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Being a pack rat aint so bad.

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Pack rat

noun

A collector or accumulator of miscellaneous objects.

My name is Issa and I’m a pack rat.

I know you’re wondering – what does that have to do with fashion? A lot actually, if you’re like me and what you’ve been saving over the years includes clothes, shoes and bags. Now, this isn’t an article on how to be a pack rat or promoting that being a packshinista is the new big thing. I mean if anything being a pack rat can lead to clutter and that’s not so chic. My main point of why it ain’t that bad though is that trends always seem to come back. ALWAYS. Seriously… Leggings? Colored tights? Off the shoulder shirts, acid wash jeans, and high waisted pants? You get my drift. And if they don’t? Well that’s just a DIY waiting to happen.

I mean where would I have found fabulous high waisted tartan shorts? Well from my own closet of course. Sure they’re over ten years old and they collected dust for about 8 years, but I’m certain ones like these wouldn’t have been so easily found. The fun part is spending an evening going through your closet “making outfits”. It’s like having new clothes again when you pull out old items that are suddenly relevant years later. I could totally kick myself for getting rid of a few pairs of jeans. They could have perfectly turned into some great cut off shorts. So that’s another good thing about holding onto articles of clothing, you could do plenty of DIY projects with items that you deem no longer in use.

I’m also just a bit lucky to have inherited this accumulator trait from my mom who is quite the stylista. Believe me, I’ve been shopping in her closet for years now. I’m certain many of you have parents who are also guilty of being pack rats. Vintage shopping at the parents? Yes, please!

So whether or not you or your family is a pack rat or not, everyone has some unworn clothes in their closet.. maybe there’s some hidden treasures that are in style again, or if it’s no longer in style now perhaps a DIY! Either way old closets have potential. So how about cleaning out your closet?

Leave a comment below and tell me if you’ve ever discovered something awesome in your own closet!

Read Issa’s blog wewearthings.blogspot.com.

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issarocks

i'm glad everyone enjoyed the article and also keep things around to be used again!

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Posted over 3 years ago
Power SpotterSmall
Bimbi284

Aww that sounds like so much fun eboney!

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Posted over 3 years ago
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eboneyowens

great article. I NEVER through anything out. I recently moved and my youger sister laughed at me beacuse I had this dress that I had bought in 7th grade that I still had in my rubbermaid of the clothes past! I love that rubbermaid container of mine. whenever I feel like doing a blast from my past in fashion, I pull that out and have fun with my nows and thens!!

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Posted over 3 years ago
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joannat

I keep just about everything too! I haven't changed sizes in about 23 years, so that's a lot of clothes. It saves me money and time. I don't have to add much to my wardrobe except totally new trends, great buys or staples that have been worn out. As for clothes that get old looking, if they are comfortable I make them around the house clothes. I sew a little bit so I convert dresses into a top with a matching purse, pants into shorts Etc. Old jeans can be made into a million things, but a denim tote bag takes only minutes on a machine to make. My closets are crammed, but I don't have to run to the mall every time I get invited somewhere. I almost always have something I can wear at home.

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Posted over 3 years ago
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GoodGirlGoneShopping

Oh, and as for items I just found: printed scarves, black work pants, and long coats. Hello! Those are staples, right? I think I just put those aside because I was focused on other daily items...

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Posted over 3 years ago
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GoodGirlGoneShopping

While I encourage everyone to clean out their closets and actually get rid of items they forgot they even had, I think pack rat stylistas are genius as well. Things come back around, and as months and years go by, you can think of various ways to wear certain pieces. Maybe it just means a separate closet for those lost puppy pieces....;) Nice article.

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Posted over 3 years ago
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dazzlin

i'm a ridiculous pack rat and my mom is an even worse pack rat
i just found an amazing suede fringe clutch in my closet that i've had since the last time fringe was in- it doesn't change the fact that i still am not that into fringe, but i am more willing to ride the trend since i didn't go buy something for it
other great recent finds in my closet that i've brought into heavy rotation the last few months: lots of boyfriend cardigans, black lace tights i've had since high school, metallic/ glitter specked tights, headbands from the 90s, and vintage leather gloves
i also have been loving digging through my mom's vintage costume jewelry and borrowing oversized sweaters from the 90s every time i go to visit ; )

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Posted over 3 years ago
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MrsRpd

About the only thing I find in storage clothing-wise are clothes that no longer fit. I'm doing a major clothing overhaul this month. I am mad though that I got rid of clothing years ago that I could wear now.

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Posted over 3 years ago