Thrift shopping might seem a little intimidating at first, but it can lead to unusual finds. Everything in a thrift store is much cheaper than the regular price, and one never knows what they’re going to find. There are some online programs where shoppers can thrift to find clothes for a low price without having to leave the comfort of home. One could also choose to go in-person at any local thrift store. If there’s not one that’s local, chances are there’s a Goodwill within a ten-mile radius. Anything can be found from early 2000s jeans and jumpsuits to trendy clothes that came from previous decades.

Genevieve Boucher (11) works at Brown Roof and often finds unique clothes and accessories.

“There was this really extravagant prom dress that was completely sequined. It was really cool looking,” Boucher said.

Thrifting also dissuades “fast fashion,” or mass produced clothing, that tends to cut corners on environmental safety. Fashion is second to agriculture as the largest clean water consumer globally. While thrifting won’t eliminate fast fashion, it certainly helps. According to the University of Queensland’s Project for Recycling Waste Minimization, “there are plenty of steps you can take as a conscious consumer to prevent the spread of fast fashion- because the more we avoid it, the less of a market there is for it.” The desire of this project is to further promote thrift shopping or buying used clothes that would otherwise go to waste.

Emily Daniel (12) also works at Brown Roof and enjoys thrift shopping as well.

“I love thrift shopping because you can develop your own sense of style by finding a variety of pieces for very cheap, and shopping second hand is much more environmentally friendly than buying from fast fashion brands,” Daniel said.

Thrift shopping has benefits both to the shopper and to the environment. What’s more, a fashion treasure could be waiting to be discovered!