• Cash In on Clothing, Shoes & Accessories

• Find Out What's Hot in Clothing, Shoes & Accessories

• Get Top Dollar for Your Clothing, Shoes & Accessories

• Ship Your Clothing, Shoes & Accessories

• Build Your Reputation

Cash In on Clothing, Shoes & Accessories

Cash In on Clothing, Shoes & Accessories

We all do it—store closets and closets full of clothing that we never wear. Whether you buy things just because they’re on sale, never return gifts, or are notorious for wearing things only once, eBay is here to help. Clothing, Shoes & Accessories lovers of all types are using eBay not only as a place to find unique apparel to buy, but as a place to make a little extra spending money. Swap out your unused pieces—those ties you get every Father’s day or that pair of sunglasses that just isn’t your shade—and buy yourself something new.

What's It Worth?

Already have an item in mind? Visit Clothing, Shoes & Accessories Seller Central to find out the average selling price of similar items on eBay. You can also search completed listings to see how others are selling similar items.

Find Out What's Hot in Clothing, Shoes & Accessories

Find Out What's Hot in Clothing, Shoes & Accessories

Buyers are looking for all varieties of Clothing, Shoes & Accessories on eBay, from small evening bags to leather or suede jackets. The following provides just a small sampling of the myriad of Clothing, Shoes & Accessories that you could sell on eBay. To get a real-time view of what’s in demand, what buyers are searching for, and what items are selling the most, visit Clothing, Shoes & Accessories Seller Central.

• Handbags: Handbags of all sizes, colors, materials, and brands imaginable have been sold on eBay. Buyers are looking for every type of handbag—from functional handbags such as tote bags, backpacks, leather briefcases, duffle bags, diaper bags and messenger bags to evening handbags such as clutch handbags, baguette handbags, and small evening bags in fabrics such as velvet and silk. Also popular are everyday handbags such as small to midsized hobo bags with a crescent shape, large satchels and shopper bags, shoulder bags with a single strap or double set of straps for carrying over the shoulder, flapbags which feature a fold-over flap that covers the purse's contents, demi handbags with a short carrying handle at the top, drawstring handbags with a thin strip of fabric, leather, cord, or string woven through a series of eyelets at the top of the bag, and even doctor's bags which resemble the doctor’s bags of old days. Traditional handbags and purses come in various materials, including leather, saffian, embossed leather, canvas, straw, nylon, and plastic.

• Jeans: Thousands of shoppers are on eBay right now, looking for the perfect pair of  jeans, new and used. Designer jeans have become hugely popular, with versatile, edgy designs that can easily transition from daytime to evening. Low-rise jeans sit low on the waist, while ultra-low-rise jeans sit very low on the waist, popular with young women and teens. Loose through the leg and wide at the leg opening, boot-cut jeans have become a fall and winter wardrobe staple for eBay buyers. Fun and funky flare leg jeans feature a wide, flared opening at the leg and stonewashed jeans have a lighter, more broken-in appearance—perfect for buyers wanting a unique and quirkier look. Buyers are looking for a range of brands on eBay—from inexpensive brands to higher end designer labels.

• Jackets and outerwear: Got a jacket or two you never wear? Jackets of all styles, brands, colors, and materials are a must-have for buyers year round. Some popular materials include fleece, nylon, leather or suede, ultrasuede, microfiber, Polartec microfleece, gore-tex, windstopper, and dryloft. Popular styles include shearling, fur-trimmed, and faux fur-trimmed coats, wool overcoats, raincoats, vests, performance and athletic outerwear, and contemporary jacket styles.

• Shoes: Everyone needs shoes—and with the variety of styles, colors, and brands now made there is no shortage of shoes that you can sell. A few ideas include athletic-inspired shoes, boots (cowboy boots, work boots, hiking boots, motorcycle boots, and snow boots), clogs, mules, men’s dress shoes, women’s flats, heels, sandals, loafers, platforms, and wedges. Buyers are also on the lookout for athletic shoes—from running, training, and walking shoes which provide extra shock absorption to tennis shoes that provide more stability in the sides and basketball shoes that provide mid-foot, heel, and ankle support.

