Where to get free clothes in the UK: the ways that actually work

Stories about shops "giving away unsold clothes for free" sound tempting, but in reality retailers almost never hand their surplus straight to shoppers. Yet you really can get clothes for free in Britain — through clothing banks, baby banks, school-uniform help, Smart Works and clothes-sharing apps. Here are the options that work.

Do shops really give away unsold stock for free?

Mostly no. Unsold and out-of-season stock is usually donated to charities or sold off at a discount, not handed to people off the street. So the thing to look for is not a shop's "free warehouse" but the places set up specifically to clothe people for free. They are listed below.

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Where can you get free clothes right now?

Free clothing is given out by clothing banks and charity "wardrobes" — for example, The Cowshed in Berkshire provides clean, ironed clothes and other essentials to people in need. These run through churches, community centres and food banks; you usually book an appointment, and sometimes need a referral. The easiest way to find your nearest is through your local Citizens Advice, council or food bank.

What about children's clothes and school uniform?

For little ones there are baby banks: free baby clothes, toys and equipment such as prams and cots. School uniform can be collected free at uniform banks and swap shops run by churches, the YMCA and school PTAs; uniform is also given away and swapped online. Services such as First Day help families who are struggling with the cost of uniform.

Need clothes for an interview or work?

Women can get a free interview outfit put together at Smart Works, which also offers coaching. You need a referral from a partner (a Jobcentre, refuge or charity) and a confirmed interview; if you get the job, you receive five more items. The London office number is 0207 288 1770. Men are helped by Suited & Booted and similar projects. And your Jobcentre work coach can pay for interview or work clothes through the Flexible Support Fund.

What else helps you dress for free?

A lot of clothing is simply given away free through sharing apps and groups: Freecycle, Freegle, Olio and local "Buy Nothing" groups. Charity shops are not free but are cheap, and part of the takings goes to help others. Start with the sharing apps and your nearest clothing bank — it is the fastest way to get dressed without spending a pound.