What to do With Used Clothes

I’ve been fortunate over the years to be given clothes, find good deals, and to have found some great pieces overall over the years. Though sometimes I wonder what to do with the stuff that doesn’t work for me anymore, whether my style has changed, or I’ve outgrown something or whatnot. So here are some ideas of where you can send clothes when you’re done

Poshmark – For stuff that’s better shape and you don’t have a better place to give it. This website is easy to list on but if your stuff isn’t findable among the rest, or you can’t get good pictures it may not work, beware: you also have to coordinate shipping even thought the buyer pays, but that means there’s less incentive for buyers.

Consignment – Places like Plato’s Closet and Clothes Mentor pay cash on the spot for “gently used name brand” items. So the caveat here is that the sales associate has to like what you give them, you also won’t get much, but hey you’ll get something quick. Plus it’s probably better than the time you’d spend setting up and managing a garage sale. Note that Plato’s is pickier and more for focused on fashion for young adults.

Handy-Downs (or Hand-Me-Downs) I got a lot of handy downs when I was little and – you guessed it – that’s what I thought they were called so the name stuck, because I mean it is so handy! Ask a family at your church if they’d like items, or ask your local schools if they have a space for clothes for kids whose families would appreciate the help, or maybe, like me, you benefitted from getting clothes from older cousins, and you get to pass those same clothes onto other cousins! Or maybe you have a friend that’s a lot shorter than you, and they love adding stuff to their wardrobe that you outgrow.

Thrift Store – It’s so easy plus you can get a tax right-off at most if that applies to you. Otherwise, know that at most of these types of stores a nonprofit will be given money by the store that sells them. The Salvation Army Thrift Stores are a great choice in this category.

USAgain – Although I’ll admit I’ve never used this option, I’ve seen these boxes before which prompted me to do a little research. According to their website: “USAgain resells the discarded clothes we collect to places where there is a great need for these items, supporting the local and global economy in the process. By exporting textiles to struggling countries we generate revenue, create green jobs here in the US and abroad, and help to improve the well-being of people in America and around the world.” http://www.usagain.com/for-people Just make sure to wash any items you donate and bag them before dropping them off, per the instructions on their website. Find their other donation instructions and box locations at this link: http://www.usagain.com/find-a-collection-bin