That Thrift Life
Shopping second-hand is now more than a quirk for broke hipsters - it has become a lifestyle choice for many who are looking for a more sustainable living.
When I heard that square toe shoes and mom jeans were going to be “trendy” this year, I couldn’t help but laugh. When were these ever flattering on anyone? Hipster norm core and ugly fashion had descended upon us and we now have to be as fashionable in 2019 as we were in 1989. Experts will tell you, time traveling is probably expensive and not physically doable right now. They should ask the fashion people though because they do it all the time, for a reasonable price by reissuing old trends with a twist every decade or so. I am an admitted stowaway - I want to travel for cheap and in first class.
As a faithful thrifter of everything, I have many times looked over these “ugly” shoes in my thrifting adventures, blessing their retirement from the fashionable category. And now they are back! Fashion is whimsical like that and I decided I will be laughing without the expense. Because none of these trends are new or innovative, we are bound to find them waiting for us in the archives of our closets. I am a firm believer in thrifting and I have been lucky when doing so. Items that I found in my musings: brand new J.Crew leather flats, a Jordache Faux Fur coat, a vintage oversize Stirling Cooper blazer, a YSL overcoat and many others. This is not including all the furniture pieces I found and restored as well as dinner sets and kitchen items. I am always amazed at the treasures I find in thrift stores while also feeling a tinge of concern. Over consumption is there in our face and it is kinda scary. Here are 3 reasons why shopping thrift and vintage is the way to go.
Budget shop
In this moment of fast fashion, trends come and go in the blink of an eye; shopping becomes a race to collect and be seen with the latest ‘it’ outfit or accessory. Realistically, keeping up with every whim of trends is highly unsustainable for our pocket and for the planet. The fashion industry is the second most polluting in the world with pre and post-consumer clothing waste being a problem for many countries. How many of us have shopped at H&M, Forever 21, Zara or other high street stores, taking advantages of generous sales to swiftly discard those purchases a few months later when they did not survive their 3rd wash? That bargain ends up in the trash and leaves us right where we started. I came to realize that for the same amount I was spending in those stores, I could easily find equivalent pieces of often much better quality at my favorite thrift, consignment or vintage stores.
Revive & Reuse
I always walk into a thrift store as if it were Ali Baba’s cave. Granted these days, stores are closer to the Chinese e-commerce platform than the magical middle eastern cave but it is the enthusiasm that counts. And that enthusiasm is needed to see that many of the barely used items we discard have lots of life still in them and could be reused in a new home. It is astonishing the piles of pairs of jeans, kitchen items, books and shoes that end up on racks, some in excellent condition, going for pennies on the dollar. Trends are fleeting and it is very likely that you will find there similar pre-owned styles to those pushed today in magazines. There is no difference between shopping pre-loved or brand new; the same rules apply. The focus is on quality: natural fibers always, good construction and easy care. There is no point in shopping for the same polyblends fast fashion items you discarded previously here. Look in priority for cotton, silk and wool; raw denim, wool suiting, and silk blouses/dresses because they are more durable and breathable. These items are made to last and so will they, under the goo care of a new owner.
Personalize
Let’s face it, mass production means we are all bound to look like clones at some point. We buy from the same retailers in some weird attempt to be cool, relevant and unique - which doesn’t quite work. A quick trip on Instagram sets us straight regarding our fashionable ambitions. Originality is dead and we missed her funerals. From what I can tell, truly stylish people are those who understand how to mix old and new, foreign and familiar, to maintain that “now and forever” look that has made our contemporary style. Because we can’t all travel the world and gather unique treasures, though we try, we can still look for ways to make our own the most banal pieces with a little bit of DIY oil. Making your own cutout jeans on the cheap, digging for vintage tees, picking well worn and broken in leather items over new ones, options abound for the creative and patient eye. Thrift stores are my favorite place to find interesting pearl jewelry sets, brooches, silk scarves and vintage leather bags with interesting details which I am sure will bring that one of a kind touch that may be missing from a high street outfit.
The secret is to watch the trends, pick out what works for you and run to your neighborhood thrift store FIRST before turning to brand new options. Check out the board below for thrifted options based on Vogue magazine recommendations. Thrifting is easy and you can do it too!
