What Brands Does ThredUp Accept? A Complete Guide to Eligible Labels

The Ultimate Guide to thredup Accepted Brands

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Navigating the world of online consignment can feel overwhelming, especially when it comes to knowing what to sell. As one of the largest online thrift stores, thredup has revolutionized how we clean out our closets by making the process simple and rewarding. But the big question for anyone holding a Clean Out Kit is: what exactly should I send in? Understanding the thredup accepted brands and item categories is the key to a successful clean out and maximizing your potential earnings.

Whether you’re a first-time seller or a seasoned thrifter, this comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to know. We’ll cover which brands are eligible for a payout, which categories they accept, and the quality standards your items need to meet. By the end, you’ll be able to pack your bag with confidence, knowing you’re sending in exactly what thredup is looking for.

Table of Contents

Does thredup Take All Brands? The Big Picture

One of the most appealing aspects of thredup’s service is its incredibly broad acceptance policy. So, does thredup take all brands? For the most part, yes. thredup accepts women’s and children’s clothing from over 55,000 different brands, ranging from affordable fast-fashion staples like Old Navy and Zara to high-end designer labels like Gucci and Theory. Their mission is to give clothes a second life and reduce fashion waste, so they cast a very wide net.

This inclusive approach means you don’t have to worry about whether a brand is “good enough.” If it’s a recognized women’s or kids’ brand, chances are thredup will accept it, provided it meets their quality standards. The thredup brand list is extensive, covering everything from mall brands to boutique labels. If an item doesn’t have a brand tag, it may be listed as “Unbranded,” while items from brands not yet in their system are often listed as “Assorted Brands.”

Understanding Ineligible and No Payout Brands

While thredup accepts nearly all brands to promote circular fashion, it’s important to distinguish between what they accept and what they offer a payout for. This is where the concept of ineligible brands comes into play.

A small percentage of brands—less than 5% of their massive catalog—have a very low resale value. These are what thredup considers thredup no payout brands. To avoid these items ending up in a landfill, thredup will still inspect, photograph, and list them for sale. However, you will not receive any earnings unless the item sells for $20 or more. The answer to why does thredup have ineligible brands is simple: it’s an economic decision based on market demand and resale value. This policy allows them to continue finding homes for lower-value clothing without incurring a financial loss.

So, while the list of brands thredup does not take for consignment earnings exists, they will still try to sell them for you. Most of these are generic, imitation, or brands with historically low demand on the platform.

The Official thredup List of Accepted Brands & Categories

Knowing what brands does thredup accept is the first step, but understanding the accepted categories is just as crucial. Here is a detailed breakdown of what items does thredup accept based on their official guidelines.

Accepted Clothing Categories

thredup’s primary focus is on women’s and children’s apparel. What clothes does thredup accept? The list is long and includes:

  • Dresses, tops, sweaters, blouses, and blazers
  • Pants, jeans, shorts, and skirts
  • Coats, jackets, and vests
  • Activewear and swimwear (including 2-piece sets)
  • Maternity and plus-size clothing
  • Kids’ costumes

Accepted Accessories, Shoes, and Bags

Beyond clothing, thredup is a great place to sell other parts of your wardrobe. Many people ask, does thredup take accessories? Yes, they do.

  • Shoes: Can you send shoes to thredup? Absolutely! They accept boots, sneakers, heels, and flats.
  • Bags: The answer to does thredup take shoes and bags is a resounding yes. This includes handbags, wallets, backpacks, diaper bags, and even makeup bags.
  • Accessories: This category includes belts, hats, scarves, gloves, and sunglasses.
  • Watches: Standard watches are accepted, but smartwatches are not.
  • Tights: Only accepted if they are new with tags.

The comprehensive thredup accepted brands list ensures that you can clean out your entire closet, not just your clothing rack.

What Brands Does thredup Not Accept? A Look at Exclusions

While the acceptance policy is broad, there are clear guidelines on what brands does thredup not accept or, more accurately, which categories are excluded. It’s less about the specific thred up brands and more about the type of item.

