https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/without-purging-there-is-no-progress Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Tue, 21 Apr 2026 14:56:58 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/without-purging-there-is-no-progress/page/2#post-1093600 Thu, 21 Nov 2013 20:13:30 +0000 Lisa 1093600@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I say off to Goodwill.&nbsp; One large trip to purge it all is easier to me than lots of tiny trips with only a little gone at a time.&nbsp; But once I make up my mind, I want to see the end result (in this case, and empty closet). </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/without-purging-there-is-no-progress/page/2#post-1093525 Thu, 21 Nov 2013 19:28:32 +0000 Anonymous 1093525@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><div>I've tried consigning and made about $40 a trip here and there, but that was way less than the value of the clothes I brought in. I only consign things if I recently bought them and immediately realized they don't work for me. It's tough to accept the monetary loss sometimes. But after being rejected by the shops the past few times, and not really liking the general vibe of any of my local shops, I'm sticking to online reselling.&nbsp;</div><div><br /></div><div>I thrift most of my clothes so I'm happy to give tons and tons to Goodwill - sometimes my impulse buys go right BACK to Goodwill from whence they came! My apartment neighbor is an awesome, very fashionable and fun woman with four grown sons. She reminds me of Carrie Bradshaw. We leave bags of clothes, magazines, makeup, etc for each other all the time. It's so fun to come home to a bag of goodies by my door; anything I don't want I then share with other women I know. Other than Goodwill and my neighbor I will save items for my family members and lady friends. I usually have a stockpile in our spare closet waiting for the right person. Finally I sell some items on ebay if I think they're worth the effort, and I resell vintage on Etsy because it's a good way to feed my shopping habit. It's fairly painless to resell and donate/giveaway items if I always have them categorized and stored.</div> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/without-purging-there-is-no-progress/page/2#post-1083345 Wed, 13 Nov 2013 07:11:22 +0000 AJ 1083345@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>You could also plan a driving route where you first stop at the consignment and then to the thrift store to drop off the rest. That way you at least tried, but still come home empty handed. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/without-purging-there-is-no-progress#post-1083332 Wed, 13 Nov 2013 06:07:20 +0000 Jeanie 1083332@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>It is worth the feeling of freedom to just take it to Goodwill. &nbsp;My formula is one shot at consignment and then on to Goodwill. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/without-purging-there-is-no-progress#post-1083263 Wed, 13 Nov 2013 04:12:28 +0000 Angela K 1083263@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I've done it both ways. It is nice when you find a cooperative consignment store that is reasonable with their requirements. The one I used (before they closed) even encouraged their consignors to shop with them by giving an extra 25% off of purchases with store credit. I really did well on those purchases. </p> <p>Other local consignment stores are way too difficult to deal with. One "didn't sell" any of my items after 2 months, so I picked everything up and took it to another store. I think she never even put my items out. One other shop wanted you to pay them $5 a year for the privilege of selling your clothes! I can't quite figure that one out so now that my fav store has closed I too am back to straight donations with Goodwill. It is so much easier and really a way to pay it forward. A win-win situation! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/without-purging-there-is-no-progress#post-1083232 Wed, 13 Nov 2013 03:34:09 +0000 sarah 1083232@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I took five bags of things to the Goodwill last week and was SO happy! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/without-purging-there-is-no-progress#post-1083202 Wed, 13 Nov 2013 03:11:31 +0000 Suz 1083202@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>It sounds like you are all sorted and this is definitely what you should do. Let. It. Go. </p> <p><b>SO</b> freeing!!!&nbsp;</p> <p>I <b>mostly</b> donate -- either on the YLF exchange, to my stepdaughter, to my daughter,&nbsp;or to Goodwill, depending on the item. </p> <p>I offer things to YLF if they are known to the group here, in great condition, still current,&nbsp;and I think someone would love them. </p> <p>I offer things to my stepdaughter if they are vegan-friendly, in great shape, and adaptable to her slightly boho influenced&nbsp;personal style. Mostly jackets and shirts.</p> <p>I offer things to my daughter if they are casual, tomboy style and in colours she enjoys. Mostly jeans, boots, and belts.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <p>I consign only very specifically&nbsp;&nbsp;-- newer things that did not get much wear that aren't special enough for YLF or my stepdaughter, or hard-wearing and boyish enough for my daughter. Mostly dresses, outerwear, some footwear, some shirts.&nbsp;</p> <p>My consignment store is strangely picky. They won't take some things I might expect...and do take things that surprise me. But they donate what they don't want to a local women's shelter, so that is equally good. I bring it to them -- if they don't want it, I just tell them to donate it.