But what do you do with those items you've finally decided to part with!
As you begin to switch over your closet from Summer to Fall, this is a great time to purge items that you haven't been wearing. As you put away Summer items, be critical of what you're storing. If you haven't worn it at all this summer, is it really worth keeping? As you hang up and put away Fall items coming out of storage, are these pieces that you really want to include in your new Fall wardrobe?
It can be so hard to make the decision to purge an item. You have to be critical of what you have. Try it on, make sure it fits. Is it flattering? Is it versatile? If you decide that maybe it's time to let a few things go, there is a follow up question. What do you do with these items?
In most cases, I think many of us donate our clothing. This is an easy, feel good solution. However, I have been asked by a few clients about options for items that are higher end or new with the tags still attached. If you're looking to get a little something back for your items, what are your options?
For those of you who would like to sell your items directly to a customer and be in charge of the sale and how much you sell for, then I recommend eBay or Poshmark. Both sites will charge you a fee for selling your items but you control the amount that you sell for you. You are also responsible for inputting all the details on the site and taking the pictures. For those with time, this is a great option.
ThredUp: A popular online consignment shop. You mail in your items (they provide a prepaid shipping label) , ThredUp photographs them and sells them via their online site. They have a list of brands they accept and they only accept merchandise that meets their quality standards. They determine a payout amount for the items they accept and you can (1) use that towards a purchase on ThredUp, (2) cash out via Paypal or (3) donate it to a cause partner. Items listed on ThredUp for under $60 payout upfront, items listed over $60 pay out once the item sells. Items that are not accepted or do not sell, can be returned to the owner for a fee.
eBay Valet: eBay has become wise to other companies offering consignment services. Since they have such a large platform and customer base, why not include this in their offering? You can send in your items, eBay will list them for you and you can earn up to 80% of the listing price determined by the price that the item sells for. This service also provides a list of eligible brands
Recycle Your Fashions: You mail inyour items. They list them on eBay and their online store and you receive 50% of the selling price for items sold for less than $500. They also provide a brand list and request items to be in good condition. They pay by check. You can request unsold items to be returned.
Fashion Project: Send in your items and the are listed and sold in their online shop. Up to 55% of net proceeds from every item sold go to support an amazing charity of your choice. You receive a tax receipt. They have a brand list, as well. Why choose this option over your local thrift store? Fashion Project claims that the items they list can raise up to 100 times more for your favorite charity.
These are just a sample of options that you have when deciding what to do with your new or gently worn items. Please keep in mind that this post is meant to give you a brief summary of options. Please be sure to review all guidelines before proceeding with any of these services as policies can change.
I hope this provides you with some ideas and motivation. Maybe it will help incentivize you to clean out your wardrobe and start this Fall season with a fresh perspective!