Cleaning Your Closet? What To Do With The Looks You’re Losing

January 31, 2007 | 3:17 pm

Not all your clothes from last year — or even last season — can safely translate into the coming one. So what are you suppose to do with all the leftovers that will never come back in style (think head scarves, skulls and crochet)? Before you begin tossing them in the bin, consider all your options. Featured in PEOPLE’s StyleWatch Febraury issue, our editors found four alternatives to parting with everything you are over:

1. Donate Them: Organizations like Goodwill.org and the Salvation Army will take donations of almost everything. Give your old work clothes to Dress For Success, which collects business clothes for low-income women. And for prom gowns that will never be worn again check out the Glass Slipper Project.

2. Consign Them: For items that are clean and in good condition visit a local shop where you can make 40 to 60 percent of a sale if your item is bought.

3. EBAY Them: Ebay.com style director, Constance White, says to attract buyers “photograph the back and front of your item on a body or form; be sure the photo is well lit and against a plain, light-colored background. Always state if the item is new or used, the brand and size. Finally, note any damage, no matter how small.”

4. Swap Them: Organize your own swap group among friends or check out Swapstyle.com where you can trade with women around the world.

Photo:Dave Allocca/startraks

Permalink | | Category: Ebay, In the Magazine

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KT fr Cda January 31st, 2007

Finally an artical that makes sence. I always donate my clothes or my kids clothes to the Sally Anne (Salvation Army) or the Goodwill. Though with what she’s wearing, I hope the zebra she stole this from will be happy to get it back! My eyes hurt after seeing this pic.

funfun100 January 31st, 2007

Well….I just keep them in my closet until I’m 100% sure that I don’t want them. Then I give the clothes away to charity.

Lori January 31st, 2007

Once I know I won’t wear certain clothing anymore, I donate them to a place like Goodwill. It’s nice to know that other people can make use of items that are still in good condition.

Bunky January 31st, 2007

“Finally an artical that makes sence.” You can tell by this sentence that KT is qualified to make that call. This is a very helpful post, I think, though far from the first one on this blog that makes “sence”.

erica January 31st, 2007

I have given the salvation army so many bags over the years. And the money goes to a good cause. Those bins near supermarkets, not a good cause. Apparently they are not donated but resold and the store owners keep the money. Legal, but not something that is widely known.

For really great stuff that I have, it’s all about Ebay! I have been selling on ebay for years and it really pays off. If you have designer stuff, they really sell, My big sales have been a Gucci shirt, Juicy Couture sweats. Constance White is right, be very very honest about your items and descibe them well. Good copy can really sell an item. Also add some fun graphic backgrounds and use timely words like Buy Now! or Spring Sale, Winter Sale, etc..

elizabeth January 31st, 2007

I wish there was no need for this kind of article, and that it was just assumed that people would give their older clothes away–I think the only things that get thrown out to the trash of mine are total rags and undergarments/socks…

KT fr Cda February 1st, 2007

Bunky, what are you talking about? I think donating clothes is a fantastic idea that my family strongly believes it. I am not the only one that donates clothes too. I’m sorry if you fine that I donate clothes affends you. I really don’t know of anyone who hasn’t said “Finally an artical that makes sence.” I really cannot understand how you can find that offensive. Really, you don’t make sence.

C February 1st, 2007

I love ebay! I not only sell my children’s clothes there, but also buy things for them too. You can get great deals on Gymboree and other children’s clothing that wears great and lasts much longer than through just one kid. I then re-sell when my girls outgrow them. We only throw out clothes that are no longer wearable. Everything else is either sold or donated to Value Village Thrift Stores.

Jen February 1st, 2007

KT- Bunky is referring to your use of the word “sence”. It is spelled Sense. I am assuming Bunky is a spelling bee champ.

Bunky February 1st, 2007

Nope - never higher than sixth. And that’s something I don’t like to talk about.

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