I kept hearing about ThredUp (basically an online thrift store with name brands), and I finally decided to try it for myself years ago. I’ve sold clothes there for a while but never talked about it here. This post is my honest ThredUp review: what it is, how it works, what I liked, what I didn’t, and whether I actually think it’s worth it (especially for busy moms).
Quick summary: My ThredUp review in 60 seconds
Note: This post is not sponsored and is full of my own opinions. If you click and buy something through my links, I may make a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting my small business!
ThredUp is legit, and it can be a really good way to sell quality clothing (and to buy quality clothing for less, especially if you love brands like Madewell, J.Crew, Anthropologie, Banana Republic, Loft, and Athleta). But ThredUp is not perfect. Today’s post is focusing on the selling aspect of ThredUp, so let’s dive right in. (If you’re interested in a post about buying from ThredUp, I’ll write that soon!)
My overall rating
If I had to rate ThredUp overall, I’d give it a 4 out of 5 for shopping, and a 1.5 out of 5 for selling. But today we’re only talking about selling on ThredUp.
What is ThredUp (and how does it work)?
ThredUp is an online resale site where you can shop secondhand clothing from thousands of brands. Think of it like a giant online thrift store, but instead of sifting through racks you can filter down by brand, size, condition, and more. It’s all online – no physical location. ThredUp employees go through every item sent in and decide what they want to sell or not, and ThredUp gives you an estimated payout per item. When those items sell, you get your money and can “cash out” online.
ThredUp accepts items via their “Clean Out Kit” option, where you send in clothes you don’t want anymore and they sell them for you. They have some guidelines on brands they will accept, which typically includes higher-end items and more popular items. They have a whole list of brands that they will not pay out for – including common mall/store brands like Old Navy.
ThredUp Clean Out Kit review: Is it worth selling to ThredUp?
ThredUp lets you sell clothes through their Clean Out Kits. You send them your clothes, and they list what they accept.
Sounds amazing, right? Takes ALL of the work off your plate?
Here’s the honest truth: It’s convenient, but you probably won’t make much money unless you’re sending in higher-end brands. (And even then you may not make much!) My highest paying item from my most recent Clean Out Kit was $4.93, and the lowest paying was $0.14 (14. cents.).
How ThredUp Clean Out Kits work
You request a Clean Out Kit on the ThredUp site, fill it with clothes, and send it back. ThredUp decides what they want to accept and lists those items for sale. If you aren’t sending in a kit on a promotion, you’ll pay a $14.99 fee for them to list your items which is deducted from any earnings. If your items sell, you get paid based on their payout system which includes a percentage for items based on their selling price (and more valuable items will get you a higher percentage).
What you get paid
If you’re imagining a big payout, you’ll be disappointed. Most payouts are small (we’re talking 3-15% of the selling price for items listed up to $20), even on items that are brand new with tags.
I see Clean Out Kits more as a decluttering tool than a money-making strategy. It’s where I send the items I’ve had listed on Poshmark/Mercari and aren’t selling, or that I have had sitting around for too long. They’re the items I would otherwise just put in the donation bin! I figure if I’m not spending anything on the shipping to send them in (I send Clean Out Kits when they have a “free” kit option, which you have to watch for now that they charge a $14.99 fee) then I’m not really taking a gamble and I might make something.
How long it takes to get paid
This is not quick. It can take weeks for your kit to be processed, and then your items have to sell before you earn anything. (Most items are listed for 14 days during which they must sell for you to earn.)
If you want fast cash, this isn’t it. The last kit I sent in took 3 weeks for processing, and then some items sold right away while others didn’t. From there, you’re able to cash out once your items are sold and can no longer be returned. (ThredUp uses Stripe which charges a fee for cashing out, as well as Paypal which charges a fee – much smaller but it’s still there.) If you shop with some of ThredUp’s partners, like Athleta, Reformation, Frame, etc., you get a 15% bonus on your cash out amount. You can also shop ThredUp using your cash out amount as credit.
What ThredUp accepts vs doesn’t accept
ThredUp is picky, and sometimes what they accept vs. don’t accept doesn’t entirely make sense. They’re more likely to accept popular brands, newer styles, and items in great condition. And they may reject worn items, outdated items, some fast fashion brands, and anything that they don’t think will sell fast.
