As businesses open up and store hours return to normal. More people will begin shopping for clothes. Going to the mall with friends or a weekend family trip shopping. As much as we love shopping, next time try your neighborhood thrift store.
Keep reading and we’ll show you how it can be just as fun and get more for your buck.
Thrifting is for everyone, there is no shame in buying second hand. There are so many positives!
By choosing to go shop at thrift stores you are…
Saving 50-75% off retail prices
- Prices stay at affordable costs. There are high quality clothes and brand names that are new or in good condition.
Not contributing to the energy and resources needed to produce a new item
- Clothing made from natural materials such as cotton, uses hundreds to thousands of gallons of water. That is enough water for your garden. It may also be grown in a pesticide environment potentially contaminating nearby water. The rest is made from synthetic materials, which shed microplastics.
Provide a stable source of income for local charitable organizations (Non-profits)
- Most thrift stores are operated by donations. It’s important to know where your clothes are coming from. By shopping at a thrift store you are able to avoid contributing to poor working conditions of workers in the garment industry, employees are paid fair wages, and the revenue is being contributed to community organizations.
Help divert clothing, accessories, and house goods from the landfill
Combat fast fashion, as more people thrift less people will buy fast fashion/ Changing the throwaway mentality
- Fast fashion can be defined as: cheap, trendy, disposable. It encourages people to shop on impulse and to regularly update their wardrobe.
Standing out (or blending in)
If these amazing reasons to thrift, haven’t made you plan your next trip. There are some pretty sweet alternatives too…
Consignment stores
Like the older sister of thrift stores, consignment stores differ in where the inventory comes from. Consignment stores are for profit and pay for clothes up front or when the item sells. The items tend to be better quality, name brands, and trendy. The store is styled “boutique”, smaller and styled more like a retail store. Consigned clothes have a shelf life, after a certain length of time, prices are marked down and if they don’t sell in the time period are returned to the consignor. The number of clothes brought in exceeds how many are bought. You’ll be able to find a larger option of higher end brands.
Or…
Yard sales
A good option if you want a good deal and practice bargaining. A good option to add a couple new pieces to the closet. Or clean out the closet with friends and family
Lastly,
Depop or any online platform such as Facebook marketplace is the online shopping version of thrifting. It’s a great choice for people who do not have time to look through racks of clothes or do not have a store they can easily access.
Now who wouldn’t want to thrift? It’s convenient, affordable and sustainable – what more do you need!
Here are some local businesses:
ReSource Thrift Shop 1050 Upper Gage Ave, Hamilton, ON L8V 5B7
Mission Thrift Store(Non profit) 601 Upper Gage Ave, Hamilton, ON L8V 4J7 and 33 King St E, Dundas, ON L9H 1B7
Kiki’s Closet, consignment store144 James St S, Hamilton, ON L8P 3A2
Reloved Boutique, ladies consignment store 226 James St N, Hamilton, ON L8R 2L3
Decor on a Dime, furniture consignment store 1205 Rymal Rd E, Hamilton, ON L8W 3M9
