How To Save Money On Clothing
How To Save Money On Clothing
Buying new clothes can be expensive which is where thrifting comes in handy. Thrifting has many benefits for you, your community, and environment. Below I list ways on how to save money on clothing.
Avoid Fast Fashion
Thrifting reduces the production of raw materials used to make new clothing, such as for fast fashion. Fast fashion is cheap mass produced clothing that was not made for durability and is designed to go out of style so that you are incentivized to repeat the same cycle and buy the next new thing.
Dark Side of Labor
The mass production of fast fashion comes with a cost and in some countries this cost includes unethical practices such as child labor. Factory workers often do not receive protection against inhumane working conditions and are often exploited in the process. The workers are often underpaid and their water supply can also be contaminated with clothing dye. Fast fashion was created with the concept of generating a huge profit with low production costs and that cost oftentimes comes at the exploitation of the worker.
Thrift When Possible
The purpose of this blog is not to go out and buy unnecessary things. But if possible, opt to thrift instead of buying the item new. Take into consideration how your shopping habits impact the environment.
There should be no stigma about thrifting, regardless of your reason for doing so. Great quality clothes can be found at a lower price point. There is not always a need to buy something new when there is often a good quality thrifted alternative. There are so many clothes each year that end up in landfills as a result of fast fashion which thrifting can reduce.
Economical Benefits of Thrifting
Goodwill for example has impacted many lives. In their annual report for 2021, they diverted 3 billion pounds of usable goods from landfills which is beneficial for our environment. Thrifting also helps the community by providing training and employment opportunities to those with disabilities or barriers. Goodwill now requires you to use a reusable shopping bag since plastic bags are no longer provided. This in itself reduces plastic waste in the environment.
Thrifting also reduces carbon emissions and chemical pollution used to produce new clothing and lowers water contamination and consumption. By shopping at thrift stores you slow down the demand for new clothes.
Last but not least, thrifting allows you to find unique vintage items. When it comes to fashion trends, nothing can go out of style as long as it’s your style uninfluenced by society.
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
By thrifting you reduce the environmental impact of buying new clothing, you reuse existing clothing, and when you are ready to recycle or donate, there are tax savings for doing so.
For more information about being eco-friendly check out my post about greenwashing.