Is Your Closet Overflowing? Here's What To Do With Those Outdated Outfits
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By PAGE Editor
We've all been there — you open your closet and are immediately overwhelmed by the sheer volume of clothes crammed onto bulging racks and stuffed into drawers. Despite the overflowing options, you feel like you have nothing to wear. Why? A lot of those pieces no longer fit your current style, lifestyle, or body.
Instead of holding onto clothes out of guilt or letting them languish, put them back into circulation in an eco-friendly way. Not only is this better for the planet than simply tossing them, but you'll free up valuable closet space and maybe even make a few bucks. If you combine that with the leading rewards in gaming, you might even get some great returns for your effort. Here are some ideas on how to best deal with clothing that you don’t wear anymore in a sustainable way.
Repurposing Old Clothes
One of the greenest solutions is to give old garments a second life by repurposing them into something new:
Turn old t-shirts into cleaning rags or quilts
Sew groovy new accessories like bags, hats, or scarves out of fabric scraps
Get crafty and transform dated button-downs into cute skirts or dresses
Use worn-out sweaters as filling for dog beds or pillows
With just a bit of creativity, you can reinvent outdated wardrobe pieces instead of discarding them.
Reselling for Cash or Swapping
If you have designer duds, vintage gems, or gently used athleisure wear in good condition, you can resell those items:
Consign at local shops for cash or trade
Use peer-to-peer selling apps to list and ship directly to buyers
Organize or attend a clothing swap party to trade with friends
You'll declutter your closet while making room for fresh new pieces you actually want to wear and potentially earning some money.
Recycling and Donating
If repurposing or reselling does not work for you, you still have eco options besides the landfill:
Find retailers that offer garment recycling programs in partnership with facilities that break down fibers for reuse
Drop off wearable unwanted clothes, shoes, and accessories at donation bins for local charities and thrift stores
Pass on pieces to friends or family who may want your castoffs. Gift regifting never goes out of style!
Here are some additional ideas for sustainably unloading your old clothes:
Sell at a garage sale, flea market, or on FB Marketplace
Use old clothes for messy jobs around the house like cleaning or painting
Upcycle into pet accessories, blankets, or reusable shopping bags
Return to the retailer if they have a garment recycling program
Donate to an animal shelter for use as bedding
Use as fabric pieces for creative sewing projects and crafts
If you have knit or crocheted pieces, you can unravel them and give away the yarn.
The solutions are practically endless! Getting rid of your unwanted clothing doesn't have to be wasteful. With a bit of creative thinking, your old clothes can have an eco-friendly second chapter.
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From her self-assured sense of style to her relentless ambition in her studies and career, Elle teaches us that you don’t need to compromise on who you are to plan and achieve your goals.