How Much Can You Earn Reselling Vintage Clothing? A Realistic Guide for 2026

Real numbers, real margins — from your first bale to a sustainable side income

The vintage reselling market has exploded over the past few years. Platforms like Vinted, Depop, and Whatnot have made it easier than ever to sell secondhand clothing — and buyers across Europe are actively looking for affordable branded pieces.

But how much can you actually earn? Not the Instagram highlight reel version. The real numbers.

At Excellent Vintage, our wholesale warehouse in Bovenkarspel, Netherlands, we've been supplying resellers since 2012. We see hundreds of buyers every year — from complete beginners to professionals buying 50+ tonnes per week. This guide is based on what we observe in practice, not marketing projections.

The Three Realistic Income Levels

Before diving into calculations, here's an honest overview of what resellers at different stages typically earn. These are net figures after subtracting sourcing costs, platform fees, and packaging.

Level 1 — Side Income (Beginners, €100–€500/month net)

You're starting out. You've bought your first bale or a small lot of branded pieces. You're learning what sells, how to photograph clothing, and how to price items competitively on Vinted.

At this stage, you're spending 5–15 hours per week on the entire process: sourcing, washing, photographing, listing, packing, and shipping. Your net income after all costs is typically €100–€500 per month.

This isn't a full-time income, but it's enough to cover a car payment, a monthly subscription stack, or a holiday. Many successful full-time resellers started exactly here.

Typical starting investment: €150–€400 for your first stock.

Level 2 — Meaningful Side Business (€500–€1,500/month net)

You have 3–6 months of experience. You know which brands move quickly on Vinted (Ralph Lauren, Carhartt, Nike vintage, The North Face, Tommy Hilfiger). You're buying more deliberately, not just taking whatever comes.

You're investing €500–€1,000 per sourcing trip and selling 30–60 items per month at an average of €15–€25 each.

Net income: €500–€1,500/month, depending on the quality of your sourcing and your efficiency in selling.

Time investment: 15–25 hours per week.

Level 3 — Professional (€1,500–€5,000+/month net)

You've built a system. You know your niche, your best-performing brands, your ideal customer on Vinted. You may have built a following on Instagram or TikTok. You operate as a registered business.

At this level, you're buying over €2,000 of stock per month and have a consistent relationship with a wholesale supplier.

"We see resellers who started with a single €500 order and are now buying €3,000–€5,000 worth of stock every month. It doesn't happen overnight — they invested in learning, in their product presentation, and in building customer relationships." — Patrick, Excellent Vintage (Bovenkarspel, since 2012)

What Determines How Much You Earn?

Four factors have the biggest impact on your reselling income:

1. The Quality of Your Sourcing

Your margin starts at the purchase. Buying a heavy mixed bale at €1.20/kg gives you different results than sourcing sorted, graded stock with a higher proportion of recognisable brands.

At Excellent Vintage, we've spent 14+ years building relationships with the same sourcing networks across Europe. Our bales consistently contain a solid proportion of branded clothing — that's why resellers keep coming back.

Key insight: Visit the warehouse before you buy. You can assess the bale composition in person and make a more informed decision. Book a visit here.

2. Your Selectivity

Not every piece in a bale is worth listing on Vinted at a premium price. Experienced resellers quickly learn which items are worth photographing carefully (good condition + recognised brand + desirable design) and which should be bundled or donated.

Beginners typically sell 35–40% of a bale at a profit. Experienced resellers push that to 65–75%.

3. Your Product Presentation

The same Ralph Lauren polo shirt can sell for €8 with poor photos and €22 with clean presentation: freshly washed, photographed on a neutral background with good natural light, and described accurately.

This is the highest-leverage skill in vintage reselling — and it costs nothing except attention.

4. Consistency and Volume

Vinted rewards active sellers. The algorithm favours accounts that list new items regularly. Someone who lists 10 items every week outperforms someone who lists 40 items once a month, even with the same total volume.

Real Example: What Can You Make From a €500 First Order?

Let's build a concrete calculation for a first-time reseller placing a first order — the minimum at Excellent Vintage is €500 (excl. VAT).

