You Deserve Beautiful Things.

I come from a family who has struggled with money on and off for much of my life which is why I am incredibly grateful for the current thrifting craze. I wish I could reach back through time and tell my middle-school self that one day all the cool girls would shop at the thrift store. I’d want her to know that style wouldn’t always be so defined by having the latest trends from a handful of socially-accepted brands. I was so bored just striving to wear the exact same things that everyone else wore. I may as well have just stayed at my old school with its ugly forest green and burgundy uniforms! If we all had to wear big ugly Hollister logos on our chests what was the difference anyway?

Obviously, many logo-heavy brands are still very relevant today. However, social media platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and Pinterest have created a collective movement towards seeking a bit more individuality in style and embracing the magical serendipity of that perfectly unique thrifting find. The fast fashion industry has been sucking the life out of personal style for decades and it’s refreshing to see people beginning to turn away from it more and more. We know that the ethical and environmental impacts are huge, with the clothing industry being one of the largest contributors of water pollution and child labour on earth. Yet fast fashion often remains, in most people’s minds, the most budget friendly and convienient option.

Young people have been disproportionately affected by the economic downturn spurred on by the pandemic, but I am here to tell you that you still deserve beautiful things. I am not claiming that money or the spending of money will make you happy, or cure your depression, or radically change every facet of your existence as a human being. I just want to remind you that life is short and often very difficult. You deserve the sensation of a fine cashmere sweater against your skin. You deserve to admire the way pure silk drapes over your body as you move. You deserve well-constructed denim that gets comfier with every wear. For people such as myself, these premium clothing pieces can feel unattainable. Thrifting allows me to populate my wardrobe with quality natural fibre clothing pieces at the same cost or even less than fast fashion brands.

The following are my top tips to thrift and buy quality clothing on a budget:

1. Shop by “hand”: The “hand” of a fabric is the way it feels when you run your hand over it or rub it in between your index finger and thumb. Get familiar with the feeling of cashmere, silk, linen, and 100% cotton when compared to their acrylic and polyester counterparts. This way you will be able to quickly feel all the items on the rack and pull out the quality pieces. From those pieces you can then determine what you might want to try on based upon the size, and which prints/colours and cuts of clothing you like.

2. Know what you want/what you are looking for: Have a regular decluttering session with your wardrobe. Determine if there are any holes that you would like to fill. For example, has the great Millennial vrs GenZ skinny jeans debate got you interested in trying out some wide-legged denim? Keep a list on your phone so that if the right item presents itself on your next thrifting trip you’ll know that it’s a priority item that will likely get a lot of wear.

3. Shop strategically: Not all thrift stores are the same and it’s helpful to have a variety of regular thrifting haunts to get the most out of your shopping trips. The most familiar type of second hand store is the charity shop, these stores have a variety of items ranging from the cheapest fast fashion items from a few months ago, to random premium pieces, and vintage pieces from grandma’s closet. Charity shops iften require a bit more time for perusing. It’s also useful to keep in mind whether or not a certain charity organization aligns with your values. For example, I love supporting the WIN (Women in Need) charity shops here in Canada, they’ve been a wealth of y2k fashion finds! Yet I am not personally comfortable shopping at the Salvation Army because of their anti-LGBTQ+ stance and history of supporting conversion camps.

Curated thrift and vintage shops are those that put a lot more emphasis on premium and vintage items. This is where you will find those fun cottagecore Gunne Sax dresses from the 1970’s, 1950’s prom dresses, and 90’s denim. These stores are almost always for-profit so while everything will still be a lot less than the original price there will still be a slight mark-up. It is a bit easier to find exactly what you are looking for because of the curated nature of these stores. Many of my local vintage shops have even been sorting out the cashmere sweaters into their own section which I can then make a beeline for to see if there’s anything new.

Consignment stores offer usually premium or luxury clothing and accessories. This isn’t quite the same as thrifting but it’s still considered second hand or vintage and while the prices tend to be higher you will often be surprised. Many consignment stores still have regular sales, especially in transitional periods between seasons when they are looking for space to push out the next season’s appropriate stock.

Online thrift stores are a marvellous new tool for the quarantined thrifter. While we are still playing catch-up on that front here in Canada being able to search through thrifted clothes with keywords or by brand is a game-changer! ThredUp and The RealReal, and even Etsy are great resources for finding something very specific on your wardrobe wish-list. You can find a Marc Jacobs cocktail dress or a gently used Coach purse for around $20 under the Premium tab on ThredUp. And even though the RealReal has a focus on designer goods there’s still the option to sort the search results from prices low to high.

Estate sales can seem a bit morbid to some people but they can be a great way to get quality vintage clothing and even furniture at a bargain price. These are more common in wealthier areas meaning the likelihood of finding premium items is very high! Regular garage sales can provide some surprising treasures as well. Even as a kid I wanted to go to every garage sale I saw while in the car with my parents in the summer. There is something warmly nostalgic about going to a garage sale and chatting with your neighbours about their old items.

Location is another big factor in a successful thrifting trip. If you are looking for older vintage styles in luxe fabrics head to vintage and consignment stores in swanky neighborhoods. They may not have the trendiest items, but a cream cable knit sweater in virgin wool or cashmere will never go out of style!

