https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/are-you-a-collector Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Mon, 27 Apr 2026 21:32:48 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/are-you-a-collector/page/2#post-1649739 Sun, 24 Apr 2016 22:31:20 +0000 rachylou 1649739@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>It was very difficult to purge my grandma's things. After my father died, tho, my uncles came and they and my mom cleared away a lot of stuff. She had a hundred porcelain ballerinas from Austria, which I kinda miss, but which were also scary. I have now six remaining bordello lamps that I'm having a hard time parting with. I'd like to keep two ...they're different heights and I can't decide. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/are-you-a-collector/page/2#post-1649660 Sun, 24 Apr 2016 18:49:49 +0000 Runs With Scissors 1649660@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Rabbit, I think you captured the subjectivity and complexity of this topic well. &nbsp;My husband and I are both avid hobbyists (he has a lot of books and games). &nbsp;This is a fortunate thing -- I have a friend who is a hobbyist, but her husband is a minimalist who doesn't understand her collection of crafting supplies. (Or clothes -- she once asked him which of her outfits he liked best and his answer was, "ones that cost less than $50." LOL.) &nbsp;I think for him, it doesn't take much to be <i>too much</i>. &nbsp;</p> <p>I think people's personal thresholds also change. &nbsp;Happily, my husband and I are transitioning more or less together (he is actually a little ahead of me) to a phase where we want to enjoy what we have and not add more. &nbsp;Perhaps this is a quite normal part of growing older and the changing perspectives and priorities that brings. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/are-you-a-collector/page/2#post-1649625 Sun, 24 Apr 2016 17:32:32 +0000 rabbit 1649625@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Collecting vs. accumulating vs. hoarding.</p> <p>Well there is the technical definition:<br /><a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/fulfillment-any-age/201207/4-signs-youre-extreme-collector">https://www.psychologytoday.co.....-collector</a></p> <p>But &nbsp;for me there is a subjectivity in the gray zones, where someone might not get or meet the markers for a clinical diagnosis, but it might cause significant family friction over mess/clutter, money spent, and/or use of space.</p> <p>The main hoarder tendencies I've noticed are:&nbsp;</p> <p>Persistent difficulty discarding or parting with personal possessions, regardless of their actual value. &nbsp;Extreme anxiety associated with this, almost like a loss of self or memory. &nbsp;The symptoms lead to extreme cluttering of the home or workplace. &nbsp; Rendering living spaces unusable? That's a sliding scale to my mind. &nbsp;Does it count if it takes someone a hour to find something even though they have bought that object multiple times in the past, if items are often misplaced, if areas such as beds and tables are unusable for months at a time?&nbsp;</p> <p>Subjectively I think of collecting as containing an element of careful display and protection of, and pride in items. &nbsp; There might be friction because of money, time, use of space, &nbsp;but there usually isn't clutter or chaos.&nbsp;</p> <p>I think of over accumulation as things designed for use, not display or cataloging, but there is a strong disconnect between the amount of stuff and use intended. For clothes it might be far too many 'everyday' clothes to wear within a calendar year, and significant numbers of items that need repair or alteration to be usable. &nbsp;For cookbooks or something it might be having bookshelves full, and boxes full of mixed up recipes cut from magazines and newspapers, &nbsp;but only cooking once a month. &nbsp;Same for project supplies -- significant numbers of half-finished projects and the materials for them, but months or years between working on them, and haphazard storage or monopolization of shared spaces for them.</p> <p>I think there is definitely a lot of subjectivity and one person's mess is another person's 'homey'. &nbsp; For me I think the line that gets crossed is when one's stuff becomes a burden on other family members, and other people have to intervene regularly for cleaning, organizing, sorting, attempting to cull, etc. -- because it's beyond the desire or abilities of the person accumulating.</p> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/are-you-a-collector/page/2#post-1649606 Sun, 24 Apr 2016 16:32:46 +0000 Bonnie 1649606@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Janet: I struggle with guilt about getting rid of a parent's collection. &nbsp;I have about 25 Hummel plates stored in the back of a top kitchen cabinet. I'll let my daughters deal with them some day.