Clothing is complicated. With furniture, you know: is the chair broken or not? With clothing, there are a thousand factors. Does it fit? Do you like it? Is the style still wearable? Are the stains washable?
Still: finding free clothing can be worth it. Here's what I've learned along the way.
The Volume Problem
Clothing gets given away in massive quantities. That's both good and bad.
Good, because you can almost always find something. Bad, because you also have to dig through a lot of stuff nobody wants. Fast fashion culture has led to people having wardrobes full of things they've barely worn. When they declutter, it all comes out.
I'll be honest: I wouldn't wear most of the clothing that gets given away for free. But hidden among the average pieces, there are sometimes real gems.
What Works, What Doesn't
Basics work best. A black T-shirt, a white shirt, dark jeans -- these are timeless and fit almost everyone. If you find something like that in your size, take it.
Quality brands are often better preserved. A Patagonia fleece or an Arket sweater has usually held up better than an H&M piece. People paid more for them and took better care of them.
Winter jackets are worth their weight in gold. A good winter jacket costs 200-400 francs new. Used but still intact? That's a real find.
What's difficult: anything with a special cut or bold pattern. The leopard blouse you think is cool might not appeal to many others. That goes both ways -- when searching and when giving away.
The Hygiene Topic
Let's talk about it, because it's important.
Clothing can be washed. Unlike a mattress, where you don't know what's inside, you can simply throw a T-shirt in the machine. At 60 degrees, anything that shouldn't be there is gone.
As a matter of principle, I wash everything I get secondhand before wearing it. Even if it looks clean. That's not paranoia, just basic hygiene.
With shoes, it's trickier. You can't just wash them. I disinfect them with spray and let them air dry. Some people won't take used shoes -- that's understandable.
Underwear and socks I wouldn't take secondhand. That's a personal boundary, and I think most people see it the same way.
Where to Find Clothing
Facebook groups are full of clothing. The problem: quality varies wildly, and you have to scroll a lot.
Giveboxes and free shops are good for browsing. You see the items in person, can touch them, sometimes try them on. The downside: you never know what's there.
On PIKITUP, you sometimes see clothing, but less than on other platforms. Clothing is hard to photograph and describe, so some people prefer to post it elsewhere.
The curbside option works too: sometimes people put bags of clothing outside their door with a "Free" sign. In certain neighborhoods, that's normal.
When Giving Away
If you want to give away clothing yourself, here are a few tips.
Wash the items beforehand. Nobody wants dirty clothing, even if it's free.
Sort by size and type. "Women's clothing size 38-40" is more helpful than "various clothing." The clearer the description, the less time wasted for everyone.
Be honest about the condition. If a sweater is stretched out under the arms, say so. If a shirt has a stain, show it in the photo. People appreciate honesty.
Take good photos. Clothing on a hanger or laid flat looks better than crumpled on the floor. A little effort increases the chances that someone will be interested.
The Sustainability Perspective
The fashion industry is one of the biggest polluters on the planet. Every year, millions of tons of clothing end up in the trash, often practically unworn.
Secondhand clothing -- whether bought or given away -- is a small step against this madness. Every piece that continues to be worn is one less that needs to be produced.
That's not a moral lecture. I also buy new sometimes. But the awareness that clothing doesn't become worthless after one season has changed how I deal with it.
A Final Thought
Clothing is personal. What you wear says something about you. That's why it's harder with clothing than with furniture to make compromises.
But sometimes you find exactly the right thing. The sweater that fits perfectly. The jacket you've been looking for. In those moments, free clothing doesn't feel like a compromise -- it feels like a gift.
So: look around, be selective, and when you find something that fits -- take it.
Have you had luck with free clothing? Tell me about it -- hello@pikitup.ch