I have always enjoyed going to thrift shops and consignment shops because you never know what you will find—costumes, vintage pants or even clothes with tags. People who have outgrown clothes or feel like they have no use for a particular top, bottom or shoes will donate them to a local thrift store someone else to use. If the clothing is still in good condition, why not donate it for second-hand use?
Ever since I can remember, I would accompany my mother to the Darien Community Thrift Shop to donate clothes and housewares. It’s a great feeling knowing that the clothes and housewares that my family and I no longer have use for will bring joy to others in need for a great price. In addition, all proceeds from the thrift shop go towards scholarships for high school college-bound students.
Donating old clothes helps us feel good, knowing someone else will use them. Further, when you thrift, you save a significant amount of money compared to when you buy new clothing from retail stores. This upcoming Halloween, I plan on wearing a ‘70s outfit, and I got my blouse and bell-bottoms from Goodwill. If I had purchased a costume from Party City, I would have spent more money. Plus, I find the outfit can be worn every day, whereas an actual costume is only for special occasions—smart spending!
Not only is thrifting financially beneficial, but it also has a positive effect on the environment. Those who donate clothes prevent further clothing from ending up in a landfill. In fact, around 85% of clothes (both unsold and recycled) in the United States are dumped in landfills or burned. Further, 60% of fabrics are not recyclable, which is why they end up there. Much of our clothes have low-quality, synthetic fibers, a plastic, such as polyester, nylon and spandex, which are non-degradable. The garments are full of pesticides and other chemicals, which take forever to break down, so they release toxins into the air.
The fashion industry, specifically fast fashion, is notorious for its waste. Fast fashion companies, such as Forever 21, Fashion Nova and Shein, put out 150 billion clothing items per year and account for 10% of all carbon emissions in the world. Since the clothes are made cheaply, they do not last a long time, so consumers end up throwing them out and replacing them. It is easy for people who are on a budget to buy fast fashion, as they do not want to spend a lot of money on cute garments. I know a lot of my peers who buy from cheaper brands, as they want to save money.
If you are on a budget but want to buy cute clothes, I encourage you to go thrifting. It helps reduce the amount of clothing in landfills, thus reducing carbon emissions. You can find hidden gems at thrift stores and consignment shops for much less than retail prices. In other words, you can look cute while being ethical!
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