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Monday, 26 January 2015

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.

One of the greatest reasons to buy your clothes from charity stores is that it helps to improve the lives of others. Whether it's a local non-profit organization in Hanover, PA or an international one such as Oxfam, charities rely on every penny to make ends meet. The money you spend on a few T-shirts or a dress from the local goodwill store can go towards feeding someone, giving a child an education or giving an animal a home.

Another important consideration is simple economics. The clothes you find at goodwill stores are often sold for only a few dollars. However, the pieces can be of surprisingly good quality. The result is that you can look great for less and use the money you save on clothes to finance something else, such as an around-the-world trip.

Chain stores that sell affordable clothes often import items made in developing countries. While it's great to support developing economies, the problem is that cheap clothes are often made in sweatshop conditions. Workers are paid a pittance for working long hours in unsafe conditions. In fact, some of the deadliest factory fires occurred in clothing factories where emergency exits were locked and workers were trapped. Some factories also use child labor.

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.

Another great reason to buy your clothes second-hand is that you're almost guaranteed a unique wardrobe. The items you'll find on the shelves of your local goodwill store are usually one-of-a-kind. You can even find designer dresses, jeans and other items that are only a season or two old, have been worn only once or twice and are still very much in vogue.

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.

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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