Fast fashion. It’s incredibly problematic on so many levels, from human rights to the environment. Now, due to Coronavirus, the problem is escalating into even more of a disaster. Western retailers have cancelled their orders, even though the clothes have already been produced. The workers (already desperately underpaid) are now not getting paid for work they’ve already done, (or for the fabric they have had to buy up front) and are facing starvation. The clothes are destined for landfill. You can read all about this devastating situation and which brands are allegedly involved here. There is some hope though. Read on to find out how innovative company Lost Stock are helping the situation in my Lost Stock Review.
All About Lost Stock
A new company called Lost Stock are selling mystery packages of clothes, which both help support the workers, and keep some of the clothes out of landfill. I wouldn’t normally buy clothes from these retailers because of their record on the environment and human rights. However as these are extraordinary times, it calls for unusual shopping support.
It’s such a new way of tackling the problem and helping with all the complex issues. Lost Stock say:
“Due to Coronavirus, leading brands have cancelled orders for over $3 billion USD worth of clothes that have already been produced. This leaves millions of workers in countries like Bangladesh unpaid, and at risk of starvation. There is no safety net for them. We want you to have these clothes… You get at least three items of clothing chosen for you, with a massive 50% discount off RRP, that supports these workers and prevents waste. Each order supports a worker and their family for a week.”
Lost Stock
Each box sold feeds a family of in four Bangladesh for one week through Lost Stock’s partnership with SAJIDA Foundation.
About SAJIDA Foundation
NGO SAJIDA Foundation’s mission is โhealth, happiness and dignity for all’. A team of 3,700 are providing essential food and hygiene supplies, supplying PPE kits, and have installed 475 portable hand washing devices throughout the country. Amazing, right?
“Cancelled orders have affected over 1000 factories and the lives of 2.27 million workers and their families. A recent study found that 47% of these workers now have no income – we are working to deliver them basic necessities… Every Lost Stock box sold will provide a food and hygiene package to support a family for a week. Additionally, Lost Stock purchases garment products at a fair price from Bangladeshi factories helping support them longer term.”
Muhymin Chowdhury, the Head of Challenge Fund & Fundraising for SAJIDA
I went in to this thinking if nothing else, I’ll have helped a family in desperate need.
How Lost Stock Works
You order an (eco-friendly compostable) bag of mystery clothes, likely to be tops for ยฃ35 plus P & P. Lost Stock say it’s worth around ยฃ70 based on the companies’ RRP. You can customise it to suit your style:
- chose from male and female clothes
- choose your size from XS to XXL
- choose from brights, neutrals and darks
- pick plain or patterned
- choose your age range
They will select three items for you, and it was planned to get delivered 6-8 week later. The wait does seem so long as we are so used to waiting just days for deliveries. I actually ordered on 19th of May and received it today, 8th August, so nearly three months! This is understandable however, as there were quite a few unforeseen issues they had to overcome.
I ordered my Lost Stock selection thinking of it as a charity donation with benefits. So even I hated everything, I would donate them to a friend or charity, and still have helped.
Unboxing my Order
My long awaited Lost Stock parcel arrived, so let’s take a peek into the contents! I did an ‘unboxing video’ on Instagram (not very professional as I chopped the top of my head off, hehe!) But you get a good look at the contents.
My Lost Stock Review: What Did I Get?
I ordered:
- Size Medium
- Age 35-40
- Regular fit
- Dark colours
- Stripes/dots
For my ยฃ38.99 payment I was sent a t-shirt, a sleeveless blouse and a maxi dress. I think that’s good value, however I’m not convinced it’s worth ยฃ70. Whilst the blue top seems pretty good quality, the t-shirt is very thin, and the dress is 100% polyester.
And of course, each box sold feeds a family of in four Bangladesh for one week through Lost Stock’s partnership with SAJIDA Foundation. That was my main motivation for this so I am pretty happy with what I got.
I rushed to try on my Lost Stock goodies and Ava took a few snaps for me on the landing. (Check out my Salt Water Sandals tan lines, he he. You can read my side guide to these amazing sandals here.)
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Lost Stock Item 1 Review: T-Shirt
The first item I unboxed was a size 14 white and navy cotton t-shirt. It was a bit wider than I would normally wear but that might be because it’s a 14 and I would usually wear a 12. It’s slightly cropped and a little see-through so maybe a flesh-coloured bra would be better. I know I’ll get loads of wear from that as I love Breton stripes. It goes well with my old denim shorts and will look great with jeans too. Even though it’s not the highest quality, I will wear it, but I suspect it won’t last that long.
