January 2020

With fashion as abundant as it is, attitudes towards it have become very disposable. Many people regularly add to their wardrobes but don’t consider the various sustainable ways their unwanted clothing could be disposed of. Here is a variety of ideas on how to give your pre-loved items a second life.

Selling Pre-loved Fashion

Selling pre-loved fashion keeps garments circulating and brings them to people who can appreciate them again. There are many ways to source second-hand finds:

Second-hand shops can be found in every town and city, as charity or vintage shops. Search the web for any near you.
Many second-hand dealers sell online; a simple web search will show you many of them. Rebelle, Tradesy, Vinted and Depop are good places to start.
Flea markets always feature second-hand clothing – try your nearest market to see what you can find!

SWAPPING FASHION

Swapping clothes is another sustainable option, allowing you to revamp your wardrobe without spending any money.

Sites like Rehash provide a platform for swapping, whilst others such as the Fashion Revolution Foundation organise swapping events.
Consider swapping clothes with friends or organising your entire event for more people to attend.

DONATING OR GIFTING FASHION

Donating or gifting clothes is another way to extend their lifespan and keep them out of landfills.

When donating to charity shops, ensure items are in good condition. Avoid leaving them outside the shop by handing them over to a shopkeeper or dropping them into a collection bin.
When gifting pre-loved clothes, ensure it’s to someone who wants them.

RECYCLING FASHION

Recycling textiles means turning old apparel into reusable material. Opting for this over simply throwing it away would prevent enormous waste.

New fabrics can be made from recycled ones – even other fibres and plastic bottles can be used.
Brands like Patagonia and The North Face have a policy where their old clothes can be brought in by customers who, in some cases, are given a discount. Ask your local shops if they offer the same or similar initiatives.
Apps like ReGAIN provide this return system digitally, where users receive fashion vouchers.
You can also search for fashion recycling points in your area if you cannot bring them to a shop. The organisations running these tend to be overwhelmed; however, this remains a better alternative than throwing unwanted clothing away in landfills.

REPAIRING & UPCYCLING

Learn to repair your broken clothes, such as socks. Or see how you can upcycle items into something else - just think of turning damaged jeans into patches. Here you find more details on how to Repairing & Upcycling Clothes →.