In a state of hysteria today, I packed one bag of my "warm clothes" for London. Somehow the bag filled up ... way too quickly. "That's okay," I thought. I won't need as much summer stuff, and anyway, tee-shirts are less bulky.
But then I started thinking of all the other things I'm going to need to take with me... my Wusthof knives (I paid a small fortune for them, I love them, they're coming with me), maybe some pictures (How much do I care about my friends and family?), couple of towels, a set of sheets, toiletries, shoes, and I realized there was no way in hell all of that was going to fit in the second suitcase.
Blah. How do I own this many clothes!!! May I remind you all that I haven't bought any clothes in a YEAR!!
Okay. Obviously more of these clothes are going to Goodwill. Hey, anyone, can you help me out here? I heard that it's okay to send torn clothes to Goodwill because they also do textile recycling. Can anyone confirm? And if not, is there a better place to send your bad clothes for recycling? Yes, I know Patagonia recycles but these aren't Patagonia clothes....
If you need me, I'll be over here having a little mental breakdown.
23 comments:
eek. I know that feeling. There's the whole luggage-restriction thing, then there's the whole if-I-don't-take-it-I-won't-miss-it thing, then there's the whole if-I-already-have-one-here-I-don't-want-to-buy -another-one-when-I-get-there thing.
Naked is the way to go. And if it gets to cold, find a cute someone to keep you warm when you get there.
Ms. V here. Arduous, BREATHE. BREATHE! I don't think anyone expects even YOU to move halfway around the world in two suitcases. Say it with me: I can send over some boxes too... You'd better still be breathing! :)
I'd go for naked before the uniform - unless the uniform includes shorts/jeans and t-shirts. You'll never get me in a suit :)
Anonymous is right - send a box or two over. Good luck and don't worry. Just keep thinking about what an amazing opportunity this is...
I hear you on the disgust of having too many clothes. I have been moving for the past 3 months so I've been wearing a small selection of my clothes. Now that I have all of my clothes back, it's more than a little overwhelming.
Didn't you write a post recently about how you finally have this wardrobe of clothes that you love and fit well and you're so satisfied with? Seems like a shame to give away those things...you probably won't replace it as fast or as completely as you would have in the past, but you are just coming out of your no-buying year. just saying.
Maybe you should ship some stuff the slow way to supplement what you can bring in your plane luggage? Also, have you tried those space bags? You'd probably end up paying for extra weight if you use them, but it might be better than shipping or tossing.
Pip, yeah, and I'm struggling a lot with the whole I already have one here, I don't want to buy another because the exchange rate is so bad.
Heh, I guess you're right Miss V. I can send some boxes over.
Heather, personally I was thinking maybe the uniform could be jeans and a button down. Though I would miss my tee-shirts. And also my pretty dresses.
Academic, yeah it's crazy. I don't understand how I have SO MANY clothes. I'm not even a huge clothing snob.
EGF, no you're right. It's complicated because I have a really lovely work wardrobe, but I won't be working for a year so I'm kind of like ... do I really need so many business casual clothes? But then in ANOTHER year I might WANT those clothes, so maybe I should leave some of them at my mom's .... I don't know.
What about a local scraps for crafts group? We have "Arts & Scraps" here in Detroit (http://artsandscraps.org/) who take donations to use for craft projects for kids. I am sure LA must have something like it. You could donate you torn or worn out clothing and they would make tons of kids happy! You could also contact them and ask if they know of something similar in LA. Good luck!
Ha, ha - you know where I stand on the uniform! People will barely notice, and your bag will be light...
megan
I've got two words for you - Container Ship.
Damn, woman, you live right next to the biggest port on the West Coast. Take advantage already.
Sure, your stuff won't get there until Christmas, but think of what an exciting time you'll have with all your "new" presents!
Jam, thanks for the tip about sea mail. I'll look into it.
EBM, good idea. Thanks for the tip!
Megan, I know I was thinking about your uniform. I like yours a lot! It's very styling. :)
Crunch, hmmm... so my stuff would go from the Pacific through the Panama Canal through the Atlantic? That's quite the journey! I'll look into it. Thanks!
Since the polar ice will be all melty this summer it'll be a short trip over the top :)
Ohhhhh, good point. I knew global warming would pay off for me!!
and if you have stuff that really is ready for the trash bin, I know we have textile recycling here in the bay area...maybe you can find a lonely recycing bin when you're on your trip :)
Seriously, there's textile recycling in the Bay?! Tell me more!! I'm driving a car load of stuff up there. I can easily fit my holey pants and stuff in there.
I vote for, put all the business clothes (except one or two outfits; you might need to dress up at *some* point) into a box and leave it with your mom. In a year and a half, if you haven't needed them, have her donate them.
Usually I'd say a year but you think things will change after 1 year. But after 2 years they may be out of style or you may not like them as much.
i think you can offer things up on freecycle to people who reuse bits of fabric for whatever reason (art, quilting, etc..)
Remember that the UK is generally more dressy than the West Coast! Some bars and clubs won't allow denim for example. I am always told off by my trendy UK friends for being scruffy when I visit them now, wearing fleece and denim and goretex.
Anything goes for university lectures though.
And I would LOVE a uniform consisting of jeans and t in summer, jeans and sweater in winter.
Rosa, good idea. Probably what I'll end up doing.
Kimberly, yeah, it is a good idea. I'm just really embarassed about offering up my holey socks on freecycle. Sigh.
CAE, AUGH! Why can't everyone be like on the West Coast! I love my jeans!! Sigh. I remember in Chicago I had to wear my little black pants all the time, but seriously, I look better in jeans!
so I don't know about the rest of the bay, but in San Jose, our city bins take textiles including clean cotton, linen, polyester, rayon and wool fabrics. They say no to boots, shoes, carpets, down filled items, leather, nylon, pillows, vinyl, electric blankets, stuffed toys, and rubber. Although I hope you don't have too much rubber clothing ;-)
They ask you to tie them in a clear plastic bag (hopefully they recycle that later!)
I'd take it from you if I was going to be around, but alas, I too will be travelling. Do you know somebody who lives in San Jose that can take it?
I worked at St Vincent de Paul, and they took all kinds of nasty clothing b/c they recycled them (I think for refurbished mattress stuffing...). Goodwill likely does the same thing.
Melissa, thanks for the info. I do know people who live in San Jose, so that might be what I do.
Stella, even better! I'd rather just give this stuff to Goodwill and trust it will get to the textile recyclers.
I haven't read all the comments here so hopefully I don't repeat but I would think that paying an extra $25 or something for an overweight or an extra bag on the plane might be the cheapest (and quickest delivery) option. Don't forget you get a decent size carry-on plus a personal bag (laptop) to go with you. I've also noticed that if your carry on is too big they will check it at the boarding gate for you-where I don't see anyway for them to charge you for it. So bulk up your carry on and cross your fingers.
Jennie, good point. Thanks for the advice!
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