Lost Stock Item 2 Review: Blouse
The next item I unboxed was a size medium sleeveless ruffled striped blouse. This is also a bit big as you can see in the second and third shots. It’s not something I’d normally pick out but I really like it now I have tried it on, and it’s light and comfy, and the ruffled add a nice touch. I may try to take this in a little bit so it fits better, if I can be bothered. It’s made of cotton and viscose and I think it will wash well.
Lost Stock Item 3 Review: Maxi Dress
My final item was a bit of a wild card. It’s a polyester maxi dress in a black and brown giraffe pattern. I would never ever have picked this up to try on in a shop. I wouldn’t buy a polyester dress either, because the fibres shed and get into the water system, and it will also never degrade once it wears out. For the washing issue, I will use a Guppy Friend bag, which collects any shed polyester fibres in the washing machine – find out more here. All of that said, it looks better than I thought, and fits well.
I think adding a belt and shoes will really help – these are just quick snaps to give you an idea. I may also take the sleeves up. I’ll see how I get on. This dress is lined, and seems reasonable quality. I may end up passing this one on to a friend or at a dress swap. I’ll see how I get on.
My Overall Verdict
Overall, I’m pleased as I have some new clothes for summer and I’ve fed a family of in four Bangladesh for one week through Lost Stock’s partnership with SAJIDA Foundation. Overall the clothes are a pretty good fit and I think it’s good for me to wear something I wouldn’t normally try. Although I am not sure I will wear the dress, if I don’t I will pass it on to someone who will.
I do think I’m one of the lucky ones, however. I have seen lots of people on social media sharing their Lost Stock clothes and although lots have had a good experience like me, many more haven’t been so lucky, and have received items that do not fall into the category they asked for (getting bright pink and yellow when they ordered neutrals, for example). Many people are angry that Matalan are selling the same tops for a very low price, so they are questioning the claimed value of ยฃ70.
I also saw this interesting threat on Twitter, about why Lost Stock have removed the original labels, which, as Elly says lets the original brands ‘off the hook’ – click through to read more. She makes a good point.
My Overall Review of Lost Stock: Think First!
On the face of it, I think this initiative is a great inclusive way to help. The clothes are available for men, women, and children. I love that sizes go from XS to XXL and the price is relatively affordable. Lost Stock say it’s about a 50% discount on the RRP, meaning a delivery should be worth around ยฃ70. I am not convinced that they are worth that much, that would be an average of ยฃ23 an item. I initially thought that was about right, but of course I’m used to looking at ethical clothes companies, which of course charge more because they pay their workers a fair wage. For high street clothes? That’s a stretch. And some people received really flimsy little vest tops which really can’t be worth that.
My Lost Stock clothes are summer items (though I’m sure I’ll wear the t-shirt all year, and the dress is more suitable for autumn in my opinion.) Lost Stock are taking orders for Winter selections now and for children. If you order for kids, I’d recommend sizing up, as if you have to wait for three months like I did, they’ll have grown out of them!
I think I was one of the first people to receive my Lost Stock order, and it seems like I’m one of the lucky ones that are pretty happy with my clothes. I also went into it expecting clothes that I may not like. (That’s kind of the point – it’s a bit of a gamble, whilst helping a Bangladeshi family.) However I can afford to make that gamble and not everyone can, of course. So if I’d been relying on my order for my summer clothes, and received them so late, and got the poor quality items, I would have been cross too.
Do I Recommend Lost Stock?
Before I saw the anger from some Lost Stock customers, and the rather cheap and bag quality items they have received, I would have recommended them.
However now I’ve seen what some others have received, I am cautious over recommending Lost Stock.
As long as you’re prepared that the items might not be to your taste, and there is a chance they will ignore your preferences, I think you’d be happy with a Lost Stock box. If so, you can order here.
If you are very married to your usual style and can’t afford, or don’t want to take the gamble, but want to help the situation in Bangladesh, you’d probably be better off buying something you love, and making a donation directly to the charity.
This initiative has helped solve the problem of these clothes going to landfill and has helped the garment workers, which is why I bought a box. Of course this should never have happened in the first place, and that’s the key issue that needs to be addressed.
I hope you like my Lost Stock review, why not Pin it for later?
That was excellent. I am still waiting for my box and like you donated purely for the charity element but it’s nice to see what arrived!
I hope your items come soon and that you like them! X