AN ABSTRACT OF THE DISSERTATION OF Brigitte Gaal Cluver for ...

may be less inclined to store and more inclined to dispose of the dress if she does not
have immediate plans to wear the dress again. Additionally, if the dress tears while
she uses it, she may be more likely to dispose of rather than store the dress.
According to Boyd and McConocha’s (1996) model, after acquisition, a
clothing item within a consumer’s inventory of clothing may flow freely between two
concepts, storage and usage. The item is in the usage category when the individual
is actively engaged with the item (i.e., wearing). After usage, if not disposed of, it
returns to the storage category. The clothing item remains in the storage category
until the item is used again or until the item is disposed of. While Boyd and
McConocha’s (1996) model shows storage as a single concept, Winakor’s (1969)
model shows two separate storage concepts, active storage and inactive storage.
Stored clothing items perceived by an individual as those that he/she wears reside in
active storage. Stored clothing items perceived by an individual as those that he/she
no longer wears reside in inactive storage. Of primary interest in the present study is
the concept of inactive storage, specifically why individuals choose to store rather
than dispose of inactive clothing items. Several researchers have addressed why
clothing becomes inactive and why and how consumers dispose of household items,
such as clothing. However, only two research teams have studied how and why
consumers continue to store inactive clothing (Banim & Guy, 2001; Bye & McKinney,
2007).
Inactive Clothing
In the present research, clothing items perceived by an individual as those
that he/she does not wear, yet still has in his/her possession, are termed inactive.
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