Statistics show that the average person only wears 20% of the clothes he or she wears. Even if you have a wardrobe filled with high-quality dress shirts, sweaters, coats and other apparel, it’s doubtful you’ll wear them all. So, what can you do with your old clothes that you no longer wear?
#1) Dye Them
Assuming the garment of clothing is still functional and intact, you can give it a fresh new look by dyeing it. Fabric dye is available at most home goods stores for just a couple bucks, making this is an expensive way to repurpose your old clothes. If you have a pair of faded light jeans, for instance, you can make them darker with indigo-colored fabric dye.
#2) Consign Them
You can get rid of your old clothes while putting some extra cash in your pocket by selling them to a consignment shop. Not to be confused with thrift stores, consignment shops are more selective in what they buy, typically only accepting gently worn, name brand clothes. Nonetheless, this is an option to consider if you’re looking to clean out your wardrobe.
#3) Swap Them
If you live in or around a major city, perhaps you can swap your old clothes with other like-minded individuals. Countless cities throughout the United States host events during which people can swap their clothes. You might be able to trade a pair of jeans, for instance, for a new shirt or jacket.
#4) Recycle Them
Another idea is to recycle your old clothes. While it’s doubtful you’ll earn cash in exchange for recycling your clothes, this is still a great alternative to tossing them in the trash (or letting them sit in your clothes unused). It’s a little-known fact that most clothes and textiles are near-100% recyclable. When recycled, clothes are broken down into raw materials, after which they are used to make new clothes and other items using the recycled fabric.
#5) Sell Them
Of course, you can always sell your old clothes as well. If they are premium, name brand clothes, chances are other people will be interested in buying them. Listing them on eBay is always worth a shot, or you can sell multiple pieces as a “lot” on Craigslist or other sites.
These are just a few things that you can do with your old clothes. If you aren’t wearing a particular garment — and you have no plans to wear it in the future — there’s no point in keeping it in your closet.