The Case For Thrifting Clothes

When it comes to eco-friendliness and clothing, it’s frequently recommended that you buy fewer (and generally more expensive) but ethically made, high quality, and sustainable clothes. Fast fashion is a big no-no. And I’m all for it BUT sometimes it just isn’t practical for certain lifestyles (and budgets!).

Enter thrifting. I work from home and have three (very hairy) dogs. 95% of what I wear is loungewear or athleisure. So my general day to day clothes get a lot of wear and tear from running around with dogs, gardening, and repeatedly wearing favorite sweatshirts and leggings. It wouldn’t matter how high quality the clothes are — nothing can stand up to a rambunctious young husky and two golden retrievers. Thrifting is the best way FOR ME to get the most out of my clothing while also thinking of the environment. Does this mean that I’m wearing a lot more Nike, H&M, Gap, Zara, etc. than I am eco-friendly brands? Yep. But did I also purchase an item that’s already out in the world and could have ended up in the landfill? Yep.

The point is — do what works for you. If most of your clothes are more traditional workwear — it might be better to get high quality, sustainably-made pieces that can last a lifetime. If you’re a busy human or dog mom or have a career that involves a lot of mess — thrifting might be a good option for you.

What is your preference? Supporting a brand that makes better-for-the-environment clothes or giving new life to an article of (potentially fast fashion) clothing already out in the world? Or maybe a mix of both? Let me know in the comments!