Hoarders?

[RachelPortugal]

What came first, the hoarding or the crossdressing?

I often read posts where members talk about their stash or boxes of clothes etc in the garage, cellar, attic etc or in storage units or second homes.

Yes some people talk about purging, but many mention rediscovering a favourite item which had been stored away for so long.

So, as crossdresser's are we hoarders by nature or has the crossdressing caused us to become hoarders?

My wife will confirm I am a hoarder and always have been. The bag of screws and wallplugs that come with an item that has the option to be wall mounted are put away with all the other such packs, as I believe that they may come in useful some day. My condition is improving but I am by no means cured - in the past year perhaps 4 pairs of shoes and a similar number of skirts have found their way to the bin or the local charity shop, if only to make space for more shoes and clothes.

[Stacy Darling]

The Hoarder from my perspective!

Yet I'm a Collector!

Stacy!

[Charlotte7]

I long ago reached 'peak wardrobe' and had to adopt and one in one out policy :) Not that I stick to it

[docrobbysherry]

"I'm Robert Sherry and, yes, I'm a hoarder.":doh:

I actually have been getting rid of a lot of my old junk to make room for Sherry's clothing and new story props. However, I've found a lot of the old crap I've had around for countless years comes in handy for sets and props for Sherry's stories!:D

[Beverley Sims]

I am not a hoarder, just frugal in my waste management. :-)

Clothing wise, it is an investment to acquire clothing and keep it as it becomes dated and retro clothing is in fashion STILL!

Sherry, you are tarred with the same brush that those north of the Boulevard are, Hollywood lots have lots of hoarders. :-)

[Robertacd]

The hording comes first. If you are a horder you will hord. If you are not then you probably won't.

What the horded items are is irrelevant to whether or not you will hord, they just have to seem valuable to you.

[Tracii G]

I have a lot of clothes and nuts and bolts but not a hoarder.

[sometimes_miss]

It's easy not to be a hoarder if you have enough money to keep replacing stuff you need, that you have thrown away in the past. My mom saved almost everything, but drew the line at most broken things. That usually went out in the trash....usually. A few things that were broken she saved, in order to give to ME to fix them for her because 'they were too valuable to just throw away. Vacuums and other appliances, watches, clocks, anything that could conceivably be fixed (but would cost too much in her cheap mind for HER to pay for), got put away so she could have me do it. After she died, I found lots more stuff, packed away in the attic, in boxes, with notes written on top describing what parts of them didn't work. I did and estate sale thing and sold everything.

[Tracy Irving]

If you like shopping at thrift stores it is relatively easy to become a hoarder (and not even know it).

I try to limit my collection so, every once in a while, the great purge is a necessity.

[Micki_Finn]

Styles change every few years! Hoarding is antithetical to my inner fashion maven.

[Jaymees22]

I'm the opposite of a hoarder and sometimes get rid of things I wish I hadn't. I want my red dress back!!

[ellbee]

I prefer the term "collecting." :heehee:

[Michelle 51]

Hoarder here.Went so long without Michelle having her own clothes that I hate to get rid of any .Have boxes that I haven't used in a year or more .We moved 2 years ago and I threw out any that didn't fit comfortable but can't bring myself to throw out the rest.

[kimdl93]

Not a hoarder, not even close. More toward the opposite side of the spectrum...ie, if I haven’t used it in a year, I can live without it.

come to think about it....that pretty much reflects my ex’s attitude towards me!

[carhill2mn]

Yes, I am definitely a hoarder of my womanly things.

[RADER]

I must admit, I do have a lot of clothes that I do not wear anymore. I have been meaning to thin out some of the extras I have.
I bet I have some 50 bra's, and only use about 12 or so on a regular bases.
Well Spring cleaning just might start early this year.
rader

[NancyTO]

You should see my "Dynasty" shoulder pads outfits collection from the 80's. Yeah, I definitely need to do a clear out.

Rubbermaid made a fortune from me buying 25 gallon storage containers.

[Elizabeth G]

I am NOT a hoarder, I will NEVER be a hoarder. I lived with a true hoarder for years (yes, just like on the show).

My femme wardrobe is neatly hung up in the closet just like my male clothes.

Sorry about the rant there, hoarding is a bit of a hot button for me.

