On a daily basis we are asked where we get our clothing from and we will always let you know that we mainly source our products from 'raghouses'.   We then get asked where do raghouses source their clothing from, which is a great question.  Where does it all come from?? Well, here you have it folks!

Vintage raghouses (or rag dealers) typically source their bales of clothing from a variety of places, both locally and internationally. Here's how they generally acquire their stock:

1. Donation Centers: Many raghouses source their clothing from donation centers or charity organizations like Goodwill, Salvation Army, or local thrift stores. These organizations often receive large quantities of second-hand clothing, which they sort and sell in bulk to raghouses.

2. Clothing Recycling Programs: Some raghouses partner with or buy from clothing recycling programs where people drop off their used clothing. These programs may collect clothes from bins in public spaces or through special collection events.

3. Thrift Stores and Estate Sales: Some raghouses directly purchase large quantities of unsold clothing from thrift stores or estate sales. When thrift stores have too many items or they want to clear out inventory, they often sell their overflow in bulk.

4. Clothing Manufacturers and Wholesalers: Raghouses may buy clothing in bulk from manufacturers, wholesalers, or surplus liquidation companies. This includes overstocked or unsold items that didn’t sell through traditional retail channels.

5. Donations from Individuals or Local Communities: Some raghouses may directly buy clothing from individuals or local communities. This could involve collecting donations from people looking to offload old clothing, especially in areas with a strong focus on sustainable fashion or waste reduction.

6. International Imports: Some raghouses import bales of used clothing from other countries, especially from places where second-hand clothing is abundant or where it’s cheaper to collect and sell second-hand items. Countries in Africa, Asia, and Latin America often send clothing abroad, and some of it ends up in vintage raghouses around the world.

7. Liquidation of Unsold Inventory: Clothing retailers, including fast-fashion brands, may also liquidate unsold stock (especially from past seasons) and sell it in bulk to raghouses. This can be a cheaper way to offload unsold inventory.

These bales of clothing are then sorted, graded, and sometimes repaired or cleaned, depending on the raghouse’s business model. Many raghouses focus on specific categories of clothing, such as denim, designer items, or vintage pieces, which are then resold to vintage shops, flea markets, or directly to consumers.

And there you have it, the raghouse mystery solved!! What a wonderful and whacky vintage world we live in :)