I have four children, one of whom was with us until he was three, but that doesn’t mean he and my three girls don’t have a ton of clothes. For my son, it was the only practical gift, and girls’ clothes can be really fun! Oh, and let’s not forget two of them are twin girls.
Having all these clothes can become a big task. Besides the everlasting laundry, my kids also need to change sizes of clothes at least once a year, and in the infant stages, it was several times that first year.
So how do we keep up? What do we do with stuff that has seen better days? Luckily, there are several options besides passing them down to family and friends to help move those outgrown clothes!
1. Donate
Several shelters and bins around Fairfield County accept donations. When donating clothes, please make sure they are gently used and in wearable condition – something you would be comfortable with your children wearing if they still fit.
Take a look around your town for donation bins; some are for nonprofits, and some are for-profit, just so you are aware. These are great options once you know where to drop off.
Some local shelters that accept kids’ clothing donations, but may have limited drop-off hours, are:
- Bridgeport Rescue Mission – Bridgeport
- Clothes to Kids Fairfield County – Stamford
- Open Door Shelter – Norwalk
- Person-to-Person – Darien
2. Recycling
If those clothes have seen better days, stubborn stains, or rips from crawling so fast or from falling off bikes, then the best option is to recycle them. There are several towns in Fairfield County that partner with Bay State Textiles and have bins in their towns. See if your town is listed here.
3. Consigning or Selling
Two other options that can be really helpful, especially if you need to purchase clothing a size up or new seasonal clothes, are to sell or consign them. When you get money back for your items, you can then shop and use that money or credits to buy the new items you need. The clothes to be consigned need to be in good, wearable condition. They can be new with tags, too. Be sure to disclose any imperfections to potential buyers fully.
There are a couple of ways to consign or sell clothes: some in person and others via websites and apps. There are a few stores in Fairfield County that consign and accept drop-offs. They will take what fits their needs and, usually, what is seasonally appropriate. Several sites and apps also help you consign. A big place to sell or donate is Facebook, either in mom groups, tag-sale sites, or Facebook Marketplace.
Some great consignment shops in Fairfield County are:
- Around the Rosy – Westport
- Consign Envy – Ridgefield
- Loop De Loop – Wilton
- Once Upon a Child – Danbury
- The Children’s Attic – Darien
- The Turnover Shop – Wilton
Some great consigning apps and websites are:
4. Make a Quilt
This was something I had done with some pieces of my son’s clothes that had special memories. I have also put together a “sentimental bag” with pieces from my daughters so that I can make another quilt in the future. I had it made locally in Norwalk by Christie’s Quilting Boutique, but there are several online options as well.
