Christmas is nearly upon us and for most, this means stocking up on the latest fashion and cramming our wardrobes with a couple of new outfits- that we probably don’t really need. For some of us that like to shop, it can be a challenge to fit all of these new items into our wardrobes, so we are forced to throw our older clothes out. I for one am totally guilty of this!
Most people don’t like to get rid of their old clothing, because the moment you do, it can risk coming back into fashion again. So, as I know so many people who are guilty of being a fast-fashion, trend-led shopper, in this article I’m taking a look at some of the things that can be done with your old clothing. It can simple be to give your clothing a new life, and make room in your wardrobes for more of this year’s fashion must-haves.
Give your old clothes to charity
Firstly, if you can afford to give some of your clothes away to the less fortunate then please do so. There are many charities and local organisations that would appreciate the donation especially in the winter where every charity needs as much help as they can get.
You can check with your local authority to see which registered charities operate in your area. If you can’t find any, look for homeless shelters in your area and get in touch with them and they will be able to point you in the right direction.
Trade with the charity shop
If you are bored of your old pieces, you could consider swapping them at the local charity shop or check out clothes swaps in your area. This isn’t something that I ever considered until a friend showed me some of the cool items that can be picked up at the second hand places – so many vintage gems! If you visit them frequently enough and donate some of your items too you can get good deals on items of clothing that can’t be bought elsewhere.
Swap with family and friends
Another way of getting rid of old clothing you don’t want without throwing them into the bin is to swap with your family and friends. More than likely they will have items of clothing they don’t want to so it’s a great way of recycling your clothing and getting more out of them. After all, we all have that friend that seems to get unique clothes that we would love to wear.
Plus, if you’re regularly dropping off bags of clothes to your sisters house or round at your friends, you’ll fast become their fave person while you gain some more space.
Put them into storage
Some people hate to throw anything out and if you are one of them you could store your clothing in the attic, under the bed, or even hire a small personal storage unit or locker. These storage units and lockers may seem like overkill but if you love your clothes you will thank me later. Having a storage unit means you can have way more clothes than you will ever need and it will allow you to pretty much keep all of your clothes without having to throw any out.
Make it into something new
For the creative types out there you can learn to sew online very easily and once you have that skill you can start making your clothing into other items. Making your clothing into other items prolongs their lifespan and can help the environment too.
If you do go down this route it can also be a very therapeutic hobby and you will be amazed by some of the items you can create in a short period of time. You can even turn old clothes into interior pieces, like cushion covers and unique throws!
Sell them online
Lastly, if all of the above options don’t work and you desperately need to make more room in your wardrobe you can try selling them online. Selling them online may give others the chance to own items that they may not have been able to afford before too which should give you some satisfaction as the item is able to make someone else happy too. You just need to be equipped for online selling – know about the platforms, have your parcel packing tape and jiffy bags ready, and a printer if you need to print labels from home (although you can now use digital labels with some couriers!).
When selling online I would recommend being realistic with your prices as most people aren’t willing to spend the top amount to get used items. You should also realise why you are selling too, it’s not to make a profit but to make more room for future shopping trips.
You can sell online on auction sites such as eBay, Facebook marketplace, depop, Shpock and a bunch of other websites depending on the country you live in.
When selling online it’s important to be truthful in your listing. If you have worn the item 100+ times please don’t list it as brand new, not only will you disappoint the other person buying the item but it could mean they request a refund and give you bad feedback.
You should describe your item in detail and take and show as many pictures of the item as possible. Free postage also goes a long way in making someone buy from you or someone else.
Overall, it’s good to be a little strict with yourself when it comes to clearing out. Hoarding clothes and items you barely wear creates nothing good in the long run – just a squashed up, over packed wardrobe that gives you less room for newer items!
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