Gransnet forums

Ask a gran

vintage clothes in good condition. where should I donate them for maximum reward to charity?

(13 Posts)
Grammaretto Mon 13-May-19 12:15:45

I have sorted, washed, and even ironed, a pile of really nice clothes which belonged to various deceased family members or outgrown long ago.
I don't think our local charity shops have a clue about the value of things so a leather handbag might even be thrown out if it wasn't brand new. Some are Jaeger, Liberty, Laura Ashley hardly worn but muchtoo small for me, others predate washing labels.
Where would you recommend I take them. I can't be bothered to post them on ebay and want the money to go to charity but here they would go for pennies.

yggdrasil Mon 13-May-19 12:21:45

Look for a Vintage Clothing shop, they might buy them from you. Or go talk to local charities to see what they actually do. When I volunteered in an Oxfam shop we had experts to assess things that might be valuable, we put on one side anything possible and they got sold at auctions.

Marmight Mon 13-May-19 12:25:10

Oxfam have an online charity shop where they sell, among other items, vintage clothes

Grammaretto Mon 13-May-19 13:00:39

Do you have to post photos or can you just take them to Oxfam? Marmight

crystaltipps Mon 13-May-19 13:04:01

Save the Children has a chain of upmarket charity shops started by Mary Portas I think they’re called Mary’s Giving Shops , might be worth checking them out.

EllanVannin Mon 13-May-19 14:21:59

To think that I bagged up 20 + bags of 1930's/40's clothes to end up on the tip years ago which belonged to my late SiL ! Heavy beaded dresses, furs, and general " cruise-wear ". Ankle-strap shoes handbags. I daren't think about it, though I don't expect it would have been appreciated in the 80's and there weren't the charity shops back then as now.

MiniMoon Mon 13-May-19 14:26:25

The Red Cross have several vintage shops scattered across the country . They also sell vintage stuff on eBay.
Have a look here

Grammaretto Mon 13-May-19 15:01:53

Oh EllanVannin I feel for you. I would have done the same .
Yet I guess this adds to the scarcity value so never mind.

Whitewavemark2 Mon 13-May-19 15:02:21

Someone anonymously gave a load of designer clothing to a charity shop in Tumbridge Wells. I mean really posh stuff. They had no trouble recognising it’s value?

Nonnie Mon 13-May-19 15:54:21

I also think the charity shops are experts at this but worth asking before you donate.

DillytheGardener Mon 13-May-19 20:42:44

Goodness my daughter in law would love what you are describing, she has many vintage Laura Ashley dresses. (Do DM me if you want to sell any, I’d put them aside for her Christmas present!) recommendations for specialises charity shops, Shooting Star Children's Hospices Charity Shop, they have stores that specialise in designer vintage, email them and let them know what you are donating.

moggie57 Mon 13-May-19 20:45:38

salvation army are the fashion designer ,we know what labels are what AND we have a list that tells us..we just sold vintage dresses at £80 each /wedding dresses at £150.. we love vintage.

mumofmadboys Mon 13-May-19 21:49:21

Oxfam