This year I threw myself back into volunteering for my me time & also to do my part giving back to the community. With a background in retail, it was only natural to select helping out at an op shop (although my second choice is helping at a home for the elderly).
Every week when I commence my shift my eyes pop at the generosity of the amount of goods donated. Unfortunately not all of it makes it to the shop floor. ONLY clothing (& items) in GREAT condition can be sold. After all if you wouldn't buy that tatty well worn dirty t-shirt, no one else would either.
Now what happens to clothing that is dirty, has holes, missing buttons, has tears, faded, pilled, out of date I hear you ask?
Well some will be bagged to be on sold to mechanics for rags, there is a local lady who has a look if she can salvage any for art projects, there is one volunteer who can sew excess manchester into boomerang shopping bags, but sadly most will be bagged up & shipped to a third world country to use as "textiles" or most likely sit in landfill overseas.
Read this article from "The true cost of fashion" documentary to see the abnormaty of our textile waste sitting in landfill overseas.
And definately watch this clip about the effects of fast fashion in Australia.
Now what can we do to help?
*Only donate goods in pristine condition, if it isn't good enough for your friends. No one else will want it.
*Stop buying so much & make do with what you have. Mix & match what's already in your wardrobe.
*For special occasions, borrow off a friend or hire. There are so many dress hire places now, saves you spending big on wearing a dress once.
*Dont buy into the lastest trends. Know your body type to avoid impulse purchases you will regret later as it doesn't suit you.
*Get creative & restyle clothes already in your closet. Loving these upstyled jackets from Fi & Co. I'm actually altering a dress into a top at the moment, I shall share the final product when complete. You don't know how to sew? Could you barter services to a friend who sews? Or better yet take sewing lessons & watch sewing tutorials to get you motivated.
* I have already previously mentioned in another post; you could hold a clothing swap with friends, donate dress ups to a local school or even fabric to school art class, pass onto a friend (I was completely grateful for receiving a winter wardrobe of handmedowns for Kobe (thank you Michelle:)).
Support local businesses selling preloved fashion; Fi & Co, Beleza Vintage & Ayla sell a great range of clothes in Western Australia. I have previously listed more here.
Have I missed anything? Feel free to let me know.
Happy Sunday friends!
Grace Ox
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