I’m Sale-ing Away!

voltee ♦ December 5, 2012 ♦ 2 Comments

Item: Sweater vest Color/Fabric: Red, Acrylic/nylon/wool Designer: Kenneth Cole Where Purchased: Marshall’s Years Owned: 2

This summer, something rather monumental occurred. Years in the making, I had been waiting and wishing for the right moment to come along. Many times had I thought about doing it, but could never seem to screw my courage to the sticking point. And then, with a gentle prod from my dear friend Vicki, it was decided.
We would have a yard sale!
12 years. Two apartments, two houses. Never a yard sale.
In my basement, I had seven garbage bags full of clothes, one of handbags, and two of shoes. Not to mention heaps and piles of other random junk we’ve collected over the years, discovered we didn’t need, and promptly forgot about.
And when I say heaps and piles, I mean heaps and piles.
One more smallish heap or pile and we would surely be a contender for Hoarders.
This may come as quite a shock to you, but believe it or not, I develop very strong emotional bonds with inanimate objects. Having a yard sale meant that all those things would be out of my life, forever. At least in the basement I knew where to find them should I need them or change my mind.
A yard sale is so frighteningly final.
But it was time.
Painstakingly, I sorted everything into two piles; regular and dollar bin. Regular items were $5, or 2 for $7. I thought that was very fair.
There was one dress Nate absolutely refused to let me part with (here).
And one sweater my friend Daren talked me out of selling (here).
And then, there was so much work. I had no idea how exhausting a yard sale could be. Hot sun, heavy lifting, tense negotiating. Whew! I loved getting to meet many wonderful people, including some neighbors I had never talked to. And my new 8 month old Schipperke puppy, Guinness Guinevere, do some socialization as well. Here we are after the third sale day:

See how beat I am! Those bags under my eyes deserve their own zip codes! Guinness, though, fresh as a daisy. Look at her ear curl!
But. During the first weekend, I sold hardly any clothes. I got quite a lot of scoffing. Raised eyebrows. Head shaking. As though I only offered trash. It was depressing, insulting, and I felt like a loser.
Especially when one woman picked up an adorable stuffed animal I was selling.
“It’s cute!” I heard her say.
“Yes!” I said. “And only $1!”
The look on her face was priceless; a combination of surprise, puzzlement, and revulsion. That’s when I looked more closely at the toy and realized that she said “Cat puke!”
Not “It’s cute!”
Oooohhhhhh.
“Let me just get rid of that…” I said, unable to meet her gaze.
Anyway. The last day of the sale, I sold clothing like mad. Dropping the price to $3 or 2 for $5 was the key. Yes, it hurt. I sold items I have hardly worn, and paid steep prices for, for $2.50.
But so many women and even style savvy little girls were thrilled with what they found. They didn’t think I was selling trash! They heaped praise upon my bruised ego, and made me smile.
My favorite part was when a little girl who lives down the road bought a dress I’ve never worn, went home, and came back wearing it, looking fabulous.

Here are the items I have written about that found wonderful homes:
My puffy shirt.
The hoe-down jacket.
This tunic.
A plaid skirt.
Something fancy.
Hmm. It…doesn’t seem like a lot. That is only five things. I feel like I sold many more pieces with stories than that.
Maybe I didn’t. Maybe it only felt that way because my heart wept a little every time someone bought an “I Am What I Wore” piece. I was a little worried that writing about my clothes may have the opposite effect than I was looking for. Maybe it only deepens the unnatural bonds I have with them.
But that night, reflecting on what had occurred, I was happy. I hope these pieces will shine in their new wardrobes, and that they will be a part of many new tales.
And I did part with so many pieces that I didn’t write about- either I never even wore them, or they had nothing to tell.
Garbage bags full of what didn’t sell were promptly donated. Beyond my reach, forever. It was liberating! A lesson in letting go.
I might have saved a few pieces I have written about. I want to give them another shot next summer.
CNext year, I will make harsher cuts! I vow to be the Cruel Mistress of the closet! Stay tuned for Yard Sale 2013.
Oh! And do you like the sweater I wore whilst peddling my wares?