What to do with old clothes?

Would you like to refresh your wardrobe and sort through your old clothes? How about donating or selling the items you no longer wear?

I will help you.

As a fashion enthusiast, I often find that my wardrobe no longer reflects my tastes and is filled with clothes I no longer wear. In this situation, I don't simply throw my clothes away; I try to give them a second life so that they can be worn by others or recycled.

Today, I’m sharing my tips for decluttering your wardrobe and discovering new uses for your old clothes.

If your old clothes are cluttering your wardrobes, it's essential to sort them out. Take them out of your wardrobe and set aside those that are damaged, no longer fit, or simply don't appeal to you anymore. You have several options for dealing with these items. You could try customising them to give them a new lease of life. Alternatively, you can give them to your relatives, friends, and colleagues, or donate them directly to a charity such as Emmaus or the Salvation Army. There are also collection points across the country where you can drop them off. Finally, if you’d like to make a bit of money, you could organise a clothes swap or sell them online through secure marketplaces like the Vinted app.

Would you like to find out more? Continue reading to discover:

• How to sort out your wardrobe,
• Tips for reselling your clothing and saving some money,
• How to sell your second-hand clothes online,
• Additional advice on how to recycle or give your clothes a new life,
• Tips for choosing clothing that you'll keep for a long time!

What are the signs that your clothes no longer fit you?

When searching for something to wear from your wardrobe, it often happens that you realise some items are no longer suitable. This is particularly true if a piece of clothing or an accessory:

• no longer fits properly: it either pinches you or is, on the contrary, far too loose,
• is torn or damaged and difficult to repair,
• is permanently stained, with no prospect of cleaning,
• feels completely outdated and no longer matches your style,
• is almost impossible to coordinate with the rest of your wardrobe,
• has not been worn for over six months.

If some of your clothes meet one or more of these criteria, then it's time to sort through your wardrobe! 😉

How to Sort?

Would you like to clear out some space in your wardrobes? I’d like to share a simple method to decide which clothes to keep and which to set aside. This approach is inspired by the highly renowned organising method of Marie Kondo, which has worked wonders for many people, but it has been tailored specifically for clothing.

🔸 First, take all your clothes out of your wardrobe. If this feels overwhelming, you can just take out all the items from one category (coats, trousers, shoes, etc.) and lay them out in front of you so that they are all visible.

🔹 Next, start by getting rid of the items you definitely want to part with by sorting them into three piles:

• to give away,
• to sell on,
• to recycle.

Try to put clothes in better condition and on-trend into the "for resale" category, those that are still wearable into "to donate," and those that are too damaged into "to recycle."

🔸 Next, return to your wardrobe those items you absolutely want to keep, ensuring that each time you check if every piece is in good condition, still fits you, and can be paired with others to create at least three different outfits.

🔹 Before moving on to sorting the last few items of clothing, particularly those you're undecided about, take a look at the space remaining in your wardrobe. It's important to ensure that you ultimately have some room for new clothing and can keep things organised. Try to estimate how many items you could add to your wardrobe from the ones you have left to sort through.

🔸 Finally, sort through the last few items of clothing you're uncertain about. If you decide to keep them, ask yourself:

• what outfit will you wear them with,
• for what occasion,
• and how often.

This should help you make up your mind. 😉

👉 Particularly if you're not used to organising, it might take several attempts before you manage to have an optimised wardrobe. Don't hesitate to tidy up every month for a while, so that you can truly keep only the clothes that suit you.

5 Tips for No Longer Throwing Your Clothes in the Bin

Have you sorted out clothes that you no longer wear? You’ll be pleased to know that it’s entirely possible to give them a second life, regardless of their condition. Throwing them in the bin is really not a suitable solution, especially since there are many straightforward options available that can help those in need, contribute to the fight against waste, or even earn you a bit of money!

Creating New Outfits from Old Ones by Customising and Accessorising Your Wardrobe

There are many ways to give a new lease of life to a garment that you’re unsure when or how to wear. Here are a few ideas:

🔸 It is sometimes possible to give a completely new look to a dress 👗 or a tunic simply by wearing it with a belt. If you're interested, I invite you to check out this blog post dedicated to this topic. 😉

🔹 For a jacket 🧥, you can personalise it by changing the buttons, for instance, or by adding a ribbon trim to it.

