By Anne T. Donahue
Here is a myth we can all stop believing in immediately: thrifting is hard.
I get it! I do. The first time I set out to buy previously-loved and/or vintage pieces, it was overwhelming, intimidating, and I needed my best friend and thrifting veteran beside me because it all felt a little wild west. Now, it’s my favourite way to buy clothes, especially since we’ve all become increasingly aware of how many layers of problems we contribute to when buying new things for the sake of having new things.
But I also understand your argument: it’s too much! Where do you begin? How do you know what you’re buying is clean? Isn’t it easier for everybody just to head over to Shein and spring for pieces that will show up at your door?
This is where I come in (your friendly neighbourhood bossy neighbour). And to get you psyched for autumn and an updated wardrobe, here’s every reassurance you’ll ever need to use what’s already out there instead of tossing your money at what this planet doesn’t need.
Thrifting is overwhelming! There’s too much!
Agreed! And fortunately, you don’t need to conquer every aisle of Value Village or your local thrift shop when you start buying for autumn now. Begin with short sleeve knits or blouses, and rifle through what’s there to slowly start picking out pieces you like. TikTok has fed us images of influencers filling up shopping carts with thrifted goods, and that’s great (I love a shopping cart full of thrifted goods), but if you’re new to the game that definitely feels like a bridge too far.
So begin at a section. Peruse that section. And if you feel like branching out to another when you’re done, you’ll realize how quickly it is to fall into the thrifted rabbit hole.
Plus, navigating a thrift store is no less daunting than shopping at a Winners or Marshall’s or any other department store. The only difference is that this time, you might find a deadstock blouse from 1979 that once belonged to a woman named Eileen.
How do you know what you’re buying is clean?
This is where the truth comes out: nowhere is “clean.” It’s always a good idea to wash your clothes – purchased from any store – before you begin wearing them. (Ask me about my four years in retail and the journey those clothes had been on.) But if you’re particularly concerned, throw your finds in the dryer for a cycle when you get home. My favourite part of thrifting is not having to worry so much about dry cleaning or washing instructions because most of what I’ve bought has been around the block so much that everything is immune to the rigours of the regular wash cycle. This isn’t to say you shouldn’t spot treat or throw a suede jacket into the washing machine, but that Talbot’s blouse? It will survive hanging to dry.
Isn’t it easier just to buy fast fashion? It’s right there.
One thing here is true: it is right there. And that’s the problem with companies that churn out product en masse: it’s so right there that there’s a concerning abundance of it, it’s draining the planet, and freakish amounts of excess are being shipped across the oceans to countries who are being buried under what not a soul needs.
Yes, it’s easier to click on a link and have a new trend arrive on your doorstep, but we’re also at a point in the world of style where signing up for every trend is completely unnecessary (and also boring). Thrifting is not only an example of you doing your part to keep excess fabrics and dyes and chemicals out of the environment, it’s also a way to experiment with your personal style. Anything goes! Which is how I started buying so many second-hand vests.
I swear I never find anything.
And maybe that’s true! But how many times have we all gone to the mall and left with nothing to show for it? How many times have I been to Value Village and left with nothing to show for it? (Too many – ask me about winter 2024 and the wild goose chase I went on in my quest for an oversize leather coat.) There’s no rule about having to buy something every time you go thrifting, or a guarantee – anywhere – that you can only find suitable attire via a specific brand.
Plus, thrifting helps slow your mind down. The more acquainted you get with old labels and different fabrics and vintage trends, the more you’ll zero in on what you’re doing. At least, that’s what I’ve found: combing through racks on a mission for something has pulled me out of more mental spirals than I can imagine. (Shout-out to my ADHD contemporaries.)
You can thrift, I promise you. So this autumn, think about branching out from the norm and add to your wardrobe pieces that are interesting or risky or simply better value. Start small, branch out, and don’t pressure yourself to stock your closet up in a single trip. Just please leave the vests for me.
Need a little more Anne? Read more from Anne T. Donahue right here!
