We’ve rounded up some shops to visit for when you want to buy or donate second-hand clothes.
Anyone else still in their Marie Kondo phase and in dire need of wanting to let go of old clothes? Aside from minimizing our clutter and lessening our auto add-to-cart impulse, we’ve promised ourselves this year that we’ll be more mindful of our shopping habits. Sustainability is more than just thrifting or doing ukay ukay hauls. It’s re-aligning your intentions and being more conscious about the things you consume. Before we dive deep into the conversation, we’ve rounded up the small ways you can shop more sustainably in Manila.
READ MORE: These 6 Sustainable Filipino Brands Are Turning Old Clothes and Retaso Into Statement Pieces
1. DONATE YOUR UNWANTED CLOTHES TO NGOs AND CHARITY OUTLETS
Let’s face it: we don’t even wear half of what’s in our wardrobe. What better way to save up on space, be able to help the earth and the community other than by donating your unwanted clothes? Check out local NGOs like Segunda Mana, Abot PH, Goodwill Industries, Precious Heritage Children’s Homes, I Support The Girls MNL. All of which distribute to people from all walks of life: PWD, children, young girls, and IP communities in far-flung areas.
Location: Segunda Mana Charity Outlet has 37 stores but has a central branch at Makati Square. Goodwill Industries is at Rosario Ortigas Arcade, Ortigas Avenue Ext., Rosario, Pasig. Precious Heritage Children’s Homes is at Road 11, Sta. Rosa St., Purok 2, Mayamot corner Cupang, Lower Antipolo City.
2. BUY RARE SECOND HAND STEALS AT YOUR LOCAL VINTAGE STORES
Season Pass PH is not for the faint of heart, because they have at least three floors of pure second hand goodness ranging from P500 and above. They’ve got everything covered from streetwear finds, vintage luxury pieces, and houses Karma Collective, a brand known for reworking old garments. They have a community fair every once in a while that you can easily visit if you live around Diliman. You also have Glorious Dias, a vintage concept store dedicated to rediscovering old Filipino silhouettes that were mostly sourced in the 80s or 90s. They also rework existing pieces and sell vintage per kilo. Its Vintage Vintage on the other hand has gained a cult following ever since it opened in 2017 along Salcedo, Makati. Most of their products were sourced from different thrift stores all over Asia, Europe and Japan. Who knows? You might be able to score a rare Sailor Moon tee or a vintage floral handbag from the 90s.
Location: Season Pass is at 63 Maginhawa, Diliman, Lungsod Quezon, 1101 Kalakhang Maynila. Its Vintage Vintage is in 195 Salcedo Street, Legazpi Village, Makati City. Glorious Dias is at One United building, Escolta.
3. VISIT THESE CLOTHING STORES THAT ACCEPT OLD CLOTHES IN EXCHANGE FOR SHOPPING REWARDS
We’re pretty sure you’ve passed by popular clothing stores like H&M without realizing you can donate unwanted clothes. Fortunately, it’s not just them that’s leading the pack in fast fashion’s efforts to lessen textile waste. Brands like UNIQLO and GAP have also participated in partnership with organizations I:CO (I:Collect), United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and Goodwill Industries. H&M already has a reward system where they give customers a 15% off voucher every time they donate.
Location: All H&M, UNIQLO and GAP stores
