Donating to Dress for success- I think? - YouLookFab Forum

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Donating to Dress for success- I think?

Sal

Veteran

I have a small involvement with Dress for Success locally. There is an upcoming sale and they want donations of quality or designer clothing or accessories.

I am thinking of donating the following-

- Charmaine Reverly white floral midi dress. It’s a NZ designer dress but a bit short and feels a bit further away from my current style.
- Rabens gold sweater. I love the colour but the shoulders and width feel unflattering on me. Quality Euro brand.
- ink bag. This is a harder one. I am just not in love with the bag. Briarwood - high quality NZ brand. I do have ink boots as a complement but I also have a cross body with an ink strap.

It’s a good cause - and over the last 12 months I would not have missed the dress or sweater, and whilst the bag has been used I would prefer something not so cool in tone.

Think I am going to just donate and know the money goes to a good cause.

General

23 replies

Latest reply was from Sal

Joy

Veteran

It seems you have good reasons to donate these items. If you are unsure, hang on to that item in a holding zoneand donate the others. You can always donate it later.

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

Yes, I lean toward donate them all. DFS is looking for just this kind of high quality stuff and you will be happy not to have them hanging around.

Jenni NZ

Veteran

Well it does seem a good cause. I donated 3 pair shoes a couple of years back when the Milford Shopping Centre, my favourite local small mall, was doing a drive for them. I have not missed the shoes.
I don’t think you will regret this? If you are not sure about the bag though, as Joy says, you could always keep it another year and then decide.
I have some psychological difficulty still with “sunk cost” but pretty much don’t miss mistakes or things I have fallen out of love with when they’re gone.
3 years ago Fashion Weekend had a drive for them as well. Do you know what they do with anything donated that they don’t end up using? Do they re-donate to another charity?

rachylou

Veteran

I lean Jaime’s way

Sal

Veteran

Thanks all- the dress and sweater will stop me feeling bad that I don’t wear them enough.

The bag will likely go to someone job hunting or who has secured a job but who needs a working wardrobe. The other two pieces will be sold in their sale to raise money - as they aren’t really work clothes. They buy things like good bras, good work clothes in larger sizes and pieces to supplement donations. I shop at their sales - the finds below have been great purchases.

The dress is the one that I regret the most - I overpaid for it being blinded by the label.

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Runcarla

Veteran

What a good thing to do!

Sal

Veteran

Its prompting a clean out Carla. My most recent handbags are mostly second hand and I may look for one slowly that I like better second hand.

I do have a couple of lovely dressy pieces but I think I will hang on longer to these. There’s not much call for them right now.

Sloper

Veteran

I've donated to Dress for Success also - lots of work clothes after some lifestyle changes. At least I know (hope) that someone was able to get worthwhile use out of the clothes.

I understand it can be rather painful to pass things on!

Sal

Veteran

Thanks Sloper! They are a good organisation who really support women to feel positive about themselves when job hunting.

I can be decisive about donating - but sometimes I do have regrets mixed in.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Agree with passing these items on. A dress or skirt that feels and looks too short for our preferences is awful and makes me feel self conscious all day

I volunteered for Seattle DFS for a decade and served on the board. It's a GREAT organization. They will be thrilled with you items, Sal

Style Fan

Veteran

DFS is a great organization. Your items will be going to a good cause. It seems that you have thought through your reasons for donating them.

Cardiff girl

Veteran

Good for you someone else willl really appreciate and benefit from your gift

Helena

Veteran

Wonderful Sal - love this.

Sal

Veteran

Thanks - my challenge will be not to replace them (sometimes there is nothing like a good clear out but to prompt more shopping). I do want more winter knitwear but I have learnt that dropped shoulders and wider styles are not flattering on me.

Brooklyn

Veteran

Sounds good Sally. You have inspired me. I have some bags I should donate too. I’m a bit sad about the gold jumper but you know your style.

Bijou

Veteran

Sal, if you can spare these items, it is lovely that you can donate them to DFS. You have inspired me to go through some of my previous work dresses and get them cleaned so I can donate them to DFS too.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

This is a great idea, Sal. Your reasoning is sound.

Sal

Veteran

Thanks all. Bags are definitely a good thing to donate if you have one you are not using and don't see yourself using again.

Brooklyn - I do like this sweater but there is something about the fit that annoys me, and I have had some candid photos where I really haven't been happy with the fit. I adore the colour though.

Firecracker (Sharan)

Veteran

These are great choices for donation, and the organization will be able to use them. Your reasons make sense to me.

Mirjana

Veteran

Wonderful Sal! Absolutely agree with you.

JAileen

Veteran

The thrift store I volunteer at and donate to is a charity shop. The money goes to programs helping many in need - low income seniors, needy school children, veterans, and so on. I feel good knowing that my things are going on to a new life, and those in need are helped. My husband is glad to get stuff out of the house, too.

Zaeobi

(website)

Veteran

What a lovely cause. I hope they're able to sell these items quickly & make good money from them

Like Brooklyn, I like the gold jumper, but can already see possible fit issues from here (for me at least, the tapered but long hem would cause bunching around my hips. Also, the too-wide boatneck would be constantly falling off my shoulders in a messy (not 'sexy slouchy') sort of way, lol). Good on you for being honest about what's serving you & what's not - like @Jenni, I know what it's like to feel guilty about sunken costs!

Sal

Veteran

Dropping it off tomorrow. And yes JAileen - most thrift shops are a really good cause - I often donate to the hospice one near me.