How and where to get free clothes

Practical ways to find free baby clothes, smart clothes, and everyday clothes in the UK & USA.

Finding free clothing isn’t difficult once you know where to look. Every day, people give away clothes they no longer need, sometimes entire wardrobes all at once. There are many ways to pick up high-quality items for adults, kids, and babies.

Whether you’re trying to save money, keep up with growing children, prepare for a new job, or live more sustainably, this guide will walk you through the easiest and most reliable ways to get free clothing.

Finding Free Clothing Online

Is there an app that gives away free clothes? The good news is yes, and dedicated free-sharing apps and websites are usually the most reliable places to find free clothes.

Many people prefer this option because it feels private and simple, you’re just connecting with someone nearby who wants their clothes to go to a good home. You’ll often find barely worn jumpers, bundles of kids’ clothes, coats, shoes, and seasonal items.

Trash Nothing app and website

Trash Nothing has nearly 3 million users, everything is free, and the community gives away a lot of clothing. New items appear constantly, and you can request or claim things quickly.

You can use this website (you are already here!) or download the Android App or iPhone App - it’s really simple and just takes a couple of minutes to set up.

1. Create an account on the site or app using your email address, or with a Facebook, Google, Microsoft, or Yahoo account
2. Tell it where you are and how big an area you want to see posts for (and join your local Group)
3. Have a look at anything of interest
4. If you don’t find something straight away, you can create one or more Alerts based on a few words e.g. ‘baby clothes’ or ‘leather jacket’ and you’ll get an instant alert as soon as someone offers something you are interested in. As soon as you find something you want, hit Reply.
5. You can also make a Request - let people locally know what you are looking for

The most common free clothing items on Trash Nothing are Baby Clothes, Bags & Backpacks, Footwear, Coats & Outerwear, Tops & T-Shirts, Trousers & Bottoms, Accessories, Dresses & Skirts, Children's Clothing.

Other apps and websites

Craigslist free section (mainly USA)

Craigslist is primarily used for buying and selling, but there is a ‘Free’ search filter that you can use.
craigslist.org

Freecycle

Freecycle is a network of local groups and forums for individuals and nonprofits to offer (or request) free items for reuse or recycling and to promote a gift economy.
freecycle.org

Freegle (UK)

Freegle is a free service similar to Trash Nothing. For convenience, you can browse and post to Freegle groups through Trash Nothing. It’s simple to do, and you’ll be guided through the process once you sign up on this site.
ilovefreegle.org

Facebook Marketplace free section

Facebook Marketplace also has a separate category for Free Stuff.
facebook.com/marketplace/category/free

Gumtree freebies section (UK)

Has a Freebies section.
gumtree.com/for-sale/freebies

Tips for getting free clothes online:

• Set alerts and make requests
• Check listings early in the morning or evening when people post giveaways
• Give away any clothes you don’t need and keep the circular economy moving

Free Clothing in Your Local Community

Parents’ groups are famous for sharing baby and children’s clothes. Councils, churches, community centres and family support hubs often run donation days or offer clothing anonymously and without any paperwork.

If you search for “baby bank”, “school uniform bank”, or simply ask in a local parent group, you’ll often find bags of clothing ready for collection. Some parents even advertise age-specific bundles at the end of each season because their children have moved up a size.

Community groups also work well for adult clothing. People clearing out wardrobes after a move, a job change, or a lifestyle shift often prefer to give good items directly to neighbours. This includes workwear, jeans, jumpers and smart clothes that still have years of life in them.

Facebook community groups and local neighbourhood forums can be helpful, especially for larger bundles or items that someone wants collected the same day. It’s a good way to find out about Yard sales, where you’ll often find free clothing near the end of the day. Also, look for your local Buy Nothing group on Facebook.

You may have a local clothing swap where each person shows up to trade clothes with everyone else. If not, it’s usually a fun event to set up with your neighbours, friends, or local baby group. You decide ahead of time how many items of clothing and accessories to bring,

Charities That Provide Free Clothing

Charities mostly sell clothing at low cost to fund their other work, but some charities in the UK and USA provide free clothing to those in need.

They typically serve people in poverty, those who are homeless, or those in an emergency situation of some kind. Often, a good place to start is with the local Salvation Army or another local charity or church.

