Thrifting Benefits Your Budget and the Environment

Giulia Sorvillo|November 18, 2021

Tired Thrift is located in Brooklyn, NY. The store features many vintage and unique items. Many of their items range from jeans to sweaters, and even accessories like purses, hats, and shoes.

Thrifting has become more popular to many people during the COVID-19 pandemic. Many people during lockdown have become more aware of their surroundings and their impact on the world. Everyone should consider thrifting because of the positive impact that it has on today’s society as a whole.

Although people argue that thrifting takes away the opportunity to buy clothes at a lower price for low income families, many thrifters go to consignment shops, which contain vintage and high quality items at a higher price than thrift stores.

This may be a surprise, but all of your clothes will eventually end up in a landfill. This is extremely detrimental to the environment and is a leading cause of climate change. Have you ever seen the same shirt in the store two months apart, but the second time it was 50% off? This is because many stores overstock their clothes, and in an attempt to sell it they will lower the price. Unfortunately any overstocked items that do not sell could potentially be thrown away or burned.

Buying second hand clothing instead of purchasing new clothes that are contributing to the uprise in fast fashion in our society today, is beneficial. In addition, many clothing trends from the 2000’s and 1990’s have made a comeback, and no better way to be in fashion than to buy them. Many fast fashion companies are trying to replicate these trends, but nothing comes close to the quality of the original piece. Thrifting will ensure you can have a unique style and will never have to worry about matching with someone else. You can have better quality clothing at a better price.

Thrifting has also been very accessible during the pandemic. Many consignment websites like Poshmark and Depop have gained many sellers and buyers. Instead of people having to drop off their clothes at a local consignment store, they can just post a picture of the item online, and someone can purchase it. The app provides a mailing slip and all the person has to do is leave it in their mailbox and the mailman will pick it up. This means that instead of your item going to a landfill, it will have a second home for someone who cares about the item just as much as you used to.

Purchasing from local consignment shops not only helps the environment, but also supports small businesses. There is one located right here in Tarrytown on Main St. called Trilogy. There are many unique pieces there, and any clothes that are not bought are either returned to the consignor or donated. They are never thrown away.

If we do not start helping the earth, who will?