Planning a post-Christmas clothes clearout? Here are the best ways to trade and sell them online

You might have received some gorgeous new pieces of clothing this Christmas, which can be a good time to clear out some of the things you no longer wear. And while you can most definitely take pieces to your local charity shop, if you have good quality pieces you’d like to get a little money back from (the festive period is expensive), then there are some good options out there.

There are several sites and apps that make it easy to get something in return for your old clothes, and the good news is that they’ll go to someone who will be delighted to nab a stylish bargain.

Zalando

Fashion retailer Zalando allows you to trade in clothes in exchange for credit to spend on-site. The clothes are subject to quality checks, but they accept many brands, including some they don’t usually stock.

They’ll let you know the value of your items, you post them free of charge and each item will be checked on receipt. You’ll then receive your gift card code or donation confirmation for accepted items.

Nuw

If you’d just like to swap your clothes for something fresh, then try Nuw., an app that lets you exchange items with other people.

You gain credit for each item you upload, which you can then use to choose other items. You simply pay €0.99 for each swap, plus postage. You can also temporarily borrow an item, and the in-app messaging makes it easy to organise your swaps.

StyleSwap

Although not available in Ireland yet, this UK site has plans to launch here soon, so keep an eye on their social channels. The idea behind it is that, unlike other second-hand clothing sites where you have to trawl through thousands of results, the site only features high-quality items, and you can tailor your search very specifically.

Sellers are also encouraged to post high-quality photos of the items shown on actual people, which is a better way to showcase them than simply hung over the back of a wardrobe. Read more about StyleSwap here.

Depop

One of the most popular places to sell clothes online, this app is a great way to reach a large audience. The app takes 10 per cent of all sales, and you are responsible for posting the item to the buyer yourself.

To give an item the best chance of selling, give a detailed description of it, including any defects, and include plenty of good photos. If someone can’t tell how a garment will look when they wear it, they’re unlikely to buy it.

eBay

The internet’s original second hand platform, you might not think of clothes when you think of eBay but it’s a great place to pick up some hidden gems, particularly vintage pieces. Again, as detailed a description as possible is helpful here, as people are likely to find your item by searching keywords like brands and materials.

Seller fees on eBay vary, but generally are around 11 per cent of the total sale price.