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To Consign Or Not To Consign: Intro to the Luxury Resale Market

  • Writer: Lauren Hass
    Lauren Hass
  • May 19
  • 3 min read

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Want to help the circular economy and make some money? If the price tag is the only thing keeping certain pieces in your closet, you’re not alone. Parting with high-end items can feel wasteful—especially when you’ve invested serious money. But if you’re holding on to something that's no longer your style (or your size), the luxury resale market might be your perfect solution. Here’s a quick look at how you can turn closet clutter into cash.


In 2025, the global luxury resale market is expected to be valued at approximately $38.32 billion [1] Motivated by a mix of affordability, sustainability, and shifting values when it comes to fashion and curating wardrobes, Millennials and Gen Z are reshaping the secondhand luxury market. [2]


If you’ve fallen out of love with that brand-name dress, handbag, sweater, or pair of shoes, but still want to recoup some of what you spent, you’ve got a few savvy selling options.



Drop off at a resale clothing outlet



Sell on your own

Sites like Poshmark allow you to sell your own used items online. You will need to manage everything: take photos; write a compelling description; manage interest; store, keep track of, pack up and ship the item; and deal with any complaints from your buyer. Poshmark charges a flat fee ($3-20%), but you will be able to control pricing and listing information. ThredUp offers the convenience of sending in a bag of clothing so they can do all the work of listing and selling your item, but you can expect a lower payout and they limit what they will sell for you. If you sell items on your own online, you can expect to make approximately 20-25% of the item's value.



Consignment


Consignment is when you sell your items through a third party (like a store or website) without getting paid until the item sells. With most consignment stores, you will make an appointment to bring in a limited number of items (10 - 25), which usually must be in season. They will be reviewed and, if accepted, you will receive a check or store credit when they sell.


If you'd prefer to outsource all of that, Kimberly of Let It Go Resale is one resource I often share with my clients. "With a keen eye for luxury, Let It Go Resale will help you identify the best resale value and opportunity for your high-end personal items. Our personalized and professional services will empower you to Let It Go with confidence."


According to Kimberly, who worked for The RealReal prior to founding her business, resale value depends on designer and brand (Higher end e.g. Chanel, Gucci, Louis Vuitton; Lower: "mall brands"), quality, style, details like materials or patterns, and what the market has brought in recently. Be sure to look at what an item has sold for, not what it is listed for, when determining approximate value. In her experience, for a high end item, you can expect to receive 7 - 12% of what you paid, after fees and commission.


Bottom line


Whether you sell your item yourself, bring it to a resale or consignment store, or partner with a resale consultant like Let It Go, I hope this gives you that extra nudge to start purging. And hey—if you’re willing to let it go for some money, maybe you’ll be just as ready to donate it if it doesn’t sell, or if the value makes it just not worth your time to sell. Either way, it's a win for your closet!


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