Throwing away old and never used clothes

I usually donate my unused clothes and household things to my two favourite charities the local hospice shop or the Sally army shop both have had some significance in my life. It feels quite poignant that at our local hospital (the breast cancer care team) has a collection bin for unwanted bras. Many of us who have had surgery whether mastectomy or smaller surgery can no longer use the regular bras we did before treatment, so the bin there receives lots of donated ones which go to help young women in Africa, you can also donate brand new packs of cotton knickers for this same charity if you wish.

I took a beautiful, almost new, Mondi coat to the charity shop after my mother died. It was very stylish but not a colour I would wear. The lady behind the counter commented on how lovely it was. A couple of weeks later saw the same charity shop lady walking down the road in it.

MawBroonsback
Must have been a real shock for your relative to see someone in the donated clothes so soon after the event, but on reflection I hope they found it comforting to think that they were being re-used and re-loved and provided the charity with welcome funds.

I have never heard that idea before, Immiesnana.

I am very reluctant to part with anything unless it is torn or stained, then it usually gets binned as it is probably 15 years old!
I have just put out some decent clothes and shoes for the charity shop, as I have enough “posh” clothes for any rare occasion which demands them, and the shoes are no longer comfortable.
If I am bothered about seeing someone wearing them, then I take them to a neighbouring town.

Like Bigred, all my old clothes are used for travelling. Over a year I put by anything slightly stained or looking worn and pack it in my case for holidays. Over the holiday I leave a pile ( not underwear which is just thrown) with a note saying not needed. I go home with the few decent things I packed and minimal washing. The sort of holidays I take would ruin clothes anyway particularly with suntan lotion. Once I was thanked by a security guard at the hotel as he had been given some of my larger clothes by a maid for his wife who was delighted. I gave him 2 more dresses!
I never buy new for holidays but have a clear out instead.

Ive just had a huge clear out. I will never wear my size 10 jeans again or my size 12's come to that. I had tops that had not been worn for at least 2/3 years, some even longer, and clothes with tags still on. I had a ruthless session, took them to a Man who recycles and gives back a small amount of cash per kilo. Other things were given to charity. Old underwear was put in the Salvation Army collection box. The good stuff goes to a little shop which sells them for a small amount, half of which you get back. If those are not sold then I put them out for charity. Bedding and towels go to the Dog rescue as they use them for the animals. It is hard getting rid and so wasteful too but it just has to be done once in a while

I recently had a massive clear out. Bras in good nick went to Oxfam to go to Africa, Not sure if they still do this. old PANTS jst went in the non recyclable. We get a lot of charity collection bags left - I usually fill one and leave another bag or two with it. Hope it goes to a good cause.

I keep clothes for gardening. Only problem is that I end up with more gardening clothes than anything else!

Taking clothes to the local charity shop can have unforeseen consequences.
My sisters in law cleared out their mother’s clothes - all classic, good quality (she was that sort of lady!) to the local Sue Ryder shop.
Some weeks later, still sorting out the house etc one sister in law nearly had a heart attack when she “saw” her mother walking down the High Street in front of her!
Same “vintage”, same sensible shoes, same grey hair in an up do and a suit which sister in law recognised all too well having taken it to the charity shop only a few weeks earlier.

I recently found out about SmartWorks. It's a charity that gives women who have been long-term unemployed an interview outfit, confidence building and interview advice. If you have one near you they will welcome smart outfits especially in larger sizes. They also need shoes and handbags smartworks.org.uk/get-involved/donate-clothes/
They also hold sales of outfits to raise money.

I'm with Niobe in that I've started buying top quality clothing, sometimes from agencies, in the hope it will last longer and reduce the constant need to throw away. I also find the better quality items are in less garish colours and don't go out of fashion.

I'm mean and hang on to things. When a t-shirt gets too many of those little holes by the seams then it's time to sling and replace.
A pair of beige jeggings developed a hole by the knee and I believe it's all the rage if it's tight denim but it's not really my style. My favourite cardigans are a bit bobbly but still wearable. I try not to overbuy and these days only buy new if the item is irresistible or is a replacement.
My hobby of patchwork helps.

Like Bluebelle I often regret throwing things out that were in great condition; especially as clothes come back into fashion. I'm very choosy now in what I dispose of. I also try not to overbuy. The amount of little used clothes in charity shops is a disgrace really. Our local one often has to refuse donations until stock gets lower.

No such limitations here, out it all goes and I'm hoping my husband has actually taken it to the recycling point and not hoarded it in the barn. There are very few charity shops in this area of France but there are recycling points for clothing.

Please don't destroy bras. Donate them and they are sent to Poor women in other parts of the world who cannot afford to buy them.
I must admit that as I have grown older I buy fewer but better quality clothes which I keep for longer. In the last several months I have only bought 2 tee shirts to replace torn ones.

Calendergirl

I know, it always says, model is 5ft 10, and wearing size 8

Now why do I think, that it’s going to look the same on me, 5ft 1, and size 16!

Sara65.
Exactly, another reason I suppose to buy in person at a shop. How often does something look great on a model but when you try it on yourself .....?

I think one of the problems of buying online, is that it’s such a hassle to pack something up and send it back, that unless it’s vile, I tend to think , I may as well keep it, I might get some wear out of it, whereas if I was in a shop, it would right back on the shelf

I have about 3 new blouses bought in an M and S sale. They are far too big but pretty so I haven't thrown them out.(recycled sorry)

Makes you realise how much ‘stuff’ i.e. clothes we have that probably we shouldn’t have bought in the first place. How many clothes do we really need? I have two funerals coming up, wonder if I should get something fresh, but will no doubt wear my black ‘funeral’ trousers which come out for such occasions. I know I wore them for my mum’s funeral fifteen years ago, they were not new then, but they still fit, don’t look too dated( I hope) and as my husband once said, “Well, no one’s looking at you!”

I used to volunteer in a charity shop and anything that was not good enough to go onto a coat hanger would go into the rag bags which were sold. Some customers would sort out the rags for us and give us a bag of 'clean rags'.

I watched a programme on waste and charities.
Nothing gets wasted.
Put the things you don’t think suitable for a charity shop into one of those bins that collect shoes and old clothes.

I anonymously sent a parce of decent bras to a charity to help abused women.

I actually have a bag of clothes in the car to go to the clothes recycling box, I too find it difficult to get rid, all of these clothes either have a small defect or are looking a bit worn so it was relatively easy

Some clothes don`t get worn in a year but I will not throw them out, such as funeral clothes, cruise clothes (if ever I go again). Another sort out will be happening soon, wardrobes are being built but with much more shelf space than hanging space, for crafting stash. I will use all the wardrobe space but this time, clothes will have room to breathe

Bluebelle

I admit I sometimes look for something, only to remember someone else is probably wearing it!

I used to hang on to things, thinking one day they may fit me again, or one day I’ll find something to go with that expensive top I bought on impulse

But no longer, I clear out twice a year, and if I didn’t wear it the previous season, it goes to the charity shop! Our recycling men take textiles, so all the rubbish goes to them.