How to Donate and Recycle Old Bras, Lingerie, and Swimsuits

Something frustrating happened to me last weekend, and I want to share. I had my husband take a huge load of stuff to Goodwill to donate and in one of the bags I’d tucked a bra that didn’t fit me anymore but I’d never worn. Surely someone would see it was in good condition and, if not sell it, would donate it to a woman’s shelter or somewhere else that needed practical things like undergarments, right?

Nope. Contrary to reports I’ve read online, Goodwill politely told him it doesn’t accept bras in any condition and it’d be tossed. I was surprised, frustrated, and sad imagining my perfectly useable bra in the trash when it could be with someone who needed it. Then, readers, I got to researching.

Turns out, there are plenty of places that totally want your old underpinnings.

You can recycle your bra.
Whether that means getting your new or lightly worn bra on someone who needs it or actually having the fibers turned into something else, this totally exists. The Bra Recyclers is a company I found online, and the numbers it reports kind of blow your mind: 95 percent of the textiles we toss can be recycled, with 45 percent of that amount being donated and worn by someone in need. Find out more info here, including physical drop-off locations and the mailing address for donations.

You can donate your bra (and swimsuit and lingerie).
Bras for a Cause supports breast cancer survivors and takes all manners of underpinnings, including sexy lingerie, bikinis, slips, and shapewear pieces. From the collection center, everything is shared with shelters and charities. Those broken and unable to be fixed can be turned into art that’s sold to raise money. See the address to send your stuff to here.

You can trade in your bra.
From now until Feb. 8, Soma is accepting new or gently used bras in store and offering fittings and extra points for bras purchased. Items collected will be distributed to communities through the National Network to End Domestic Violence as a vital necessity for women; as the brand notes, “bras are the most needed yet least donated clothing item for women.” If you don’t live near a Soma boutique, you can donate via mail. See more info here. For those in the NYC area, Journelle runs a similar program every spring, and donations result in a sweet percentage off of new buys.

Has anyone else out there been frustrated about where to donate bras that are still in great condition but just don’t fit (or you never really liked)?

Hoping this helps someone else, because I know I’m getting a box ready to be sent out. If your bra purging makes you realize you need some new ones that fit better, I love these pretty styles from True Co and these from ThirdLove.

Photos: Courtesy of brand

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Dress like your Barbie in a cute, limited edition retro lingerie/bikini set

Are you a Barbie girl in a Barbie world? If your answer is yes, you’ve probably been dreaming of this day your whole life. Finally, you can look like your Barbie doll!

We’re not talking about getting thousands of dollars worth of cosmetic surgery to look like Real Barbie or wearing Barbie heads in your shoes. But we are talking about wearing undergarments that match those of your Barbie doll. You’ll be like twins!

The Japanese lingerie and apparel shopping website Peach John, has a lingerie line called Yummy Mart. Yummy Mart is teaming up with Barbie and LAFORET, a lingerie shop in Harajuku, to bring you a limited edition collection of Barbies and underwear to match!

▼ Which doll do you want to dress like?

The campaign, which runs from February 7 through March 1, is in honor of Barbie’s 55th birthday (man, she’s looking good for being middle-aged!) The featured items include a limited edition Barbie that comes wearing one of three patterned lingerie sets: graph check gray, psychedelic, and multicolored gingham. Each variety of doll also has different colored hair and a different necklace. The dolls will cost you a whopping 12,000 yen (US$100), but there are only 48 being sold, so if you’re lucky enough to get one, it should be well worth the money in the end.

▼ The retro fit is cute and hip!

If you want to look like your new doll, or just want to match the outfit of the ever-stylish Barbie, you can for only 3,685 yen ($30). If you’re worried that no one will ever see your cute high-waisted, tube-top (with detachable straps) lingerie, or appreciate that you are indeed dressed like the fashion icon, Barbie, fear not! The garments can actually double as a swim suit and are ideal for “show your bra” kind of fashion. The retro-fit combined with the modern patterns makes for very charming swimming attire.

▼ All the patterns are so cute!

Finally, if you really like Barbie, but don’t necessarily want to match with her, there are some vivid pink underwear with a cute Barbie screen image on the bum. The boy-short fit and soft fabric are designed to let you lounge around your house in comfort. You can grab these for only 1,200 yen ($10), but snatch them up quickly, there will only be 50 pairs available!

▼ Wear these to channel your inner little kid.

If you are a die-hard Barbie fan and want the doll or pink knickers, you better head to Harajuku on Tuesday, January 27. Something tells us that these are going to fly off the shelves, so you might want to order ahead of time. The good news is, however, that the amphibious lingerie will also be available online at Peach John. We’re willing to bet that Real Barbie will be getting herself a set too.

Images: Peach John, PR Times
[ Read in Japanese ]

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