T-Shirt Collections

I’m always horrified while watching Clean House when they get to the person who has 492 t-shirts and refuses to part with nary a one. Katie and Kelly have noticed while working with clients that men tend to collect these more than women. Even though they couldn’t possibly wear all or maybe any of them, somehow the sentimental value of the t-shirt has a great and insidious power. It’s weird, but even I have a few unworn t-shirts that I keep for sentimental reasons. So yes, I’m in doubt, but I still can’t throw it out. Here’s some ideas for what to do instead.

Most people don’t have 492 t-shirts, but it’s always good to pare down. And yes, get rid of any t-shirts that are stained, torn or were bought five years ago from Old Navy. And the coolest idea we’ve seen in a long time is to take what’s left and turn them into totes. It’s so much cooler than paying for the ugly ones at the grocery store, or paying too much bank for hipster bags. And it’s infinitely better than holding onto totes you don’t actually like just because you’re trying to be good to the environment. This way, you put the unworn t-shirts to good use and they remind you of something good. Check out Instructables’ Fastest Recycled T-Shirt Tote. All you gotta do is a little cutting and sewing and you’re good to go.

This tip might not work for diehard collectors. Cut their favorite t-shirts they never wear? WHAT?! So, instead, you can try taking all those t-shirts and making them into a quilt. Hey, this might not be the most fabulous tip but it’s certainly the coziest. You can even turn it into a family project and incorporate everyone’s sentimental t-shirts, making the quilt a perfect addition to movie night. If you’re not an arts and craft type — Smarts and Organic Freedoms and Smart Freedoms — then there are sites like Campus Quilt that will be happy to make it for you.

Okay. So maybe even making it into a quilt might be too much for the serious t-shirt hoarder. And we know that many of you would never want to have a t-shirt quilt in a prominent position in your living room. But it could work in a basement rec room or if you have a storage ottoman in your family room.

Now, if you truly love the art on some of your t-shirts, want to show off your snazzy graphics, or you have a basement that needs some decor, then consider framing the t-shirts and creating a collection. Frames made for old album covers would fit the bill perfectly.