Recycled Clothing

Recycled clothing refers to used clothes that are recycled for further use. There are many different ways to recycle and to purchase recycled clothing, just as there are many different reasons for recycling. Clothing can be donated, resold, committed on speculation and even auctioned off online.

The recycling of vintage dresses and clothing has been popular for many years, with many different types of stores, from charity and thrift shops, to specialist vintage resellers and even recycled designer and couture specialist stores. Vintage clothes from many eras remain popular in many circles as political, cultural or fashion statements. Second hand recycled clothing is also popular for theme parties and other ‘fancy dress’ occasions.

Clothing is often recycled to provide stock to charity stores who can then gain income from reselling the clothes. Recycling can also be used to gain income directly, most often by reselling clothing through such means as flea markets, garage sales and online reselling and shopping sites. The sale of vintage clothing online has revitalised and expanded the existing market substantially. Clothing can also be recycled for other purposes including use as industrial rags and cleaners, through to artisan handmade papers.