If you’re going to clean out your closets, make sure that the things that you eliminate get a new life, and support a good cause:
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I’m taking a “health day,” but I still have something to share….
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Sending you warm and healing wishes!
It is worth noting that many of these items are sold to for-profit US-based used clothing businesses. These sell clothes in Africa and other poor places–and thereby disrupt the local clothing industries. I am not sure if the recommended Columbia program does that–I couldn't find info on the site of their partner. See this article from NYT: https://www.nytimes.com/2017/10/12/world/africa/east-africa-rwanda-used-clothing.html
This is a HUGELY important topic, Janice. I'm so glad to see you opening the door to discussing the durability of the clothes we purchase and the ethics of fast fashion generally. A wealthy friend recently told me that so-called "investment clothing" sold at top dollar is now often as poorly made of cheap materials with no allowances for alterations as discount clothing. For the same price, she can get something made well of good materials by the seamstress who does alterations at her dry cleaners. Help your readers learn how to figure out what is well-made and durable as they assemble their capsule wardrobes. Not that they have to keep things that are mistakes. We all make them. I recently donated a very well-made LLBean knit top that I realized after a few wearings was the wrong color for me, but whoever buys it at the thrift store (owned and operated locally) will get a lot of wear out of it. At heart, Janice, I think you are an educator, and ethical fashion is an area where we could all use more education.
I take old rags to H&M in exchange to discount coupon, but don't know what they do with it.
Also I avoid any syntethic fabric since they need 3x more resource than cotton. I have found it only recently. What I purchased before that, I will wear until it falls apart.
I also dye clothes and cloth footwear if the color doesn't suit me. In fact I have too much clothes boxed by color, and I rotate it. I cant' give up perfectly good clothes. Also I have lots of clothes that I keep for a day when I will finally start sawing so that I practice doing alterations on it…
Sania from Zagreb
more healthy wishes coming to you from snow bound Vancouver
Here in Eastern Canada, many of us donate to Hospice. Hospice is a non-profit charity that provides end-of-life quality care in a non-hospital environment for dying patients and their families. These charities accept clean, quality used clothing and household items and sell them in their lovely "boutiques". The donor gets a tax receipt for anything sold, and it's a lovely place to shop; a win-win situation! After visiting a young friend at Bobby's Hospice, in Saint John, N.B. I was totally on board, and glad I had donated and bought! http://www.hospicesj.ca/
I'm amazed more communities do not do this. It's a wonderful way to make a difference.
LmC – Canada