The two thrift shops in my area take, wash and resell bras, panties, slips and even the occasional bustier (sp?). I don’t wear bras, but I have bought several for my daughter and have several beautiful slips that I wear all the time (I know no one wears slips anymore, but I do). Donate them, someone will be thrilled to find barely worn lingerie.

Are you talking bras, panties? Personally, I wouldn't want to wear someone's previously worn panties.

eBay allows used bras, but not used panties - as an example. I buy everything used, except lingerie or socks/hose. Here’s eBay’s full policy.

Bras and panties. It seems like such a shame, because although the panties were worn once or twice, they were washed and are practically new. This was back in the day when I had to go to a laundromat, so extended my laundry days by having a LOT of underwear, so as a result, some of the panties just didn't get into the regular rotation . . . plus the commercial dryers did a number on them, so I usually hand washed them, so some of them were probably worn just once, I am not a fan of hand washing!

I have donated such items to an organization that has temporary housing for homeless families.

It's a tough one. I don't know any place that would take them. I might wash them again so they are clearly freshly laundered, and pack them in a nice box with tissue paper. Then donate them in the box. Hopefully somebody somewhere would find a use.

I would recc against a homeless shelter. Having been involved with one, getting party dresses and the like, esp. in small sizes, was frustrating and not very useful. We always needed larger sizes and very practical sturdy simple items.

If the items are more than 20 years old they qualify as vintage on many sites. There is a market for vintage good quality vintage lingerie. Scroll Etsy, Depop, Poshmark, etc. If you don’t want the hassle of selling just donate them to Goodwill or Salvation Army. Even if they don’t put them out for sale they can find other options to recycle them.

Yes, I have seen all types of underwear at Savers, a national chain thrift store. Everything has to be in new or like-new condition. Housing Works in NYC takes it and almost all homeless charities. Socks and underwear are the number one needed and requested items. I would rewash and air dry. Then carefully pack so they are not all smooshed in matching sets if that is what you have. Then donate or post on free-cycle. There are many needy people who would gladly wear those items.

Lol, yes, they are 20 years old so vintage now, wow! I certainly would be hard pressed to find similar quality items nowdays for the price I paid for them at the time. I know because ten years later and 25 lbs heavier I went back to find larger sizes and they just didn't have items as nice, in the same stores I got them from previously.

if you can't find somebody who will want to buy it, look into recycling it. the goodwill in my area donates all "unusable" clothing to Threadcycle. they take natural and synthetics. see if there's something like that in your area.

I just learned of an organization called Free The Girls that collects lightly used bras. i have a bunch of reject bras that I plan to donate. You know, those bras that you wore a few times before you realized they didnt fit well. A local synagogue is collecting them for MLK day, but you might find a donation center near you. The organization supports (haha, sorry) survivors of trafficking Free The Girls

Is there any elastic involved? That tends to degrade over time.

Ebay had a problem with used socks and underwear, not washed, with…uh…affectionados. i suspect many vintage stores guard against the same.

If you have a Buy Nothing Group I bet you will find someone thrilled to get them.

^^ Ewww😂

That reminded me of a guy who used to hack into the social media accounts of cheerleaders wanting to buy old cheer shoes and socks (unwashed.) 🤮

The coaches on dd’s team warned the girls about this. 😂🤮

Yeah I was going to post photos of my stash but then thought better of it . . . People are weird.

Very simple to donate through this organizaiton: https://www.brarecycling.com/

Very simple to donate through this organization: https://www.brarecycling.com/

People are weird...

Truer words were never spoken my friend. 😀

Re the elastic, yeah those old underwear that you can't stand the elastic lasts forever, even after the fabric has long worn away, but the nice lacy pair you love, not so much. That's why I quit buying "fashion" underwear and look for for quality fabrics, fit and construction.

I've worked a million church rummage sales. We always have a box of used lingerie. Many people dig looking for their size, something that has some life left in it. We sell it all for the same price so it is worth no more or less than a well worn garment. If you don't want it, LET IT GO. The need to qualify how the next person feels about it is not yours to dictate. Be glad they aren't going right to the landfill. Truly, chances are 80/20 it will sell at all.

I've been reluctant to chime in on this, but I will. I am a breast cancer survivor and have had bilateral mastectomies. One breast I had no choice to lose because it would kill me. A year later, I opted to have the other removed for the sake of symmetry. I absolutely hated having to wear a prosthesis because my surgery left no option for reconstruction. And so, over time, I accrued some very expensive bras, camisoles and swimsuits that my medical insurance paid for so I could look "normal" when I wore them. But I decided to live breast free. I donated those "under garments" to a local charity shop and they were gratefully received.

As much of a thrift store afficianodo as I am, I would not buy used footwear or panties.

I would definitely offer them on freecycle or buynothing. In my area, buy nothing is super happening and I know I have seen lingerie offered ( and wanted) there. The freecycle is less happening but I think that varies by location. Someone will definitely want them. I might start off with offering just a few items ( with photos) to get started.

There is an entire market for used underwear, but I don't think that's what you are talking about.