What do you guys do with clothes that don't fit you anymore?

[LuluLovesDisney]

I just cleaned out a whole bunch of old clothes. Some things I know I'm going to donate, some just toss, etc. However, I have some really nice things that I know in my heart I will probably never wear again- things like my letter sweatshirts from my sorority days, my first concert t shirt, the shirt I wore on my first date with my boyfriend (future DH) etc.- things that I want to keep for sentimental reasons.

Then there are things that are waaay too small- things from when I was a size 6- a gorgeous sundress from my 18th birthday, a pair of shorts that are a size 5, etc. but that I have a hard time parting with.

Then there are things that are just a size too small. I'm losing weight, so I think maybe I'll fit into them (but will they be out of style by then?)

Then there are things that I think of how expensive they were- a suede skirt, my first nice suit for interviews, that cost hundreds of dollars.

So, I've got a whole bunch of stuff taking up space. I need to get rid of some of this stuff. What do you guys do with stuff like this- too small, sentimental, etc.? I need some ideas.

 

[LukenDC]

Clothes that no longer fit me or are not my style are donated to charity. Sentimental items I keep.

 

[goofy's friends]

Take to consignment shop. They will usually pay you a little bit (50% of what they make), then donate anything that doesn't sell to charity and send you the tax write-off slip.

 

[Cool-Beans]

Here's what I do: Allow them to accumulate, taking up space in closet for 10 years, then go through like whirlwind throwing everything in bags and haul to "Clothes and Shoes" bin near grocery store.

Probably not the recommended approach.

 

[melanie18]

I donate them to a local Vietnam Veterans group. They come to your house & pick them up, which is the best!

 

[CEDmom]

Work clothes that I don't want anyone get donated to clothing drives that specialize in that type of thing - "welfare to work" is one that sticks in my mind.

My casual stuff usually ends up wearing out long before I tire of it since I pretty much stick to classic styles.

 

[WatchinCaptKangaroo]

Sentimental stuff (sweatshirts, t-shirts) go in a rubbermade container and are in my closet. Dress clothing goes to a welfare-to-work type place (so women who need nice clothes can have access to them now, and if I ever get back down to that size again I'll buy new ones).

I have the hardest time with shoes. Shoes I don't wear anymore, but aren't in good enough shape to be donated, but are in too good of shape to be trashed just sit in my closet.

 

[TheDisneyTraveler06]

Donate them to a charity, or a church. Call up a church and ask them if they know anyone in need of __ size, etc.

 

[ducklite]

Work clothes go to Dress For Success.

All gowns (bridesmaid, evening, etc.), plus all unused makeup freebies go to the Cinderella Project.

The concert t's I have these days I love and will wear until they are rags. I donated about 150 brand new, never worn concert t's to a charity to be auctioned on E-Bay a few years ago.

The rest of it goes to the local Habitat for Humanity Thrift Shop.

Anne

 

[mamacatnv]

Tips from a trying to reform pack rat:
When out of hangers, something has to go...............

Clothes/Shoes: If it was not worn during the prior season in which it was appropriate it must go. Usually Easter Seals Thrift shop or just last week the Big Brother/Sister program was in my area and came and picked it up along with a bunch of stuff that I threw in boxes, since there was little notice, I didn't have time to consider and then re-consider........Out it went, the pack rat was kept at bay!

Sentimental stuff: Well, I have gotten over most of it, the Sr. class t-shirt from 22 years ago really needed to go! All others that made the cut are in a clear rubbermaid bin in the back of the closet.

Formal attire, bagged and in the closet - if it no longer fits or will never be worn again it goes to the Prom Closet(local charity)

 

[L107ANGEL]

Work clothes go to Dress For Success.

All gowns (bridesmaid, evening, etc.), plus all unused makeup freebies go to the Cinderella Project.

The concert t's I have these days I love and will wear until they are rags. I donated about 150 brand new, never worn concert t's to a charity to be auctioned on E-Bay a few years ago.

The rest of it goes to the local Habitat for Humanity Thrift Shop.

Anne

What is that Anne

 

[paigevz]

Donate to Goodwill when I get around to it..............that takes a couple years of sitting in the closet first.

 

[cyndibelle]

consignment shops..give to friends...throw away..

 

[Costumesaremylife]

Have you thought about making a quilt out of the sentimental stuff? That's what I did with my concert t shirts.

 

[Planogirl]

Keep the really special sentimental things and donate the rest as hard as it will be. Most of mine and DS' goes to battered women's shelters while DH's generally goes to Goodwill.

 

[ducklite]

What is that Anne

I'm assuming you mean the Cinderella Progect. it's also known as the Fairy Godmother Projects and several other names. Bottom line, they collect knew and gently worn gowns suitable for proms for girls who could not attend due to financial constraints. Depending on the individual organization, criteria varies, sometimes they need a referrral from a school nurse, guidance counselor, social services worker, Priest/rabbi, minister/etc., or civic leader to prove their need. Others are just "word of honor."

They are generally lmited to juniors and seniors, in some case just seniors, and each girl who is eligibel gets to choose a prom gown, shoes, and accessories, as well as makeup, hose, whatever is needed.

These groups also take donations from beauty salons, tux rental places, dry cleaners, nail places, hanger and clothing racks companies, etc.

Great new home for those bridesmaids gowns and the gowns you buy to wear on a cruise formal night an will never wear again.

Here's a heartwarming story about where 2800 collected gowns ended up last year. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/05/11/AR2006051102258.html

Anne

 

[crazyme5kids]

If the clothing are in good condition I donate them. With 7 people in the house I am ruthless in getting things out that don't fit or aren't being worn. Concert tees? Shhh, don't tell my husband, but I have donated a whole bunch over the years. He has the habit of going through his trunks and pulling out shirts and giving them to the kids. Half the time they never wear them. He has a stroke when I tell him it's time to throw out the ratty, full of hole tee shirts.

 

[MareQ]

So, I've got a whole bunch of stuff taking up space. I need to get rid of some of this stuff. What do you guys do with stuff like this- too small, sentimental, etc.? I need some ideas.

Take the good quality items and sell on Ebay or find a local consignment store. Donate/throw out teh other clotehs - as for the sentimental stuff......

Make a small quilt out of it. After my mom passed away we went through her closet and just didn't have the heart to get rid of some stuff. The shirt she was wearing when she held my son first time, ditto for my daughter, a sweater she used to love, items that reminded all of us of her etc. My Brother's MIL decided to take all of the items and made a quilt out of them for my brotyher. It's not the prettiest things because there's all kinds of patterns but she did a great job and it's warm, sentimental and brings so much comfort on a cold day

 

[Laurajean1014]

Ebay and charity

 

[shamrock30]

I give clothing I don't want to relatives if I think they might like them. Everything else goes to charity.