These organisations tend to specialise: some focus on baby essentials, others on interview outfits or school uniforms. If you're looking for something specific, such as a warm winter coat or a complete work outfit, these services can be incredibly useful.

In the UK, your local council Family Support Hub may provide free clothing for children. Give Your Best provides free clothes to refugees and asylum seekers in the UK.

In the USA, this State-by-State guide lists local organisations that provide free clothing and more - https://lowincomerelief.com/how-to-get-free-clothing-near-you/

Free Clothing for Different Life Stages

Baby Clothes

Free baby clothes are extremely common because children grow quickly and parents often accumulate far more than they need. Baby Banks, parenting groups, sharing apps and local networks regularly offer newborn bundles, toddler clothes, sleepwear, snowsuits, vests and seasonal outfits.

If you’re expecting a baby or have a young child, it’s worth checking every few weeks; baby clothing circulates fast and is usually in good condition.

Smart Clothes

People often give away smart clothes after changing jobs, working from home, or clearing out wardrobes. If you need outfits for interviews or office work, sharing apps and community groups are excellent places to look. Many people offer smart dresses, shirts, trousers, blazers and formal shoes.

Charities such as Dress for Success also provide professional outfits and accessories for interviews. These can make a significant difference when someone needs to feel confident and prepared without having to invest in a new wardrobe.

Everyday Clothes

Everyday clothing is the most abundant kind of free clothing available. This includes jeans, hoodies, t-shirts, casual tops, jumpers, shorts and trainers. People often offer these items in mixed-size bundles when reorganising wardrobes, moving house or doing seasonal clear-outs.

If you keep an eye on local listings, you’ll usually see everyday clothes offered daily and often in great condition.

Tips for Getting Great Free Clothing

1. Know your sizes and measurements
2. Set alerts on Trash Nothing and other platforms
3. Check local community groups for clothing swaps
4. Respond quickly with a short, friendly message such as “Hi, is this still available? I can collect it today.” to encourage people to choose you as the recipient.
5. Check zips, buttons and seams to make sure things are in good condition.
6. Give everything a wash before wearing, especially children’s items and bedding.

Best Times of Year to Look for Free Clothing

Free clothing is available year-round, but some periods are especially active.

Spring is popular for wardrobe clear-outs. Late summer brings school uniform swaps. Winter sparks coat drives and warm clothing giveaways. January is good for unwanted xmas presents. In university towns, the end of term often leads to students giving away clothes they don’t want to pack.

Checking local listings during these times can yield excellent finds.

FAQs About Getting Free Clothing

1. Where can I get free clothes near me?
   Trash Nothing and other community sharing apps, local groups, and community hubs are the best places to start.

2. How do I get free baby clothes?
   Baby Banks, parenting groups and local sharing networks offer newborn and toddler bundles regularly.

3. Can I get free smart clothes for interviews?
   Yes. Dress for Success and local sharing communities often offer professional outfits.

4. How do I find free everyday clothes?
   Most neighbourhood groups and sharing apps list everyday clothing daily, such as jeans, t-shirts, jumpers and coats.

5. Is it possible to ask for free clothes without feeling awkward?
   Yes. Private requests on apps like Trash Nothing make it simple and discreet.

6. Are free clothes safe to use?
   Absolutely, just wash items before wearing and check they’re in good condition.

7. Do people really give away good quality clothes?
   All the time. Many items are barely worn or outgrown quickly.

8. When’s the best time to look for free clothing?
   Back-to-school, winter coat drives, spring clear-outs and student move-out periods are all extra busy periods.

People look for free clothes for various reasons: rising living costs, needing specific outfits for work, moving home, changing sizes, or simply wanting to reduce waste. Children grow so fast that parents often have bags of clothes to pass on. Many people who live sustainably prefer to share and reuse clothing instead of buying new.

Free clothing is one of the easiest ways to save money, reduce waste and connect with your local community.

Whether you need baby essentials, smart outfits for work or everyday clothes, there are people nearby who would be happy to pass on items they no longer need.

With a little checking, a bit of patience and the help of a sharing app, you can refresh your wardrobe completely for free!

Need something for your home? Also see our guide on how to get free furniture.