Thrifting has become increasingly common or trendy in the past decade. With a number of resale boutiques opening in the greater Austin area, thrifting has become a popular option for those wanting to save money or be more sustainable.
I have been thrifting since middle school, when I was younger it was starting to become a trendy thing, and I was intrigued by the idea of finding one-of-a-kind pieces. Thrifting has been a way for me to connect with people, one of my first dates was to the Goodwill on South 1st St. in Austin. Whether it's gushing over an awesome find at an unexpected store, or meeting up with pals to shop for an upcoming trip, a lot of my favorite memories include a trip to the thrift store. Almost every outfit I wear has a thrifted component, with thrifting, I have been able to express myself through fashion. Thrifting has given me the opportunity to try out different trends or styles with less financial pressure. I buy most of my sportswear, my work clothes, formal wear, purses, jeans etc. at the thrift store.Thrifting has given meaning to the popular phrase, 'One man's trash is another man's treasure'.
I thrifted the majority of the furniture in my current apartment. To me, there is so much enjoyment in finding an awesome or unique piece for a great price. As I have gotten older, thrifting has become less of a hobby and more of a responsibility. That's not to say I don't thoroughly enjoy a thrift trip, but with rising prices of clothing and shoes and accessories and houseware, I've found that the thrift store has become my primary shop-all destination. With thrifting, I have been able to save hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars on everyday necessity items.
Not only is thrifting considered cost-effective, it is also incredibly environmentally friendly. With the current climate crisis, I find it difficult to purchase sustainable products due to the upcharge that they tend to have. Thrifting is my attempt at being sustainable. If most of my clothing or decor is thrifted, I am recycling items that would otherwise be sent to a landfill, this is my way of reducing my own personal carbon footprint. I strongly recommend thrifting to every person I meet, it is a great way to save money, as well as find interesting or vintage pieces that you wouldn't be able to find elsewhere.
Here are some photos of me in outfits I have thrifted over the years <3