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/without-purging-there-is-no-progress#post-1083125 Wed, 13 Nov 2013 01:52:40 +0000 Transcona Shannon 1083125@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I have sold a few of my higher end items through consignment but have returned to making donations to Goodwill. I consider it "paying it forward" you know? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/without-purging-there-is-no-progress#post-1083118 Wed, 13 Nov 2013 01:48:23 +0000 anne 1083118@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I think you've got yourself sorted, unfrumped, but just chiming in to say that I never consign, and always donate. And we don't get tax credits for it in Australia either. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/without-purging-there-is-no-progress#post-1082912 Tue, 12 Nov 2013 22:25:08 +0000 unfrumped 1082912@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Yay fabbers.</p> <p>&nbsp;I think this is going to be so much more liberating than just this one carload. <br />Once I started down the path of consignment thinking, it was really not a good thing--for me. I don't seem to be able to do either or, some of each.&nbsp;For me it just considering it became&nbsp; one more roadblock to normal ins and outs of living. I&nbsp;am now&nbsp;re-booted and will stay in my zone. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/without-purging-there-is-no-progress#post-1082900 Tue, 12 Nov 2013 22:18:10 +0000 Ingunn 1082900@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>There are few, if any consignment stores where I live, so I haven't faced this. I always donate to the Salvation Army. That's also where I shop my second hand pieces, so I go full cycle. I think you already have your answer, and I fully support you if you choose to donate the lot. Your time is also a limited resource, so no guilt. This is the reasonable option in this case. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/without-purging-there-is-no-progress#post-1082856 Tue, 12 Nov 2013 21:37:21 +0000 HiggsMistress 1082856@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I've brought tons of&nbsp;stuff to Goodwill in the last six months. &nbsp;They were very happy to accept my donations - clothes, accessories, appliances,&nbsp;dishes, flatware, books, dvd's,&nbsp;etc. &nbsp;</p> <p>Hubby's had&nbsp;3 military reassignments&nbsp;in the last 15 years where they moved us lock, stock and barrel so I didn't have to face the purging process each time. &nbsp;That certainly came back to haunt us! &nbsp;I decided to donate everything to Goodwill rather than sort through what I could recoup by selling on ebay or&nbsp;cosigning. &nbsp;We been very lucky with and decided to pass it on, and more importantly get it out of the house.</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/without-purging-there-is-no-progress#post-1082781 Tue, 12 Nov 2013 20:12:18 +0000 Jorja 1082781@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I use a resale shop similar to Sona's except they don't pay upfront and make consigning easy. No appointments and they take everything and send a check every 6 wks. Anything that doesn't sell by the end of the season, is returned to you or donated. I usually can't even remember what I took in so have them donate it. Anything out of season or not of resale quality in my purge pile goes straight to Goodwill or a friend of mine likes to look through my purge stuff. So she takes it away. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/without-purging-there-is-no-progress#post-1082769 Tue, 12 Nov 2013 20:00:38 +0000 rachylou 1082769@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Ya, I vote for going to Goodwill and being done with it. I mean, I used to work in a consignment shop - and it is its own separate hobby/occupation/preoccupation... hehe. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/without-purging-there-is-no-progress#post-1082763 Tue, 12 Nov 2013 19:54:58 +0000 Anonymous 1082763@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Years ago, I tried to consign my clothing, but the owners said no one wore my small size. Since then, I've donated. Doubt anyone wears my size, but maybe it'll go overseas to someone short like me. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/without-purging-there-is-no-progress#post-1082749 Tue, 12 Nov 2013 19:45:30 +0000 Aquamarine 1082749@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'm with AviaMariah...I can't be bothered to resell so I just donate. I too get overwhelmed and feel guilty if I don't periodically purge. Today, for example, I culled a few nicer items that I just don't wear and figure they served a purpose, albeit a short one. (Experiments after a 20 lb. weight loss and a new-found interest in fashion.) </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/without-purging-there-is-no-progress#post-1082725 Tue, 12 Nov 2013 19:31:34 +0000 JillG 1082725@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Like Susie, I have had good luck with the online reseller Twice.&nbsp; They only accept certain brands, but they do accept out of season clothing.&nbsp;&nbsp;They even pay the postage so there's really nothing to loose.&nbsp;&nbsp;I have sent them two boxes so far and have been satisfied with the payments.&nbsp; The clothing is out of my house, I may get a few bucks for it, and the rest is donated - which is what I would have&nbsp;done with it otherwise anyway.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/without-purging-there-is-no-progress#post-1082697 Tue, 12 Nov 2013 19:17:08 +0000 unfrumped 1082697@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thanks to all of you for the reverse enabling--that is, for Just Toss It.