These Are the Best Ways to Get Rid of Unwanted Clothes

With the term "new year, new you” being thrown around like confetti during the first week of January, you might feel inclined to start Marie Kondo–ing your life. After all, deciphering which items in your wardrobe bring you joy and disposing of those that do not can be somewhat therapeutic. Though, while having a completely reorganised closet and a pile of clothes to get rid of can feel rejuvenating, finding the best and most sustainable way to discard of said items can be a little tricky.

Luckily, we are here to help, as we’ve compiled a list of the best ways to recycle unwanted clothes. Thanks to the wonder of modern technology, there are actually several ways to recycle your items with the use of your phone, as apps such as Etsy, Depop and Vestiare Collective, are making re-selling your unwanted items easier than ever. 

Alternatively, you can try clothes swapping with friends, attending a clothes swap event or even passing down clothes to younger family members. Keep scrolling for seven of the best ways to get rid of old clothes.

Vinted

With around 25 million members, clothing resale site Vinted has an abundance of products available and an abundance of potential buyers. Simply take a few images of your products, upload the listings and wait for the pre-loved items to be sold.

Shop Vinted:

Depop

As a resale app for the Instagram generation, Depop is the place to sell (and buy) all the coveted items you regularly see on your social media feed. If you have products from designers like Jacquemus, Ganni or Staud, this is the place to sell them.

Vestiaire Collective

Specialising in luxury designer resale, Vestiaire Collective is the ultimate place to sell your fanciest castoffs. According to the brand’s website, sellers can expect to earn up to 80% of the purchase price for items sold onsite. 

Shop Vestiaire Collective:

Swap or Give Clothes to Family and Friends

This is personally one of my favourite ways to recycle clothes. Given my small stature, I’m not able to swap clothes with many of my friends but will often make exchanges with my sister or pass down clothes to younger cousins and family friends. Believe it or not, there are exceedingly overdressed 10-year-olds walking around in my old Sass & Bide dresses and Topshop Petite jeans, and honestly, I couldn’t be happier about it.

Etsy

If your belongings are old enough to be considered vintage (think 20 years or older), Etsy might be your best bet. The site is generally known for the sale of handmade items, but also has a large vintage resale section, too!

Shop Etsy:

eBay

eBay is a great option for selling unwanted high-street items or clothes from your favourite labels. You’ll have the chance to earn a little extra of you’re selling items from a soldout designer collaboration or highly sought-after collection (think Giambattista Valli for H&M or JW Anderson for Uniqlo).

Shop eBay:

Attend a Clothes Swap 

Attending a clothes swap event is such a fun way to recycle unwanted items. The easiest way to find swaps in your area is to simply use Google. Most clothes swaps require you to bring at least three pieces of unwanted clothing and some require a small donation to attend. And of course, the best part of all is that you might just come away with a few new wardrobe favourites. 

Next up, see the spring/summer 2020 trends you need to know.