🔸 An old pair of shoes 👞 can be revitalised with new laces and a polish that’s either darker or lighter!

🔹 A pair of jeans 👖 can gain a touch of uniqueness with various fabric patches that can be found at any haberdashery. A guaranteed seventies vibe!

Offer them to your loved ones to bring some joy!

Before donating clothes or selling them to strangers, you might want to check with those around you to see if they would be of interest to anyone you know: colleagues, friends, family, neighbours… This is especially common with children’s clothes, which tend to be outgrown quite quickly, but you can certainly do the same with your own clothes! 😉

Donating your clothes to a recycling bin, an act of civic responsibility

Today, there are numerous clothing recycling bins found in most towns and villages. The clothes placed in these containers are sorted and then recycled or repurposed according to their condition. To find the nearest bin to your home, I direct you to this link.

You can drop off your clean clothing bags at these collection points, or directly with local charities that fight against poverty (such as the Trussell Trust, Salvation Army, Emmaus…). It’s a simple way to do a good deed!

Hold a Clothes Swapping Event

Do you have lots of clothes to sell or give away? If so, you can organise a clothing sale at your home, either on your own or with your friends. To do this, let people know about the date and time when they can come and choose from your clothes. The aim is to clear out your wardrobe and help others, so try not to set prices too high!

If you wish, you can also sign up for some car boot sales in summer, which can be the perfect opportunity to make some space in your home.

Sell Them Online

Finally, if you have clothes in good condition that you'd like to resell, you can also try selling them online. You can use platforms like Gumtree and Facebook Marketplace, but I highly recommend the Vinted app, which is dedicated to fashion. It allows you to easily resell and ship your clothing by taking photos and uploading them to the app. The payment is secure, and you’re protected by insurance, which is definitely worth considering!

How to find clothes that you won’t tire of?

To conclude this article, I would like to share some tips drawn from my experience and that of other fashion enthusiasts I know. You will discover how to better manage your clothing expenses and choose pieces that you can keep and enjoy for many years without growing tired of them!

Choose the Right Size

When a garment is poorly fitted, too small or too large, it is quite rare for it to be worn more than a few times. To avoid this, it is important to know your measurements well when shopping online and to make use of the size guide.

When you buy a piece of clothing, it should not be too tight. Apart from knitted garments, it is quite uncommon for clothes to stretch.

Know the Styles That Flatter You

When you go shopping, don't hesitate to try on different styles of clothing and take note of which ones flatter you. For example, this might include:

• a cold-shoulder top,
• an asymmetrical top,
• an oversized batwing jacket,
• a split midi skirt,
• a distinctive neckline: round, collared, V-neck, or square…
• some colours that suit your complexion: warm colours, pastel tones…

It will then be easier to use it as a basis for your online shopping!

Bohème Long Dress

Don’t Skimp on the Basics

While we do appreciate originality, a balanced wardrobe often includes a few essentials that are easy to match with most of your clothes. They are suitable for a variety of occasions and can be worn for a long time without becoming tiresome. For a practical and versatile wardrobe, I particularly recommend these must-haves:

• A Breton top,
• A fitted pencil skirt, slightly dressy,
• Several basic plain t-shirts with a flattering neckline,
• A lightweight jacket, like a biker jacket,
• A blazer,
• One or two well-fitted jeans,
• A light-coloured shirt,
• A little black dress,
• A tailored pair of trousers…
• A pair of white trainers,
• A pair of black or brown ankle boots,
• A pair of heels or lovely heeled sandals.

Discover Your Clothing Style

Finally, the best piece of advice I can give you for finally finding clothes that you'll wear for a long time is to learn about your preferences and determine your personal style. When you know how to choose clothes that you love and that suit you, dressing becomes a pleasure, and you waste less money on clothes that you won't wear.

If you’re looking for a simple and effective method to help you discover your clothing style, be sure to check out our comprehensive guide on the topic.

I hope this article has helped you find solutions on what to do with your old clothes, whether that's upcycling, selling, or donating them.

If you are looking for original and timeless clothing that you can keep for a long time, I recommend visiting our online bohemian fashion shop. Our clothes are designed for all women and will suit most styles: indeed, bohemian fashion draws inspiration from many other major clothing trends and is very versatile. 😉

Tunic and blouse