The following categories are not accepted for listing:

  • Men’s clothing and accessories
  • Does thredup accept jewelry? No, with the exception of watches.
  • Formal gowns and wedding dresses
  • Pajamas, robes, slippers, and undergarments (including bras)
  • Homemade, altered, or counterfeit items
  • Items without size tags (exceptions are made for some luxury brands)
  • Work uniforms or clothing with local/niche references
  • Non-clothing items like toys, books, or sports gear
  • Items made from prohibited exotic animal materials (e.g., python, alligator, leopard)

Sticking to this list of exclusions will increase the percentage of items accepted from your Clean Out Kit.

Best Selling Brands on thredup: How to Maximize Your Earnings

If your goal is to earn as much as possible, you should focus on sending in the best brands to sell on thredup. While they accept thousands of labels, certain brands consistently perform better than others. Knowing what brands sell well on thredup can make a significant difference in your payout.

thredup’s Selling Guide often highlights trending and in-demand brands. Some of the best selling brands on thredup include:

  • Premium & Contemporary: Lululemon, Patagonia, Tory Burch, Reformation, Sézane, Free People, Madewell, J.Crew.
  • Active & Outdoor: The North Face, Alo Yoga, Vuori, Nike, On Running, Hoka.
  • Designer: Michael Kors, Kate Spade, Theory, Ralph Lauren, Burberry, Gucci.

These are often considered the thredup top brands because they are highly sought after by shoppers. Items from these brands are more likely to be accepted, sell quickly, and fetch a higher price.

So, what are thredup premium brands or what are thredup upscale brands? These terms generally refer to the higher-end contemporary and designer labels like Theory, Eileen Fisher, and Vince. Sending these in a Premium Clean Out Bag can result in higher payout percentages and longer listing windows, as these pricier items sometimes take longer to sell. Focusing on the thredup best selling brands is the smartest strategy for a profitable closet clean-out.

Beyond the Brand: Quality Standards are Key

Simply sending in an item from a popular brand isn’t enough. Every piece is carefully inspected, and thredup has strict quality standards. What does thredup accept in terms of condition? All items must be:

  • Clean: Freshly laundered and free of any odors.
  • In Good Condition: No stains, holes, rips, pilling, fading, or shrinkage.
  • Undamaged & Unaltered: No missing size labels, broken zippers or buttons, or custom alterations.

Even items that are new with tags must meet these standards to be listed. Following these quality rules is just as important as choosing the right brands thredup accepts.

What Happens to thredup Clothes Not Accepted?

It’s a common question: what happens to thredup clothes not accepted? On average, about 40% of items sent in a Standard bag are not listed for sale due to condition issues or because they fall into an unaccepted category. So, what does thredup do with rejected clothes?

Instead of sending them to a landfill, thredup is committed to circularity. Unaccepted items are either sold in their “Rescue Boxes” to resellers and upcyclers or passed along to a network of ethical reuse and recycling partners. This ensures the clothing has the best possible chance at a second life, aligning with thredup’s mission to fight fashion waste. If you send in a Premium bag, you have the option to have unaccepted items returned to you for a fee.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does thredup take shoes?
Yes, does thredup take shoes and bags is one of the most common questions, and the answer is yes to both. They accept all kinds of women’s and kids’ shoes, including sneakers, boots, heels, and sandals, as long as they are clean and in good condition.

Does thredup accept bras?
No, thredup does not accept undergarments, including bras, slips, or pajamas. The only exception is for tights that are new with tags.

Does thredup only take designer clothes?
Not at all. While they do accept high-end designer labels, thredup’s inventory is built on variety. They welcome everything from fast fashion like Zara to mall brands like Gap and J.Crew, making it a platform for all types of thredup brands.

What is thredup accepting now?
The best brands on thredup tend to be consistent, but demand can be seasonal. For the best results, send in-season items. For example, send sweaters, coats, and boots in the fall and dresses, shorts, and sandals in the spring. You can always check their Selling Guide for the most up-to-date list of “Hot Items.”

Does thredup take vintage?
thredup does not have a specific category for vintage clothing. However, if a vintage item is from an accepted brand and is in excellent condition, it may be listed for sale. Keep in mind that items without a brand or size tag are typically not accepted.