How to Sell Your Clothes

Guide to Starting a Business Selling Your Clothes in Canada

Selling clothes is a lucrative side hustle or full-time business in Canada. Whether you're flipping thrift store finds, selling handmade designs, or decluttering your closet, starting a business around selling clothes can be both exciting and profitable. This guide will walk you through how to start a business selling clothes in Canada, along with the best platforms to sell on and courses to help you succeed.

Step 1: Define Your Business Model

Before you start, you’ll need to define the type of clothing business you want to run. Consider the following options:

• Selling secondhand/vintage clothing: Reselling gently used or vintage pieces.
• Flipping clothes: Buying low-priced clothes and selling them for a profit.
• Selling handmade or custom clothing: Creating and selling your own designs.
• Dropshipping clothing: Partnering with suppliers who fulfill the orders for you.

Decide on a niche that suits your passion and knowledge. For example, you could focus on women’s fashion, vintage wear, streetwear, or eco-friendly clothing.

Step 2: Source Your Clothes

To sell clothes, you'll need a reliable source for inventory. Consider the following options:

• Your own wardrobe: If you're decluttering, you can start by selling your gently used clothing.
• Thrift stores and secondhand shops: These are great places to find unique items that you can resell at a profit.
• Wholesale suppliers: If you want to sell new clothes, wholesale suppliers can offer bulk items at lower prices.
• Design and make your own clothes: If you're a designer, you can create and sell your custom pieces.

Step 3: Set Up Your Business

1. Choose a Business Structure

In Canada, you can operate your clothing business as a sole proprietorship or incorporate it as a corporation. A sole proprietorship is easier and cheaper to set up, but a corporation offers more protection from personal liability.

2. Register Your Business

If you're selling clothes under a business name, you’ll need to register it. You can register online through the Government of Canada or your provincial government’s website.

3. Get a Business License (If Required)

In some provinces or cities, you may need a business license to operate. Check with your local government for any specific requirements.

4. Open a Business Bank Account

It’s important to separate your personal and business finances. Opening a business account helps you manage income and expenses effectively.

Step 4: Choose the Best Selling Platforms

Once your business is set up, you’ll need to decide where to sell your clothes. Here are the best platforms to sell clothes in Canada:

1. Poshmark Canada

A popular platform for selling secondhand and vintage clothing, Poshmark offers a user-friendly app that makes listing items simple. It’s also a social platform where users can follow sellers and share items, increasing visibility.

2. Depop

Depop is great for selling trendy, vintage, and streetwear clothes. It has a younger audience and functions like a social marketplace where users can like, follow, and comment on items.

3. eBay Canada

eBay is a global platform where you can list secondhand, new, or vintage clothing. It’s especially useful for selling high-end items or rare pieces to a broad audience.

4. Facebook Marketplace

Facebook Marketplace is ideal for selling locally, with no listing fees. You can also join specific groups that focus on buying and selling clothes, particularly in your area.

5. Etsy

If you’re selling handmade, custom, or vintage clothing, Etsy is one of the best platforms. Etsy attracts buyers who are looking for unique, handmade, or vintage items.

6. Shopify

For sellers who want more control over their brand and customer experience, Shopify allows you to create your own online store. It’s ideal if you plan to scale and sell your own designs or a wide range of clothes.

7. Vinted

Vinted is another popular secondhand platform where you can sell used clothing, shoes, and accessories. It’s particularly popular in Europe but available to Canadian sellers as well.

Step 5: Set Pricing and Manage Inventory

1. Research Your Competition

Check out what other sellers are charging for similar items. This will give you an idea of what the market is willing to pay. Factor in any fees from the platforms and your shipping costs when setting your prices.

2. Create a Pricing Strategy

You can price items individually based on their condition, brand, and demand. Consider using tiered pricing, such as offering discounts on bundled items or hosting sales to move inventory quickly.

3. Keep Track of Inventory

If you’re selling a lot of clothes, it’s essential to keep track of your inventory. Use simple spreadsheets or software like QuickBooks or Inventory Lab to track how much stock you have, when items sell, and whether you need to restock.

Step 6: Market Your Clothing Business

1. Leverage Social Media

Platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and Pinterest are great for showcasing your clothes and driving traffic to your store. Share photos of your items, behind-the-scenes content, and even styling tips.

2. Offer Discounts and Promotions

Offer promotions like free shipping, discounts on the first purchase, or bundle deals to attract customers.

3. Use Influencer Marketing

Collaborate with fashion influencers to promote your clothes. Micro-influencers can be cost-effective and reach a niche audience.

4. Optimize SEO

If you have your own online store (via Shopify or Etsy), ensure your product listings are SEO-friendly by including relevant keywords that potential buyers are searching for.

Step 7: Learn from the Best – Take Courses

To maximize your success, you’ll want to continuously improve your skills in selling and marketing. Here are some of the best courses and resources:

1. Thrift Store Flipping: From Thrift to Profit (Udemy)

This course covers how to buy and resell clothes from thrift stores for a profit, including tips on finding high-value items and optimizing listings.

2. Poshmark Reselling Masterclass (Udemy)

If you’re looking to sell on Poshmark, this course teaches you everything from sourcing inventory to creating high-converting listings.

3. Fashion Resale Academy

This course is designed for those who want to turn clothing resale into a full-time business, with modules on sourcing, pricing, and scaling the business.

4. Shopify Academy

Shopify offers free courses on setting up and running an online store. You’ll learn everything from designing your store to marketing and managing orders.

5. Etsy Seller Training Courses (Skillshare)

Skillshare offers several courses focused on selling clothes on Etsy, from starting your store to optimizing your product listings for more sales.

Step 8: Scale Your Business

As your business grows, there are ways to scale it further:

• Expand Your Inventory: Partner with more suppliers or designers to offer a wider range of products.
• Create a Clothing Line: If you're creative, consider designing your own clothing line to sell alongside your secondhand items.
• Offer Subscription Boxes: Curate clothing items and offer them as monthly subscription boxes, especially if you have a loyal customer base.
• Build a Brand: Focus on branding to create a loyal following. A unique logo, packaging, and customer experience can set you apart from competitors.

Conclusion

Starting a business selling clothes in Canada is a fantastic opportunity to earn extra income or turn your passion into a full-time venture. Whether you're flipping thrift store finds or selling your own designs, the key to success is choosing the right platforms, marketing effectively, and constantly learning and improving your skills. Use the platforms and courses mentioned to streamline your operations and scale your business over time.