4: DIY it: Depending on your skill level it can be worth it to give items with small flaws a second chance. The pink sweater pictures below had a greyish stain on the front that easily came out with some spot treatment. The cashier spotted it and knocked the price down for me as well! If you know how to fix small moth holes or hem trousers all the better! (You are WAY ahead of me!) Plus, if you are sewing-challenged like I am you can always help support your local tailor while you practice on scrap fabric.

5: Think outside of your comfort zone: Don’t be afraid to check the kids section and disregard gender when you go thrifting. The joy of going to the thrift store is being constantly surprised by what you find. It’s like treasure hunting and you’ll have the most luck when you allow yourself to explore all the available options. You don’t need to commit to a piece you are unsure of right away. But it never hurts to just try it on and see how you feel.

Thrifting has been such a source of comfort and creativity for me during the pandemic as well as through my years as a theatre student with multiple jobs. It can be a struggle to find my size, I really need to work on my altering and sewing skills, but there is something very soothing about flipping through the racks with a good audiobook or podcast in my earbuds! Thrifting had also strengthened my interest in fashion history over the years. Fashion is the perfect visual timeline for human history because it illustrates political, economic, and social shifts better than almost any art-form. The way we clothe ourselves is such a powerfully personal experience so I am grateful for they ways in which thrifting allows me to access well-constructed clothing in a more ethical way.

When I finally found the perfect 90’s denim last year I remember staring at myself dumbfounded in the mirror. Every other pair had been either too big or too long yet here they were, barely worn, and only thirty dollars! These jeans are sturdy and flattering but seem to mold to my body more after every wash. They are probably older than I am but that’s one of the best things about them!

This 100% silk shirt was part of a buy one get one free sale at one of my favourite local vintage shops. I bought it with a 100% cashmere sweater that was $20. So technically both tops were $10 each. A steal, and the natural fabrics feel amazing on the skin.

The coat and sweater in this outfit are both pre-owned pieces. The coat is a 1970’s wool which is perfect for those transitional days in early fall. I found it at Value Village for $14. The sweater is one of my first purchases from The RealReal, it is a feathery light cashmere with iridescent thread running throughout, I got it for $25.

Thrifting has a wonderful way of pushing people out of their style comfort zones. Usually I wouldn’t have much interest in the 1950’s silhouette but for $14 I thought I may as well add this light blue day dress to my collection. It makes me want to go on a picnic in the park. This cardigan is very vintage but it’s in great condition and can easily be incorporated into a more modern look as well. Plus the cherry beading is adorable. If I style it with a leather skirt I feel more like Cheryl Blossom than Betty Draper but it’s fun both ways!

With the cottagecore craze in full swing I always have my eye out for a piece by Gunne Sax. This skirt was only $13 and it reminds me of eating candy apples at the Calgary Stampede. I love the little corseting detail in the front.

Every piece in this look was a huge blast of nostalgia for me. I always wanted a Juicy tracksuit as a kid but couldn’t afford one new. So now that velour tracksuits are cool again I am hunting for a matching set. This hoody was only $8 at Value Village. The bustier was $16 and the skirt was $12, both from local vintage shops.

These trousers need some serious hemming but they make me feel like a character in Sex and The City. They are definitely not something I’d usually buy. I just wanted to experience walking around in pure silk pants and these were $30 so I figured I could at least pretend to be cool enough to wear these.

This is my go-to job interview look and it hasn’t failed me yet! I found the silk blouse at a local vintage shop for $10 and the pants were from TheRealReal for $30. Add a blazer and a structured bag and this look is ready for business!

This camisole is so buttery and it drapes like a dream. I found it in a small curated thrift store just before sitting down to finish writing this article. My precious little ferret Millie passed on Friday so I was trying to cheer myself up, a bit of thrifting and a good drink were definitely in order. I got this cami for $19 and I remember seeing these in store for around $100 a few years ago so I was thrilled to find it. When I’m tempted to buy new fast fashion clothes, because they aren’t all that expensive, I try to remind myself that if I have patience I can find something at a thrift shop that is much better quality, fits my budget, and won’t fall to pieces in the wash.

To finish up I’d like to address the issue of gentrification in thrifting as best I can. The goal of buying second hand is to have a lighter impact on climate change, to support charities, and local business. However, thrift shoppers should also consider their personal impact on the lower income individuals who rely on thrift and charity shops to clothe themselves and their families. It’s best to be mindful not to hog all of the higher quality items when shopping in a store that is relied upon by lower income people. You may have the resources to pick through and buy every nice piece of clothing in the building but many people may not have that luxury. That being said, there are plenty of lovely pre-owned clothes to go around and the fewer there are in landfills the better! It’s just best to be considerate of the needs of your fellow shoppers whenever you can!

Thrifting has brought me so much joy and has allowed me to build a wardrobe large enough to provide me with the ability to be more creative when I get dressed every day. Even though I don’t have a lot to spend right now I am still able to explore my love of clothing by buying second-hand. I cannot even express how happy it makes me that thrift shopping is growing so quickly in popularity. I wish everyone who reads this the best of luck finding their dream clothing items the next time the are on the hunt for a bargain! Be gentle with yourselves, and remember that even when you are struggling financially you are not a bad person, you are trying your best, and you deserve beautiful things and experiences in life.