Comments on: 132 Items of Clothing Gone!

By: Shaun

Shaun — Mon, 12 Nov 2007 07:28:17 +0000

wow I commend thats a big sacrifice

By: Money Links For 10-19-2007

Money Links For 10-19-2007 — Fri, 19 Oct 2007 10:36:43 +0000

[...] 132 Items of Clothing Gone! @ Clever Dude. [...]

By: deRuiter

deRuiter — Thu, 18 Oct 2007 00:40:50 +0000

Oh yes, you’re correct Pam, the best things must be kept, especially those with classic lines! TRYING TO STAY THE SAME SIZE IS THE TOUGH PART, ISN’T IT? I buy vintage occasionally, especially classic items. Fad things may come back in style, but never quite the same! As to the jewelry, purses, and shoes, keep combing yard sales in expensive neighborhoods. You can rehabilitate a worn Dooney & Bourke bag with Kiwi Wax shoe polish in a can so that the bag looks like new! Ditto other real leather accessories. Bring a loupe, sometimes in the boxes of costume jewelry you’ll find the occasional piece of real gold or silver. The gold is always hallmarked. “Gold filled” is junk. You want it marked “10 K”, “14K”, that sort of thing. The sterling will say sterling, and this is reliable except for Mexican made items which often say “Sterling” but aren’t. I enjoy wearing the “old money” look with all natural fibers, real jewelry, and not necessarily a cutting edge look, but a “I’ve got oodles of money, so much I don’t have to be a fashion slave look” like the chic French women.

By: pam

pam — Wed, 17 Oct 2007 22:31:35 +0000

Have to caution you while still applauding. There are items that are well made and stylish that you should KEEP. I always remember reading about Lillian Gish getting compliments on an evening gown she wore in the 1960′s which originated in the 20′s or 30′s. Try to stay the same size as much as you can. Buy classics. My best (and designer) clothes all come from thrift shops! I buy underwear and lingerie new at a discount and stock up when I get a good deal. Ditto stockings on sale. Unfortunately, for a woman to be well-dressed on any and all occasions, she needs a lot of clothes (and handbags, and shoes, and jewelry…)

By: pfblogsround 17th October 2007 : plonkee money

pfblogsround 17th October 2007 : plonkee money — Wed, 17 Oct 2007 12:02:58 +0000

[...] 132 items of clothing gone @ cleverdude, I find that decluttering stuff is extremely liberating [...]

By: deRuiter

deRuiter — Wed, 17 Oct 2007 11:51:17 +0000

Great article, great inspiration! We buy our clothing at yard sales in fancy neighborhoods. I like gently (or never) used desinger clothing, natural fabrics, certain styles. I enjoy thrift shop hunting too, but yard sales are a fine source of wool or cashmere sweaters for $2. or $3.00. Bought a pair of Versacci (sp?) jeans for a dlollar, wor them a few times and sold on ebay for $14.00! Ebay is a good site for buying the occasional special item. I sometimes buy designer clothing at yard sales for pennies and sell them on ebay. After a closet cleanup like yours, I’d run a one day yard sale and sell everything possible, THEN donate. Congratulations on the clean closets!

By: Shannon

Shannon — Wed, 17 Oct 2007 02:48:43 +0000

Way to go!!!!!

By: Old Lady

Old Lady — Wed, 17 Oct 2007 00:41:14 +0000

Kudos, Clever Dude. You are an inspiration that I need. I want so badly to get rid of my excess stuff that I just started a blog called ‘Stuff’ to follow my decluttering. I think I will set myself a challenge to get rid of 132 items of clothing by the end of the week. Thanks.

By: CPA Mike

CPA Mike — Tue, 16 Oct 2007 22:20:27 +0000

I was _joking_ about giving to Salvation Army for the higher valuations!

You can use the SA’s values regardless of where you donate, unless the donee gives you values.

By: Clever Dude

Clever Dude — Tue, 16 Oct 2007 17:34:05 +0000

CPA Mike: I used Goodwill’s prices. I donated to Goodwill as it is in a more convenient location and I’m familiar with their dropoff procedures. I’ll check out Salvation Army next time.

I did keep it on the low end for valuation as I didn’t want to raise any red flags. I also heard that an even number raises more red flags as the IRS would think you just put a random amount. Eh, it’s a crapshoot either way.

Thanks for the links though!