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Are you looking to find or experiment with your personal style without breaking the bank? Thrifting is a great way to discover and explore your personal style. Below are 15 reasons to start thrifting now!
I can remember my first time thrifting like it was yesterday. It was the summer right before I started college. I was excited about beginning college, meeting new friends, and growing intellectually. However, I was not too excited about thrifting that hot summer Texas day. To be honest, the idea of thrifting grossed me out.
But I needed shorts. I had registered to take part in my university’s summer volunteer program. I needed “ugly” shorts that I wouldn’t mind getting dirty or splattered in paint. Although I did find my “ugly” shorts, I also discovered a hidden world of beauty. I found an array of beautiful brand named tops and dresses. Some of those items are still in my closet today!
Ten years later, I’m very thankful that my mother dragged me into that thrift store that day. It was through thrifting that I was able to build a unique wardrobe that I’m proud of. It was through thrifting that I was able to find a creative outlet. It was through thrifting that I was able to evolve into the young woman that I am today. Thank you, Family Thrift Center.
There are so many reasons to start thrifting. I have outlined my 15 reasons to start thrifting below.
15 Reasons to Start Thrifting Now
1. Your Bank Account Will Thank You
The Coronavirus pandemic has changed our lives in so many ways. Unfortunately, millions of people have either lost their jobs or have experienced a pay cut. This shaky, uncertain time has caused many families to re-prioritize financially. Despite this uncertain time, you can still manage to dress well without sacrificing your savings. Many thrift stores, such as Goodwill, offer additional discounts on different days of the week. Thrifting is a great way for you and your family to save money during and after the pandemic.
2. You Will Develop a Unique Sense of Style
Without a doubt, I like there to be a bit of mystery when it comes to my wardrobe. As much as I love high street stores such as H&M and Zara, I have never been fond of having the exact same clothing items as millions of other people out in the world. I strongly believe that thrifting allows us as individuals to explore our own personal style. Through thrifting, you can build an entire wardrobe that is unique and that no one else can replicate. For more details on how to find your personal style, check out this article.
3. It Can Become a Hobby or Creative Outlet
Thrifting has become a great hobby of mine and is something that I now look forward to doing every month. Thrifting is a great way to discover how to put new outfits together or how to enhance the items already in your closet. If you are feeling really creative, you can even transform preloved items into completely new garments!
4. You Can Find Name Brand Items of High Quality
Throughout my many years of thrifting, I have found brand named items ranging from Gap to Gucci. By thrifting, you can find name brand and even luxury clothing items for much less money than what you would pay at the actual store.
At thrift stores, you can also find reasonably priced items made of high-quality fabrics such as leather, lace, cashmere, suede, and silk. Because these fabrics are higher in quality, they will last you for years and years. High Quality + Reasonably Priced = Needs to Be In Your Closet Now.
5. You Can Take More Risks with Your Style
One of the best things about thrifting is the ability to explore your style and take risks. Feeling a bit apprehensive about buying wide-legged pants? Don’t worry, the thrift store has got your back!
Thrifting also allows you to explore different trends. Without a doubt, trends are fun. But trends come and trends go. By thrifting, you can dip your toes into trends without breaking the bank or feeling guilty.
6. You Can Support a Good Cause or Charity
Thrifting can benefit your community or city. Most thrift stores donate their proceeds to support a variety of different causes. Such causes include: alleviating homelessness and food insecurity, supporting education, providing assistance to veterans, supporting cancer research, and much more. Thrifting can not only benefit yourself but also society at large.
7. It Helps the Environment
Americans waste an average of over 10 million tons of clothing every year. Unfortunately, Americans’ unwanted clothing is sent to landfills to be burned. By thrifting timeless items of high quality rather than buying cheaply made clothing from large fashion companies, you can contribute to the world’s reduction of wasted clothing.
Thrifting is also helpful in decreasing pollution. The demand for clothing is higher than ever and farmers are under greater pressure to produce and compete with other farmers. To meet high demands, farmers use chemicals on plants to keep insects away. Chemicals such as pesticides can contaminate rivers and water supplies and break down the soil. Also, dyes used to make textiles are usually dumped into the nearby rivers of underdeveloped countries where little environmental regulation exists.
8. You Can Find Hidden Gems that You Will Cherish Forever
Shopping second-hand allows you to find keepsake items that you will not only cherish today but for many years to come. Because each preloved item tells a different story, you may also find yourself developing a sense of pride in your discoveries.
9. You Can Build a Whole New Wardrobe Without Breaking the Bank
Sometimes life’s circumstances require changes to your wardrobe. By shopping second-hand, you can build an entirely new wardrobe at a reasonable price. Thrifting allows you to reinvent yourself or embark on a new career path with grace and confidence.
10. It Can Serve as a Confidence Boost
For me, the way I feel after thrifting is much similar to the way that I feel after a good HIIT workout – refreshed, productive, and ready to take on the day. Finding a cool, unexpected item provides an endorphin rush that will enrich your day. Even better, you may develop a new cool girl walk!
11. There are so Many Ways to Thrift
Once upon a time, thrifting was limited to sifting through racks or bins of clothing. Today, you now have the ability to thrift from your couch while watching Gossip Girl reruns. Although I find sifting through old clothing quite therapeutic, I also love having access to preloved clothing from all over the world with just the click of a button. One of my favorite online thrift stores is Thred Up. Thred Up is the world’s largest online consignment and thrift store where you can shop and sell clothing. Check it out!
12. It’s a Cool Way to Explore your City
Thrifting is a great way to learn more about the city in which you live. Along with finding a chic pair of leather pants or Dr. Martens, you may also discover a new coffee shop, museum, or bookstore. Who knows, you may even find a new significant other. Go explore!
13. Thrift Stores are Always Putting out New Things
Unlike regular stores, thrift stores restock daily or even multiple times a day. Because thrift stores frequently put out new items, you can always find different items on different days of the week. Each day at the thrift store awaits new items ready for you to incorporate into your wardrobe!
14. You Can Find Unique Gifts for Your Thrifty Friends and Family
Has your mother been longing for a 1940s antique tea set? To your mother’s delight, you may just be able to make that happen. By thrifting or shopping consignment, you can find unique items that may be hard for your friends and family to find at regular stores.
15. You Can Make New Friends
Thrifting can allow you to meet new people in real life or online that also enjoy thrifting. When you become a frequent shopper at your favorite thrift store, you may find yourself encountering the same people over and over. You can make new friends over a shared bond for thrifting. Who knows, you may even make a thrifty friend for life!
I hope that these 15 reasons to start thrifting encourage you to take the leap and try something new!
Love,
Miracle With Grace