In a thrift store, the appearance of “just” used clothing and trinkets is truly a capsule of fashion and culture from past decades. Many people donate their old or outgrown clothes to thrift donation centers. This allows various styles and types of clothing to collect on the racks over the years. The creative and advantageous aspects of shopping second-hand may not be initially apparent, but a deeper dive into the world of thrifting shows a way to express individualism in an economic and environmentally friendly way. Thrifting your clothes is a way to save money while limiting textile pollution and, in most cases, supporting charity.
You may be familiar with the term “fast fashion,” a phrase used to describe the rapid production of clothes at the cheapest price possible. Many major clothing brands such as H&M, Zara and Forever 21 are examples of companies that produce mass amounts of clothing at the expense of ethical production methods. These practices are largely due to the constant changing of trend cycles in fashion- something made much worse by social media and influencers. The production of these clothes cause detrimental impacts on the environment. According to a Business Insider report, the fashion industry is responsible for 10% of the world’s carbon emissions and 85% of the textiles produced end up in landfills. The production of textiles also uses copious amounts of water and is one of the leading industries of water consumption in the world. Additionally, a George Washington University article explains the poor conditions textile workers experience. Employees are forced to work up to 16 hours a day in unhealthy conditions. Workers are also severely underpaid and children are exploited for under age labor. When there is a surplus of clothes in good condition already existing in thrift stores, it can be a mindful choice to buy second-hand rather than contributing to the negative environmental impacts of buying from fast fashion brands.
Thrifting is also an economically friendly way to buy clothes. Most items at thrift stores are much cheaper than original retail value, so you’re sure to save money and be satisfied with a good deal. Many stores offer regular discounts as well. For example, the Community Aid on Rohrerstown Road in Lancaster is 50% off the entire store on Wednesdays. Additionally, most local thrift stores donate proceeds to charitable resources in Lancaster, such as food banks and homeless shelters. They also create employment opportunities within the community. Shopping at thrift stores is a great way to buy new clothes while supporting impactful local outreaches.
Additionally, browsing the racks at a thrift store is a relaxing and highly rewarding activity. The process of digging through clothes with an open mind allows you to be pleasantly surprised when you find an item that appeals to your taste. Since the clothes at thrift stores have been donated over a wide time range, you’re very likely to find throwback and even vintage styles that have made their way back into modern fashion trends. Finding unique and non-mainstream clothes is a fun way to step out of your comfort zone and experiment with new styles.
Thrifting reaps countless benefits to your wallet, your wardrobe, the environment and your community. Make sure to check out some of Lancaster’s thrift stores as you never know what you might find.
Some local thrift stores include:
- Goodwill 2353 Lincoln Highway
- Community Aid 31 Rohrerstown Road
- Salvation Army 1244 Manheim Pike
- Plato’s Closet 1567 Manheim Pike
