Clothing. EVERYWHERE.
We would be lying if we said we weren't currently writing this blog sandwiched between two bags of laundry begging to be washed. We would also be lying if we said there wasn't another basket waiting patiently in the closet. We like fashion, OK? It's totally a problem, and we're totally working on it (kind of). In the meantime, however, what to do with the outmoded/ill-fitting (clean) stuff? You know, the sweater that's been hanging out, unworn, in the bottom drawer of our dresser for the past four years? The little black dress that was SO CUTE in the store but somehow morphed into a too-big-on-top-too-short-too-itchy-when-did-I-become-so-short-waisted tragic disaster when we got it home? Folks, it's time to take back our closets and rid ourselves of bizarre outerwear from the late 90's (see photo)!
As you may already know, there are several avenues through which you can unload whatever lurks in the nether regions of your closet. Here they are, laid out for you, with directions, explanations, pros and cons, and a slew of additional information you probably don't need.
Ready? Go:
Consignment:
Second Time Around
Locations EVERYWHERE -- just check the website
Poor Little Rich Girl*
121 Hampshire St.
Inman Square, Cambridge
and
166 Newbury St.
Boston, MA
*Poor Little Rich Girl consignors get 20% off inventory when they shop the store. Hooray! The Davis Square location has closed, however. Boo.
PROS: Probably the most obvious choice for vintage shiz, high-end shiz, etc. They're all over the place, they cater to different aesthetics, and they're run by folks who know fashion in, out, upside down and backwards, so you can pretty much rest assured knowing that you're getting the right price for your grandmother's Bakelite accessories/obscure Comme des Garçons jacket/premium denim. Additionally, some stores offer discounts to sellers, so if you buy used anyway (which you SHOULD, because it's GREENER -- it takes 700 gallons of water to grow the cotton to produce just one t-shirt and cotton is one of the most water- and pesticide-dependent crops), you can save some dough in exchange for supplying them with new stuff to sell.
CONS: Consignment means you don't get paid unless it sells, and it can be tough getting an appointment to have your stuff assessed. Most stores have pretty strict policies about what they'll take (designer only, current season only, etc.), how much they'll take, when they'll take it, how they'll take it, etc., and violating any of these rules can land you back home, bags full, wallet empty. Also, all consignment stores take a chunk of the sale; sellers generally yield only around 40%, so you're paying for the convenience of not having to figure out a fair price, photograph it, post it on eBay and ship it yourself (shipping is wasteful anyway). Finally, most stores send checks every few months, so you don't see any money for the goods for a while, even if it sells right away.
Resellers:
Buffalo Exchange*
238 Elm St.
Davis Square, Somerville
*Buffalo Exchange sellers get 50% store credit or %30 in cash for their stuff.
PROS: You bring them your shiz, they take what they want and give you a wad of cash/store credit in exchange. No worrying about whether it'll sell, no waiting months for a check, no appointment necessary.
CONS: These places usually sell at a lower rate than consignment stores, meaning you're likely to get less for your threads, so it's not the ideal spot to bring your fancy whatnot. (In the interest of journalistic research, we just let go of a $225 dress with the tags STILL ON for $27.50. Vomit.) But, if you're looking to unload your everyday H&M/Gap/Urban Outfitters garb, it's pretty much ideal.
The S.W.A.P. Team Presents: Take Off Your Clothes SoWa Clothing Swap:
When: Saturday June 5: 5pm-10pm
Sunday June 6: 11am-4pm
Where: 500 Harrison Ave, South End Boston
PROS: Trade what you don't want for something you actually need (or just want). It's free ($8 donation suggested at the door), it'll be really fun, and whatever doesn't get taken gets donated to AIDS Action, so you're doing some good for the world while you shed your ill-fitting stuff. Also, they'll come pick your stuff up for you (email them at clothingpickups-BOS@theswapteam.org to schedule a time) so you don't have to haul it to SoWa, which means you can ride your BIKE to get there, which is EVEN GREENER.
CONS: If you're a weird size (like me) you're likely going to have limited swap options. But, there should be plenty of accessories and whatnot to choose from, so depending on what you're looking for, it could still be a great success.
Donations:
Boomerangs*
716 Centre St.
Jamaica Plain
and
1870 Centre St.
West Roxbury
*Proceeds from Boomerangs go to benefit AIDS Action. Check the website for drop-off hours.
Salvation Army
328 Mass Ave.
Central Square, Cambridge
and
483 Broadway
Somerville
Goodwill
520 Mass Ave
Central Square, Cambridge
and
965 Commonwealth Ave.
BU, Brighton
and
230 Elm St.
Davis Square, Somerville
PROS: Get rid of stuff consignment boutiques and resellers are unlikely to take, and contribute to the community while you do it.
CONS: ...? None. Unload a bunch of shiz no one else wants and help those in need.
And what about the stuff that's totally beyond saving? The stuff your kid colored on, your dog chewed in half, your lover ripped in a fit of passion (way to go, Casablanca...). Two suggestions:
1. Cut them up and turn them into cleaning rags. Dust, wipe, scrub, etc. Wash. Repeat. Greener than paper towels, cheaper than paper towels, sturdier than paper towels.
2. Drop them off at one of Planet Aid's big yellow boxes around Cambridge (the most convenient one is at 500 Memorial Drive, near MIT). They'll either ship the clothes to developing regions that need them or recycle the textiles into new ones. Either way, your stuff is staying out of landfills, and that's what this is all about.
Whew. OK, folks. We have given you an absurd number of options for ridding yourself of your rags, zero waste. You have NO EXCUSE now. None. We expect neat, organized closets by the end of the month. Send us photos! We'll post them here.
Then will you please help us do all this laundry?
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