My latest clean out bag from ThredUp: What they accepted vs. didn’t accept AND what I made per item
Before this month I have sold 36 items for a total $136 on ThredUp. That’s an average of $3.78 per item. I sent a BIG box of clothing in women’s and kids’ sizes in January 2026, and I was honestly surprised at some of the items they didn’t accept. For example, they accepted (and listed) one Nike 2T windbreaker in gray, but they didn’t accept a similar Nike 2T windbreaker in pink. That didn’t entirely make sense to me, but I’m sure they have their reasons. They also accepted a pajama set that was monogrammed (!) which seemed like maybe a mistake?
Other items they accepted (and what I made per item):
- Ruffle Butts pants in a baby size, new with tags – $0.72 (retail $15)
- Hanna Andersson zip up hoodie, 12-18 month, excellent condition – $1.66
- Women’s casual dress from an Amazon brand – $0.82
- Hanna Andersson short sleeve romper (baby) – $0.14
- Nike gray windbreaker (2T) – $4.93
- North Face 18-24 month fleece – $4.61
- Janie and Jack sweater – $3.20
- Pippa and Julie dress with tags still on – $0.58 ($58 retail!)
They also did NOT accept 41 items, including:
- items from Nantucket Kids (an expensive brand mostly known here in New England, where kids’ items run $35+, including boys’ shorts for $58)
- Adidas (sneakers and jacket)
- brand new in packaging Nanit travel camera holder
- Native shoes in size 5 Toddler
- Burts Bees (kids pajamas and sleep sacks in excellent condition)
- Janie and Jack summer clothes (in excellent condition, baby sizes)
- Carters items in baby/toddler sizes, which I expected ThredUp not to take based on their guidelines
- J.Crew women’s sweater in great condition
- a Mayoral baby romper in great condition
Before this box, here are my seller stats from past sales (mostly from cleaning out stuff over the years through moves):
My honest take: Would I sell to ThredUp again?
Yes, but only for convenience. If I want the most money, I’d sell on Poshmark, Mercari, or Facebook marketplace. But if I have had something listed for a while and it isn’t moving, I’ll throw it in the box going out to ThredUp. I’m not going to make a lot back (or occasionally I’ll make nothing!) but it gets the items out of my house. If I want the easiest option while juggling mom life, ThredUp is less work and I may get some money back vs. just putting the items in a donation bin.
ThredUp for busy moms: Why it can be a closet hack
ThredUp is a decluttering hack
I think the biggest “closet hack” about ThredUp is that you can quickly and without guilt get a lot of items out of your house and help you declutter. As your kids grow – and they grow so fast – it’s hard to keep up with their ever-changing sizes. I haven’t yet bought for my kids on ThredUp but plan to try that out next just to see what kind of items I can get that are still new with the tags and a better value than buying in the store.
Best things to buy on ThredUp as a mom
The best things to buy on ThredUp are brand that I know fit us, whether in my sizes or my kids’ sizes. As moms, we know that our kids grow fast, and we know that clothes are expensive. Shopping secondhand gives you the ability to buy more for less, and ThredUp makes it easy to get access to lots of inventory from your home (or your car, where I spend a lot of time these days!).
Worst things to buy on ThredUp as a mom
The hardest things to buy on ThredUp are:
- white clothing
- shoes (unless new with tags)
- anything super delicate
- anything you need for a specific event
Those are the items most likely to disappoint, regardless of whether you’re shopping on ThredUp or another secondhand site.
ThredUp alternatives (if you don’t want the ThredUp hassle)
If you want secondhand shopping (or selling) but ThredUp isn’t for you, there are a few alternatives. Poshmark, Mercari, The RealReal, and more are great options if you don’t want to use ThredUp. I have a full post breaking down ThredUp alternatives.
FAQs about ThredUp
Is ThredUp worth it for selling your clothes or kids’ clothes?
Yes, if you plan to just put your items in a donation bin. You’re likely to get SOMETHING back vs. just a tax receipt.
Is ThredUp legit?
Yes. ThredUp is a real company, and you will receive your order.
Does ThredUp have free shipping?
Not always as a seller. They run promos occasionally, so it’s worth waiting for a deal if you’re not in a rush to send your clothes in. Otherwise you’ll pay a $14.99 fee out of the proceeds from selling your items.
Final verdict: My honest ThredUp review (Would I sell there again?)
Yes, I would sell to ThredUp again. I don’t think it’s perfect, but I do think it’s one of the best options out there for moms who want to offload clutter and maybe make some money back. The key is going in with realistic expectations and not getting your hopes up.