[Rayleen]

Not a hoarder,

[Cassandra Lynn]

Sorry about the rant there, hoarding is a bit of a hot button for me.
I hadn't said anything yet because i'm trying to be a kinder and nicer lady, and I know the OP didn't intend anything with the terminology, but it should prolly be noted that hoarding is classified as a mental disorder. In fact, like alcohol and substance addiction, it is a disease.
No, not deadly like the other, but not really something to be joking about either.

Cass

[DIANEF]

I don't have the space in my house to be a hoarder even if I wanted to be. My hobbies take up all the space. I have got some clothes I wouldn't miss though.

[Stephanie47]

What would my wife say if she found out I have 162 dresses and hundred of slips and more than 200 panties? She'd say I'm nuts. Probably so. In some respects I view woman's clothing as an art form. Yes, most women do not even wear slips let alone amass them. I was told many years ago by a middle age sales associate that women do not put too much emphasis on their undergarments. Special occasions, yes. Day to day, no. I do not have the opportunity to be en femme as often as I would like. Viewing and buying lovely dresses and slips and different colors of undergarments is a way to keep connected with my desire to be en femme more often. Call it "retail therapy." I really do not call it a compulsive disorder. Is a collector of stamps or coins suffering from a compulsive disorder? I think not. So it is with me also. That is the reason why I do not dispose of some dresses or slips I acquired a long time ago. I love the prints. When I was a kid in elementary school I did indulge in art; drawing and painting. My love of art has just carried on in a different manner.

[Cheryl T]

I definitely have my share of "things" that I "collect, but I wouldn't be considered a hoarder. I can easily throw away things that haven't been used in a while or toss things that I haven't worn to make room for something new.
The only area my wife would disagree would be in lingerie. I may have a few pair of panties more than I should...I think... Is 125 pair too many??

[GeorgeA]

What would my wife say if she found out I have 162 dresses and hundred of slips and more than 200 panties? She'd say I'm nuts. Probably so. In some respects I view woman's clothing as an art form. Yes, most women do not even wear slips let alone amass them. I was told many years ago by a middle age sales associate that women do not put too much emphasis on their undergarments. Special occasions, yes. Day to day, no. I do not have the opportunity to be en femme as often as I would like. Viewing and buying lovely dresses and slips and different colors of undergarments is a way to keep connected with my desire to be en femme more often. Call it "retail therapy." I really do not call it a compulsive disorder. Is a collector of stamps or coins suffering from a compulsive disorder? I think not. So it is with me also. That is the reason why I do not dispose of some dresses or slips I acquired a long time ago. I love the prints. When I was a kid in elementary school I did indulge in art; drawing and painting. My love of art has just carried on in a different manner.

Stephanie,
For years I've been quite envious of the number of slips you have. I love slips and have tens of them, not hundreds like you. How do you manage to keep them out of your wife's eye, as I understand, she's not very supportive?

[Sometimes Steffi]

Day to day, no. I do not have the opportunity to be en femme as often as I would like. Viewing and buying lovely dresses is a way to keep connected with my desire to be en femme more often. Call it "retail therapy." I really do not call it a compulsive disorder.


Yes, I have a retail therapy problem. But, right now, I've got it down to be cheaper than real therapy on a monthly basis.

[kayla_bayarea]

I have always been about quality over quantity so I don't get the whole hoarding thing. Do members here really wear or even just try on a piece of clothing that you have 100+ of? I do understand collecting and that seems to be something different. Collectors will be after a specific item because of craftsmanship, rarity, design, etc. and will do exhaustive search for just that particular item. In contrast, some members here have such massive amounts of something it seems they are just buying it because.

Compared to some (GG or otherwise) I probably have a large collection of shoes, lingerie, leggings, makeup, or whatever. But, nothing is added without a specific reason. Different leggings depending on type of activity or circumstance (floor based dancing, sweaty activities like boxing or martial arts, cold days...). Different shoes and lingerie to coordinate with particular clothing types.

I never buy anything just because it's cheap and it will expand my stash. Everything in my closet is pretty well edited and is the result of lots of trial and error.

Are people buying fashion items without thoughts to the way they will actually look on their own body?

[Michelle Vinova]

I can get OCD about stuff (CDing, Fantasy football, work) but hoarding is not a vice for me!