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/are-you-a-collector/page/2#post-1649563 Sun, 24 Apr 2016 14:42:31 +0000 Muffin 1649563@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>This was fun reading! Not a collector at all (although I would love to be a collector of Hermes scarves and Chanel purses-ha!). We do buy Christmas ornaments from travels but everything else is pretty spare and must earn it's space. Lots of anything really makes me uncomfortable. My parents were accumulators and when they retired and moved South they held an auction. I thought it was going to be very hard on them but my mom said it was actually very freeing (&amp; I am happy not to inherit the burden). </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/are-you-a-collector/page/2#post-1649550 Sun, 24 Apr 2016 14:08:11 +0000 Janet 1649550@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Rachy, I have a bunch of Barbies in a box in my basement. Mom kept my sister's and mine, and my nieces played with them when they were kids too. Now, here they are -- a dozen or so, plus lots of Barbie clothes -- in a box in my basement. I have no idea what to do with them. I have a lot of nice memories tied up in them, but I can't hang onto every little item that conjures up memories. I don't want to someday leave behind a house stuffed to the gills for someone to clean out. I also have a stack of Archie comics from my childhood that I haven't put on eBay yet, etc., etc. All of this kind of stuff came out of my mom's basement when she passed away, and I need to part with it all someday. . </p> <p>I have my dad's baseball cards. Nothing really old or anything, just something he started leisurely accumulating in the 80s when he was retired and bored. And they are most definitely associated with good memories of him -- I didn't keep a lot of things that were solely *his* (dad was not the accumulator that mom was), so I'm glad to keep those. </p> <p>Speaking of which...Inherited collections. Anyone else struggle with guilt around getting rid of things that loved ones hung onto? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/are-you-a-collector/page/2#post-1649546 Sun, 24 Apr 2016 13:49:58 +0000 Runs With Scissors 1649546@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I am both a collector and an accumulator. &nbsp;It all revolves around hobbies -- raw materials and tools that feed my imagination. &nbsp;Problem is, I have limited time. &nbsp;This is what spurs accumulation for me ... I get joy from the anticipation of using the item, even if its actual use date is unknown.</p> <p>My actual collections are:</p> <p>Vintage cameras. &nbsp;I have around 300 or so. There are aesthetic and practical guidelines that determine what I collect. &nbsp; Now the collection is probably very close to "complete". &nbsp;I have "curated" a few times, but I don't think there are many more I would part with.</p> <p>Vintage sewing patterns, 1930s-1980s, with focus on 40s-60s. &nbsp;I have over 1000, and these I have shared here. &nbsp;I collect patterns in my size, so conceivably I could make them ... not adding to this collection of late, as it feels like "enough" (even for me).</p> <p>Vintage sewing machines. &nbsp;This collection is complete. &nbsp;I have 9 vintage machines, from the 1890s to 1970s.</p> <p>I also have quite a lot of "retro" sneakers. &nbsp;I guess this is a collection too, as there are specific things I look for ... but it borders on being an accumulation I fear.</p> <p>I have "accumulations" of fabric, art supplies, and clothes.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/are-you-a-collector/page/2#post-1649544 Sun, 24 Apr 2016 13:49:16 +0000 rachylou 1649544@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Ps: Smittie! Revereware is the best!!! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/are-you-a-collector/page/2#post-1649541 Sun, 24 Apr 2016 13:43:37 +0000 rachylou 1649541@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>My cousin is an art historian. She does not collect art. She gifted me with a book on the pathology of collecting. Does this seem odd to you? Lol</p> <p>Needless to say, I am a collector. But to be honest, I've run out of room and love. Haven't added in years.</p> <p>I have on the fine art side of things, an apple-themed collection of paintings. I would add a sculpture if I came across something brilliant.</p> <p>On the kitsch side:<br /> -a collection of Barbies, which are too scary to display at my age. My fave is Bewitched Barbie. I have some other Bewitched items.</p> <p>-Edward Gorey books and paraphernalia, added to by my brother every year.</p> <p>-American Flagg comics</p> <p>On the travel front, I've got a collection of bells from places I've been. This may belong in kitsch, but I separate it. I started this because of a need to cut down on my souvenir shopping. Bells are easy to carry back.