Staying trendy on a budget: thrift shopping
What do you do when you want to look good, but find yourself living off of ramen noodles and Kraft Dinner because you’re so in debt you start to wonder if broke isn’t too nice a way of putting it? It might not seem like it but it’s possible to stay fashionable on a limited budget. One of the things I’d recommend to those trying to stay trendy and unique is to head over to the local Good Will and do a little bit of thrift shopping. You can scope out unique finds that you won’t see anywhere else, and the best part is that it’s all affordable! There’s no guarantee that you’ll find something you love every time you go thrift shopping, but it’s definitely worth the gamble. Here are my top five reasons that you should try out a thrift shop
- Unique finds – when you buy something at a thrift store, you most likely won’t see anyone else wearing what you’re wearing. You get to seek out the pieces you like most and imagine the possibilities they hold, almost like a scavenger hunt.
Photo by James Jose. - You’ll save cash – this one is kind of a given. I went thrift shopping this weekend and bought two sweaters for under twenty dollars. It was definitely one of the cheapest shopping trips I’ve had yet, and it can really give you a perspective on how much you can save!
- You’re helping the environment – the clothes that you buy at a thrift shop are in turn not being stuffed into a landfill. You’re giving the clothes a second chance at life, and are helping the community as well as the environment by recycling clothing.
- Mix and match – the fun about thrift shopping is that you get to mix the old vintage pieces with some of your more recent purchases. It’s all about creating your outfit, and thrift shopping gives you the freedom to create a unique and trendy outfit however you see fit.
- You have a story – vintage clothing can be a great conversation piece, and can really intrigue people about your style. Rarely will people believe that you bought what you’re wearing from a thrift shop, and your clothes also have history to them.
If you feel slightly embarrassed about going to a thrift shop, don’t worry. You would be surprised to find that there are plenty of shoppers just like you thrift shopping for the same reasons. And remember, you’re doing the environment a favour, not to mention your wallet, while staying trendy and stylish in your very own way!