Thrifting matters on so many different levels from personal, to community to global. Everyone can have a hand in making an impact positively on each level. This is a conversation that could go on in length and deep dive into so many aspects of the clothing manufacturing industry to retail at your fingertips. However, in the interest of time and quite frankly to adhere to my blog purpose as a whole, I am going to blanket cover the subject to give you insight and knowledge. My purpose is to bring awareness not completely educate you into being an expert. I myself am far from that. I believe awareness is where impact begins and it is through that awareness we can all make better decisions and more informed choices.
Thrifting matters on a personal level because you can make better economical choices for your closet, especially when shopping luxury. Most thrift items, unless vintage, have been worn once and then only a few hours before landing in a donation pile. Why? We are always shopping, wanting the next on trend item, so in turn most of the clothing we do have does not get a chance at shelf life in our closet. With this type of spending habit in mind, it makes sense to shop thrift. You won’t be paying full retail and may get the full cost of life out of an item. This is especially true for luxury items. There is never a reason to buy full retail for true luxury. Consignment stores have amazing luxury items and they will be certified so you can be confident in your purchase. Consignment and thrift stores have become specialized as well. You can choose a luxury consignment store to shop and know you are getting current trend selections. Stores will be upfront on the selection they offer whether it is vintage, current, luxury, etc. Shopping thrift and consignment will also give you a uniquely curated closet tailored to you and how you want to present yourself. When you shop thrift and consignment you will also be making a positive impact in your own community.
You make a difference by shopping from a small business owner in your own community. This makes a positive impact in their life, and the life of their family as well as pouring positively into the economy of where you live. Most likely this small business you have chosen to support and shop from then turns around and also pours back into the community by the local charities and initiatives they support. This can positively effect your local school initiatives, homelessness, domestic violence, assistance with parks and recreations, libraries…the list goes on and on. Just by choosing to shop local thrift and consignment you are stretching your dollars across the community where you live. I truly can not think of a better way to shop.
The one impact that shopping thrift effects that you don’t hear, see or feel the effects of on a daily basis are the global ramifications. You can be sure that even though you are unaware, the global effects are just as important. Globally, the manufacturing of fabrics and textiles is polluting the air we breathe, the water we drink and the food we eat. Fashion makes up 10% of the total global carbon emissions. You have to think in simple terms with these textiles such as yarn preparation, fiber production, dyeing processes, etc. So much is polluted into the air and released as waste into our oceans. When this waste is in our oceans it is then consumed by marine life and the fish we eat. Literally everything is effected and it does come back to us. I encourage you to take a deep dive into this and I am quite sure you will be surprised by the findings. Here are two articles to help start you off that are extremely informative and interesting. Earth.org and Business Insider Pollution is just one global effect as there is also the human factor of slave labor and forced child labor in these manufacturing factories world wide. The working environments are deplorable and the pay is measly at best. The people are treated terribly, if not abused. It is extremely heart breaking. This is where shopping thrift and consignment make a big impact and difference because you are not funding the demand for more with your dollars. You may not see it, but it does make a difference.
We are all a part of the problem or the solution. You can make a difference with how and where you spend your money. It is much easier when you are not aware of these things, but now that you are it is a decision you make with every purchase. Your buying has power. You have the buying power to stretch those dollars for good or to keep the current demand going. The choice is yours. Now you see that thrifting really does matter.