It’s a great time to take stock with what is in your closet! This week is National Secondhand Wardrobe Week, so it’s a great time to give your wardrobe a refresh without spending a ton of money, and with a recycling conscious mind. In order to celebrate, here are a few tips to revitalize, organize, and recycle some of the things in your closet.
Clear Your Wardrobe Clutter
Get a jump on your spring cleaning this week. Do some decluttering and organizing in your closet. Before you start, set your intentions so that you can make the most of the time you spend.
Is it your intention to downsize your wardrobe by getting rid of items that are no longer needed or wanted? In this case you will want to focus your time on fit, style, and usefulness.
Is your intention to shop your own closet and find those items that you may have forgotten about? Then you may want to think about upcoming events or occasions that you may need an outfit for. You can also cycle out some of your current go-to’s with some new go-to’s.
If your goal is to find a few things in your closet that have served you well but can now be passed on to serve someone else, then you can set your intention to focus on finding the items that you know may be needed. For example, warm coats, hats, and gloves are especially useful for those in need at this time of the year.
Maybe you want to make some extra money! By setting this intention you will want to be laser focused on the task at hand. If you are looking to make a little extra money, then you will need to look at your clothing with a more critical eye to determine if it is consignment/resale worthy.
After you have set your intentions, it’s time to dive in.
Donate Items in Good Condition
If you have clothing that still looks great but it doesn’t work for you any longer, donating is a great way to celebrate Secondhand Wardrobe Week. Choose a charity or organization that works for you and then make a pile to drop off. One great thing to consider is donating to organizations that are helping women get back on their feet, or helping them to return to the workforce.
Consign or Sell Online
Another way to get your unwanted items into the secondhand wardrobe pool is to take them to a consignment shop, thrift shop, or sell them online.
Search your local area for consignment shops near you. If this is the route you are going to take, it’s a good idea to give them a call to find out if they have any specific criteria for the items they accept for consignment. This will definitely save you a trip to the consignment store only to find out that they are not currently accepting summer clothing when that is the majority of your items.
You can always sell online using platforms like Facebook Marketplace, Thread-up, or my favorite, Poshmark.
Revitalize or Repair Items You Already Own
If you are like most women you probably have at least one item in your closet that would be “just perfect” if it were hemmed, or repaired. Celebrate this week by taking action.
Revitalizing or upcycling something in your wardrobe is a great way to give life to clothes that you are not ready to part with. If you are a DIY kind of person, search Pinterest for ideas. You will find everything from refashioning a t-shirt to turning a dress into a cute jumper. If you are not handy with a sewing machine, find a local seamstress. Not only will you be giving new life to an old piece of clothing, but you can also support a local business. Who doesn’t love that?
Add Secondhand Items to Your Wardrobe
If you are in the market for something this is a good opportunity to check out how you can acquire great items secondhand. Check out those local consignment shops, or make a quick search on Poshmark. You would be amazed that you can find great clothing with tags still on but at a fraction of the retail cost. That is my favorite kind of recycling.
Recently, I found two items featured on fashion blogs that I just loved…and of course they were sold out and no longer available. With a little searching I actually found both of the items for sale on Poshmark.
While there is not a lot of information on the origin of National Secondhand Wardrobe Week, we can still take advantage of this great concept…and it’s a great excuse to freshen up your closet and your wardrobe.