Thrift shopping has become more and more prominent in our lives. Now it is not something that only the poor do. Now it has become fashionable to buy clothes and furniture second-hand. Keep reading to discover what’s thrift shopping and why you and our planet will love it too.
While some countries still frown upon already used clothes, there are others embracing the advantages of thrifting. For instance, in countries like the Netherlands, there are second hands stores that present the goods they sell as vintage. This allows the attraction of new customers and the improvement of sustainable fashion.
You may be thinking ‘what I am gaining from already used fabrics and things that may rip off any minute?’. Well, no need to see it that way because this story is going to provide an overview of all the advantages that buying clothes second-hand offers.
It is sustainable!
Thrift shopping is not only good for your budget but also for the environment. Giving second chances to the clothes that somebody else decided to toss away make companies produce less. Thrifting is gentler to the environment because it reduces waste and pollution. It also means recycling.
If you choose to give an item a second chance, you’re shrinking your carbon footprint. This means that you will limit the among of resources needed to create a new fabric, make the clothing, and ship it somewhere. And when you’re done with your item you can donate it or resell it!
Buying second-hand also reduced the need for working-hand to produce clothes. To be honest, fast fashion and mass production come at the cost of human rights. So, when you decide to buy something, think about these things.
Honestly, there are many reasons that make second-hand shopping sustainable and environmentally friendly. It helps preserve water, reduces chemical pollution, and keeps clothes away from landfills. What is more, you can easily reduce waste because just the packaging of a single item takes a lot of energy and further materials.
It is affordable!
Thrifting is the ultimate way to shop on a budget and still find amazing things. Sometimes you may be able to find quality clothes whose retail price is beyond your budget. While it may take a certain period of time to find your size and style pieces, there are always classic t-shirts that suit any style.
Personally, I have found amazing pieces that cost me a few euros or sometimes even a few cents. What is more, furniture second-hand can save you so much money if you need to move and cannot afford a couch for 600 bucks. Yes, that’s right. Just scout what your town offers. Because if you are not aware of the shops then, well, it would be hard to find what you need. And there’s nothing more rewarding than finding something amazing for a tiny piece of its original cost.
You never know what a gem you will find!
One of the reasons I personally go crazy about second-hand stores is because I never know what I will find and for how cheap. For example, a couple of weeks ago my mom discovered a Fossil watch and, surprise, surprise! It cost her only 5 euros. Usually, the retail price for one of these is more than 100. That’s right.
However, this is not always the case for all stores because the ones that are labeled as vintage raise the prices of their products exactly for that reason. So, if you want to make a good deal for yourself, scout specifically the second-hand stores around town. There, you’ll be able to find the best deals.
As a thrift addict, I dare say that around 30% of my clothes are already used and I decided to give them a new life. Unsurprisingly, some of them have lasted more than five years and are part of my favorite collection.
It is fun!
Last but not least, if you don’t know what to do, you can always grab a friend and scout the local shops for something interesting. Best case scenario – you will buy something. Worst case scenario – you will try out a bunch of random things which could be both hideous and gorgeous. It’s a win-win situation. What is more, spending time with close people would make it fun. But if you are the type who may not be so keen on shopping, there are also online apps and stores from which you can purchase.
And regardless of whether you enjoy hunting stores or browsing the web, there are great ways to buy second-hand clothes online. For example, Vinted allows you to both buy and sell clothes and the deals themselves are pretty neat. For example, I bought a bag that cost me just 30% of the retail price. In addition to this, websites such as Sellpy and ThredUp are other ways to get your hands on quality pieces cheap.
Personally, I prefer to scout shops rather than online websites when it comes to second-hand shopping. Not only do I get the chance to crawl out of my house but also, I get to see whether an item fits me and my personality. Sometimes sizes differ in how they fit you and you may end up with something too small or too big if you don’t try it first. But, rest assured you can also return some of the things that you’ve bought. Many people just order a bunch of things online and later on return whatever they feel uncomfortable with or simply dislike.
All in all, thrifting is good for you, your wallet, your wardrobe, the environment, and the world. As a matter of fact, whoever buys second-hand clothes should be really proud of what they’re doing because this is more than just us. It is about the planet, our home.