[OCCarly]

Three drawers of short shorts, four drawers of bikinis....yes, I’m a bit of a hoarder.

[ellbee]

I have always been about quality over quantity so I don't get the whole hoarding thing. Do members here really wear or even just try on a piece of clothing that you have 100+ of? I do understand collecting and that seems to be something different. Collectors will be after a specific item because of craftsmanship, rarity, design, etc. and will do exhaustive search for just that particular item. In contrast, some members here have such massive amounts of something it seems they are just buying it because.

Compared to some (GG or otherwise) I probably have a large collection of shoes, lingerie, leggings, makeup, or whatever. But, nothing is added without a specific reason. Different leggings depending on type of activity or circumstance (floor based dancing, sweaty activities like boxing or martial arts, cold days...). Different shoes and lingerie to coordinate with particular clothing types.

I never buy anything just because it's cheap and it will expand my stash. Everything in my closet is pretty well edited and is the result of lots of trial and error.

Are people buying fashion items without thoughts to the way they will actually look on their own body?

Oh, I'm about quality, for sure. :thumbsup:


Some people think I'm nuts for spending $XX on a really nice pair of work-out leggings. "But I could buy like 5 or 10 pairs for that much!" they exclaim.

Yeah, sorry... Definitely not the same. Those with a "fancy-leggings" obsession know what I'm talking about. HUGE difference in quality, most certainly.


Now, that doesn't mean I don't try to get them for as cheap as possible. But typically there's a price-floor for this kinda stuff. And if/when they ever hit that? BOOM! They get snatched up *very* quickly... Especially in the popular colors/prints/styles/sizes. You snooze, you lose. The nice-leggings game is definitely very competitive. And you don't want to get in the way of us girls! :heehee:


Anyway, I estimate I own like 200+ pairs of leggings. And I keep buying more! Totally ridiculous, I know. Granted, not *all* of them are pricier high-quality ones, as I did find a manufacturer a while back who does a very good "cheapie" version of fashion prints, IMO. However, they're more of a cutesy soft-&-cozy style, as best I can describe them, and are better suited for colder weather while chilling out at home or something. I haven't purchased any of those in quite a while... Waiting til we get closer to winter, to break them out of storage, wear some again for a while -- and make my decision then.

I have a feeling, however, that I'm done buying any more of those (unless it's an absolute must-have print). One reason being, I'd rather have that extra money for some better-quality pairs!


And yeah... 200+ pairs of leggings? Only 365 days in a year. You do the math! :roflmao:

What makes matters even worse, is that I have a group of high-rotation favorites. Meaning, I wear them way more often than others. But believe it or not, I do wear them all, since I practically live in these things outside of work. Some just take longer getting around to.

And sometimes on my days off from work, depending on what's going on, or simply my mood, I may change out of one pair of leggings, and into another. So, that can help ensure that I get to them all... Eventually, LOL.


Finally, yes. Of course I buy only what I like. I tend to stick to a select core of several brands... While occasionally trying out a different brand that interests me, just to see & explore, then go from there.

And most definitely, I only buy what I think would look good on me. I know my tastes, I know my shades, and I know my body. As such, I like to claim that I'm never wrong on this. :)


Honestly, I don't look at it as hoarding, per se. I just have a major obsession with leggings! It's a fun (albeit somewhat expensive) hobby, one that I'm not so sure I'll ever get sick of... I mean, they just keep pumping out these things like crazy! Always bound to find *something* new that I like.

But, yeah. I lovingly refer to it as my leggings collection. Because that's what it is, truthfully. Not my "hoard." ;)


Oh, and if I ever get around to finding a GF? *Total* jackpot for her, if we're more-or-less the same size in leggings. Since I've got so many freakin' pairs of these things, she's definitely more than welcome to "borrow" them! :p

[kayla_bayarea]

Ellbee,

Do you actually workout in your leggings? I lovingly mock my friends who wear leggings all the time and don't even exercise at all. I am glad that they are fashionably acceptable as streetwear because I don't have to change after dance class or exercising and can just go about the rest of day (or even night).

Only a few of the pricey brands are worth it and I never pay full price either. I only buy them when I can stack discounts like on sale plus an additional 25% off. Otherwise I could never afford the brands that I like. I will no longer buy Lululemon because most of their stuff is garbage now. Ever since they moved production out of Vancouver they will just have the cheapest factory produce their clothing.

