You take the bus more than you drive, consistently separate the glass from the plastic and tote farmer’s market produce in a sturdy canvas bag. In an era when going green seems to be the only way to go, there has been no better time to practice those three renowned R’s. There has been no better place either – Seattle is one giant eco-friendly resource, especially when it comes to the recycling of clothing. In fact, there are so many locations for apparel reincarnation that choosing one can be almost as daunting as decoding the fate-determining arrows on the underside of an empty water bottle.
This guide will hopefully allow you to breathe a little easier. It is categorized by location and noted with shop type:
V - Vintage
= apparel from the Victorian period of the 1800’s to the 1970’s, acquired by the store’s special buyers, typically high-end merchandise with corresponding prices
C - Consignment
= the owner of an item enlists the store to sell said item while retaining a percentage of the proceeds, usually higher quality and higher prices – though not always
R - Resale
= lower-priced stores that buy items from owners up-front, mostly apparel and accessories
T - Thrift
= wide array of donated goods, often run by non-profit organizations, very low prices, quality depends on store
So, whether you’re passing along a favorite pair of acid wash jeans or searching for the perfect vintage bridal gown, Seattle is chock-full of places to donate, browse and shop, all the while benefiting different charities, your wallet and/or your environmentally considerate conscience.