• Sunglasses: Sunglasses are the ultimate accessory. From fashionable designer sunglasses to high-performance sunglasses designed to endure any sport, thousands of buyers are shopping for their perfect pair of shades. Styles include aviator sunglasses, bi-focal sunglasses, rhinestone-accented sunglasses, designer sunglasses, driving sunglasses, novelty sunglasses, vintage sunglasses, oversized glasses, sport sunglasses, lightweight sunglasses, and water-resistant sunglasses.

• Vintage clothing: Vintage clothing is defined as clothing from another era, usually classified by decade. It represents a time period, serving as a cultural expression of that time. Vintage includes garments from the Victorian era and earlier, but generally encompasses anything from the Victorian period through the 1960s. Buyers of all ages are looking for vintage shirts, concert T-shirt, sweaters, jackets, pants, suits, coats, and more. Everything from cowboy boots and go-go boots to pumps and platform shoes fall under the category of vintage shoes. Vintage Nike and Adidas tennis shoes are in high demand. Don’t forget about your vintage accessories such as handbags (beaded bags, for example) and scarves (such as Pucci scarves), as well as purses, shawls, fans, gloves, hats, sunglasses, belts, ties, and handkerchiefs. Styles may come and go, but eBay remains a shopping mainstay for people who seek something different from what everyone else is buying at the mall or department stores.

Get Top Dollar for Your Clothing, Shoes & Accessories

Get Top Dollar for Your Clothing, Shoes & Accessories

Once you know what you’re going to sell, it’s time to think about how to attract Clothing, Shoes & Accessories buyers. Here are the top tips from eBay’s most successful sellers.

Help Buyers Find Your Items with Keywords

Keywords are a great way to attract buyers to your listing, especially when used correctly in your Listing Title. Listing titles are used by eBay’s search engine to pull up listings during a search. Use your 55 characters wisely, and try to anticipate what buyers will be searching for. Find out what is being searched right now with our list of Top Clothing, Shoes & Accessories Searches. Be sure to include common search terms like “shoes” and “Coach,” when appropriate. State important characteristics of your item— sizes, condition, style or brand, type of material, color, and exactly what it is. Of course, you should only include keywords that are relevant to the item you are selling. You can also search current and completed eBay listings to see what other sellers include in their titles.

In your Listing Description, make sure to include both basic information and details about your item. A good description is concise, well organized, and easy to read. Create bold section headlines, bulleted lists, and be sure to restate the information featured in your title plus more details such as, estimated value, repairs, measurements, and any other interesting features. Also note if your item has been in a smoke free or pet free home—it helps assure buyers that fabrics are smoke-odor free and will not trigger any pet allergies. You can also insert photos or links to videos that highlight the unique attributes of your item. Think about your listing from the buyer's perspective. The more information you provide, the more likely the buyer will be to place a bid on your item.

If you need help figuring out the size of your clothes, visit the Sizing Guide. Below are some commonly-used terms that will help you describe the condition of your item’s condition:

• New With Tags (NWT) or New Without Tags (NWOT) or Never Been Worn (NBW): Clothing, Shoes & Accessories that have never been washed or worn can fall under NBW. If your apparel still has its retail tags attached, you can list it as NWT. If tags have been removed, but the article has never been worn, it is NWOT. Any items listed under either of these should have no flaws.*

• Gently Used (GU): Gently used clothing and shoes have been washed and possibly worn, but appear new and have no signs of wear and no flaws.

• Excellent: Excellent condition clothing and shoes have been previously worn and have only very slight wash wear. They should still have no flaws.

• Very Good: Articles that have been previously worn with moderate wash wear/fade, but no visible flaws are considered in very good condition.

