Charity shop or flea market for your surplus clothes

Short answer: If you have clothes that take up space in the wardrobe but never get worn, a charity shop or a flea market can be the way forward. The shop is easy and quick, while the flea market takes time but can bring in more. Here is how to choose and prepare the clothes.

Find out what you actually want to let go

Take all your clothes out of the wardrobe and sort them into three piles: what you wear, what you might wear, and what you have not worn in the past year. The last pile is your surplus. Be honest with yourself, and do not let guilt over an old purchase keep clothes in the wardrobe.

Sort by condition

Clothes in good condition can be sold or passed on. Clothes with holes, large stains or worn seams are rarely suitable for reuse, and textile recycling is often the right place for them. Call or check the website of your charity shop to learn what they accept before you load the car.

The charity shop is the easy choice

In a charity shop you hand over the bag and have no work with selling. That suits you if you have no time or wish to stand at a table all day. The clothes go on to new owners, and the money often goes to a good cause, but check who runs the shop.

The flea market takes more but can give more

At a flea market you set the price yourself and meet buyers face to face. It costs a stall fee and a day, and you should expect to haggle. Keep prices simple and set out boxes so people can browse. Smaller items often go faster than large ones.

Wash and smooth the clothes before handing them in

Clean clothes are easier to pass on and to sell. Wash them according to the care label, hang them to dry and fold them neatly. Remove bobbles if there are any. A few minutes per item makes the clothes look like something a person wants to take home.

Bring only what makes sense

If you are going to a flea market, bring only clothes you would wear yourself if they fit. Whatever does not sell has to be carried home again, so keep the amount realistic. At the shop you can hand in the whole sorted pile at once, as long as it is clean and in good condition.

Use the space for something you actually wear

Once the wardrobe is cleared, you can see what is missing. Consider gathering your wardrobe into fewer, better choices that last. You can see more in the range for men if you are looking for soft basics. Buy only what fills a gap, and not what merely looks like the old piece.

Look after what you keep

Clothes that wear less come back to the shelf less often. Wash at a low temperature, use a gentle rinse and air dry rather than tumble drying every time. Also see the bestsellers for men to find what others choose, and bamboo T-shirts for men if you are missing a basic tee.

Frequently asked questions

What do I do with clothes in poor condition?

Clothes with holes or large stains often cannot be reused as clothing. Check your local rules for textile waste, or ask the shop whether they accept such items for recycling.

When does a flea market make the most sense?

When you have a good amount of clothes in good condition and time to stand for a whole day. If the amount is small, a charity shop is usually easier and quicker.

Should clothes be washed before I hand them in?

Yes, wash them according to the care label and let them dry completely. Clean, tidy clothes are easier to sell and pass on, and they take up less room in a bag.

You can find the full range at Copenhagen Bamboo.