As my groovy gone thrifting group is full of awesome sustainable stylistas I thought I’d start a fab new query series and share the inspiring thoughts of my fellow thrifty divas (+ mine as well).
Take a peek at the top responses to my first preloved shopping query, What do you love about thrifting? & be sure to join the group and share your viewpoints too!
Megan: The unexpectedness. I never know what I’ll find
Kathy: I always find something fun!
Judy: The thrill of the hunt!
Anne: Everything that Megan, Kathy and Judy said: the thrill of the hunt; discovering an unexpected treasure; finding one-of-a-kind item; saving money. It’s all great!
Josie: Deals!!
Kirsti: The thrill of the hunt and the unexpectedness! I found the lamps my grandmother donated years ago in the local thrift shop. (No, I did not buy them, I don’t need them)
Gail: It’s modern day treasure hunting. To find the gem that no one else spotted is such fun!
Katie: I love the hunt, but sometimes I have to leave things there. But when I go back and it’s still there waiting for me!? Oh! That is the best feeling. Not only did I find it twice, but it was literally meant for me!
Stefanie: Finding something that I needed or wanted at a low price!
Elizabeth: All of the above PLUS reusing things already manufactured and not creating a demand for more useless manufacture of goods.
Desi: Everything.
Corky: There are so many, but my top two are saving a ton of money and still being in style, and imagining how I can use or change something for my cosplay outfits.
Twyla: The equal thrill of the expected and unexpected! Finding what I’m looking for, and finding what I hadn’t realized I was looking for are my two favourite experiences.
Me: 5 years ago I stopped shopping new and fully embraced creating my own unique style from secondhand, vintage, thrifted and inherited garments and materials. Giving up buying brand new wardrobe items was a lot less difficult than I had imagined and I’m constantly surprised when others think it should have been a challenging experience.
1. By shopping second hand and reusing I am not contributing a penny to the multi-billion dollar fashion industry nor am I unintentionally supporting an unethically produced brand. (check out my thoughts on the ethics of thrifting here)
2. Wearing and refashioning pre-owned garments means they are not ending up in landfills. North Americans send more than 10.5 million tons of wearable waste to landfills each year, not to mention the increased impact when you add in the rest of the world. In fact, only around 15% of used clothing gets recycled or donated, giving textiles one of the poorest recycling rates of any reusable material. That’s even more shocking when you realize around 95% of the textile waste sitting in our landfills today, is actually recyclable.
3. Shopping preloved is economical. I simply cannot afford to purchase brand new ethically produced items from sustainable brands. Thrifting, upcycling and DIY-ing definitely help keep a tight budget under control yet still allow for new-to-us gear and the occasional thrifty spending spree! (grab the top 20 thrifty diva tips right here)
ALWAYS REMEMBER NEW TO YOU IS STILL NEW!
Want to get started living more sustainably? My top 6 tips are right here.
Head on over and take part in an upcoming thrifty query with the Gone Thrifting group!
I volunteer at the local thrift store run by the Senior Center. In addition to all the benefits already listed, this particular store sends all of it’s proceeds back to the Senior Center, to help reduce the cost of classes that range from health and wellness to cribbage groups and feeding programs. I get to give back to my community, socialize, recycle, donate to many non profits and provide a very low cost alternative to buying new . The benefit is immeasurable!