A Guide to Mindful Thrifting
The question of “how do I sustainably build a wardrobe?” is often one that lingers in my mind. With all of the barriers that come with shopping, such as the price, size, durability, and the amount of times that you think you will wear the item, this can be a hard feat to solve.
However, given the amount of information on sweatshops, greenwashing, and the overbearing presence of fast fashion, it is easy to feel pressured to become a 100% sustainable shopper. With that being said, thrifting is the ideal way to alleviate this pressure and make you feel like your actions are making an impact (no matter how small they may be).
There are many benefits to thrifting: the low prices, the unique pieces, and the rewarding feeling that you are being responsible. All things considered, because thrifting is such a blanket solution, one can easily treat it like shopping at a mall: grabbing striking “statement piece” items, searching for trending styles/colours, and purchasing a piece just so you can purchase another piece to match it.
However, we must remember that building a sustainable wardrobe does not stop at sourcing your clothes from an eco-friendly institution. It also involves seeking out pieces that are timeless, comfortable, and reliable. Without further ado, here is a quick guide on how to thrift mindfully:
Basics! Basics! Basics!
Basics are the foundation of a wardrobe. Before you can add on that colourful vintage letterman jacket you saw at the thrift store, you need to make sure you have a trustworthy t-shirt / tank top and pair of jeans to help the jacket do what it needs to do.
Some basics include plain white/black/brown tops, a well-fitting pair of blue jeans and black jeans, a turtleneck for layering, a button-up shirt, a reliable spring/fall jacket, and a simple necklace that could go with anything.
It may be challenging to find basics that do not have any designs on them at a Value Village, but stores with a more modern selection of second-hand clothing are more ideal. For example, I often see pieces from H&M’s more recent “Basics” collection at Plato’s Closet locations.
While the process of acquiring basics will take a long time, it is well worth-it given the amount of time you will wear them.
Don’t Take Pinterest Too Seriously
I know it can be a difficult feat, especially when thrifting is considered “in” and the early 2000s trends have made a comeback. However, consulting your Pinterest boards too heavily will likely have you thinking about trends and/or aiming too closely to replicate the outfits you see.
Instead, try to focus on the pieces that fit you well and naturally catch your eye. A shirt that fits you well that you already know will pair well with the items you already have in your closet is much more worth-it compared to a shirt that matches a singular Pinterest image to a T.
Seasonal Pieces: Yay or Nay?
When it comes to clothing that sits in your closet and rarely gets to see the light of day, seasonal clothing is usually the main suspect. With that in mind, a factor to consider is whether you can transfer an item from one season to another.
For instance, you can usually layer clothing to wear year-round (see Rhea’s article entitled “Layering Circa 2010 Disney”). Personally, I find that a good cardigan can go a long way in all seasons. A thick tank top and/or a thin sweater are also great options for withstanding the changing seasons.