Make Money on Black Friday: How to Sell Your Clothes for Big Bucks

Black Friday is the official start of holiday shopping, and if you’re anything like me, that means your wallet’s about to take a hit. But what if I told you that you could make money this Black Friday? Consignment stores, especially high-end boutiques, are a fantastic opportunity to clean out your closet and earn extra cash for your holiday shopping. In this article, we’ll give you our insider tips and tricks to making money by selling on consignment this winter.   

Why sell on consignment?

Consignment stores are a win-win-win for sellers, buyers, and the environment.

• Sellers can declutter their closets and earn extra money,
• Buyers get access to gently-used items at a fraction of their original cost,
• And the consignment process extends the lifespan of thousands of clothing pieces that would otherwise end up in landfills.

When it comes to designer boutiques like Current Boutique, the appeal is even greater. Sellers get a bigger return on their investment pieces, and shoppers get access to high-end luxury items without breaking the bank.

Want to learn more about the consignment process? Check out this article that answers all your questions about consignment shopping.

Now, let’s dive into our top tips and tricks to help you make the most of selling your clothes on consignment this holiday season.

1. Sell in season.

Sell clothes while they're in-season whenever possible to maximize your earnings. For the holiday season, that means wintery items like jackets, scarves, hats, gloves, sweaters, and long pants. Warm fabrics like velvet, corduroy, wool, leather, cashmere, and denim sell especially well in the cooler months. Consignment stores sell a lot of designer party dresses in November and December, so it’s also a great time to sell your old party dresses that no longer fit or suit your style. This blog about our go-to winter fashion pieces is a great place to find more inspiration for reselling in-season clothes.

With that said, you don’t have to sell only wintery items. Every-day, versatile pieces like little black dresses, white button-downs, and denim jackets sell well year-round. Read our article with 11 classic wardrobe essentials to get an idea of preloved pieces that are always in high demand. 

2. Resell name brands. 

High-end consignors like Current Boutique cater to customers who want quality, luxury, and sustainability. We’ve found that well-known, reputable designer brands sell best on consignment because our clients recognize and appreciate the craftsmanship, detailing, and style these kinds of high-end designers promise.

Want to know how we decide which pieces to sell? Check out our selling resource here!

Not every piece in your wardrobe will be from a designer brand. That’s just not feasible. But when it comes to consigning your clothes for cash, brand-name labels often offer the largest profit margin, especially at a high-end consignor like Current Boutique.

Consider reselling items from lesser-known brands to Buffalo Exchange or local thrift shops. You won’t make as much money, but you may be able to get a few dollars for these pieces. Otherwise, donating to a local charity is a great way to divert your favorite pieces away from landfills.

3. Clean your clothes thoroughly.

Items in excellent condition have a better chance of selling – and at a higher price. New or like-new pieces will fetch the most, followed by well-cared-for pieces without stains or damage.

Although Current Boutique cleans and freshens all the clothes we sell, we don’t accept any pieces that come to us dirty or visibly worn. We always recommend our sellers launder or dry clean their items first, then fold or hang your pieces to prevent wrinkles or damage in transit. 

Learn our tips for taking care of your clothes before selling here.

4. Inventory your items. 

It’s not a bad idea to take stock of the items you plan to sell before heading to the consignment store. Make a list or take photos to track what you’re selling. This will help you see what’s selling well and ensure you receive the correct payment or store credit.

Even when the clothes are out of your hands, you want to maintain records of your transactions, such as consignment agreements, sale dates, and final selling prices. In most circumstances, selling pieces on consignment is considered “income” on your taxes, so you’ll need to report it to the IRS.

Not sure how to clean out and organize your closet? Check out our closet cleaning checklist here!

5. Choose the right consignment shop.

Different consignment stores have different “specialties” regarding what they sell. To make the most money reselling, consider working with a consignment shop that specializes in what you’re selling. For example, Current Boutique sells high-end designer goods from designers like Chanel, Kate Spade, and Tiffany & Co. Other stores may sell lesser-known brands or specialize in a specific category like handbags or jewelry.

It’s also a good idea to visit the store or browse their website to get an idea of the type of customers they serve. This can help you determine if the clothes you’re selling will fit the style and aesthetic of the shops’ clients. 

High-end designer boutiques like Current Boutique are the best choice if you have luxury items to consign because we cater to a discerning clientele willing to pay more for quality. Learn more about selling with Current Boutique here.

6. Consider store credit instead of cash.

One of the key benefits of consigning your clothes with a designer boutique is the option to receive store credit instead of cash. This is especially appealing during the holiday season when you’re looking to purchase luxury gifts for loved ones (or yourself). Many consignment shops offer a higher percentage payout if you choose store credit over cash, so you get an even bigger bang for your buck. That means you can indulge in luxurious presents for that special someone without straining your holiday budget.

7. Be patient.

Consignment stores rotate inventory regularly, so it may take time for the perfect customer to find the pieces you’re selling. Be patient, and don’t worry if they don’t sell right away. Many consignment stores like Current Boutique handle the pricing and marketing for you, so you can sit back, relax, and wait for the cash to come in. (Some boutiques also pay you upfront, but you will likely get a lower payout. Learn the ins and outs of consignment selling here.)

Selling your pieces during the holiday season is one of the best ways to sell items quickly. The holidays are one of the biggest seasons for consignment store sales, so we recommend getting your pieces to a consignor as early in the season as you can.

Earn extra cash this Black Friday

This Black Friday, you can actually make money by selling your clothes on consignment. High-end consignment boutiques let you declutter your closet and earn extra cash or store credit for the holidays. By following these selling tips and tricks, you can maximize your earnings and fall in love with the consignment process.

If you’re looking to resell your designer pieces at a high cash-out percentage, consider selling with Current Boutique this holiday season.

Photo Sources

• Why sell on consignment: https://unsplash.com/@lazizli 
• Sell in season: https://unsplash.com/@imagescosy 
• Clean clothes: https://unsplash.com/@kaboompics
• Inventory your items: https://unsplash.com/@anotherlovely 
• Earn extra cash selling clothes on consignment: https://unsplash.com/@alexandermils