I buy Alala and Michi most of the time because they are still made in Canada, are tested by actual athletes/dancers, and are brands they are founded and still run by a woman. Lululemon seems to be the antithesis to these brands.

If you are interested in how leggins actually perform in addition to their looks I recommend these two blogs:
http://www.agentathletica.com/
http://schimiggy.com/

[ellbee]

Actually, I *don't* work out in them! :confused3:


I used to... Until I got a very physically-demanding job, giving me one heck of a full-body work-out, typically 50-70 hours a week.

So, yeah. I really have no need to, LOL. Seriously, this job has given me quite a nice lower-body. :battingeyelashes:


So, I no longer work out, outside of work. I honestly don't want to, as I need my rest, and I really don't want to injure myself by pushing too hard. I get enough, believe me. Too much, in fact.

At best, when there are some rare slower weeks, and I have the time & energy, I'll enjoy a nice long neighborhood walk wearing 'em.

Otherwise, I find some nice firm compression leggings to do wonders for muscle recovery after work. Also sleep in them, for best results. :thumbsup:



And trying to bring this thread back on track... :p


Working all these hours is totally a catch-22! I now make enough money to afford my ever-growing leggings collection -- yet I don't have as much time to wear 'em! Kind of a shame, really.

And no way in heck would I wear them at my testosterone-filled workplace, either! :eek:

Actually, I have been toying with the idea of wearing them *under* my jeans. I dunno, I may give that a whirl sometime, especially as winter approaches.


P.S. Thanks for your insight. There's a long-running activewear thread over in the Clothing sub-forum. Would love to hear more from you there! :)

[t-girlxsophie]

I dont know if i qualify as a hoarder,I always have great plans for a clear out,but end up getting rid of very few things which leads to clothes etc being found everywhere,but I wouldn't say to any great excess.but rather a lack of storage space

In our house we do have that drawer,that probably everyone of us has,crammed with phone chargers,takeaway menu's,broken eyeglasses,assorted batteries etc etc that's probably only thing I'd say qualifies me as a hoarder

Sophie

[Asew]

I have a hard time letting things go but if I already have a bunch of something I am way pickier on getting new similar things. It keeps my hoarding to a level I am ok with.

[AngelaYVR]

I was talking to a woman last week who impulsively buys fancy gowns. She doesn’t wear them. And I think we all know women who have massive amounts of shoes. So it’s more of an issue with anyone who buys women’s clothes and not just us CDs

[Nic J]

I might have become a hoarder, but my CD budget is very small, so I can't afford to have a surplus of fem clothes. :violin: It does mean that i have to shop with economy.
There is a subtle difference between hoarding and storing. Things you actually use are stored, but things you don't use are hoarded.

[Sarah Doepner]

I have a lot of things, but I'm not a hoarder, just an accumulator/procrastinator. My late wife filled the basement with teaching and craft things and even though it looked like a hoarder stash, it was not. Her plans exceeded the time she had to do everything she wanted and she lacked organization. I've been going through things and slowly selling it off or giving it away.

My things are slowly being "curated" as I attempt to reduce the amount of stuff I'll have to deal with when I sell my house sometime next year. So even my clothing is being evaluated every now and then. There is a clothing swap coming up at the gender conference next weekend and I've got four bags, so far, that I'm taking in. The surprise for me is three of them are all men's ware and only one is full of women's things. That made me go "hummmmm".

[Stacy L]

Didn't realize that I was a hoarder, I mean collector until we moved 2 years ago.

[susan54]

My name is Susan and I am a hoarder. I have around 1000 skirts, 984 dresses and about 2000 blouses/tops. My hoarding came first - I also do this with books and CDs.

[RachelPortugal]

There is a clothing swap coming up at the gender conference next weekend and I've got four bags, so far, that I'm taking in. The surprise for me is three of them are all men's ware and only one is full of women's things. That made me go "hummmmm".

The problem with a clothing swap is that it is a swap, so you will bring back things in exchange.

[AmyVanessa]

I'm a hoarder. Especially with shoes, I've gotten some pairs my size at a nice clearance sale price. I'm a hard-to- find size, so when I find pretty footwear that fit my tootsies, at a great price, I snap them up