Lending Clothes - Page 8

Tinkrbl44 · ‎08-23-2010

@Biftu wrote:
I received a call this morning from a gal I worked with years ago. We were friendly but that's it. I hear from her a couple of times a year. She seems to be financially struggling and lives alone. She said her son (in another state) is getting remarried and he is flying her out for the wedding but she has nothing to wear. She said she has been looking on line but couldn't find anything. She complimented me on my wardrobe and asked if I had anything she could borrow to wear to the wedding. She is about my size. There was a repair man at my door so I had to end the conversation.

I probably could come up with a few options for her, but am reluctant for some reason to accommodate her request. It's not like she is a friend. Not sure if she will call again to ask, but I want to be ready with my answer before she does.

How would you feel about lending out your clothes?

@Biftu

Well, you've gotten some both interesting and practical suggestions .... I forgot to ask .... when is the wedding?

What have you decided? Have you spoken with this person again since posting here. I'm sure many others (besides me) are interested in what you're thinking now.

Isobel Archer · ‎04-04-2015

It seems odd that she would tell you her son is flying her to the wedding first class and then ask to borrow something to wear from you - especially since you are not close friends.

If you don't want to do it, don't. You could either just say you are not comfortable loaning clothes or that you no longer have any outfits suitable for a wedding.

If you want to do it, I agree that it should be something you are actually willing to give her since you either may not get it back or may get it back in poor condition.

If you want to help, another option is to give her with a Rent the Runway gift certificate or something similar.

AngelPuppy1 · ‎03-13-2010

@Biftu

I understand your reluctance, being that you were not really close friends and you seldom talk and then she calls you and asks to borrow clothing.

I have a suggestion. Maybe you have some things in your closet(s) which are very nice but you never wear or seldom wear. You could take these things out and just offer them to her to keep. That way you are offering help but not giving her carte blanche to your entire closet(s).

She obviously admired your style and remembered how nice you always looked and she turned to you remembering this.

"A day without sunshine is like, you know, night." - Steve Martin

riley1 · ‎03-10-2010

@Biftu - Go through your closet and see if you have something that would be appropriate that you are willing to donate. Chances are, if you aren't "tight" friends and don't speak often, you probably won't get it back (or it won't be the same as the condition you gave it to her).

I do find it odd that someone you worked with years ago and rarely have contact with would ask you to borrow a dress for her son's wedding. So, loaner beware!

Biftu · ‎02-05-2011

@Tinkrbl44 wrote:
@Biftu wrote:
I received a call this morning from a gal I worked with years ago. We were friendly but that's it. I hear from her a couple of times a year. She seems to be financially struggling and lives alone. She said her son (in another state) is getting remarried and he is flying her out for the wedding but she has nothing to wear. She said she has been looking on line but couldn't find anything. She complimented me on my wardrobe and asked if I had anything she could borrow to wear to the wedding. She is about my size. There was a repair man at my door so I had to end the conversation.

I probably could come up with a few options for her, but am reluctant for some reason to accommodate her request. It's not like she is a friend. Not sure if she will call again to ask, but I want to be ready with my answer before she does.

How would you feel about lending out your clothes?

@Biftu

Well, you've gotten some both interesting and practical suggestions .... I forgot to ask .... when is the wedding?

What have you decided? Have you spoken with this person again since posting here. I'm sure many others (besides me) are interested in what you're thinking now.

@Tinkrbl44 Oddly she wasn't sure the date of the wedding but said it was some time in May. I have not spoken with her since this posting. At this point my spring/summer clothes are packed away until I change my closets. If she does call again I will see if I have anything I no longer want that may be appropriate and that may fit her properly and just give it to her. However, this means we will have to meet. It has been many years since I've seen her and only at work and I rather she didn't come to my house and if she doesn't like my choice I don't want her to ask if I have something else. I don't want a critique of my closet options.

Personally I think she could find an inexpensive option on her own. I've seen nice inexpensive dresses at Marshall's and TJMaxx. Bargains are out there. If she can't find anything, when she gets there maybe her future daughter-in-law could take her shopping and have her son pay for the outfit. It's not like it is a fancy event. It's a second marriage and outdoor event. I just find this a very strange request from someone I hardly know. I'll let you know if I hear from her. I'm certainly not pursuing this.

Carolina925 · ‎03-09-2010

It may make me sound like a bad person but there is no one, other than my family or very close friends, that I would lend my clothes to. It sounds like a very strange request to me.

Love my grandkids · ‎11-24-2013

@Biftu Thanks so much for the update. If you do decide to give her something, meet at a neutral location: grocery store parking lot, something like that.

I appreciate the fact that you've read the responses and are giving it thought and didn't just make a snap judgment.

Teddie · ‎03-10-2010

@Carolina925 wrote:
It may make me sound like a bad person but there is no one, other than my family or very close friends, that I would lend my clothes to. It sounds like a very strange request to me.

Completely agree with this. No one asks to borrow my things except my youngest daughter rarely for some jewelry or something like that. There is no way I'd go to the trouble in this type situation.

@Biftu I would not be guilted into something you don't want to do. I'm backing you up on this.

LavernLuvsShoes · ‎07-13-2021

@Love my grandkids wrote:
@Biftu Thanks so much for the update. If you do decide to give her something, meet at a neutral location: grocery store parking lot, something like that.

Yes, I agree with meeting her in a public place.

While we can have big, generous hearts, we also need to tread cautiously.