Confession Time – I am a Clothing Pack Rat

This confession is an odd one, because it is also a revelation. I am undoubtedly a clothing pack rat!

What I found in my closet while cleaning over the holiday was amazing. I found old clothes from years ago that were stained and torn and for some reason I was holding onto them. We are not talking about a few things. We’re talking about two big garbage bags full of clothes that would not even be accepted by Goodwill.

For example, eleven years ago my brother came to visit me and he bought me a shirt. I wore that shirt as much as I could so it has definitely has seen its day and there is no way I would wear it out of the house. But I still kept it.

Then there are the ~~holy~~ holey (Edited: Thanks mapgirl for the correction ) pants. They have those holes in places where it’s difficult to fix by sewing and you can’t wear them in public. I had a stash of those tucked away.

Perhaps at one time I thought that I could make something new out of the old so I kept them. But I know most of those clothes have been there for years. It’s time to let go.

My garbage man is going to love me this week!

Posted by Tricia on December 28, 2006 at 4:22 PM in Confessions | 11 Comments »
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mapgirl responded:
Posted: December 28th, 2006 at 4:38 pm
Holy or Holey? I can see why you wouldn’t throw away a sacred object!

Best pun I’ve seen all day. (And this morning I caught a really badly used baseball metaphor too.)

Why the garbage man? Why not Goodwill?

I, too, am a packrat/clotheshorse. I was just looking at some stuff I got in high school and haven’t worn since then, and asked myself why did I take that with me?
Tricia responded:
Posted: December 28th, 2006 at 4:45 pm
Thanks for the correction, mapgirl

I thought Goodwill wouldn’t take clothes in very poor shape. Am I mistaken? Would anyone take clothes like that? If anyone knows…please share.
Laura responded:
Posted: December 28th, 2006 at 4:58 pm
You’re right – I don’t think they can use them if they are damaged beyond repair (I’d be embarrassed to drop them off in that shape anyway). FYI – I know the Vietnam Vets (VVA) take things in varying conditions. I think they sell them in bulk to raise money. Extra bonus: They pick up!

Just found your site… good stuff!
Debt Fighter responded:
Posted: December 28th, 2006 at 9:35 pm
A local shelter may accept your clothing in its condition. They aren’t looking to resell the goods, so they probably take what they can get!
MOMM responded:
Posted: December 28th, 2006 at 11:17 pm
I think I qualify as a clothing pack rat too – except I am holding onto stuff in hopes it will fit again. LOL
Jen responded:
Posted: December 29th, 2006 at 9:14 am
I would definitely check with the charity/goodwill people to see if they accept clothing in that kind of condition. If they do, then great! If not, then you’re just sticking them with the cost of getting rid of the items.
Jenni responded:
Posted: December 29th, 2006 at 9:38 pm
I used to be a clothes horse. Now I can’t throw things away fast enough! I realized that having all those extra clothes I couldn’t wear was seriously detrimental to the space I had in my room and closet to store things.
mbhunter responded:
Posted: January 4th, 2007 at 11:44 pm
My wife only lets my clothes get so holey before the leave the premises.
Garden Flags responded:
Posted: July 28th, 2008 at 2:15 pm
Great news man ! ! ! keep up the good work . . and i have just subscribed
Alex responded:
Posted: August 12th, 2008 at 11:57 am
I found your site on technorati and read a few of your other posts. Keep up the good work. I just added your RSS feed to my Google News Reader. Looking forward to reading more from you down the road!
Prom Dresses responded:
Posted: August 29th, 2008 at 7:10 am
Well done for blowing the whistle on scammers. I am so glad you posted this