</p> <p>I'm not sure why I got into this mindset after happily donating for years.But there you go.</p> <p>E--Go improved Goodwill stock! It's funny, i haven't found great nuggets at ours, so was not encouraged to keep trying --but then I know it would take consistency and patience and time to find the great finds.</p> <p>Susie--never heard of Twice! It sounds great OR would be my new downfall--acceptable brand list and all that! But hey, I've got the boxes and packing tape routine down pat due to Nordie's, so maybe....</p> <p>Carter, your inspiration may lead to more inspiration for me too, after. I think if I haul myself out of this current wormhole, then more happy editing and tossing will follow. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/without-purging-there-is-no-progress#post-1082688 Tue, 12 Nov 2013 19:12:45 +0000 Elizabeth P 1082688@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Carter, that's me!&nbsp; I have some top quality suits, that are way too dated to consign, I'll never wear, yet I'm finding them soooo hard to give away.&nbsp; Not sure even Goodwill will want them :).&nbsp; Guess I just need to DO IT.</p> <p>The other&nbsp; thing I struggle with is clothes I've made.&nbsp; I used to sew a LOT, and was pretty darn good at it.&nbsp; The sweat equity is harder to release than the financial equity in some cases.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/without-purging-there-is-no-progress#post-1082680 Tue, 12 Nov 2013 19:05:57 +0000 AviaMariah 1082680@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I have to get my purges out of the house so I don't do consignment. &nbsp;I save out things my nieces might like and the rest goes to Goodwill (or equivalent). &nbsp;I find I feel guilty about money I've spent on purges until it's gone. &nbsp;So the quicker the better. &nbsp;If I had a whole closet as a holding zone for purges....I think I would be completely overwhelmed. &nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/without-purging-there-is-no-progress#post-1082676 Tue, 12 Nov 2013 19:05:15 +0000 Sona 1082676@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I do consign but only because my consignment store&nbsp;is stress free: I just take it all- unironed and all and they take what they want and pay upfront&nbsp;and I have them donate the rest and I take whatever they give me.If you find a place like that in your town it might be worthwhile. Most consignment stores want things hung, clean and then pay you only when things get sold: too much work.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/without-purging-there-is-no-progress#post-1082674 Tue, 12 Nov 2013 19:01:26 +0000 Kim 1082674@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Way to go Carter! Don't you feel great now???</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/without-purging-there-is-no-progress#post-1082672 Tue, 12 Nov 2013 18:58:50 +0000 Peri 1082672@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I would think Goodwill or some similar community organization would be the way to eliminate guilt, not create it.</p> <p>There are people who shop at that type of place because they have to. Not for the thrill of finding something cheap, or for environmental concerns, but because that is the only way they can dress. Why should someone in that position be forced to only have things so junky no one else wants them? Take them your good donations...win win.</p> <p>Or seek out a battered women's shelter or dress for success. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/without-purging-there-is-no-progress#post-1082669 Tue, 12 Nov 2013 18:57:30 +0000 carter 1082669@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Great timing!&nbsp; After Claire's inspirational post yesterday, I had the itch to ditch this morning.&nbsp; I had a guest room closet full of stuff that has been hanging around for way too long (decades)!&nbsp; Although I've taken several carloads of stuff to Goodwill and consignment over the past few months, these were the items that had cost a lot when they were new, but they were just too old for consignment.&nbsp; I was never going to wear them again, but I just couldn't let go for some silly reason.&nbsp; Until now.&nbsp; Here's a picture of my car this morning.&nbsp; Goodwill was very happy and so am I! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/without-purging-there-is-no-progress#post-1082664 Tue, 12 Nov 2013 18:53:08 +0000 Susie 1082664@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Goodwill has been my donation destination for years. (Your issues with consignment are what I found here and I gave up on that option.) </p> <p>However I recently tried Twice- an online re-seller that makes it super easy. While items don't have to be designer, they do only take specified better&nbsp;brands but there are a lot of them (the whole long list is on their website). So they take Gap and BR, but not Old Navy for instance.</p> <p>They send you a bag that you can fill and send in (dropped off at the post office) for free. I sent 20 or so items. They give you an offer which you can accept or reject. If you reject it, you pay $5 to have your things returned. They accepted all but 2 or 3 of my things and I got a check for $100. Things that they don't sell are donated. </p> <p>So it's not a great return but it made me feel a bit less guilty about some of my mistakes. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/without-purging-there-is-no-progress#post-1082659 Tue, 12 Nov 2013 18:47:16 +0000 Liz A. 1082659@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I hear you!&nbsp; Isn't that the worst when you bring the "good" stuff to the consignment store, and they don't take a thing?!