Traid Launches UK’s First Donation Code for Closet Clear Out
London Fashion Charity Traid Returns With Its Biggest Campaign Yet
Beloved London fashion charity Traid is kicking off its third annual Closet Clear Out campaign this April, and this year it comes with a genuinely exciting twist. The charity has introduced the UK's very first public standard for responsible clothing donations — the Traid Closet Clear Out Code — designed to help Londoners think more carefully about what they pass on. Whether you live near one of Traid's city stores or further afield, the campaign is a timely reminder that donating clothes is not simply about clearing space. It is about giving garments a genuine second life. With London's vibrant neighbourhoods — from the independent boutiques of Soho to local high streets across the city — already buzzing with second-hand fashion culture, Traid's initiative feels perfectly at home in the capital. Throughout April, residents can book a free home collection service, meaning there is truly no excuse not to get involved. Anyone in London who books a collection during the campaign month will be entered into a prize draw to win Traid shopping vouchers, making the clear-out even more rewarding. Drop-off donations at any Traid London store are also welcome throughout the month.
The Donation Code: How to Give With Intention This April
The centrepiece of this year's campaign is the Closet Clear Out Code, a straightforward set of guidelines encouraging donors to think before they bag up their old clothes. Fast fashion has changed the landscape of charity retail significantly, with cheap, low-quality items flooding shops and proving difficult to resell or reuse. Traid is urging Londoners to be honest with themselves before donating. Ask yourself whether the item is clean, wearable and free from stains or damage. Consider whether it still has genuine life left in it — well-made, quality pieces resell far better and raise considerably more money for Traid's work. A helpful personal test is to ask whether you would buy the item second-hand yourself, or whether you would feel comfortable gifting it to a close friend. If the answer is yes, it is likely a great candidate for donation. The logic is simple but powerful: the better the quality of donated items, the more funds Traid can raise to support its global projects backing garment workers and farmers. Charity shops are curated retail spaces, not disposal points for throwaway fashion, and this code helps communities across London treat them as such.
Celebrity Donations and Community Impact Across London
Adding a touch of excitement to this year's london events calendar, a host of well-known faces have signed up to donate pieces from their own wardrobes as part of the Closet Clear Out campaign. Names including Martin Freeman, Sharon Horgan, Patrick Grant, Laura Bailey, Caryn Franklin, Jim Moir and Nancy Sorrell, Keith Brymer Jones, Sabrina Grant, and Maximo Park's Paul Smith are all getting involved. Their donated items will be curated into special edits landing in Traid stores during the summer, giving shoppers across the capital the chance to ‘shop the drop' and own something genuinely special. For Londoners, this campaign connects beautifully with the city's long-standing love of second-hand style and conscious consumption — values that sit at the heart of many local communities. By participating, whether through a home collection booking or a store drop-off, residents can directly contribute to Traid's international projects that create lasting change within the global fashion industry. The Closet Clear Out runs throughout April 2026 at all Traid locations. For full details on how to book a collection or find your nearest store, visit traid.org.uk and make your wardrobe work harder for good.
Source: Traid Is Here to Help You Donate Your Old Clothes With Intention
