What to do with your old clothes?

Would you like to refresh your wardrobe and sort through your old clothes? Donate or sell the items you no longer wear?

I'm here to help you.

As a fashion enthusiast, I often find that my wardrobe no longer reflects my style and is full of clothes I no longer wear. In this situation, I don't just throw my clothes away: I try to give them a second life, so that they can be worn by someone else or recycled.

Today, I'm sharing my tips on how to organise your wardrobe and find new uses for your old clothes.

If your old clothes are cluttering up your cupboards, it's essential to have a clear-out. Start by taking them out of your wardrobe and setting aside those that are damaged, no longer fit, or simply don’t appeal to you anymore. You have several options for these items. You could try to customise them to give them a new lease of life. Alternatively, you could donate them to friends, family, or coworkers, or directly to a charity like Helping Hand or the St Vincent de Paul Society. There are also collection bins located all over where you can drop them off. Lastly, if you're looking to make some extra cash, you could host a clothing swap or sell them online through secure marketplaces like the Vinted app.

Want to learn more? Keep reading to find out:

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

woman's clothing storage

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

When you're rummaging through your wardrobe looking for something to wear, you often realise that some items are no longer suitable. This is especially true if a piece of clothing or an accessory:

  • doesn't fit properly anymore: it's either too tight or, on the other hand, way too loose,
  • is torn or damaged and is hardly repairable,
  • has permanent stains with no chance of being cleaned,
  • looks completely outdated and no longer matches your style,
  • is almost impossible to coordinate with the rest of your wardrobe,
  • hasn't been worn in over six months.

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

How to Sort?

Would you like to declutter your wardrobe a bit to make some space? I have a simple little method to help you decide which clothes to keep and which to set aside. This method is inspired by the very popular decluttering technique by Marie Kondo, which has worked wonders for many people, but is specifically tailored for clothing.

🔸 First, take all your clothes out of your wardrobe. If that feels like too much, you can take out all the items from one category at a time (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 resell,
  • to recycle.

Try to place the clothes in better condition and on-trend in the "to sell" section, those that are still wearable in the "to donate" section, and those that are too damaged in the "to recycle" section.

Woman sorting clothes

🔸 Next, put back into your wardrobe those items that you absolutely want to keep, making sure each time to check if every piece of clothing is in good condition, still fits you, and can be matched with others to create at least three different outfits.

🔹 Before you start sorting through the last of your clothes, the ones you’re unsure about, take a look at the space left in your wardrobe. It’s important to ensure that you have some available space for new clothes and to keep everything organised. Try to estimate how many items you could add to your wardrobe from the clothes you still need to sort.

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

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

This should help you make a decision. 😉

👉 Especially if you're not used to decluttering, it might take several attempts before you manage to create an organised wardrobe. Don't hesitate to tidy up every month for a while to truly keep only the clothes that suit you.

5 Tips for Stopping the Throwaway Culture with Your Clothes

Have you sorted out clothes that you no longer wear? Well, it's entirely possible to give them a second life, no matter their condition. Throwing them in the bin is definitely not a suitable solution, especially since there are many easy options available that can assist those in need, help combat waste, or even make you a bit of money!

women's fashion clothing

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

There are many ways to give a new lease of life to a piece of clothing that you’re not quite sure when or how to wear anymore. Here are a few ideas:

🔸 Sometimes you can completely transform the look of a dress 👗 or a tunic just by wearing it with a belt. If you're interested, I invite you to check out this blog article dedicated to this topic. 😉

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

🔸 Old shoes 👞 can get a fresh lease of life with new laces and a darker or lighter polish!

🔹 A jean 👖 can gain a bit of uniqueness with various fabric patches that can be stuck on, which you'll find at any haberdashery. Guaranteed seventies vibe!

Share them with your loved ones to bring some joy!

Before donating clothes or selling them to strangers, you might want to check if they’d be appreciated by those around you: colleagues, friends, family, neighbours… This is especially common with children’s clothing, as they tend to outgrow things quickly, but you can definitely do the same with your own clothes! 😉

donating clothes

Donating your clothes at a recycling bin: a meaningful civic action

Today, there are many clothing recycling bins available in most towns and villages. The clothes placed in these containers are sorted and then either recycled or repurposed based on their condition. To find the nearest bin to you, follow this link.

You can drop off your clean clothing bags at these donation bins, or directly with local charities that combat poverty (e.g. Salvation Army, Catholic Relief Services, Emmaus…). It’s a straightforward way to do a good deed!

Host a Wardrobe Clear-Out

Do you have a lot of clothes to sell or give away? If so, you can host a clothing sale, either by yourself or with your friends, at your home. To do this, let people know about a date and time when they can come and browse through your clothes. The aim is to clear out your wardrobe and help others: don’t set prices that are too high!

If you wish, you can also sign up for car boot sales in summer, which can be a great opportunity to declutter your home.

selling your second-hand clothing

Sell Them Online

Lastly, if you have clothes in good condition and would like to try selling them, you can also consider reselling them online. You could use platforms like Gumtree and Facebook Marketplace, but I highly recommend the Vinted app, which is specifically for fashion. It allows you to easily resell and ship your clothes by simply taking photos and uploading them to the app. The payment is secure and you are covered by insurance, which is definitely a plus!

How to find clothing that you won't get tired of?

To conclude this article, I'd like to share some advice based on my experience and that of other fashion enthusiasts I know. You'll discover how to better manage your clothing expenses and choose garments that you can wear for years without getting tired of them!

women's clothing measurements

Choose the Right Size

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

When you buy a piece of clothing, it shouldn't be too tight. Apart from knitwear, it's quite uncommon for clothes to stretch over time.

Know the Styles That Flatter You

When you're out shopping, don't hesitate to try on different styles of clothing and take note of the ones that really suit you. For example, you might find:

  • a bardot top,
  • an asymmetrical top,
  • an oversized batwing jacket,
  • a split midi skirt,
  • a specific neckline: round neck, tunic, V-neck or square neck…
  • some colours that suit your complexion: warm colours, pastel shades…

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

Don’t Skip the Basics

Even though we appreciate originality, a balanced wardrobe often includes some basics that are easy to match with most of your clothing. They are suitable for many occasions and can be worn for a long time without getting boring. For a practical and versatile wardrobe, I particularly recommend these must-haves:

  • A striped top,
  • A smart pencil skirt,
  • Several basic t-shirts in solid colours 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 sneakers,
  • A pair of black or brown ankle boots,
  • A pair of heels or pretty heeled sandals.

Find Your Fashion Style

Finally, the best advice I can give you for finding clothes that you'll wear for a long time is to get to know your tastes and determine your personal style. When you know how to choose clothes that you love and that suit you, it naturally becomes enjoyable to get dressed, and you'll waste less money on clothes that you won't wear.

If you’re looking for a simple and effective way to help you discover your personal style, feel free to check out our comprehensive guide on the topic.

women's bohemian style clothing

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

If you’re looking for unique and timeless clothing that you can keep for ages, I recommend checking out our online boutique for bohemian fashion. Our clothing is made for all women and will suit most styles: indeed, bohemian fashion draws inspiration from many other major clothing trends and is very versatile. 😉

Need some inspiration? Discover creative and stylish ways to give your old clothes a new lease on life. Explore Repurposing Ideas