Bin Store Clothing and Shoes: A Shopping Guide
Clothing and shoes are among the most common finds at bin stores. Here's how to shop the apparel bins effectively and what to look for.
Why Clothing Is a Bin Store Staple
Online clothing purchases have one of the highest return rates of any retail category — some estimates put it between 30% and 40% of all apparel sold online. Sizing issues, color differences from the photo, fabric feel, and fit all contribute to high return volumes. This translates directly into a steady stream of clothing and footwear flowing through Amazon's liquidation channels and into bin stores nationwide.
For shoppers, this means there's almost always a meaningful clothing section at any bin store, often with brand-name items in excellent condition at extraordinary prices.
What Types of Clothing You'll Find
Bin store apparel mirrors what people buy online, which today means a huge variety:
Basics and loungewear: T-shirts, hoodies, joggers, leggings, socks, underwear
Athletic wear: Running gear, sports bras, compression shorts, workout tops
Outerwear: Jackets, vests, raincoats, fleece pullovers
Dress and work clothing: Button-down shirts, blouses, dress pants, blazers
Seasonal items: Swimwear, winter coats, holiday-themed clothing
Children's clothing: Everything from infant onesies to teen clothing
Brand representation can be surprisingly strong. Nike, Adidas, Under Armour, Lululemon, and other premium athletic brands appear regularly. The key is getting there early on restock day if brand-name items are your priority.
Shoes: A Category of Opportunity
Footwear is returned at high rates for an obvious reason: fit is deeply personal and nearly impossible to assess online. A shoe that looks perfect in photos might fit completely wrong. This means a steady flow of shoes — often brand new, still in the original box or at worst with minimal wear — into the liquidation stream.
Common finds include:
Sneakers and athletic shoes
Casual shoes and loafers
Boots (ankle boots, work boots, fashion boots)
Sandals and slides
Dress shoes
Sizing tip: Sizes are random — you might find twelve pairs in size 9 and zero in size 11. Regular bin shoppers who know their less-common size sometimes find that unusual sizes are consistently overlooked by other shoppers, creating opportunity.
How to Evaluate Clothing at a Bin Store
Inspect for Damage
Check for stains, tears, pilling, missing buttons, and broken zippers. Hold items up to light — stains are easier to spot with backlighting. Run your hand along seams to check for integrity.
Check Size Tags
Sizes are stamped on interior tags. Always verify before assuming. Returns happen for every size, so don't assume that a large item will fit your size just because it looks like it might.
Look for Original Tags
Items with retail tags still attached are the best finds — it means the item was never worn, just returned in original packaging. These are essentially new clothing at bin store prices.
Smell Before You Buy
Smoke, mildew, or heavy perfume can be difficult to launder out. Trust your nose and pass on items with concerning odors.
Check the Fabric Care Label
Before buying clothing you plan to resell, check whether it requires dry cleaning or other special care. This affects both your ability to clean it and its appeal to buyers.
Shoes: What to Check
Sole condition: Is the sole intact and unworn? Even light wear shows on the tread.
Upper integrity: Check for scuffs, peeling, or structural damage
Insole: Is it clean and in good shape?
Laces: Present and matching? Small but matters for resale
Box: If the box is present, it significantly increases resale value
Best Clothing Brands to Target at Bin Stores
For personal use, buy what you like. For resale, focus on brands that hold value on secondary markets:
High Resale Value:
Lululemon, Athleta (athletic wear)
Nike, Adidas, New Balance (footwear especially)
Patagonia, The North Face (outerwear)
Carhartt (workwear)
Ralph Lauren, Tommy Hilfiger, Calvin Klein (classic labels)
Moderate Resale Value:
Under Armour, Puma, Reebok
Columbia Sportswear
Amazon Essentials (lower, but still sells)
Lower Resale Value:
Generic or house brands
Fast fashion labels without strong brand identity
Reselling Clothing: Platform Tips
Poshmark: Best for women's fashion and branded clothing; strong community of fashion-conscious buyers
eBay: Best for shoes (especially sneakers) and men's clothing
Mercari: Good for a wide range of apparel, easy listing interface
ThredUp: Send bags of clothing for cash; lower margins but almost no work
Facebook Marketplace: Great for bulk lots or items you want to move quickly locally
Cleaning and Presenting Clothing for Resale
A quick wash and proper photography dramatically increase the likelihood of selling and the price you can achieve. Even clothing in good condition looks more appealing after a fresh wash. Use good lighting and a clean background — or hang on a wall — for photos.