What to do with old suits and ties?

[Luvtoride]

During most of my career, I was in a business environment, wearing suits and ties to work every day. Several years ago, when "business casual" became the norm, I stopped wearing suits. During and after Covid we were mostly Working From Home, so formal business attire became more outdated. Now that I'm retired, I may put on a suit and tie, only a couple of times a year. What do you do with the old ties? I already donated most of my suits to the Vietnam Vets/ Red white and blue clothing pick up services. I was cleaning out my closet and realized I had dozens, if not over100 ties. I went through and kept a few that I might wear with suits in the future. Is there anything to do with all of these ties, all in great condition, many of designer brands. Are there specific organization that look for these types of items? What did you do with yours?

 

[MC Rider]

I donated them to Salvation Army. I did not have near that many. Kept a skinny leather tie and 1 made of wood squares. Maybe 1 or 2 others.

 

[aja8888]

I keep a suit, a few ties and sport coat for weddings and funerals...well, mostly funerals these days. The rest were donated.

 

[brett]

I donated all but one of my suits, jackets, ties, dress shirts, dress shoes, etc to an organization that provides them them to people who are rebuilding their lives and entering the job market.

 

[Mr. Tightwad]

Purge them for a better life.

 

[MC Rider]

Keep any that you still might wear.
I still have all my motorcycle riding suits. And use them.

 

[Jerry1]

I keep a suit, a few ties and sport coat for weddings and funerals...well, mostly funerals these days. The rest were donated.

Same

 

[rk911]

Most went to Goodwill, others to a local place called 'Repeat Boutique (free to those in need). Had I known Repeat Boutique existed everything would've gone to them. I kept two ties, one pair of dress slacks, two dress shirts (one long sleeve, one short sleeve), two pairs of dress socks. My 'dess' shoes are now black SAS soft shoes.

 

[COcheesehead]

Business casual hit Colorado close to 30 years ago. All my suits went to charity then.

 

[MarieIG]

I donated DF's suits and ties to the Veterans.

A closet full of suit and ties didn't apply to DH. He probably has had a total of three suits and three or four ties since we've been married. He loathes ties, acts like he is being choked when he has to wear one, and getting him into one is a traumatic experience for all concerned.

 

[Koolau]

Sent most of mine to a mission in Africa. Sent my dad's old suits there as well. Got some pictures back of men wearing our old clothes. It Made me happy that someone could find a use for them so far from home.

 

[CO-guy]

Donate the ties to a local high school. Kids need them for everything from Quiz Bowl and debate competition to job interviews.

 

[Lorenzo]

I was wearing my favorite dark gray suit to a funeral a few years ago, and someone pointed out a moth hole in it. It occurred to me just how old those suits were, and that’s when I tossed all of them. Even Goodwill shoppers deserve better than moth-eaten 30 year-old suits. I then bought my new one and only suit. For funerals, I suppose. Other than that, it’s shorts and flops.

edit: wait—not quite true. I also own a seersucker.

 

[gauss]

I donated all but one of my suits, jackets, ties, dress shirts, dress shoes, etc to an organization that provides them them to people who are rebuilding their lives and entering the job market.

My late father had a lot of nice clothes. Upon his demise, I did something similar, donated them to organizations that helped nontraditional folks prepare for job interviews.

 

[Dtail]

Same

Same here too.

 

[athena53]

Here's an off-the-wall thought: I get rid of a lot of things as Free Stuff on Craigslist. I put it out at the end of the driveway and delete the ad when I notice it's gone. Someone who's into sewing crafts could make an interesting wall hanging or quilt out of them. If you put them out and no one takes them, delete the ad and try more traditional places. I had two collections of assorted buttons from my mothers-in-law and listed them. They disappeared almost immediately.

 

[jollystomper]

As long as I get the "you look good in a suit/sports jacket" compliments, I will hang on to several of each . Only many date nights and date trips DW and I still enjoying dressing up to go "out on the town".

I have, however, cut back from my Megacorp "business suit required" stash and donated the excess to a local organization similar to what others have mentioned - providing suits for high schoolers and those going through tough times who need to wear suits for job interviews, etc.

 

[Teacher Terry]

Crafters make quilts out of old ties too.

 

[Pointby2]

I had about a dozen corporate shirts we wore to trade shows. Mostly white and red. I had my crafty wife make a distressed American flag out of them. Turned out nice!

 

[Gallaher]

I kept 3 donated 5 others to goodwill. Have worn a suit once in last 7 years, funeral.

 

[HFWR]

No suit(s), but I have a couple of “sport coats” that I wear with jeans and boots, aka the Texas suit.

Should last until dooms day, since there are few occasions requiring said attire, but it looks like I clean up pretty good.

 

[Beldar]

I gave away nearly all of my formal w*rk wear to the VVA and a local charity when I ER'd. The one or two sport jackets I kept have shrunk considerably while in storage.

 

[Koolau]

No suit(s), but I have a couple of “sport coats” that I wear with jeans and boots, aka the Texas suit.

Should last until dooms day, since there are few occasions requiring said attire, but it looks like I clean up pretty good.

Hawaiian Formal is wearing long pants with your aloha shirt - Really Formal is tucking the shirt in which I never do (Only have one pair of long pants).

 

[EllisWyatt]

My suits have sat in the dark for eleven years since I retired, and I discovered an amazing fact : suits will shrink if left in the dark for that long!
A lot!
I have given six of them to my SIL who, which minor alterations, they fit nicely.

 

[FlaMariner]

My old ties are used to stake the tomatoes.