Let me guess—you love fashion, your closet is overflowing, and you’ve thought, “Maybe I should just sell this stuff!” Maybe you already have a Poshmark or Mercari account. (You can visit mine here on Poshmark and here on Mercari).
But the big question is: Is reselling clothes actually worth the trouble?
I’ve been doing it for a while—not just to declutter, but to fund (and justify) some of my new finds. And while it’s fun, it’s not exactly a money-printing machine. Here’s the real talk:
🧵 The Pros
1. Extra income you control
You set the prices. You source the items. You decide when to list, ship, and rest. That kind of freedom is powerful, especially if you’ve got a full-time job but want a side hustle that’s flexible and creative.
2. Built-in shopping justification
Let’s be honest—I buy dresses like someone’s going to take away my high heels if I don’t. But because I resell, it feels a little more justified. I make room for new pieces and use the funds for a fun new look. Win-win.
🥵 The Cons
1. It takes time—more than you think
Steaming clothes. Photographing in natural light. Editing the photos. Writing the listings. Answering questions like, “Can you measure the sleeve from armpit to wrist?” Then it’s packaging, printing, and dropping off shipments. With all the competition and the effort, you’re lucky if you’re making $4 an hour.
2. Buyers can be… A LOT
Lowball offers (yes, I love them too when I’m on the buying side of the deal). Complaints about things clearly shown in the photos. Tracking down lost or delayed shipments. It’s rare, but when it happens, it drains your energy—especially on a day when you’re not in the mood.
3. Inventory creep is real
If you don’t set limits, your home starts looking like the back room of a consignment store. I have bins, labels, and a garment rack. It’s under control now (sort of), but it took time to build that system. There still might be a laundry basket in the hallway waiting for my motivation to soar to get more listings done.
Also, my kittens treat every pile of clothes like the Leaning Tower of Pisa. Vanilla loves sleeping in the laundry basket full of dresses waiting to be listed—he approves or disapproves each piece like a little furry fashion editor. Coal thinks every box, scrap of tissue paper, and shipping label is part of a game made just for him. So now I manage inventory and play defense.
💰 Is It Financially Worth It?
No. This is not a side hustle.
Let’s break down my numbers:
- Mercari: 27 total sales (and maybe 200 purchases, but let’s not talk about that right now). Of those 27 sales, 13 were in the past year, earning me $188 in profit.
- Poshmark: 7 total sales in the past year, with $115 in profit.
I try to treat it like a list it and forget it strategy. If I can make the time (and motivation) to get things listed, they might sell. If I don’t, they definitely won’t.
If you’re hoping to actually make money flipping thrifted finds or your wardrobe, just know there’s A LOT of competition. You’ll need excellent photos, smart pricing, and consistency.
🧺 Final Verdict?
Reselling is worth it if:
- You want to make your shopping habit smarter
- You enjoy the process of styling, listing, and mailing
- You understand it’s not passive income
It’s not worth it if:
- You hate photographing things
- You get overwhelmed by clutter
- You’re looking for fast cash with zero effort
Are you reselling? Thinking about it? Or more of a buyer?
I’ll be over here with my steamer, two judgmental kittens, and a suspiciously tall pile of “to list” dresses.
🛍️ Please—take some treasures off my hands: Shop my Poshmark or Mercari closets and get a cute look and a great deal!
Stilettos or Savings 
Tell me what you think!