The best fashion items to sell online right now, according to eBay search data
IN PARTNERSHIP WITH eBAY
PHOTOGRAPHER – CATHY MARSHALL
STYLIST – MOLLY JOHNSTONE
MAKEUP – MEG McCONVILLE
MODEL – EMMA @ PEOPLE AGENCY
WORDS BY CAIT EMMA BURKE
Get the most out of your wardrobe by listing these in-demand pieces.
Sometimes, it can be hard to see the value in your closet. We lose sight of the fact that those pieces we’ve relegated to a cramped corner or shoved in the back of a drawer might be exactly what someone out there is looking to buy. Over the years, I’ve made a habit of selling my wardrobe on eBay and I’ve definitely noticed a change in what buyers are searching for.
In 2024, there’s a growing appetite for pre-loved fashion – in fact, recent research from eBay has revealed that pre-loved fashion is a dominant trend in Australia’s style. Around 70 per cent of Australians that eBay surveyed own a pre-loved fashion item,* and 87 per cent are likely to buy the same or more pre-loved fashion items in the future.*
Australians’ fashion consumption behaviour is primed for a positive shift, with 40 per cent of those surveyed saying they try to buy most of their clothes pre-loved.* Collectively, we’re also searching for well-made, pre-loved pieces that will last the distance. More than half of Australians surveyed cited the quality of pre-loved pieces as one of their motivations for purchasing secondhand.*
Knowing there’s demand for pre-loved fashion is one thing, but as a seller, it’s helpful to know what items are most in demand on platforms like eBay.
What fashion consumers are looking for
At Fashion Journal, we’ve noticed an increased appetite for content about capsule wardrobes and it’s a trend that eBay’s research backs up. Clearly, many Australians are keen to streamline their wardrobes and invest in timeless and versatile pieces, with 26 per cent saying the capsule wardrobe movement is the trend they’re most likely to partake in.**
On the other hand, if you have lots of maximalist, trend-focused pieces in your wardrobe, don’t fret – there are buyers for that on eBay too. Australians like revisiting past trends as a way to express their individuality, with the survey revealing animal prints, bucket hats, double-breasted jackets, low-rise jeans, tweed garments, kitten heels and long denim skirts as our firm favourites.
If you’re anything like me, you probably have a handful of dresses in your closet that don’t really feel like ‘you’ anymore. Weddings, formal occasions and events often see us panic-buying a dress that gets one or two outings, and then never sees the light of day again. Thankfully, event dresses are among the most highly searched items right now, with Australian labels Aje, Scanlan Theodore and Zimmermann searched every two minutes on eBay Australia.***
At the higher end of things, secondhand designer items are also coveted on eBay, with 22 per cent of Australians surveyed sharing that they’ve purchased a pre-loved luxury item in the last year.**** The motivations for purchasing pre-loved designer goods range from saving money to finding unique pieces that are hard or impossible to find new. So if you have designer pieces that just aren’t getting enough use, now’s a great time to list them.
If you’ve been hesitant to sell your wardrobe in the past, perhaps the increase in what sellers are making will sway you? Not only has the number of people selling items on eBay increased, but independent research shows the average returns for pre-loved fashion sellers have increased by a huge 25 per cent since 2022, with Australians now making $1,538 per year.*****
It’s something I’ve discovered firsthand. eBay has proved itself to be a low-effort but high-reward side hustle for me over the years, earning me much more money than I would if I took my pieces to a consignment store or just donated them. Anne-Marie agrees, telling me there’s “no better place to buy and sell pre-loved pieces than on eBay”.
Remember, your wardrobe is packed full of value and there’s demand for a range of clothing and brands on eBay, from high end to high street. “Cherished pieces that may no longer suit your style find new homes to be loved by someone else, ensuring that the love affair with fashion continues,” Anne-Marie says.
To start selling your capsule pieces, kitten heels, bucket hats or double-breasted jackets, head here.
*Data from YouGov research commissioned by eBay Australia surveying 1,042 Australians 16+ in April 2024, Kantar research commissioned by eBay Australia surveying 3,001 Australians 18+ in December 2023, Kantar research commissioned by eBay Australia surveying 3,001 Australians 18+ in December 2023 and YouGov research commissioned by eBay Australia surveying 1,042 Australians 16+ in April 2024 respectively.
**Data from YouGov research commissioned by eBay Australia surveying 1,042 Australians 16+ in April 2024.
***eBay Australia data 2023.
**** Data from YouGov research commissioned by eBay Australia surveying 1,042 Australians 16+ in April 2024.
*****Lonergan research commissioned by eBay Australia surveying 1,100 Australians 18+ in April 2023.
eBay is not endorsed by or affiliated with any of the brands referenced in this article.
