Decluttering never felt so good
Grazia’s digital fashion and beauty editor Hannah Bankswalker helps TV presenter Laura Whitmore Give Up Clothes for Good
THE PROCESS of ‘clearing out’, whatever that may mean to you, can be a cathartic, rewarding experience. It’s not just about freeing up acres of space you never believed you might have, either. Dedicating some time to organising your clothes can lead to you rediscovering items you’d forgotten about, essentially giving you a whole new wardrobe without having to buy a single thing. And, imagine if your pre-loved, quality items could help fund life-saving research – suddenly, decluttering has gone from a menial task to something significant.
This is exactly why Laura Whitmore has decided to do her own (early) spring clean, in order to help TK Maxx’s Give Up Clothes for Good campaign, which helps to fund research for Cancer Research UK for Children & Young People. And I’m giving her a helping hand.
My first tip for Laura is to lay everything out to allow her to see everything clearly. For anything she hasn’t worn in the last year, I’ve suggested she immediately consider donating it. If it’s something she wears from time to time, I think it’s best to employ Marie Kondo’s philosophy: does it spark joy? If not, fold it into a bag ready for TK Maxx.
If there are pieces you unearth that look a bit tired, don’t immediately rush to get rid of them – it’s amazing what a couple of stitches can do. Whether it’s mending the strap of a dress or taking something in if it doesn’t quite fit as you want it to, a few alterations can make all the difference and breathe new life into clothes. And if you’re not confident enough with a needle and thread, your local dry-cleaner will help.
When you’ve decided what to keep and what to donate, all you need to do is fill a bag and take it to your local TK Maxx store, from where the items will go on to be sold in Cancer Research UK shops. Like Laura, you won’t just be helping to raise money for Cancer Research UK for Children & Young People, you’ll also be preventing pre-loved clothes from going to landfill. ‘This is the second time I have been involved with the TK Maxx Give Up Clothes for Good campaign,’ Laura tells me. ‘We all regularly get a bit tired of what we pull from our wardrobes, but that doesn’t mean someone else won’t want the clothes that you don’t. Not only does the initiative have huge environmental benefits, it also raises money for Cancer Research UK for Children & Young People, and helps fund vital research into children’s cancers, so getting involved will make a huge impact all round.’
The Love Island host adds, ‘It felt strange going through my summer wardrobe over Christmas, as I was packing for South Africa. I spotted outfits that someone else would probably love more than I do. It was a good excuse to have a clear out.’
Meet Laura at our VIP launch (see right). For more information, visit tkmaxx.com.