Why Buying Charity Clothing Is A Great Idea

By Janine Hughes


Looking good does not come cheap. Clothes that are stylish, exclusive and good quality are beyond most people's budgets. If you opt for more affordable items, however, you often end up with clothes that are of poor quality and there's a good chance that you'll run into someone else wearing the exact same piece. This is one of the many reasons why it is a good idea to start considering charity clothing.

The number one reason to shop at charity stores is that it's a way of doing a good deed. Most non-profit organizations have a hard time raising enough funds for their work and they rely on every penny they can raise through selling donated clothes. Whether it's the local goodwill store in Hanover, PA or an Oxfam shop in London, England, the profits they make can help feed the hungry, educate the illiterate or improve the quality of life of stray animals.

One of the great things about goodwill stores is that the clothes you find here are cheap. This is of course an important consideration if you're on a budget and cannot afford to buy from the more upmarket stores. If you're unemployed, you may even visit one of these stores and find a perfect outfit that can help you nail your next job interview.

By buying second-hand clothes, you do your bit not to perpetuate a huge problem in the world. Most cheap and even medium-priced clothes are made in poor countries. Often the reason why these clothes can be made so cheaply is that workers are paid what amounts to slave wages. They don't have any rights and they often work in terrible, unsafe conditions. Child labor is common in the garment industry too.

The environment should always be a consideration in whatever you buy. Producing new garments takes an enormous toll on natural resources. Not only does it use up water and other non-renewable resources but it also causes pollution. Buying clothes that have been worn before is essentially a way of recycling.

If you still need convincing, think about the uniqueness of clothes you can find at your local goodwill store. Instead of row upon row with exactly the same items, you'll find pieces that nobody else has. Many of these are great quality too and you can even find designer items that have been worn only a couple of times and are still as good as new.

Once you start shopping for clothes at charity stores, you'll quickly see how it encourages you to be creative. While many pieces can be worn straight off the shelf, others need a bit of a makeover. With some basic sewing supplies you can turn the ugliest, most unfashionable piece into something spectacular. For instance, cut off the puffy sleeves of an Eighties dress or cut the hemline a little shorter. Cut up several T-shirts and sew the different pieces back together for a colorful new top. The possibilities are endless and there may even be some business opportunities in upcycling old clothes.

Almost every city and large town has at least one charity store. You only need to look in the local listings or online. These days you'll even find several of these stores online so you can browse from the comfort of your living room.




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