Sharing the simplicity of the small things

The fast fashion industry is hurting us way more than how badly you need that last-minute Halloween costume.

Okay, maybe that was a little harsh… but it’s the truth.

When I was in college, I took an environmental communication class that completely changed how I see clothing. I was shocked to learn how much fast fashion contributes to environmental destruction. From that point on, I promised myself I’d be more conscious about what I buy and where it comes from.

Let’s break it down for a second:

You need something quick and cheap.
You hop on one of those websites with super low prices and trendy styles, the quality’s not great, but it’s cute, right?

You wear it once, maybe twice.

Then it sits in your closet, untouched, until you decide to toss it or donate it.

But where does it actually go?

Most discarded clothing ends up in landfills, where it takes decades, sometimes centuries, to decompose because of the synthetic fibers it’s made from. And even when we “donate” our clothes, many are shipped overseas, where the low-quality items are often unsellable. Those pieces usually end up dumped on streets, beaches, or open landfills, polluting local communities and ecosystems.

So what can we do when getting rid of clothes? There are other alternatives like reselling them, donating to local shelters/vintage shops, or recycling through textile recycling. It takes just a bit of research.

Not to get super “save the earth” on you, but just spreading the good word and education. Now to the fun part of thrifting itself!

Thrifting can seem overwhelming at first, but don’t worry, I’ve found a couple good spots already so you don’t have to. I started thrifting more of my clothes mostly through college. As I workshop my personal style, I’ve had some good finds, and some not so good finds.

First of all, why thrift? There are many reasons why it is popular, but my main two reasons are the unique finds and how environmentally friendly it is.

On a stylistic POV, it’s funny because I get the most compliments on my clothing items I thrifted! Of course, I have to say, “Thanks! I thrifted it!” I just like knowing that the item I am wearing is a one-of-a-kind item that I won’t see around the corner.

A couple tips when thrifting:

1. It takes patience! You won’t find something super cool right away. Take out even an hour to spend in just one section to sift through some racks.
2. Once you pick a section, go through everything, and I mean everything. A lot of the clothes are jam-packed on the racks, so you never know what could be hiding.
3. Be open-minded. If you go in looking for something super specific, you may never find it. I am still looking for a perfect length red leather jacket- it’s been 2 years since I thought about looking for one. It’s good to have guidelines, but if you are open to it, you might find something better.
4. Try on the clothes. Sizes are different across all brands, so you need to make sure it fits before you buy it. Especially since most thrift stores have a strict no return policy.
5. If you aren’t sure, don’t get it. I always say if you are looking in the mirror and you don’t know if you like it, you probably won’t wear it. Yes, the mirrors and lighting are not the most flattering, but if you don’t feel 100% then it’s not worth it.

Stores near Metro Detroit:

St. Vincent de Paul’s, Shelby Twp. I find something here almost every single time I go. I look for both decor and clothing now. It is a smaller store, so it doesn’t feel as overwhelming.

Salvation Army, Shelby Twp. This is a huge store and you can easily get overwhelmed, so start small. I would like to give a shoutout to the furniture section though. It is HUGE.

Regeneration, Ferndale. This is a vintage store, but it is not a super expensive one. You might have better luck finding more brand names here, too. The pieces in there in general are very unique from other regular thrift stores.

Value World, Pontiac. Honestly, most value worlds are decent. I’ve gone to this one before and was impressed with the variety of clothes. I was a bit overwhelmed because I was short on time, but definitely some hidden gems in there.

Local Garage Sales! In the spring/summer time, these are the best because the prices are negotiable and most of the time cash only. I went to a street sale in the Indian Village District in Detroit and found the cutest slip dress for only $8.

Some side notes to consider:

• If you ever find yourself on the West side of the country and looking for cowboy boots, you might want to try a thrift store first. When I tell you I found a pair of Justin Boots for $24, I didn’t even think twice about it. They might have been a little too big and beat up, but it added character.
• Consider every time you buy something new, donate a piece that you might not need anymore. Who knows, your donated shirt could be someone else’s new favorite shirt!
• If you find yourself more curious about the fast fashion industry and how you can help, you can start small! Even knowing which major brands are environmentally friendly can make a huge difference. Check out Good On You where you can search the sustainability rating of any clothing brand.
• Another way to go is to check out store outlet and off-price retailer stores, like Marshall’s and TJMaxx. If buying used is not your jam, you can still be environmentally conscious with this option with the original tags still on.

I am still learning more about thrifting and I am not a pro by any means, but it has been a fun journey and environmentally friendly! Also note, I do not go every week or very frequently. In light of trying to be environmentally friendly, thrifting is ‘trendy’, but taking advantage of it only feeds to beast of overconsumption.