Paring Down Clothes

"I", Myself & <Me>

How much space should you designate for clothes?

Think about it. Shoes, underwear, bras, shirts, skirts, pants, shorts, pajamas, workout, swimming suit, costumes. Yes, you read that right, costumes. If I'm going to be traveling, you can bet that I'm going to hitting some Renaissance Fairs along the way.

Surprisingly, costuming was pretty easy to pare down because I've recently lost weight and I'm still losing. So many of the Renaissance costumes didn't fit anymore and the period costumes that did fit, I don't wear because I don't do historic home tours anymore. When I boxed up all the costumes, period shoes and jewelry, it filled 2 huge Rubbermaid containers and 4 paper sacks. The result of 10 years collecting.

I kept one outfit that I tend to wear 90% of the time when I go to Ren-Fair. What did I do with the rest? I thought about giving it away but I paid a lot of money for those costumes and I really wanted to increase my School Bus fund. There's a plus size consignment boutique where I live but it takes a long time to get returns AND they are really picky about what they take. I figured my costuming wouldn't make the cut.

In one of those weird moments, I had an idea. I knew a lady in one of the downtown shops who had an antique store and she was getting ready to open a costume store. Now, I know first hand how hard it is to find plus size costuming of good quality. Maybe she would be interested.

"Hi, Susan. This is J from the ___ ___ ___ Museum."

 "Hi! J! What's up!?" Susan speaks in exclamation points. 

 "Susan, are still planning to open a costume store?"

"Yep!"

"Would you be interested in some plus size costumes? I've taken real good care of them. They range from size 20 to 26. I've got dresses, shoes and jewelry. I have some vintage stuff too. They're..."

"Bring 'em over!"

"... ok..."

I was shocked at how simple it was. Now I had to come up with a price. How much did I want for these items collectively? I thought, I'll settle for $150, but I really wanted $300. The reality is I've spent over $1,000 for the costumes over the years.

Now, I know what some of you might say, "Why not sell them on Ebay? or Costume Exchange?" I probably would have gotten more if I sold them individually, but that would have taken more time and effort than I was prepared to put into it: taking the pictures, opening an account, posting the pictures, writing descriptions, monitoring the account, paying the posting fees, shipping them off once sold. It would have dragged on for months. I was also concerned that I'd relapse and decide that I really did need all these costumes. It was just easier to get rid of them all in one sweeping back alley exchange.

It felt a little clandestine. Pulling up in the alley next to the store Downtown. Us standing at the back of my car with bins open and garment bag zippers spread wide. 

"How much you want for them?!" Susan asked.

"$300."

"J!... $150," Susan replied.

 I winced and said, "$250," hopefully.

"How many pieces is it?!" Susan asked

"About 50 to 60 clothing items, including corsets and leathers. There's shoes, again good leather, vintage clothing, like this mohair coat, and an assortment of jewelry." My eyes widen on hers hopefully.

"$200!" Susan said.

I ducked my head in a please-don't-hate-me stance and held my hands in Ferengi prayer, "$225?"

"Fine!" 

"Thank you!" I said and we smiled at each other. 

I helped her load the clothes in her car and she cut me a check. That emptied about a third of my closet. Next, I had to figure out how to pare down the remaining two-thirds.