mindful thrifting & sustainable fashion
By: Adrielle Escaño
what is happening?With many old trends becoming the “new” trend, teens and millennials are heading toward their local thrift store in order to stay fashionable. But, it is always important to be mindful while shopping. Many people don’t know that before thrift stores became trendy, many low-income families relied on, and still do rely on, thrift stores for new clothes, jewelry, furniture, and toys. With an increase of wealthy teens making trips to underprivileged communities for their thrift stores, the resources in those areas are beginning to decrease. However, thrifting (buying second-hand) is an important aspect of creating a sustainable fashion system, so there are a few things to consider here.
WHAT IS the impact? To put it in perspective, let’s say that you plan to buy all of the cute, large oversized polos to crop them but that same polo that you bought was someone else’s chance to look professional at an important job interview. While it's fun to stay with the trends and the styles at thrift stores are admittedly unique and cool, maybe instead of making a trip to the thrift store to add more clothes to your already full closet… you could suggest to your friends about cleaning out your closets and donating it to a thrift store instead. I’m sure that there are some pieces that just take up space in your closet and are no longer your style but will definitely be used by someone who needs it.
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what are other ways to support sustainable fashion?The best and most sustainable thing you can do is keep the clothes that you already have. I know that there are so many different ways to style the pieces you already own and you probably have not worn every single thing in your closet. Upcycling is an amazing skill that will revitalize even the oldest, most worn-out of clothing items! Create jean shorts from old jeans for the summer, make a bag out of that old sweater, or even a bucket hat if you are crafty with a sewing needle! If you are purchasing something, make sure it is something you NEED and most importantly, brings you joy (as Marie Kondo would say) in your life. Another way is shopping on resell sites like Depop, ThredUp, Poshmark, and so many more! You could even sell your own clothes on there, if you’d like to support sustainable habits and make some cash. Lastly, if you’re looking for something that is new and not second-hand, shop brands that value sustainability in their business model (fair wages, low carbon emissions, etc.) like Tentree, Patagonia, Native, and much more. Make sure to do your research prior to purchasing! These brands can be pricey but they will last a long time and you are supporting a cause that you believe in. On that same note, you could also purchase from small businesses because usually they are handmade and made-to-order. Something to remember: never ask a small business for a free or heavily discounted item, they make every item by hand.
can't i still thrift?Also understand that we, the consumers, are not to blame but if done properly and respectfully, thrifting shopping is something you can incorporate mindfully into your shopping habits. But, always remember:
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