</p> <p>Also:<br /> -a little bit of legacy porcelain<br /> -books</p> <p>My mother collected netsuke, boxes, and art/books.</p> <p>I don't consider my clothes a collection, but I've got a lot of 'em </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/are-you-a-collector/page/2#post-1649535 Sun, 24 Apr 2016 13:23:41 +0000 Diana 1649535@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I have a somewhat conflicted relationship with collecting. I am a child of Serious Collectors (as in, antiques, silver, rare coins, etc etc, as well as other less valuable things; some of the collections have since been sold off and others acquired in their place...) and I can see the allure but I'm also a bit scared of accumulating so much stuff and of the obsessive nature of it all. I've already resolved that if I'm going to collect anything it's going to be small and portable (like jewelry). I live in a tiny space and have a lot of stuff but don't deliberately collect anything at the moment. </p> <p>I don't think having a lot of something qualifies as a collection. Like, I have a lot of yarn but I bought it for the purpose of turning it into other things, not to just look at it, nor do I need to have every example of a particular type of yarn. I have 30+ pairs of shoes but nobody would say I collect them. Etc etc. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/are-you-a-collector/page/2#post-1649510 Sun, 24 Apr 2016 12:37:18 +0000 Janet 1649510@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Along the same lines, Staysfit, I wonder about deliberate, active collecting as opposed to collections that just sort of accumulate over time -- gifts, unconscious patterns in buying, etc. </p> <p>We have 9 orchid plants in our house. Is that a collection? :-)</p> <p>Oh, and for the last 5-6 years, I've gotten at least one new bird-themed ornament for our Christmas tree each year. I think we now have about a dozen. So I suppose that is a pretty deliberate collection. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/are-you-a-collector/page/2#post-1649503 Sun, 24 Apr 2016 12:11:19 +0000 Staysfit 1649503@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>So how many is a collection and when does it become hoarding? When does one cross the line? I have multiple scarves of varying color, texture, and pattern to use as accessories; the same goes with earrings, bangles and necklaces. Are these collections or just accessories? Should I only have one scarf? One pair of earrings? One bangle? What about my eyeshadow? I have more than one color. If I am more than a minimalist does that mean I collect, or hoard? Exactly where is the middle ground?</p> <p>Just thinking? It's Sunday morning and I'm drinking tea and clearly have some time on my hands! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/are-you-a-collector/page/2#post-1649500 Sun, 24 Apr 2016 11:55:39 +0000 JamC 1649500@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I don't think I am a collector but I have too much stuff!<br /> I try to buy a Christmas ornament from my travels as a souvenir. Staysfit, I have many of those cookbooks too, but no bread baking ones.<br /> For me, I am always trying to decide what to donate...it comes from the fear of hoarding; my mother can't throw away anything! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/are-you-a-collector/page/2#post-1649471 Sun, 24 Apr 2016 09:28:40 +0000 Summer 1649471@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'm not a collector myself, but I'm intrigued as to what motivates others to collect.&nbsp; Does it start by chance? or is it all in the genes? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/are-you-a-collector/page/2#post-1649470 Sun, 24 Apr 2016 09:26:45 +0000 Ledonna N. 1649470@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I love reading about our collections.</p> <p>Books and cows ooh my,orchids etcetera </p> <p>I'm fearful also of being buried by stuff</p> <p>Janet I would be honored to receive your button cover collection. I did not even know such things existed.</p> <p>Echo I have to agree with you. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/are-you-a-collector/page/2#post-1649463 Sun, 24 Apr 2016 06:26:09 +0000 Cococat 1649463@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Yes, I'm definitely a collector which is why my cupboards always seem to be overflowing. </p> <p>In the past I was quite the collector of vintage clothing, accessories and costume jewelry, and I can't part with it yet, even though I rarely wear it. I have dresses from as far back as the 1920s, including some items handed down from my grandmother.</p> <p>I also like to collect crosses, religious images and skulls from my travels and I like to decorate our house with them. I have a wall of crosses and a shelf of skulls. