How to sell coats and jackets on eBay and Vinted

• Pit to pit and length, because sizing on outerwear varies hugely.
• Fabric content: wool percentage, down or synthetic fill, waterproof membranes.
• Cuffs, collars and pocket edges, which show wear first.
• Zips, poppers and buttons: all present and working.
• The lining: tears, stains and loose stitching.
• Bobbling on wool and fleece, and leaking feathers on down coats.
• Smells, especially smoke and damp from storage.

1. Front, on a hanger or laid flat, fully zipped or buttoned.
2. Back.
3. The lining, opened out.
4. Brand label and the care label with fabric composition.
5. Cuffs, collar and hem close-ups.
6. Zips, poppers and hood fastenings.
7. A worn photo, if you can, to show the fit and length.
8. Any flaws, close and in focus.

• Brand and type first: parka, puffer, trench coat, wool overcoat, denim jacket.
• Gender and size as labelled.
• Main fabric or fill, such as 'wool blend', 'down filled', 'waterproof'.
• Colour.
• Key features buyers search for, such as 'hooded' or 'detachable hood'.

Example title

Barbour Beaufort Waxed Jacket Men's Size 40 Olive Green Tartan Lining

Words buyers search for

• brand
• coat type (parka, puffer, trench, peacoat, overcoat, bomber, gilet)
• size
• fabric (wool, cashmere blend, waxed cotton, down, Gore-Tex)
• colour
• hooded, long, cropped, oversized
• waterproof, insulated

• Pit to pit: armpit to armpit across the front, laid flat and done up.
• Length: from the top of the shoulder seam (or collar seam) to the hem at the back.
• Sleeve: from the shoulder seam to the end of the cuff.
• Shoulders: seam to seam across the back.
• Fabric composition exactly as the care label says.

• Check cuffs and collars for fraying or grime and say what you find.
• Mention any missing buttons, even spares.
• Describe bobbling honestly: 'light bobbling under the arms'.
• For down coats, say whether any feathers poke through.
• For waxed jackets, say when it was last re-proofed if you know.
• Say if the coat has been dry cleaned before sale.

Everyday coats and jackets tend to suit Vinted, where buyers browse by size and season.

Heritage brands, technical outdoor jackets and premium wool coats often reach searching buyers on eBay as well, where people look for specific models.

Outerwear is seasonal: buyers start looking as the weather turns, so autumn and early winter are good times to list heavy coats, and spring suits lighter jackets.

• Fold the coat with the sleeves tucked in, roll it if it's soft, and bag it before packing.
• Puffers and down coats compress well; wool coats and waxed jackets don't, and are heavier than they look.
• Many heavy coats go over the small parcel weight limit, so weigh the packed parcel before choosing a size.
• Use a box for structured coats so the shoulders and collar don't get crushed.

Not sure which parcel size you need? Check the postage size guide.

• No measurements, just a label size.
• Forgetting to photograph the lining.
• Leaving fabric composition out, which buyers searching for wool or down need.
• Listing a heavy coat as a small parcel and being charged extra.
• Listing heavy winter coats in midsummer when few buyers are looking.

How do I measure pit to pit?

Lay the coat flat and done up, then measure straight across from one armpit seam to the other. Give the figure in centimetres, and inches if you sell abroad.

Should I dry clean a coat before selling it?

Not necessarily. A good brush and airing often does the job. If you do clean it, say so in the description.

Is a waxed jacket worth re-waxing first?

It can make a tired jacket look much better, but describe it honestly either way. Some buyers prefer to re-proof it themselves.