Overview
There are many options for reusing a garment that can extend its use phase including:
- Swap no longer worn garments with friends or at organised events
- Sell on online market places, markets or garage sale
- Donate good quality, good condition garments to charity
- Restyle outfits with existing pieces in your wardrobe
In the sections below we'll explore each option and include links for events and locations in Brisbane and Australia wide.
Clothes Swaps
Swapping unworn clothes between friends and family has been a way of extending the use phase of a garment for a long time. More recently organised swaps where you can exchange clothes with your wider community have become more popular.The Great Fashion Revolution Clothes Swap
Fashion Revolution hosts annual clothes swap events around the world. You can find details of the next swap in your area here.The Clothing Exchange
The Clothing Exchange is an Australian based group that hosts swapping events around the country. You can find their latest event details here.Virtual Clothes Swap
Currently only available in the UK and Ireland, NUW is an app that allows for the online swapping of garments, check out the app here. Similar apps may soon be available in Australia. In the meantime social media platforms like Facebook have local clothes swapping groups, simply search your location and the term clothes swap.Brisbane Suitcase Rummage
Though technically a market where items are for sale, swaps are allowed at the Brisbane suitcase rummage. For their latest event dates checkout their Facebook page here.Host a Clothes Swap
If you can't find a clothing swap in your own area consider hosting your own. Simply have people bring their garments and exchange each item for a token (e.g. a paper, bottle cap, anything can be a token!), put all the garments out for display and have people choose new garments and "pay" for them by giving back their token.Re-sell
There are many options for reselling clothes that you no longer wear but are still in good condition.
Digital Platforms
Digital platforms like DePop allow you to sell your preloved clothes to users all over the world. Many users also sell garments they have customised or altered. DePop allows for the sale of any garment from any era to be sold on their platform. You can check out DePop here.
Other platforms like Etsy are more specific in their garment requirements. Etsy specifies that garments must be vintage (over twenty years old) or handmade. You can check out Etsy here.
Social Media
Social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram have also become spaces for selling used garments. On Facebook there are many localised groups dedicated to selling and swapping clothes. On Instagram the process is often less organised with some individual users selling preloved garments. Some users sell garments sporadically as part of closet clean outs whilst others have built an entire following around the resale of second hand clothing. Try searing hashtags like #closetsale #shopmycloset and #resale
Markets
Markets have always been a popular space to resell second hand and vintage clothing. Search for markets specialising in clothing or vintage clothing in your local area.
There are several in Brisbane and South East Queensland that feature clothing resale including:
Trade and Consignment
If actively selling your clothing isn't appealing there are stores that can resell them for you. There are two business models these stores usually follow.
Trade stores will take your garments in exchange for either a store credit or cash. Examples in Brisbane include SWOP, visit their website here.
Consignment stores take your goods and place them in their store. Once the clothing sells they will give you a (prearranged) percentage of the sales price. An example in Brisbane is Designer Archives, visit their website here.
Donate
Used garments in good condition can be donated to a range of charities and organisations.Workwear Donations
Some organisations specifically collect corporate style workwear to help people who might not have access to workwear to attend an interview or start a new job, removing one or the barriers to accessing employment. Organisations that follow this model exist across Australia and Globally. Brisbane examples include Dress For Success Brisbane and Suited To Success.School Uniform Donations
In addition to regular clothing collection charities, many school uniform shops offer a take back policy for gently worn uniforms to be resold or redistributed to students who need them.Charities
A number of charities in Australia collect and resell donated clothing to fund their charitable works. Nationwide charities include Lifeline Shops, Vinnies, Salvos Stores and The RSPCA. Many state and local charities exist too, search your area to find one that matches your values.Social Enterprise
Some social enterprise (businesses who make a profit for a purpose) also resell donated clothes. Examples include World's Biggest Garage Sale located in Brisbane.Council Treasure Troves
Many councils have second hand stores reselling clothes and a range of goods. Brisbane City Council has recently rebranded "tip shops" to now be known as "treasure Troves". You can learn more about Brisbane City Council's Treasure Troves here.Further Reading
You can learn more about reuse at the following external links.