Setup:

• Order: two mixed vintage bales (~75–90 kg), €500 total (excl. VAT)

• Contents: approximately 150–180 garments, mixed quality

Sales breakdown (conservative scenario, beginner):

Costs:

• Purchase: €500

• Packaging materials: €25

• Vinted commission (~5%): €52

• Total costs: €577

Net profit: €473 on €500 invested ≈ 95% ROI

This is a conservative scenario — a beginner selling around 35% of the stock at a profit. An experienced reseller working the same order would typically net €700–€900.

Note: These figures are illustrative, based on patterns observed across resellers visiting our warehouse. Results vary by bale composition, purchase price, and selling efficiency.

Step-by-Step: How to Start Vintage Reselling in the Netherlands

Step 1: Learn the Marketplace First

Before spending money, spend an hour on Vinted. Search for brands like Ralph Lauren, Carhartt, Nike, Tommy Hilfiger. Look at what well-presented items are listed for. Check completed sales if possible. Understand the price ceiling for common pieces before you source.

Step 2: Make a Small First Purchase

Don't start with a large bale. Buy 10–20 individual items first — from a charity shop, a flea market, or a small lot from a wholesaler. Learn the photography workflow. Learn how Vinted works for sellers. Understand what buyers ask, what they complain about, what makes them buy immediately.

Step 3: Visit a Wholesale Warehouse

Once you understand the basics, visiting a warehouse like Excellent Vintage in Bovenkarspel is the logical next step. You see exactly what a bale contains, assess the quality in person, and get honest guidance from Patrick about which bales fit your strategy and budget.

Plan for the €500 minimum order (excl. VAT) on your first visit — within that, you decide which bales you take. Book an appointment →

Step 4: Build a System

Successful resellers don't wing it. They have a fixed day for washing, a photography setup that's always ready, and a consistent workflow for listing. Invest in this system once you see the income starting to come in — it's what separates occasional earners from consistent ones.

Step 5: Scale Based on Data

Review your Vinted stats. Which brands sell fastest for you? Which sizes move quickly? Buy more deliberately next time. This is when increasing your wholesale order size starts to make sense.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do I need to invest to start vintage reselling? You can start from €50–€100 by buying individual pieces. For a first order from a wholesaler, you'll typically need €500–€900, including transport. At Excellent Vintage the minimum order is €500 (excl. VAT) — within that, you decide which bales you take after seeing the stock in person.

How long does it take to recoup a bale investment? Most starters recover their investment within 3–6 weeks, selling 3–5 items per week. That pace typically improves as you build experience and learn what to prioritise.

Do I need to register a business to resell vintage clothing? In the Netherlands, if you're selling regularly and with a profit motive, you're required to register with the KVK and declare income for tax purposes. Vinted reports seller income above certain thresholds to tax authorities. Consult a tax advisor if you're unsure.

Can I do this alongside a full-time job? Absolutely — most Level 1 and Level 2 resellers do this alongside their main employment. Buying one bale per month and spending 5–8 hours per week on listings is very manageable alongside a full-time job.

What are the best brands to resell in the Netherlands? On Vinted NL, these brands consistently perform well: Ralph Lauren (polo shirts, knitwear), Carhartt (workwear, jackets), Nike and Adidas (vintage sportswear), The North Face (fleece, outerwear), Tommy Hilfiger (polos, shirts), Patagonia (fleece). Branded items in good condition move reliably.

Can I visit Excellent Vintage if I'm just starting out? Yes. We welcome resellers at every stage — from first-timers who want to see what a bale looks like, to professional buyers ordering at scale. Book a no-obligation appointment and see what fits your situation.

The Honest Bottom Line

Vintage reselling is not a get-rich-quick scheme. It's a skill you develop — by learning what to buy, how to present it, and how to sell consistently.

The people who make serious money from it are the ones who start with clear eyes, refine their approach based on real data, and gradually scale what's working.

The opportunity is genuine. Vinted has tens of millions of active users across Europe. Demand for affordable branded clothing keeps growing. And in the Netherlands, there are excellent wholesale sources available if you know where to look.

Ready to see what's possible? Visit our warehouse in Bovenkarspel and assess a bale for yourself. Book your appointment →

Excellent Vintage is based in Bovenkarspel, North Holland, Netherlands. For over 14 years, we've been supplying vintage wholesale to resellers, shops, and webshops across the Netherlands, Belgium, and Germany. Browse our wholesale catalogue or learn more about us.

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