• Good: Previously worn Clothing, Shoes & Accessories with minor visible flaw(s) and/or significant wash wear/fade can be considered in good condition.

• Fair: Previously worn apparel with significant visible flaw(s) and/or heavy wash wear/fade is in fair condition.

• Poor: Clothing that is not wearable and has severe flaws/damage is in poor condition, but may have desirable and useable element(s).

*Flaws might include spots, stains, holes, tears, fabric irregularities, or problems with buttons, zippers, snaps, etc.

Showcase Your Clothing, Shoes & Accessories with Great Photos

As the saying goes, a picture is worth a thousand words! Photos are the closest you can get to putting your Clothing, Shoes & Accessories in the hands of potential buyers. A good practice when photographing clothing is to use a mannequin or, if you don’t own one, a person as a model. Photographing clothing on hangers may make your item look unappealing and shapeless. If you have a closet full of clothes to sell, you can buy inexpensive plastic mannequins right on eBay! Here are some other tips on how to best represent your item:

• Choose the Right Background: Use a contrasting, solid backdrop. By placing your Clothing, Shoes, and Accessories on a solid black or white backdrop, you draw a buyer’s immediate attention onto the item. This is easily achieved by hanging a bed sheet or placing poster board behind the item. Use a plain, colored fabric backdrop to make your item stand out. Most importantly, avoid background clutter that can distract buyers or confuse them regarding what you are selling.

• Cover All Angles: Take pictures from multiple angles and distances, zooming in on important details. Make sure you highlight any labels and tags, textures, logos and patterns with a close-up picture. Zoom in to show textures. Photograph any flaws to give buyers a clear idea of what they are bidding on—this helps build a buyer’s confidence in your item.

• Use Proper Lighting: Natural light tends to give the best representation of color—however direct sunlight can have the nasty effect of unwanted shadows. Find an area that receives indirect sunlight. Try taking your item out on a sunny day and photograph it in a shady area. If you can't seem to find an area like this, or would prefer to use indoor lighting, try surrounding your item with desk, overhead, or floor lamps. Above all, avoid using your camera's flash which causes distortion and shadows, especially if your piece is behind glass.

• Add Gallery: Including a Gallery photo with your listing is extremely important for success. You can attract attention to your item with a photo next to your listings in search results. In addition, when a buyer uses “Picture Gallery” to look at search results, your listing will be shown. Your Gallery picture should be a very clear, uncluttered view of your item. Since it is the only photo visible on search pages, make sure it provides a good representation of your item.

Maximize Profits with Low Priced, No Reserve Listings

Auction style listings are a great way to create excitement around Clothing, Shoes & Accessories, which in turn can develop into a bidding frenzy among buyers—which could result in a higher selling price for you. The keys to a successful auction style listing are to get your first bid and encourage bidders to continue bidding.

• Low Starting Price: Getting that first bid is critical, as other buyers are generally more likely to jump in if they see there are already bids on an item. To do this, many sellers prefer to set an opening bid below what the item is actually worth. Try beginning with a low starting price—such as 99 cents—to jumpstart bidding activity.

• No Reserve: Be careful when setting a reserve price. Buyers may lose interest in an item if they place a bid and find it doesn't meet the reserve. Because they do not know the reserve price, they may assume the seller is simply asking too much for the item. To prevent this from happening, try listing your item with "No Reserve." Items sold with "No Reserve" typically attract more buyer interest, as buyers know that they will actually win the item if they are the high bidder.

• Accept PayPal: Buyers want to know that they can pay securely when making a purchase on eBay. By accepting PayPal payments, you can build buyer confidence and help protect yourself. PayPal transfers payments to a bank account of your choice and notifies you when a payment has been received. Best of all, PayPal offers free online tools to make managing your payments easier. You can even print shipping labels and track your shipments.

