What to do when you FINALLY clean out your closet

April 3, 2007 8:58 PM

The cleaning out of my closet (finally) has resulted in two garbage bags full of clothes. Now what should I do with them? I'm in NYC.

I will donate the majority of the clothes to charity, but I'm not sure exactly where I can/should take them. It would be a bonus if it was close to where I live on the Lower East Side.
I'd also like to try to sell some of the clothes, as a lot of them are new or only worn a few times. I really want to get rid of them as fast as possible though, because I know if I start looking through them again, I'll probably reconsider and keep a ton of things that I just don't need. So no ebay, I don't need them sitting in my apartment waiting for me to get tempted and put them back into my closet. I don't expect to make a large amount of money at all, but it would be nice to make something. Is there any place (again, near me, I can't be lugging these things around!) that buys large amounts of clothes/shoes/jewelry?
I feel really guilty, I don't think I'll be buying clothes for a looooong time....

posted by friendlyfire to Clothing, Beauty, & Fashion (13 answers total)

I just do what almost everybody I know does, I drop my old crap off at the goodwill. According to their website, there's one at 220 E 23rd street in Manhattan. You can just drop the bags off and walk on, walking man (or woman).

When I lived in LA, I donated my old clothes to Out of the Closet, a chain of thrift stores that benefits the Aids Healthcare Foundation. There must be something like that in NYC, if that's more up your alley.

It's likely that there are lots of shelters that could also use your old clothes, maybe someone who lives in NYC could shed light on that, also.

But if you're looking to quickly get rid of those clothes, you can painlessly drop 'em off at goodwill, and it is a good organization.
posted by pazazygeek at 9:12 PM on April 3, 2007

You can take the L one stop into Brooklyn to Beacon's Closet. They buy used clothes (though they're probably only buying for spring/summer right now, so no sweaters). Any clothes they don't want to buy can be left in the bag you brought them in, and they'll "donate them to charity." I don't know if that means "put them in our warehouse until it's the right season to sell these sweaters," but you will probably get some money out of it, and they are probably donating the clothes to charity.
posted by one_bean at 9:44 PM on April 3, 2007

(Sorry, should have read "they are probably donating the rest of the clothes to charity." The ones they buy from you they sell to hipsters.)
posted by one_bean at 9:45 PM on April 3, 2007

I've called a taxi and taken my stuff to the Housing Works on the UWS--but it doesn't look like there's one on the LES--the Nolita store only takes books and media.
posted by brujita at 10:27 PM on April 3, 2007

Do you have family or friends who would like these items? I have a 21-year-old and 18-year-old niece with figures similar to mine who are always quite happy to take the better clothes I'm getting rid of.
posted by orange swan at 5:32 AM on April 4, 2007

I know the Manhattan Mini Storage by my old apartment in Hells Kitchen had a huge clothing drop box for one of the charities for the homeless. I'm not sure if the location at 2nd and 2nd has one, but you might want to look.
posted by JaredSeth at 5:52 AM on April 4, 2007

A related question: Are the used clothing dumpsters connected with a cult? I've heard that they're run by some cult-y christian group.
posted by electroboy at 6:02 AM on April 4, 2007

Put 'em out on the street. They'll be gone in an hour.
posted by scratch at 6:28 AM on April 4, 2007

I met some of the people who work for the used clothing dumpster business a few years ago and they do indeed do their work for some religious cause. They were friendly and from what I understand they're no weirder than any other religion.
posted by look busy at 7:15 AM on April 4, 2007

If you go to Beacon's Closet, know that they're pretty snobby and particular about what they take. I helped a friend lug a ton of stuff over there once, only to have them tell her they dont want any "larger" size clothes. Then I helped my sister lug a ton of HER stuff over and they didnt take any of that either and shes a size two. Whatever you bring, they'll say thats the one thing they're not buying. Maybe call ahead and ask what "season" or whatever they're buying right now, so you dont make a big effort for nothing. (That being said, I do like the store and have found some great stuff there. I just havent had luck selling stuff.)
posted by silverstatue at 7:49 AM on April 4, 2007

Freecycle
posted by ducktape at 7:59 AM on April 4, 2007

I have the same experience as Silverstatute with Beacon's Closet.

There is a Swap-O-Rama coming up in Brooklyn on April 22; I've never been but intend on participating in this Swap. The gist is that you bring a bag of clothes and $10 and get to shop through others clothes; there are sewing machines to adjust and make changes, and a fashion show. I realize you may be looking to get money (or simply not spend any) in getting rid of your old clothes, but this could be cheap fun leading to some cool new clothes.

If that's not your bag, the some women's shelters are begging for clothes. The previous link is in Midtown east but here is my google search for women's shelters and clothing donations. There are certainly many needing clothes.
posted by bunnycup at 8:44 AM on April 4, 2007

I, too, had clothes rejected from Beacon's Closet.
posted by ThePinkSuperhero at 2:30 PM on April 4, 2007 [1 favorite]