How many times have you bought an item of clothing, only to wear it once or twice and throw it away after years of collecting dust in the back of the closet? Sadly, the answer is too many times. Thankfully, there’s a movement taking place in America that could help save us from our wasteful selves: National Secondhand Wardrobe Day on August 25. Buying clothes second hand and donating your used clothing creates a positive cycle that is crucial for cutting back our waste. Unfortunately, there’s a stigma surrounding secondhand clothing stores, or thrift shops, but it’s time to bring this to light and talk about why it’s so flawed. Secondhand shopping saves you money, has a positive impact on the environment, and if done correctly, can certainly lead to a closet of some cool new duds. So on August 25, head to your favorite thrift store and get some new (old) threads!
National Secondhand Wardrobe Day Activities
Convince a non-believer
Sometimes all it takes is one trip to the thrift store for someone to realize what they’ve been missing out on all their life. Try convincing a friend who’s never experienced secondhand wardrobe shopping, to tag along with you on a trip. Chances are, your friend will "convert" into a secondhand shop believer and start shopping there too!
Try a new style
Shopping for a secondhand wardrobe means you can peruse through styles that cross decades and trends. If you’re looking to break out of a fashion rut, hit the secondhand stores to find your "inner bohemian." If you find a piece of clothing you like, keep it. If, after a while you get tired of the piece, donate it again. Someone out there is bound to take it.
Clear out your closet
Secondhand stores run on donated clothing and one of the best ways to keep this cycle moving is to clear out your closet. Spend the day emptying drawers and hangers. Sort through those gift sweaters, event T-shirts, and fashion faux pas you never wear. What you don't want, haul over to the local thrift store. You’ll feel lighter and cleaner, and what was once your trash could be another person’s fashion treasure.
Why We Love National Secondhand Wardrobe Day
It’s like a treasure hunt
You never know exactly what you’ll find on any given trip to the thrift store and that’s part of the excitement! You may find that designer shirt for a fraction of the price at any retail store, or you could walk away empty-handed. The low cost also makes it easy to commit to a style you’d like to try out just for fun.
It’s great for children’s clothes
Shopping for children’s clothes at thrift stores is a no-brainer. Considering that kids will grow out of those shoes, pants, and shirts in eight months anyway, paying extra for the same clothes seems senseless. Bring your brood along and let them roam. They'll feel like they're on a treasure hunt!
It gives back to the community
Many thrift stores and secondhand clothing chains provide jobs and they are an integral part of the community. Goodwill, a non-profit, is one of the nation’s largest and most well-known secondhand store chains. The company employs nearly 69,000 people across the country. Your donation of goods or your purchase from a Goodwill store, helps pay the wages of all those employees.
Also on Sun Aug 25, 2024...
