How to have a guilt-free wardrobe clearout without sending clothes to landfill
Hannah Rochell offers a guide to a considered wardrobe clearout after noticing textile recycling bins overflowing in her home town and warns that donated clothing often does not get resold, with Aja Barber saying much donated clothing “will most likely end up in landfill or be exported in the waste colonialism chain.” Reselling is one route: a report found two-thirds of British consumers bought preloved goods online in 2024.
Brett Staniland prefers Vinted for ease of use and says Marrkt can suit classic menswear; Amy Bannerman advises using hook words such as “rare”, strong visuals in natural light, showing any damage and a measuring tape, comparing similar listings, listing in a “burst”, and including size, brand and condition.
Donations remain useful but require care. Jen Graham warns charities must not receive dirty, stained or damaged items and urges people to follow her rule: “If you wouldn’t give it to a friend, don’t donate it.” She also advises packing donations carefully and not overpacking, and notes that quality items such as trainers, boots, scarves, handbags, belts and jewellery sell well for charities.
Repair and recycling options include local repair and alteration businesses, and platforms that match customers to makers. Layla Sargent’s Seam matches customers to skilled makers, the author used it to repair shoes, the Boot Repair Company in Leeds will resole shoes by post, and Sojo offers door-to-door and an in-store service at Selfridges.
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