The 4 Main Benefits of Thrifting
Thrifting just makes sense. And the more I have learned about the sustainability movement in the last several years, the more I believe wholeheartedly in the benefits of thrifting and secondhand shopping. It doesn’t just impact your personal finances — it impacts several other aspects of society, including the planet and your neighbors.
Before we get started, I must say: there are a few who argue that a sustainable lifestyle is reserved for the wealthy or the well-connected, and I completely disagree. While there may certainly be a market for those folks, in the form of ultra-luxury sustainable brands with $200+ price tags, thrifting is approachable and attainable for pretty much every socioeconomic group. No, here, you’ll find sustainability with a much lower price to pay (in every sense of the term).
And isn’t it rare that something benefiting the planet is also one of the less expensive routes? It’s more common to see a cheap alternative ultimately sabotaging the planet or a certain group of people. But that is simply not the case with thrifting.
1. It’s good for the planet.
The fast fashion industry has completely ruled our world over the last several decades, exploiting workers who toil away in horrible conditions for next-to-nothing paychecks. Not to mention, we’ve grown accustomed to 52 “seasons” in the retail space, where we now view our purchases as disposable. We cycle through our clothes as thoughtlessly as we do our paper towels, and many of our (cheaply made, pilling, falling apart) fabrics wind up in landfills. Thrifting provides an alternative to this problem, making use out of the clothing that already exists. Giving pre-loved clothing another life keeps it from clogging up landfills and further polluting the earth.
Looking for more information about the fast fashion industry and alternatives/solutions? I would recommend watching The True Cost or reading Overdressed and The Conscious Closet by Elizabeth Cline.
2. It’s good for your wallet.
Thrifting is without a doubt the most budget-friendly way to shop. Places like Goodwill, Salvation Army, and your locally owned thrift stores have prices typically ranging from $5–10 per item. I frequent Goodwill the most often, and nearly everything there is $5.99 — and half off that price on the first Saturday of every month. So I’ve walked away with 10 items for about $60. That is simply unheard of in the retail world — even at fast fashion stores!
3. It’s good for your creativity.
One of the things I love most about thrifting is the energy and excitement it creates. I get such a thrill out of discovering hidden gems after searching through dozens of clothing racks, and I love being able to say “Goodwill” when someone asks where I got something. There’s something special about knowing you very may well be the only person wearing the unique, one-of-a-kind piece you found at the thrift store. And if you are patient enough to dig through some cheaply made items, you can often uncover plenty of vintage gems made with superior materials and methods than we use today. Some of those finds might truly be one-of-a-kind. Thrifting boosts your creativity, forcing you to see potential in unwanted items and put together completed looks without the assistance of a mannequin or a magazine.
4. It’s good for the community.
Most, if not all, thrift stores exist to support the local community by providing jobs and access to less expensive clothing and home goods for lower income individuals. Your purchases and donations help keep these organizations running and directly impact real lives in your community. For more than 117 years, Goodwill organizations across the world have assisted people through a variety of employment placement services, job training programs and other community-based services.
You vote with your dollars — whether you realize it or not. Each time you purchase something at a thrift store or secondhand, you are saying “yes” to the planet, your community and the important values you hold. Plus, you’re giving yourself a creative outlet — and saving quite a few dollars all the while. It’s a win-win-win-win, if you ask me.