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Original poster

Is it worth trying to sell an expensive suit?

28 replies

tectonicplates · 15/09/2020 12:40

I have a very good quality suit that I only wore for job interviews that I'll never fit into again. A few years ago I made enquiries with a couple of "dress agencies" (i.e posh second hand shops) and they said that suits just weren't selling as it wasn't the sort of thing their customers bought.

I had it listed on Ebay for a while but it didn't sell, and anyway I felt a bit nervous about it as I usually only sell cheaper items.

Apparently suits came back into fashion last year, but at the same time a lot of job interviews at the moment are happening online so I just don't know if there's any market for it.

Is there anywhere I might have some luck or are people just not going to be buying suits any more?

OP posts:

dollypartonscoat · 15/09/2020 12:42

What's "expensive"?

Othering · 15/09/2020 12:45

There is absolutely no market for it. You will struggle to get £5, unless it's something really desirable and by an in-demand designer.

Original poster

tectonicplates · 15/09/2020 12:47

It originally cost around £300 (I bought it as an "investment piece" )
and was technically "designer" although made by a lesser-known designer, not a household name.

I have no other designer clothes. Everything else I wear costs high street prices, so I'm usually an Ebay person.

OP posts:

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ParisianLady · 15/09/2020 12:52

Honestly, I don't think anyone wants a suit now, and for a suit to sell it would have to be well priced with a decent name behind it.

I would keep it, given that it will go for a fraction of what you paid for it.

Can you wear it if you split it up? Eg blazer with jeans, or add a pair of boots and a chunky jumper to the skirt / trousers for a more relaxed take on it?

DarkMutterings · 15/09/2020 12:55

What are your expectations on price? I get that for you it's been a big investment but your challenge is if I was in the market to spend say 150 (ie 50%) on a suit I'd buy new or be looking at sales/outlet stores especially at the moment where so many retailers have excess stock.

So then your market is people looking to buy a suit for a lot lot less say under 50. Now if they got your suit on eBay they'd think they'd got a good deal, I suspect you'd feel hard done by.

Original poster

tectonicplates · 15/09/2020 13:20

Can you wear it if you split it up? Eg blazer with jeans, or add a pair of boots and a chunky jumper to the skirt / trousers for a more relaxed take on it?

It doesn't fit me any more and I'm very unlikely ever to fit into it again.

OP posts:

Sunnydaysstillhere · 15/09/2020 13:22

My exh had a lovely expensive suit...
It lined the wheelie bin just nicely!!

ApolloandDaphne · 15/09/2020 13:24

£300 for a suit isn't really designer price territory. My DHs Hugo Boss suits cost that and I would say they were high end high street rather than designer.

mynameiscalypso · 15/09/2020 13:24

I would say that there's not much of a market for it - even before covid, most of the women in my office (professional services mainly working with banks) had ditched suits in favour of separates and a more casual dress code in general. I would be very unlikely to buy a suit these days and I'd never wear it.

Original poster

tectonicplates · 15/09/2020 13:24

So then your market is people looking to buy a suit for a lot lot less say under 50. Now if they got your suit on eBay they'd think they'd got a good deal, I suspect you'd feel hard done by.

Yeah you're right. I'd be upset if it sold for £50. I had it listed on Ebay for £90 for a while and I had one or two watchers but no luck. You're right that I'd feel hard done by at a much lower price.

Maybe I could keep it and try and sell it on ten years' time as vintage designer?

OP posts:

mynameiscalypso · 15/09/2020 13:25

@ApolloandDaphne

£300 for a suit isn't really designer price territory. My DHs Hugo Boss suits cost that and I would say they were high end high street rather than designer.

This is also true. I just looked at Reiss, for example, and their suits are more than £300 and I wouldn't consider them anything other than high street.

ApolloandDaphne · 15/09/2020 13:26

I just had a look at Reiss and their woman's suits cost over £300. They are not designer.

TheProvincialLady · 15/09/2020 13:29

It’s currently worth 0 to you as you don’t fit into it any longer, dress agencies don’t want it and you can’t sell it on EBay for £90.

It’s not worth £90 and it’s very unlikely ever to become worth anything like that amount. In fact it Will devalue further.

Just take it to the charity shop or put it on eBay for £10 and get it out of your house and out of your head! We have all spent money on things that later turned out to have been a waste. Move on.

PersonaNonGarter · 15/09/2020 13:29

I thought you were going to say 1-2k

You aren’t being realistic at all. £50 would be a good price to get for a two year dated suit when we are all working from home.

Timeforabiscuit · 15/09/2020 13:30

To be honest, would you feel better donating it?

I know from working in the council we sometimes got requests for suitable interview wear, particularly for care leavers or homeless - salvation army or similar could be a good shout?

dementedma · 15/09/2020 13:32

I just sold a Hobbs suit on ebay for £50 ( dress and jacket) but the other Hobbs one with trousers only went for £15. But I cant fit into them so might as well be £65 up

Thatbliddywoman · 15/09/2020 13:32

What size and can I have a photo?I'm wanting a new suit.

EhUp · 15/09/2020 13:32

I would donate it to a charity shop OP. Better surely than selling it for a pittance

Its annoying when it's something you paid a lot for but I'd be amazed if you got more than about £25 for it via eBay or other second hand sale options

At least you will have the feel good factor of thinking you may have helped both a local charity and a job seeker who needs an interview suit

Original poster

tectonicplates · 15/09/2020 13:37

@Timeforabiscuit

To be honest, would you feel better donating it?

I know from working in the council we sometimes got requests for suitable interview wear, particularly for care leavers or homeless - salvation army or similar could be a good shout?

Yeah there's a couple of charities that do stuff like that, where they give interview clothing to women who can't afford it otherwise. Is there still a need for their services though? I might be interested if I knew the item was actually going to be used.

OP posts:

Othering · 15/09/2020 15:02

Honestly op, you need to metaphorically and actually let this suit go. I know it feels like it should be worth something but sadly, it's not. Just donate it to charity and don't dwell on what you'd like it to be worth.

AllTheCakes · 15/09/2020 15:16

I’m sure there is still a need for suits for interviews, maybe even more so at the moment. Have a look at Smart Works.

Original poster

tectonicplates · 15/09/2020 15:35

@AllTheCakes

I’m sure there is still a need for suits for interviews, maybe even more so at the moment. Have a look at Smart Works.

A load of people above said there's no demand for them so I don't really know.

Thanks for your replies everyone. I can't make a decision right now so I'll have to think about it for longer.

OP posts:

lurker101 · 15/09/2020 15:40

@tectonicplates I agree that you’re unlikely to get very much for it.

I agree that there’s likely a demand for suits etc. For interviews, so smart works would be a great option, than for general day to day office wear. I would always wear a suit for an interview, but in my office we can wear jeans and superga-style trainers for a workday.

dementedma · 15/09/2020 20:54

I’m interviewing tomorrow. I shall report back on the candidates’ attire

dementedma · 16/09/2020 22:18

All candidates today, male and female, in suits

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