From Teacher to Top Seller: How One Woman Earns £12,000 Monthly Reselling Clothes

An individual has revealed how she earns up to £12,000 per month by reselling clothes online, a venture she transitioned to full-time after leaving her career as a primary school teacher. Jess Morton, from North Yorkshire, began selling clothes she no longer wore in October 2023 after losing weight.

Within a single weekend, Morton generated £600 by selling items across platforms including Vinted, Depop, and eBay. This initial success prompted her to quit her teaching job the following summer to focus on reselling vintage clothing. Her business has expanded to sourcing vintage items from wholesalers who sell in bulk.

Morton is currently participating in Money Mail’s Race to £10,000 challenge, where she is reportedly ahead of other participants including a shares investor, antiques dealer, crypto trader, and sports bettor. As of May, she had made £437.50 in the challenge.

Maximizing Visibility and Sales

Morton emphasizes the critical role of high-quality photographs in attracting buyers. She recommends taking numerous pictures showcasing the front, back, and labels of each item. Laying items flat on a plain background, such as a white or grey wall, is her preferred method to make the clothing stand out. Natural light is ideal, but a ring light can be a substitute. For simpler items like T-shirts, she advises around six to seven images, while for items like jeans, approximately 15 are suggested, including detailed measurements.

For fitted clothing, Morton notes the effectiveness of the 'Depop scrunch' technique, where fabric is cinched to illustrate fit, but cautions this should only be used for genuinely form-fitting garments.

Crafting Effective Listings

When writing descriptions, Morton advises including key details such as size, brand, and material. However, she stresses the importance of using keywords that potential buyers would use in their searches. Incorporating terms related to seasons or specific events, like 'summer holiday,' can also boost visibility. Trendy keywords such as 'Y2K' (referring to styles from the 2000s) and 'cottagecore' are also effective. For items with defects, such as stains or rips, Morton recommends transparently disclosing these in the description and including a specific photograph of the flaw.

The Importance of Measurements and Research

Providing precise measurements for clothing is a key strategy, as sizing can vary significantly between brands. This extra detail can prevent returns and potentially command a higher price, as buyers gain confidence in the fit. Morton also highlights the necessity of researching items before listing them. A Google Image Search or checking sold listings on platforms like eBay can reveal an item's true market value, as demonstrated when she discovered a T-shirt with a dog graphic was worth £65 instead of her initial estimate of £10.

Pricing and Bundling Strategies

Morton suggests pricing items higher than the desired sale price to accommodate haggling. Buyers on platforms like Vinted can make offers significantly below the asking price, so anticipating this by setting a slightly higher initial price can be beneficial. She also advocates for bundling items, grouping several pieces together, particularly by size, to appeal to buyers seeking value. For items that are not selling, she suggests sending targeted offers to users who have 'favourited' the listing, offering a discount of up to 40%.

Additionally, refreshing listings with new photographs or adjusting the price can help revive stale listings. Morton also advises finding a niche specialization, such as specific styles of jeans or particular brands, to enhance expertise and enjoyment in the reselling process. She suggests starting with wholesale 'reseller boxes' to explore different items and build a successful resale business.