What do you do with passé clothes?

The other day I took some of my favorite clothing to a consignment shop in hopes that they could sell them. I had some exquisite vintage Laura Ashley party dresses and gorgeous sweaters, a beautiful Victorian-style velvet opera coat, and an electric assortment of leather vests and a skirt, and a very stylish pair of animal print boots. All of these pieces have been worn and cared for over the years, but alas, no longer fit. If they did, I would still be wearing them. I do not want to donate them nor do I know anyone that needs them.

I put the dresses and coat into garment bags and the rest of the items in a suitcase. My son helped me take them into the shop. When I arrived at the shop, the bags were hung from a clothing rack and the suitcase sat on the floor. As I waited I looked around the shop and could see nothing but a sea of clothing.

The shop owner opened the bag with the opera coat in it and said at the get-go, “to vintage for our shop.” But they were impressed with it and thought about taking it. But as for the dresses, they passed without any regard for the classic clothing. “Nobody buys Laura Ashley anymore and you can find her dresses for seven bucks at Goodwill.”

I asked about the things in the suitcase. She could see I was upset so the suitcase was placed on the counter and opened. Once again before they even looked through the items, they told me all of the clothes were dated.

“Dated,” I astonishingly replied. I pointed out a most unusual green silk blouse with fringe and beads on it, and the timeless leather vests and skirt, and the designer boots.  She asked, “When did you buy these?” I replied, some during the 1980s, some recently.” “Dated,” she said again.

Closing the suitcase, she apologized and said that the only clothing she takes in needs to be no older than 10 years. I was about to retort, then said nothing.  They repeated, “These just don’t sell.” Then I asked about the opera coat and said, “You really don’t want this coat either, right?” They both nodded their heads and saying they just don’t think it would sell either.

So I called my son and told him to come back, that I was done here. He was back in a flash, grabbed my things and out the door we went, not turning back to say goodbye.

So, now what do I do with this lovely clothing? If I had the space, I would but some of it in our Family Museum. There are already several items of clothing in the museum: my husband’s Leisure Suite, Boy Scout Leader Shirt, Navy Uniform, my pink jacket with the rhinestone collar, my white gown with fringe down to the floor that I wore when I became an American Heart Association Princess, and my very precious pair of hot pink hot-pants. Even a pair of Louis Jordan shoes.

As I stored away again the clothes, I thought how it really is a shame how our society has become such a disposal society; here today gone tomorrow. People do not take care of their things and are quick to dispose of it and replace it with something newer, but not necessarily better. 

The past several generations have lost respect for, unfortunately, for more than just clothes. Many do not want their parents or grandparent’s things, family heirlooms, and much more. They are losing out on such a vital part of their family’s history by not at least trying to cherish what past generations have worked and strived for. And this goes for their own possessions, including their clothes.

I will be blunt here and tell these people to stop being so unappreciative. Their insensitive attitudes and arrogant proclaimed entitlement is appalling. If most everyone would cease being so quick to get rid of things and take time to consider their ungrateful words and actions, maybe, just maybe, our society would be  kinder. If everyone would try to be respectful of the past, we can have a more tolerable present and a positive future.

Save your clothes, save your things, save your history!