Price most garage sale clothes between 50 cents and $5. Kids’ clothes usually go for $0.50 to $2, adult shirts for $1 to $4, jeans for $2 to $5, and coats for $5 to $15. Brand-name pieces in great shape can go higher, at about 25% to 30% of the retail price. Since clothes are one of the slowest sellers at most sales, the bigger win is making them easy to shop: sort by size, hang the best pieces, and offer bundle deals.
Garage sale clothing price guide
| Item | Typical price |
|---|---|
| Baby clothes (0-24 months) | $0.25-$1 each, or bundles |
| Kids’ clothes | $0.50-$2 each |
| Adult T-shirts and tops | $1-$4 |
| Jeans and pants | $2-$5 |
| Sweaters and hoodies | $2-$5 |
| Dresses | $2-$8 |
| Coats and jackets | $5-$15 |
| Shoes | $2-$8 |
| Purses, belts and accessories | $1-$5 |
| Brand-name or nearly new items | About 25%-30% of retail |
These match the clothing prices in our full garage sale pricing guide. Prices run a little higher in big cities and wealthier neighborhoods, and lower in rural areas.
What makes clothes worth more (or less)
- Condition: No stains, holes, pilling, or missing buttons. Price worn or faded items at the bottom of the range, or put them in a “fill a bag” box.
- Brand: Well-known brands sell faster and can carry a higher price. Store brands and fast fashion sell for the low end.
- New with tags: Items that were never worn can be priced higher than everything else on the table. Leave the tags on so buyers can see.
- Season: Coats sell better in fall than in June. If you can, hold off-season clothes for a later sale or sell them online.
- Kids’ sizes: Parents shop by size. Sorted, labeled kids’ clothes sell much faster than a mixed pile.
How to price clothes quickly
Pricing every shirt one by one takes forever. These shortcuts save hours:
- Price by rack or bin. Put a sign on each rack or box: “All shirts $2” or “Kids’ clothes 50 cents.” Only tag items that are priced higher, like coats or brand-name pieces.
- Bundle by size. Fold kids’ and baby clothes into size bundles, such as “Boys 4T, 10 pieces, $5,” and tie them with string or put them in a clear bag.
- Use round prices. Stick to 50 cents, $1, $2 and $5 so you need less change. Here’s how much change to have on hand.
- Put prices where buyers can see them. Tags on hangers or safety-pinned to sleeves are easier to read than stickers, which can leave marks on fabric.
How to display clothes so they sell
- Hang your best pieces. A rolling rack, a ladder, or a rope between two posts works. Hung clothes look like a store. Clothes in a box look like a donation pile. Our guide to setting up your garage sale has more ways to hang clothes.
- Sort by size and type. Label sections, such as “Women’s M” or “Boys 6-8,” with a piece of paper or masking tape.
- Wash and fold. Clean, folded clothes look worth more, and buyers notice smells.
- Set out a mirror. Buyers can’t try things on, but they can hold them up.
- Check every pocket before the sale for cash, receipts, or anything personal.
When to discount clothes
Clothes are rarely the best seller at a garage sale, so plan to mark them down:
- Mid-sale: If racks are still full by late morning, switch to “any 3 shirts for $5.”
- Last hour or two: Offer “fill a bag for $5” or half off everything.
- Expect haggling. Buyers often offer less for a stack of clothes. Here are tips for negotiating.
Better places to sell valuable clothes
A garage sale is the wrong place for designer pieces, wedding or formal dresses, or anything that’s worth more than about $20. Those usually bring more through a local consignment shop or an online resale site such as Poshmark, eBay or ThredUp. Sell the everyday clothes at your sale, and list the valuable pieces online a week or two before.
What to do with clothes that don’t sell
Bag leftovers by size and donate them the same day, so they don’t go back into your closet. Many charities will pick up, and some give a receipt for your taxes. Here’s how to donate unsold garage sale items.
For everything else you need for sale day, use our garage sale checklist.
FAQ
How much should I charge for clothes at a garage sale?
Most clothes sell for 50 cents to $5. Kids’ clothes go for $0.50 to $2, adult tops for $1 to $4, jeans for $2 to $5, and coats for $5 to $15. Price brand-name items in great shape at about 25% to 30% of retail.
Do clothes sell well at garage sales?
Kids’ and baby clothes sell well, especially when they’re sorted by size. Adult clothes are slower. Hanging them, pricing them low and offering bundle deals helps a lot.
Should I price each piece of clothing?
No. Price by rack or bin with a sign, and tag only the higher-priced items. It saves time and makes shopping easier.
What is a fair price for a bag of clothes at a garage sale?
“Fill a bag for $5” is a common deal, especially near the end of the day. Use grocery-size bags so it stays fair for both sides.