treasure

Someone’s junk is another’s Treasure

Our tastes change, favourite colours change, styles change and our size changes. Don’t throw unwanted clothing and textiles away.

The most obvious is to try a Gok Wan type DIY fashion fix. Change the buttons, add some trimmings, add a belt or layer and wear with the latest bright, textured or patterned tights.

There are so many places that your cast offs could become another’s treasure and in the same places be warned – you may find that special something you just love!

I love rummaging around and finding my own treasures so I’ve picked up a few things that maybe you will love too. Have a look in my Treasure Shop and be delighted. I am sourcing beautiful garments some of which I have remade with a new on trend twist keeping it in style and unique and other pieces which I think just look great as they are.

Please check the size guide here.

Things you will definitely no longer wear, provided they are in good condition will be welcomed by charity shops, nearly new sales and jumble sales or try selling for yourself at a car boot sale – its fun.

There are also charity clothing and textile recycling banks throughout the country usually located at your local recycling station. Check out this link to find out where you nearest one can be found. sort-it.org

I’ve found some brilliant charity recycling appeals for specific clothing you might not even have considered worth recycling – do it now!

New and old bras in good condition with straps and clasps in good working order will be distributed to charities throughout the UK and overseas. They may go to the homeless in the UK or those living in a country where the price of a bra is more than a meal for their family. breast talk.co.uk

Old and new tights, ladders and holes no problem as long as they are not near the waist/top of the leg and of course they are clean. These are sent to the Addis Ababa Fistula Hospital in Ethiopia where the pant parts are used to hold bandages in place on women who have suffered a fistula injury due to complications in child birth. The legs are woven into rugs. www.tightsplease.com

Old shoes are being collected by UNICEF and Clarks raising funds for education projects world-wide. The shoes are recycled in the UK and money raised contributes to UNICEF's education projects providing safe learning environments for children across the world; giving boys and girls equal learning opportunities and supplying educational materials and sports kits for schools. www.unicef.org.uk

Online there is of course the hugely popular ebay where you might even make yourself some money in return. Gumtree is another option where you can place an online add. Small ads in local papers are also good for wedding dresses and outfits.

For all you party animals www.swishing.org gives you all the details right down to invitations to organise your own swishing party with your friends. A great girlie night in for swapping clothes. Don’t leave the guys out though lets them have a party night swapping unwanted gadgets.

Those of you with some designer pieces should check out www.whatsmineisyours.com described as a site for “like-minded style addicts with an eco conscience”.

Visa Swap is an annual upmarket event from Visa (credit cards) and TRIAD (Textile Recycling for Aid and International Development). Shoppers donate designer clothes and are awarded points on a ‘credit card’ which they then use to my things from other swappers. Anything not swapped is donated to TRIAD. More information on www.visaswap.com.