Why You Should Consider Charity Clothing As A Wardrobe Choice

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.

There is another economical aspect to buying second-hand clothes. These days, most cheap and mid-priced clothes are manufactured in factories in poor countries. Often the reason why the garments are so cheap is that the people who make them have to work for very long hours and aren't paid a living wage. Besides, many factories use illegal child labor or pay no attention to basic safety regulations. By refusing to support these factories, you help not to perpetuate the problem.

In a world where consumerism threatens to destroy the environment, shopping at goodwill stores is the green thing to do as well. It takes a lot of water and other resources to produce cotton or wool, for instance. Industrial dyes and other chemicals used in the garment manufacturing process do incredible harm too but you can help contain the damage by wearing what is essentially recycled clothes.

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.

A fun aspect of buying second-hand clothes is that it helps unleash your creativity. Some items can be worn as they are but others may need a little bit of updating. All you need is a pair of scissors, a needle and some thread. A bunch of ties can be turned into a colorful skirt. A pair of denim shorts can become a miniskirt. An oversized T-shirt can be turned into a dress. You'll quickly learn how to spot the potential of that ugly power suit from the Eighties. You may even resell the clothes that you give a new lease on life and start your own business.

There are charity stores in most cities and large towns. To find one in your area, simply look online. In fact, you will even find online stores that sell second-hand clothes to support different charities.




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