Reusing Clothes

Why not swap unwanted clothes with others to help refresh your wardrobe? You can swish and exchange them for gorgeous second hand pieces! Here is how:

Swishing parties are a way of having fun and benefitting others at the same time: you simply take your unwanted clothes to a party for others to browse through, and you get to browse through your friends'. Then you each pick what you would like to take home! Swishings are advertised on www.swishing.org, or you could even organise your own. If you are not sure how, try out the fabulous Frock Exchange Party Pack available at www.bbc.co.uk/thread/twiggysfrockexchange.

Online exchange is more and more popular. You can get hold of ordinary and even extraordinary designers’ goods through the ever-growing number of exchange websites. You can use your local Swap & Sell, Freegle or a dedicated fashion exchange like Covert Candy or Big Wardrobe.

Many organisations need your unwanted clothes.

Charities will be very happy for your donation, through a charity shop, a textiles recycling bank or a special doorstep collection. Did you know they can make money from clothes even if they aren’t suitable to be sold on the shopfloor, as long as they are clean? See the pass it on page to find your nearest charity shops and textile banks.

Raise money for your school or community group – Type "textile recycling raise money" into Google to bring up the numerous organisations which give your group money in exchange for clothing donations.

Recycling Centres – most good quality clothing taken to recycling centres is exported to developing countries. Some textiles will be used as industrial rags in the UK.

Why not make a bit of profit from the clothes you no longer need? A local car boot sale can be a place to be for you and your old clothes if you have a bit of time and the weather is good. You can get rid of your unwanted stuff, get some money out of it and have a fun day out. Ask around your community or check the lists of local car boot sales at www.carbootsales.org

Online you can find many outlets for your unwanted clothes. Try our local Swap & Sell website, the clothes exchange portal at www.bigwardrobe.com or Ebay. It is a hassle-free way to make some space in your wardrobe and make a profit.

What do you do when you realise that favourite skirt or top is getting a bit tight, or loose or it is not in fashion anymore, but you simply cannot let it go? The great news is – you don't need to!

Why not try restyling or refreshing your clothes to better fit your needs? You can find a lot of advice about ‘mending, making and doing’ things with your clothes to keep them for longer at www.make-do-and-mend.org.

You can explore the community website www.cambridgeshire.net to find out about local sewing courses, or local community groups and evening classes that can help you learn basic sewing skills.

If you do not have the time yourself to mend or change your clothes, there are lots of local tailors and sewing centres where you can get it done for you.