8 Garments That You Should Always Thrift Over Buying New
It’s no secret that thrift shopping is my favorite approach to sustainable fashion. The garments tend to be cheaper, higher quality, and more unique than what you might find at a conventional fast-fashion retailer.
While there are some garments that are harder to thrift (intimates, swimwear, socks, etc), the majority of our everyday clothes can (and should be) purchased secondhand. Here are 8 pieces of clothing that you should always thrift over buying new.
1. Denim
Is it just me, or are jeans unnecessarily expensive? Opt to purchase your denim jeans and jackets secondhand at a fraction of the retail price instead!
Vintage denim tends to be higher quality and therefore will last for a longer period of time. Additionally, depending on the material and amount of wear, the fading in color can also be a unique stylistic choice!
Denim is one of the most environmentally taxing garments to manufacture. It takes about 1800 gallons of water just to create one pair of denim jeans, so by purchasing these secondhand, you can help to decrease the environmental impact of fashion and save money at the same time!
2. Scarves
Ah, vintage scarves...soft, silky, and saturated...what’s not to love?
Scarves are a great way to spice up any outfit and vintage scarves in particular, tend to be the best of the bunch. Scarves have gained a lot of popularity this summer with their versatility and are a simple way to change up the entire vibe of an outfit.
3. Outerwear
I always buy my outerwear secondhand. These heavy garments are expensive to purchase new and because they’re usually well constructed, purchasing them secondhand is almost always a safe bet.
4. Trendy Clothes
The thing about fashion is that it’s cyclical. Trends of the past will inevitably make their way back and right now, we’re seeing a huge resurgence of 90s and 00s fashion.
The thing about trendy clothes though, is that they’ll probably cycle out in a few years, so unless you plan on incorporating these items into your style permanently, it makes little sense to spend your money on them.
I get it though. Sometimes, we just want to try the latest fashion thing out and that’s okay.
Purchasing these trendy items secondhand is a great alternative to buying them from a fast-fashion retailer. You can still have fun and explore your creativity/style, but the negative environmental and financial impact will be lessened.
5. Work Clothing
While the line between what’s work-appropriate and what isn’t has softened quite a bit because of the pandemic, there are still some clear markers of professional dress.
If your professional closet is dramatically different from your personal one, consider shopping for it at a thrift shop. Thrift shops always stock an abundance of fancy blouses, shirts, slacks, and dresses so it can be a fun way of switching up your professional look.
6. Sweaters & Knits
Looking for a merino wool sweater or cashmere cardigan this season? Try shopping for it at a thrift store! The best thing about shopping secondhand is that you can find high-quality garments at cheap prices. Keep in mind that sweaters and knits can hold on to stains and smells for longer though, so be extra careful when making your purchases!
7. Kids’ Clothes
I can’t speak from personal experience, but a plethora of mommy bloggers swear by this. Children grow incredibly quickly and a smart way to decrease the costs of shopping for them is by thrifting their clothes instead.
8. Bags
Again, you can find quality bags for much cheaper prices if you buy them at thrift shops. Just double-check for any tears in the material and that the zippers roll smoothly. Also, check that the handles are sturdy because the last thing you want is to have the contents of your bag go spilling everywhere.
What are some garments that you always choose to buy at thrift stores over buying new? Have you had any experiences with buying these clothing items secondhand?
