable cash on items like denim, shoes, vintage, athleisure, and unique or one-of-a-kind items (like that repurposed denim jacket your aunt made you).

2. Know where to sell

OK, so you've cleaned out your closet and selected the items you think will sell. Now comes the hard part -- where to sell what you have. With so many options, it's hard to know which app or consignment store will give you the most cash. To give you a headstart, here's a cheat sheet for where to take (or post) each item.

• Consignment stores: Check out Buffalo Exchange, Crossroad, Plato's Closet, and other independently owned shops. This is best for off-brand or clothes with a lower value.
• eBay: These are the best places for your designer and brand-name items. I've been selling stuff on eBay since I was a tween -- from clothes to Pokemon cards -- and it's still one of the best options for unwanted clothes. eBay collects anywhere from 8%-15% per sale depending on the sale price, plus a flat $0.30 per order.
• Poshmark: Like eBay, Poshmark is great for selling designer or brand name clothes. It'll collect $2.95 in commission for sales under $15, or 20% of the sale price for any sales above that. Poshmark also keeps things simple by providing you with a prepaid, pre-addressed shipping label.
• Instagram and Facebook Marketplace: These are excellent places to sell individual or boxes of clothes. The benefit of selling on social media is that you get to keep 100% of your profits.
• Depop: Use this to maximize profits on any vintage or one-of-a-kind pieces. Depop takes 10% of the total transaction, including shipping. You'll also be charged a transaction fee (by PayPal or Depop Payments) and that fee varies based on your location. For PayPal, U.S. customers can expect to pay around 3.49% plus $0.49.

3. Style your listings

Finally, even if you have high quality clothes, your listing may not take off if it doesn't have all the bells and whistles. For example, a low-quality photo of a high-quality item could detract from the item's glamor, thus resulting in a lower sale price.

Of course, this might take some practice. But to help you get started, here are some tips to keep in mind.

• Titles and descriptions: The title should highlight the brand name, style, and size. For the description, include measurements and color, as well as any marks or defects.
• Photo angles: Take pictures from multiple angles. If the item is new, include a stock photo when available. If you can, style gently used clothing on a model.
• Lighting and background: Turn your camera or phone's flash off! And use a plain background.
• Fair pricing: Your item isn't going to sell if you list for $100 and everyone else sells it for $25. So, do a quick search to see the going price for each item and price them competitively.

All in all, consignment stores and apps are great places to sell your unwanted clothes. And, hey, if you can't get the full amount for your summer vacation, consider getting a new travel credit card. Many have generous welcome bonuses that can bolster your summer savings. Take a peek at some of our best travel credit cards and see if one could help you save for summer.