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/are-you-a-collector/page/2#post-1649448 Sun, 24 Apr 2016 05:04:35 +0000 Deborah 1649448@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I am not really a collector. &nbsp;In reality I am a minimalist and keep only what I use and / or need (for the most part). &nbsp;I am not sure if they would classify as a collection but the closest I would come to collecting is Cacti... I love them and and have a number of small ones in my house, and drop crotch pants are a bit of an obsession - I have 5 pairs so far!!</p> <p> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/are-you-a-collector/page/2#post-1649445 Sun, 24 Apr 2016 04:43:04 +0000 catgirl 1649445@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Well I was thinking of fashion items when I posted but hearing about all these other collections is fascinating too! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/are-you-a-collector/page/2#post-1649409 Sun, 24 Apr 2016 03:37:50 +0000 Janet 1649409@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>When this topic was first posted, I was thinking in terms of wardrobe! I do have some collections, but none are very large.</p> <p>This is going to sound totally goofy, but I have a small collection of small plush toys -- they are placed amongst books in my office built-in book cases, along with other mementos and framed photos. One belonged to my mom, and the collection is kind of in honor of her. The others have come home with me from various trips -- the polar bear from Svalbard, the penguin from Punta Arenas (departure point for Antarctica), the bison from Yellowstone, the prairie dog from the plains, etc. </p> <p>I also have an old collection of matchbooks -- I have no idea why I started hanging onto them back in the 80s, and I rarely remember to pick them up anymore. I also have a collection of coffee mugs from my travels. Usually from diners. </p> <p>Let's see, what else? Concert tees and records, of course. I don't add to the collection anymore, but they're there in cabinets in our basement. Nothing of value, really, just sentimental stuff. </p> <p>Jeanne, I'm going to tell people I collect money too! LOL My bff started a pig collection in very much the same way as that cow collection! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/are-you-a-collector/page/2#post-1649393 Sun, 24 Apr 2016 02:57:40 +0000 Jaime 1649393@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I definitely collect things. Designer vintage is the first thing that comes to mind - clothes, shoes, scarves, bags, sunglasses. Why? Well it gives me pleasure to look at them and think about them and sometimes even wear them. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/are-you-a-collector/page/2#post-1649390 Sun, 24 Apr 2016 02:48:59 +0000 Bonnie 1649390@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'm not a collector. My grandmother collected music boxes and had them everywhere. My mother collected plates. My DH collects books. I remember revere ware, it was hard to keep clean. My MIL would work on them when she came to visit. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/are-you-a-collector/page/2#post-1649357 Sun, 24 Apr 2016 01:38:56 +0000 BrieN 1649357@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><b>Jjsloane</b> &nbsp;<i>&nbsp;"If someone asks if you collect something be very afraid. When asked I say I collect cash."</i> &nbsp;Ha! That made me laugh. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/are-you-a-collector/page/2#post-1649343 Sun, 24 Apr 2016 01:15:57 +0000 Staysfit 1649343@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Smittie, I had revere ware at one point but gave it away when I switched my gas cooktop to magnetic induction. No regrets. It's been over ten years. The bottoms were hard to keep clean </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/are-you-a-collector#post-1649338 Sun, 24 Apr 2016 01:02:29 +0000 Jjsloane 1649338@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I am fearful of anyone thinking I collect anything because I will end up like my poor departed grandma who was nearly buried by the Cow Collection that she never really wanted. I had given her a pair of cow salt and pepper shakers when I was 2 and she commented on how cute they were to everyone and voila - every gift she ever got from then on was cow themed. She was a sport about it, but in the end we had to divvy them up and there were only a few we each wanted.&nbsp;<br />If someone asks if you collect something be very afraid. When asked I say I collect cash.