How to organise your wardrobe sustainably
How to organise your wardrobe sustainably
By Emily Stott, Personal Stylist
Around this time of year, I have a flurry of clients wanting to sort through their wardrobes; the unmistakeable scent of autumn in the air indicates it’s time to retrieve the coats, boots and jumpers we’ve shoved into boxes for the (albeit brief) summer months – it can feel like a daunting task.
In the ten years I’ve been a personal stylist I’ve put together hundreds of outfits and organised more wardrobes than I can remember. It’s ultimately a feel-good experience for all involved and an enormously rewarding job. That said, it’s a process that can feel overwhelming and a little intimidating for first-time clients and I won’t pretend some don’t approach it with a certain amount of trepidation.
“Do I need to do anything to prepare for this?”
“Will you want to throw everything out?”
“Will I need to buy loads of new stuff?”
All valid concerns, the answer to all of which is a resounding “No!”
However overstuffed you think your wardrobe is, I’ve seen worse and what’s more, I genuinely relish getting my hands on all those screwed up sweaters and long forgotten jeans. Where you might see far too many clothes, a fraction of which you wear, I see the potential for reinvention and fresh looks you haven’t thought of.
Another question that pops up is what to do with unwanted stuff; in every wardrobe edit there are pieces that either don’t fit anymore or no longer suit a client’s lifestyle. Well, one person’s trash is another person’s treasure and thanks to the war on waste and our more mindful approach to fashion, there are now many options for your pre-loved clothes.
Rehoming has never been easier or more gratifying. Here are a few ideas for the next stage:
- Recycling incentives
There are now at least three high street stores offering a money-off voucher in return for bag-fulls of your unwanted clothes. H&M take all textiles, bed linen included, and you’ll receive £5 off your next spend over £25.
Schuh offer a similar incentive for any pair of shoes – take them in for recycling and they’ll give you £5 off a brand new pair.
2. Vinted
The first thing to say is that Vinted requires far less effort than EBay and for those of us who live in south west London where there’s a plethora of Evri, In Post and Yodel drop-off points, it’s easier than ever. True, many high street pieces don’t fetch much more than a few pounds but it all adds up and I can honestly say that I financed a whole mini break with the proceeds of my Vinted sales last year. Word of warning; it’s very tempting to get sucked into spending your earnings on bargains so stay strong!
3. Charity shops
If you want to part with your clothes and help worthy causes at the same time, a charity shop is your first port of call. As long as your cast-offs are clean and in decent condition, they’ll happily take them off your hands.
4. Alterations and repairs
When M&S discovered only 10% of the population is confident enough to do their own clothes repairs, they saw a gap in the market that could potentially increase an item’s shelf life. They partnered up with SOJO, a small team of tailors whose mission is to make alterations more accessible. Prices start at a very reasonable £5, repairs are booked through a dedicated online hub and your item is returned to you by courier within a week.
5. Clothes swaps
Thanks to ‘Secondhand September’, clothes swap events are on the increase and a quick glance at Eventbrite details at least three scheduled this winter in London. Take along up to five items of clothing and exchange them for tokens you then swap for pre-loved pieces that catch your eye when the sale opens. The next London event is happening at on 16th November at the Brompton Library and entrance is free.
Emily Stott
@emily_styled
