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This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at Waterloo chapter.

Sometimes you notice that your closet is filled with clothing items that don’t fit, or you don’t find yourself reaching for them anymore. Maybe you bought something and didn’t even wear it; I think almost all of us are guilty of that. If your clothes are still wearable, don’t throw them away to contribute to landfills. Someone else would be happy to have your clothes; remember, one person’s trash is another person’s treasure.  

Friends and Family

One option is to let your friends or family members look at your clothes and see if you have anything they like. Be sure to check with them to see if they would want any of your clothes, and don’t just unload unwelcome junk to them. You can even host a swap, and they can offer you any clothes that they don’t want. Each person can bring a few pieces, and you can end up with some new clothes for your closet.
 

Online Selling

There are so many places to sell your clothes online. You can choose from sites like Poshmark, Depop, eBay, Facebook Marketplace, Instagram, and more. Selling your clothes online will likely take the most work because you’ll need to post listings and communicate with buyers. However, online selling is probably your most profitable option if you’re looking to make some money and don’t mind spending time in the selling process. 
 

Consignment Stores

You can also take your clothes to a consignment store, and the store will decide whether or not they want to sell your clothes. When they accept them, they will sell your clothes in their store. If they sell your clothes, you will receive a percentage of the sale. If the clothes don’t sell, the store might discount them, or you will need to pick them back up. If you have high-quality or expensive clothes but want a less active role in selling, consignment stores might be a good choice.
 

Buy and Sell Stores

Buy-and-sell stores like Plato’s Closet are an easy way to make some quick cash. You’ll bring in your clothes, and an employee will assess them. They will either accept or reject your pieces. Then, they give you an offer. They’ll take your clothes, and you’ll get cash on the spot. However, the stores are very selective, so your clothes should be fairly new and in excellent condition. Brand names help, too. The store might not offer you as much money as you want; however, remember that the store still needs to make a profit.

Donating to a Charity or Thrift Store

You can quickly regain your closet space and help people in need by donating your clothes. It will also make you feel good because you’re supporting a worthy cause. I like to think about it this way: I enjoyed my time wearing my clothes, and I can feel content parting with them because I know someone else will find value in them. Some places to donate are: Salvation Army, Diabetes Canada, Value Village, or your local thrift stores or shelters.

Upcycling

Upcycling is creatively modifying an item for reuse and making it look even better than it was before. This method enables you to transform your old clothes into something brand new. If you’re bored with the look of a piece, change it up by dyeing it, cutting it, and/or altering it in some other way. You can even repurpose your clothes; personally, I like to use old clothes as fabric for sewing crafts and projects. You can look up some ideas for upcycling online and find tons of inspiration.
 

Hi! My name is Tiffany and I'm in my third year of Honours Arts and Business, with a major in French and a minor in English. Most of my free time is consumed by books whether that be reading books or talking about books on Instagram. I also love roller skating even though I'm still learning. Some of my other favourite pastimes include baking cookies and listening to show tunes.
Hey - I'm Vanessa Geitz, a fourth-year Public Health student at the University of Waterloo. I am currently the President and Campus Correspondent for HC Waterloo and love writing articles! Also a big fan of the Bachelor, BBT, and books.