&nbsp;<br />I have a small collection of vintage 50's/60's rhinestone jewelry, beaded cardigans and small party handbags which I wear for special occasions. I also have a collection of toys that were mine, my parents and now some of my kids favorites, but only a few of the really memorable ones. &nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/are-you-a-collector#post-1649316 Sun, 24 Apr 2016 00:17:25 +0000 Staysfit 1649316@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I had to think and then I turned my head and was visually hit in the face with what may be a collection of bread baking books. How many constitutes a collection? Two? More than three? Five? Eight? How many bread making books does one person who isn't a professional baker need? I'm not talking recipes for a bread machine, I mean hand kneading, etc. Actually, there are a lot of cook books here, cookie books, vegetarian cooking, vegan cooking, gluten free cooking, Indian Cooking. Oh, I forgot, I even have some cookbooks on my Kindle that were gifts from friends. The collection was much larger before Marie Kondo came to visit. Yes, much larger.............. (Okay, 9 bread making books. 8 cookie books, 10 Indian Cooking Cookbooks, and I'm not counting the rest except the Mooswood collection which totals 8. My favorite cookbook authors are Jack Bishop, Peter Berley, Madhur Jaffrey and Del Sroufe. Mark Bittman fits in somewhere as most user friendly. Wow, I never realized this about myself! </p> <p>I have some other collections as well: 1. Old pharmaceutical bottles (inherited from my mother). 2. Blue glass 3. My DD's framed art work from every year starting when she was very young and going to the present. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/are-you-a-collector#post-1649279 Sat, 23 Apr 2016 23:03:43 +0000 Anonymous 1649279@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'm the recipient of a collector's 'collectioning' tendencies. My mother gives me several collections, like china sets and rugs (aren't I lucky?).</p> <p>One slightly bizarre collection she gave me are these copper-bottom pots called 'Reverware'. Apparently, they don't make the copper bottoms as thick anymore, so my mother picks them up at auction and gives them to all her children. She gave me two full sets. Pretty sure my 3 brothers also have their own set(s). </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/are-you-a-collector#post-1649278 Sat, 23 Apr 2016 22:59:45 +0000 cloud9 1649278@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>when i was younger, my sister &amp; I collected cat figurines (after our beloved cat passed due to old age).&nbsp; I had all kinds of cats, from cat shaped cup to perfume bottles.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Now they are just taking up space although i like to look at them once in a blue moon.&nbsp; It is quite an interesting collection. </p> Nowadays, we sort of collect a magnet for each place we visit.&nbsp;&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/are-you-a-collector#post-1649228 Sat, 23 Apr 2016 20:11:00 +0000 Brin 1649228@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>The Breyer horses...! &nbsp;I know I still have them somewhere. &nbsp;Mine lived very active lives as well (I seem to remember that the mares would fight as well as the stallions -- about gender politics mainly -- and then there was a lot of dramatic falling off cliffs...)</p> <p>For the past five years or so I have collected jewelrymaking materials. &nbsp;I have boxes and boxes of low-grade gemstones, Swarovski crystal, freshwater pearls, wood, shell... Luckily I am slowly working my way through, turning materials into jewelry pieces. &nbsp;In fits and starts, these days. &nbsp;And I still can't resist buying other people's work.</p> <p>I used to collect fabrics. &nbsp;Well, I suppose I still collect them; I still can't think of purging them. &nbsp;Someday, maybe, I will get back to sewing...</p> <p>And I am just learning that it is possible to collect garments, shoes,and bags of my choice, not just what's available at my local Value Village. &nbsp;This blog and forum has a lot to do with that -- and I am loving it. &nbsp;I haven't yet reached the stage of collecting anything in particular -- though I have suddenly acquired a number of scarves due to the good advice of YLF members...!</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/are-you-a-collector#post-1649220 Sat, 23 Apr 2016 19:56:10 +0000 Anonymous 1649220@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I have a small collection of Good Shepherd figures and sheep...from Crocheted to wood carvings. They are hard to find. A couple are actually crèche figures. Style-wise, I have a lot of scarves but none are really expensive. It is just hard to get rid of any when scarf styles and colors keep changing and returning. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/are-you-a-collector#post-1649213 Sat, 23 Apr 2016 19:38:29 +0000 DonnaF 1649213@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>DH and I used to collect seals; now it's mostly him.&nbsp; We have hundreds of stuffed ones, plus books, lamp, candles, figurines, etc.&nbsp; I'm rather sick of them, but if he finds one we don't have and it isn't overly pricey he will buy it.&nbsp; I would rather collect clothing and footwear. . . . </p>