What to Do With Clothes You No Longer Love or Wear

What should I do with clothes I no longer love or wear? Have you ever asked yourself this question? As a slow fashion advocate, I’m sure you have. 

There are many reasons why you want to part with your clothes. Maybe you’ve purchased some of them impulsively, and they sit your wardrobe unworn, or some may simply no longer fit you. Whatever the case, all these unwanted clothes don’t have to end up in a landfill. Here are some ideas of what to do instead.

8 Ideas What to Do With Clothes You No Longer Love or Wear

1. Get altered what doesn’t fit.
2. Upcycle clothes you don’t love.
3. Repurpose worn-out clothes.
4. Give unwanted clothes to someone who appreciates them more.
5. Sell clothes that are still in good shape.
6. Donate the clothes you no longer love or wear.
7. Buy second-hand yourself.
8. Hand worn-out clothes over to recycling companies.

Get Altered What Doesn’t Fit

Often, we don’t love a piece of clothing because it doesn’t fit well. This applies to old clothes as well as to new additions that sit in your wardrobe unworn. Taking it to a tailor to make it fit like second skin can be a perfect solution.

Upcycle Clothes You Don’t Love

A dress can be turned into a skirt, long jeans into shorts, a jacket into a vest. The examples are endless. A good tailor – or you, when you know how – can turn a piece of clothing into something completely different. And if this is too much effort, changing up a few things like adding new buttons can already make a big difference.

Repurpose Worn-Out Clothes

I’m not a big fan of downgrading clothes to be worn at home. In this article, I tell you why:

• What (Not) to Wear at Home – How to Feel Comfy and Confident

But of course, it’s ok to repurpose worn-out pieces for a major DIY project or anything else that usually leaves your clothes rumpled and stained. And when garments are completely run-down, you can always turn them into cleaning cloths. Or cut them into small pieces and use them as pillow stuffing.

Give Unwanted Clothes to Someone Who Appreciates Them More

Are you about to declutter your wardrobe? Why not invite your best friends for the last round. Show them all the pieces you’re not sure if you want to keep them. Ask for their honest opinion. And along the way, some of your unwanted clothes may also find a new home.

Here are questions to ask to find out what clothes (not) to keep:

• Wardrobe Inventory: Questions Beyond “Does It Spark Joy?”

Sell Clothes That Are Still in Good Shape

As a wardrobe maintenance pro, the clothes you no longer love or wear are most likely in perfect condition. Hence, you can sell them. Check out the different online platforms. Some even offer a concierge service, so you don’t have to do anything but sending them the clothes you don’t want to keep.

Donate the Clothes You No Longer Love or Wear

Instead of selling clothes that are still in pretty good condition, you could also support a good cause and donate them. I’m sure you find a local charity, second hand or thrift store that gladly accepts what you no longer love. Or you know families in your community that can’t afford to buy new clothes, and you approach them directly.

Buy Second-Hand Yourself

The above tips help you avoid that the clothes you no longer love or wear end up in a landfill. But you can, of course, also extend the lifecycle of clothes by shopping second hand yourself. The good thing is that this allows you to buy high-quality items that otherwise aren’t within your budget. But make sure you carefully check everything before making a purchase. Here’s how:

• How to Spot Quality When Shopping For Clothes – 3 Things to Check
• How to Shop for Quality Shoes You’ll Love to Wear

Naturally, examine a piece of clothing to see if it meets your expectations is only possible when you hold it in your hands. So, when buying second-hand clothes online, check the shop’s return policy beforehand.

Hand Worn-Out Clothes Over to Recycling Companies

Unfortunately, only a small amount of clothes can be recycled. Clothes contain too many different components and mixed materials that are hard to disassemble, such as zips, tags, or threads. This means handing unwanted items over to the recycling center should be the last option. But of course, it’s still better than trashing them in the general garbage.

So, these are some ideas for what to do with clothes you no longer love or wear. Think of them when you next declutter your wardrobe and help reduce the number of clothing (globally, an estimated 92 million tons) that end up on landfill sites each year.

Clothes are wonderful. They keep us warm and can make us feel amazing. They definitely deserve a second chance – don’t you think?

More Tips and Inspirations

Looking for attainable steps to transition into slow fashion? Get them here:

• Slow Fashion: Where and How to Start

Become a wardrobe maintenance pro to ensure your clothes remain in perfect shape longer:

• All about Wardrobe Maintenance

Sometimes, we tend to go overboard with wardrobe decluttering. This is why I always recommend building a solid strategy first:

• The Ultimate Guide to a Well-Curated Wardrobe

Like the idea of less, but luxe! …? Follow me on Pinterest, Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter for more tips and inspiration. Plus, join my email list to receive regular updates and content exclusively available to my readers!

What do you prefer to do with clothes you no longer love or wear? More ideas? Let me know!