"Now Go Home and Rethink Your Clothing!"

[Wifezilla]

That is my favorite quote from the movie "Evening Star"

Aside from a good laugh, it brings up the question, are you rethinking your clothing? Going more for value than fashion? Stick with or avoiding certain brands? Embracing denim for its durability? Only buying sensible footwear?

I ask because I was at Goodwill last night and I noticed myself being extra careful. I stuck with brands that I knew lasted forever (Land's End sweater, Columbia Jacket, Lee jeans, etc...). As for footwear, I laughed because all I could think was "This wouldn't be very practical if I was running away from zombies!"

So, are you rethinking your clothing?

 

[farmerlor]

Nothing to think about. I'm a jeans and t-shirt kinda girl. I can get dressed in the dark.

 

[Patch of Heaven Farm]

I am rethinking clothes because my two boys seem to outgrow thiers overnight.

I am trying to buy less at a time and letting them wear out what they have and then buying more. Because usually when the P.J.'s and such are getting a lil worn they are starting to get too short and tight anyway. I do pass my older ds clothes to the youngest(though they seem to be getting closer to wearing the same size) and his gets passed on to a friend but I have found buying several pairs of P.J.'s,pants,shirts,etc. that by the time they outgrow them some are barely worn if at all.

So I have 7 sets of everyday clothes and 5 sets of dress clothes and 5 pair of P.J.'s. This cuts down on all the clothes clutter we used to have and makes organizing so much easier. So I am buying less at a time and looking for deals at Goodwill and Salvation Army.

Usually I will add a few new(or second hand) clothes every 2-3 months and pass on the others to friends or Goodwill. This keeps a variety for them and they don't have to get bored with the same clothes but I no longer buy several outfits for the season all at once. I save more because I don't end up with clothes with tags still on them being too small and never worn.

So I buy what we need for a few months and then replace those in a few months. I no longer have garbage bags of clothes to give away(not that I mind) but just a few grocery bags.

I also want to try to learn to sew some of thier clothes as well as mine and dh's. Though I am getting frustrated with some things. But I am going to buy a sewing machine of my own so I can practice more when I have the time. Any suggestions for a sewing machine? I want one that is easy to use for a beginner but something I can use for years if and when I become better at it. I would like to make some quilts and such and would love to embroidery(sp?) a lil too. I have no idea if it is even possible to get one that will do all of these things.

 

[Wifezilla]

Boys do grow so fast. Mine were both in the same size by the time they were 2 & 3. Since they are only 18 months apart, it was almost like having twins.

My mom sent me a giant box of clothes when they were little. She had found a garage sale full of little boy clothes and made an offer on the whole lot. Most of it still looked new by the time my boys outgrew them.

In so many cases, the new stuff just doesn't make sense.

As for sewing, I think it is a skill worth having BUT with the price of fabric, it is often cheaper to get your stuff from Goodwill or garage sales. Now that sewing machine will still come in very handy for mending, hemming, and custom items you can't buy locally.

I mainly use mine to take old clothes and repurpose them...like turning old jeans in to a grocery bag...stuff like that. I currently have an old flannel sheet that needs to be turned in to washcloths.

 

[Wifezilla]

Nothing to think about. I'm a jeans and t-shirt kinda girl. I can get dressed in the dark.

 

[farmerlor]

I buy a couple new things for the kids a year just so they can have something new "for special". Everything else come from garage sales, second hand stores and Freecycle. I just cannot make myself buy new clothing that will be outgrown in about 4 minutes. The problem with this is that I do tend to go overboard. I'll see shirts in Annie's size for .25 so I'll buy all of them and then I have six stacks of shirts to go through everytime I want her to wear something semi-nice for a doctor appointment. Gotta start just making sure everybody has five or six pairs of jeans and shirts.

 

[freemotion]

Are you kidding? Sell them on craigslist for .50 apiece! I have a friend who regularly sells her clothes for more than she paid for them. That'll pay for the things you can't find second-hand or that you need to buy new, like socks and underwear!

 

[Wifezilla]

When I ebayed clothes, I found that lots sold better and faster than individual pieces.

 

[farmerlor]

When I ebayed clothes, I found that lots sold better and faster than individual pieces.

That's what I always did too. I sell in big lots because I buy in big lots. It's easier too because I hate packing and shipping.

 

[TanksHill]

I have been buying at good will for my son. He is growing so darn fast and this fall we will be switching from school uniforms to regular clothes. I have been building up a good supply of t shirts. For my girls I like to sew short and dresses. T shirts for them from good will as well. For me I prefer jeans and t's as well. I have not bought anything unnecessary in a long while.

I really like that idea of 7 sets for seven days. It sure would make my laundry easier to get done. I wonder if the kids would even notice?