According to the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, one-third of children in the UK live in poverty. At a time when fashion businesses are under increasing pressure to demonstrate greater sustainability, Clothes Together is building momentum with a new website to show how brands can work together to donate spare stock to families in real need.
Clothes Together aims to provide families in need with high quality clothing tailored to their specific requirements, rather than relying solely on charitable donations. At the same time, it offers brands an efficient method to minimise waste and promote sustainability. To date, over 6,000 items of baby and children’s clothing have been distributed to Clothes Together’s partner charities.
The starting point for Clothes Together, which was established by ethical childrenswear brand Pigeon, was the belief that many brands, both large and small, have a percentage of spare or redundant stock, some of which will never be put to good use. The choice is to sell it all off at knockdown prices or retain some to give to people for whom it makes a real difference.
Discussing the initiative is Kate Smith of Pigeon.
“The fact that so many children live with clothing insecurity in the UK is unacceptable. This means that they might not have adequate clothing for everyday activities such as school, social activities and sports clubs. We know that clothing is not always a priority, but we also know that providing good quality clothing in times of real need can make a difference to children and families. Clothes Together ensures that none of our clothing ever goes to waste.”
For many years, Pigeon has been donating its spare stock to charities on a fairly ad-hoc basis, supporting women’s refuges, Homestart, baby bank groups and networks, refugee charities, both in the UK and overseas, as well as other front-line charities. Now, it has been joined by six like-minded childrenswear brands (Gooseberry Fool, ILO, Kite, Little Green Radicals, Piccalilly and Toby Tiger) to create Clothes Together, and following the launch of a new dedicated website, Pigeon hopes that more brands will join the cause.
Clothes Together works with partner charities including the Baby Bank Alliance (established to support over 300 baby banks around the UK), Little Village HQ, The Cowshed Charity and Baby Basics, among others. All of Clothes Together’s partner charities are highly efficient and professional in the way they handle the stock.
A mother who fled domestic violence and received clothing and bedding support from Clothes Together’s partner charity The Cowshed, says, “I just can’t describe the joy and relief it has brought to me as a mother struggling to provide for my children. Being able to dress my children in some clothes that fit them and make them a warm bed to sleep in has made me sob with relief. I just want to say thank you.”
Also commenting is Ally Tyler of Kite, one of Clothes Together’s partner brands.
“At Kite, we believe that every child deserves access to high-quality, comfortable clothing that’s made to last. That’s why we’re so proud to support Clothes Together, a brilliant initiative that redistributes surplus stock to families facing hardship. By donating our planet-friendly clothing, we’re helping to ensure that beautiful, well-made garments find a home where they’re truly needed. Our latest box, with a mix of clothing for children up to age five years, landed just this week. It’s a simple yet powerful way to extend the life of our clothing, reduce waste, and make a meaningful difference to children and families.”
Many brands, large and small, are now experimenting with rental and re-sale initiatives as part of their circular fashion activities. Clothes Together was established to complete the circle, by supporting families for whom rental and re-sale might be out of reach. Not only does it help the environment but also supports families in real need.
To find out more about Clothes Together, please contact Kate Smith or Jane Shepherd at info@pigeonorganics.com or visit the campaign’s website.