Ship Your Clothing, Shoes & Accessories

Ship Your Clothing, Shoes & Accessories

Specifying reasonable shipping and handling costs in your listing is essential for smart selling—and it improves your search ranking when buyers sort by total cost. Never leave a buyer wondering how much shipping will cost.

Calculate Shipping Costs

Often times, shipping costs will vary by distance. To make sure your shipping charges reflect this, incorporate a shipping calculator into your listing. With the shipping calculator, eBay can automatically calculate the shipping cost for your buyers based on the size and weight of your item and the buyer’s location. You can also program the calculator to add in the cost of packaging materials and your handling fee, if any.

Select a Service Option

If you are selling shoes, order free Priority Mail shoe boxes from the United States Postal Service. You can also order free smaller scale boxes, perfect for your clothes and accessories.

To protect both you and your buyer against loss or damage during shipping, consider purchasing shipping insurance for your package—especially for higher priced items. Shipping insurance is available through most shipping companies, and can be purchased while you pay for shipping. You can factor in the cost of shipping insurance into your shipping cost—but make sure you state in your description that you are doing so. Buyers want to know that they are paying extra for shipping for a good reason.

Package Your Clothing, Shoes & Accessories Securely

After your item sells, you are ready to ship it off to its new home. Make sure you package your item safely and securely. Use bubble wrap, foam, or other packaging materials to make sure your item is not damaged during its move. Here are a few steps to think about:

• Wrap It: Individually wrap items and provide lots of cushioning (bubble wrap, peanuts, foam, corrugated dividers, or crumpled paper). Do not wrap your clothing in newspaper—it not only looks cheap and unappealing, but the ink can rub off and damage your items. If any pieces could be damaged by water, make sure you wrap them with a layer of sealed plastic. Place smaller accessories into plastic Ziploc bags. Protect breakable pieces such as sunglasses by wrapping them in tissue paper and placing them into hard cases. Remember, wrap and pack firmly—you don’t want to hear any rattling!

• Box It: If the item is on the smaller side, you can order free USPS Priority Mail boxes right on eBay—the United States Postal Service will even deliver them right to your door for free! For larger items, use a corrugated box with rigid sides, intact flaps, and plenty of room for cushioning on all sides. Don't exceed the maximum gross weight of the box (usually printed on bottom flap).

• Seal It: Use strong tape designed for shipping, rather than masking tape, cellophane tape, string or paper over-wrap. Once you’ve sealed up your package, you can pay for shipping and print shipping labels right from your PayPal account. You can even request a pickup from USPS or UPS, saving you a trip to the Post Office or UPS location.

Build Your Reputation

Build Your Reputation

Communication is the key to a successful transaction. Make sure you’re available before, during, and after the sale. Answer any questions about your item promptly. Include a thank you note in your package—it’s a great way to surprise and delight your buyer and encourage them to leave you positive feedback.

Always Leave Feedback

Feedback is extremely important for all eBay users. Consistent positive feedback lets buyers know that you manage transactions well and that you care about your reputation. One way to help ensure good feedback is to communicate well, represent your item truthfully in your listing, and be polite. Also remember your buyer’s feedback score is as important to them as yours is to you—so be courteous, thoughtful, and truthful when leaving feedback.

Express Yourself

Be more than just a username to your buyers. Introduce yourself through your About Me page and MyWorld. Add pictures, keep track of your favorite buyers, and tell the community about your interests and collections. Show your expertise by writing Reviews & Guides. Connect with other fashion enthusiasts on the Children's Clothing Boutique, Clothing, Shoes & Accessories, or other discussion boards. Remember, be yourself—and have fun!

Sell for a Cause

Support your favorite cause and enhance buyer trust and loyalty at the same time. eBay Giving Works listings tend to sell at higher final prices, because buyers are more willing to purchase, and often pay more for, items that benefit a nonprofit. Get more exposure and receive a receipt for your tax-deductible donations!