Fast fashion is one of the biggest polluting industries in the world. Trends and seasons are constantly changing meaning clothing goes from the store, to the wardrobe, to the floor and eventually to landfill in no time. Not to mention what goes on before it hits the stores.
Some great ways to combat this cycle are to shop handmade, do your research on brands and companies before you buy from them and my personal favourite, thrift!
Thrift shopping is such a fun way to find what you need and update your wardrobe without the toll on the environment, but it can be daunting for people who have never done it before or view second hand clothing as dirty or out of date. Thrift shopping is such a rewarding experience, both for you and for the planet, so here are my top tips for fabulous thrifting!
Rummage your heart out
So you walk into a thrift shop and are greeted with rack upon rack upon rack of clothing, where do you even start? The answer is different for everyone, but I usually start at a section I'm interested in, or with the nearest rack to me if I have no idea what I'm looking for.
Thrift shopping is not like commercial shopping, there won't be beautifully crafted displays with everything easily accessible and in 6 different sizes. This means taking the time to rummage is really important, as you never know what you're going to come across. A big part of rummaging is looking in every section. Sleep wear, mens wear, costumes and everything in between! You'll find some amazing and unexpected things!
However, this level of rummage dedication does take some time, so make sure that you set aside enough time to have a good look. Patience truly is a virtue when it comes to thrift shops and it will really make your thrifting experience so much better. Just think of it as a treasure hunt! But the treasure is affordable and ethical fashion!
When in doubt try it on
The clothing in thrift shops come from all different companies, brands and even countries. Sizing is not going to be universal, so if you like something you should absolutely try it on. Love that red floor length gown but the tag says its too small? Try it on. Been looking for a pair of black jeans just like these but it's they're an L and you're an M? Try it on. Think this shirt is the cutest thing you've ever seen but it doesn't have a size on it? Try it on. If it looks like it will fit, chances are it will even if the size disagrees with you. If it doesn't then no harm done, but you may be surprised.
This tip goes for more than size. Looks can be deceiving and something that can look terrible on the hanger can take on a whole new look when you put it on. So if you love the pattern on that top but hate the cut of the sleeves, don't count it out yet, it may look fantastic on you! You've just got to try it on to find out!
Wear thrift friendly clothing
By this I mean clothes that are easy to take on and off. Since you're going to be trying things on you don't want to have to unlace knee high boots or pull yourself out of tight jeans every time you go to the change room. Instead opt for comfortable flats or shoes that are easy to slip out of and things like shorts, shirts and dresses. I prefer to wear two pieces, that way if I'm trying on a skirt I can see what it would look like with a t-shirt I already own, or vice-a-versa. You could even think about clothing that is easy to put things over. Often when I'm trying on a jacket or something flowy or oversized I'll just put it on straight over what I'm wearing. Saves me from going back to the change room over and over, but has earnt me some strange looks!
Choose carefully – don't buy something you don't need or won't wear
With most things being so inexpensive at thrift stores it can be hard not to leave with bag upon bag of bargains. It's easy to justify buying that gorgeous pair of red shoes that are just a little too small when they're only eight dollars. But you won't wear them if they aren't comfortable and eventually they'll end up in land fill or preferably at another charity shop.
Overconsumption is ultimately the problem with the fashion industry. We buy to keep up to date, we throw away what we don't like anymore. This cycle can be stopped by choosing carefully in the first place, even when it comes to thrift shopping. Don't buy something you don't need or won't wear because it was only four dollars. Buy things that make you and the planet feel good, things you can see yourself wearing over and over again. If you're bored with your wardrobe, thrift shops can be a great place to turn to, but choices still need to be made thoughtfully!
Keep your mind open and have fun
The most important thing to do when thrift shopping is to keep your mind open. Second hand clothing is not dirty or disgusting, and is a great way to shop ethically. Furniture, kitchen wear, books, CD's, movies and jewellery can all be found at thrift stores! So if you're looking for a new coffee table or a set of wine glasses, why not search second hand stores before heading to a big retailer. You could even bring some friends along to share the experience with!
Thrifting is a fun experience that can be rewarding in so many ways. Not only can you find fun, interesting, one of a kind things, but your money goes to charity and doesn't contribute to a cycle of fast fashion and waste! So have fun being fabulously thrifty!
Let us know in the comments below if you have any more tips for fabulous thrifting!
Header image: mic.com
Other Images: Jake Taylor
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