When I was younger, I remember begging my mom for the newest pair of light-up Sketchers; however, we never had enough money for them then. She would take me to Goodwill, and we would peruse through all of the aisles; my cheeks would glow hot, as pink as a piece of Laffy Taffy. I was embarrassed to be shopping secondhand. I didn’t understand why I couldn’t just buy the new things like other kids. I also didn’t understand the significance of pouring your money into fast fashion.
However, as I grow older and begin to understand the weight of shopping firsthand, the warm glow of embarrassment has changed to one of pride. I take pride in knowing I am giving items a new home that otherwise would have contributed to the enormous piles of waste sitting in landfills all over the world.
Why Should You Shop Sustainably?
I hear so much about how thrift shopping is good for the environment. Still, if you are like me (and I’m assuming you are), you never hear why or how it’s actually good for the environment. For starters, did you know that the fashion industry is the second largest industry globally and that it uses 79 billion cubic gallons of water every year? That’s enough to fill up about 32 million Olympic-size swimming pools—it’s no wonder why we’re projected to run out of water by 2040, huh?
Likewise, when you consider the amount of outsourcing done by fast fashion companies, shopping secondhand is a no-brainer. Many companies set up their factories in foreign countries, pay their workers as little as $300/week (if they’re lucky) and offer unsafe working conditions like poorly ventilated, cramped and dirty factories.
If the reasons above are not enough to convince you to start thrift shopping, then perhaps secondhand prices will be. I know we’re all tired of paying $20-$30 for a t-shirt that feels like two-dollar quality. So, why not spend five dollars to buy a high-quality t-shirt made in the 1990s? Not to mention, you never know what you may find secondhand. You can find vintage designers, the latest trends for half the price, unique pieces and more!
How to Shop Sustainably?
Shopping secondhand may seem overwhelming at first, with dozens of store rows filled to the brim and looking through hundreds of items just to find a handful of things you like. But in 2021, thrift shopping is easier than ever. This is because there are so many online options to filter items based on size, color, style and fit. There are websites like Depop, Curtsy, Poshmark, eBay and more.
If shopping online seems daunting, there are plenty of curated thrift stores that have a wide range of vintage and trendy items. “But Leah, there’s like nowhere like that in Blacksburg!” To that, I say you just have to know where to look. I work at VTThrift, a store on Main Street, and we have a massive selection of one-of-a-kind items that will satisfy everyone’s style. But, if you’re like me and enjoy searching through racks for hours, Goodwill will be just fine.
Happy thrifting, everyone!