&nbsp; My problem is often out of season items.&nbsp; I just don't have time to purge with seasons in mind, so I just hope they're taking what I'm bringing, and keep it moving.&nbsp; Sometimes I keep a few things I'm feeling particularly indignant about and try my luck at the buy and re-sell boutique, but most of it goes right in the donate bin.</p> <p>My thought is that your decision should come down to how valuable your time is.&nbsp; I'm often pinching those pennies from the consignment store and turning them into new clothes, so for me it's worth it to at least try (I keep 2 bags for consignment and regular old donate). </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/without-purging-there-is-no-progress#post-1082656 Tue, 12 Nov 2013 18:44:38 +0000 E 1082656@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>As someone who relies on thrifting for virtually my whole wardrobe (because of financial constraints), and Goodwill is my primary thrift store, I have to say I'm always thrilled to come across high quality clothes in good condition. I suppose it's not exactly the same as donating them to the women's workwear charity, but since less well off women are shopping at Goodwill, your clothes would still find their way into good, appreciative&nbsp;hands!&nbsp;I think one of the most magical things about thrift stores is that high and low quality pieces are the exact same price, so if you hunt diligently enough, when you find that wonderful item you know you can afford it. Of course the ratio of high quality to low quality can be challenging at times, and your donations would help tilt that ratio more in the shopper's favour. I say all that only to make you feel better if you do end up deciding to drop everything off at Goodwill, not because I think you should or have to.</p> <p>I don't know anything about consignment, but it sounds like for you the energy, especially the mental energy but also the time it takes, might not be worth the monetary payoff. Maybe the consignment stores in your area just aren't as good for sellers as the consignment stores other YLFers use? What is it you feel guilty about? Would the Goodwill tax writeoff thing be useful for you? Maybe that's another way to get a bit of money back? Regardless I would definitely try to let the guilt go: it's such a poisonous emotion and in this case doesn't seem like it would lead to any productive action.Would you make a good friend or loved one feel guilty about their past clothing mistakes? Of course not, so don't do it to yourself! ;D </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/without-purging-there-is-no-progress#post-1082654 Tue, 12 Nov 2013 18:44:00 +0000 Kim 1082654@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><i></i>I read somewhere once (here probably) that once something is purchased it is considered a&nbsp;<i></i><i>sunk cost&nbsp;</i>in financial terms. &nbsp;I took it to mean it cannot be recovered <i>in full </i>so it's essentially gone from your budget and has to be accounted for that way (I could be wrong, I'm no accountant! LOL).</p> <p>If I wasn't willing to pay the full amount for the item why did I buy it? Was I hoping to wear it a time or two and then get my money back?&nbsp;</p> <p>No. I&nbsp;bought it because it met a different need than a financial one. &nbsp;It worked for me at the time and was worth it, at full value. &nbsp;</p> <p>I feel that way when I donate my clothes I have already gotten full value out of them as they taught me something, or they filled a wardrobe hole, or (your reason here) but getting a monetary return on them when I bought them never entered the equation so I have no guilt about letting them go now.</p> <p>Lesson learned about buying (you name it) and I move on. &nbsp;I'll never have a "perfect" wardrobe that doesn't need any renewal, I'll always need to purge and renew as it's a creative outlet for me. &nbsp;I add carefully, but eventually I tire of something and it loses its happiness factor and off to the donate pile it goes. &nbsp;I don't feel bad about that at all.</p> <p>I'll never be "finished" with my wardrobe as even if I never bought another thing as long as I lived things would wear out and have to be replaced. It's an organic thing. It's not like I'm buying an heirloom jewelry piece that will be passed on to my kids when I go. &nbsp;It has a shelf life and when I'm done with it I've gotten my value from it.</p> <p>Bonus if it's in good shape when I donate it, I can feel good about the next person who might happen upon it at Goodwill and maybe it'll be a great find for them!</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/without-purging-there-is-no-progress#post-1082649 Tue, 12 Nov 2013 18:38:14 +0000 deb 1082649@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I donate all of my 'out a here' pieces to Goodwill. I do not want to deal with the ebay/craigslist/consignment issue. I Think my time is more valuable than what I would get in&nbsp;return for the items. The older I get, the more valuable my time is. Therefore, the guilt is decreased, if not gone.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/without-purging-there-is-no-progress#post-1082641 Tue, 12 Nov 2013 18:32:12 +0000 Mo 1082641@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I basically figure there are 3 options - list it for sale yourself online (eBay, Craigslist, the Style Exchange here,&nbsp;etc),&nbsp;donate it (Goodwill, close friends, bins by the side of the road, again the Style Exchange) or consign/pay a middle man to sell it for you. &nbsp;<br />There is something liberating to having it out of the house and out of your life. &nbsp;Despite loss of possible resell value. </p>