10 Reasons to Shop at Thrift Stores (and 3 fun things I’ve found recently!)

Thrift stores are some of my favourite places, but I get that not everyone is ready to embrace the idea of shopping second hand stores. If you’re wondering why to do so, I’m sharing 10 reasons to shop at thrift stores and also have a few fun things to share that I’ve found second hand.

10 Reasons to Shop at Thrift Stores

From living sustainably to having fun, there are so many reasons to shop at thrift stores. Here are 10 reasons to consider if you’re wondering why to shop second hand.

1. Reduces textile waste

Thrift stores give clothes a second life, diverting them from landfills where they would contribute to environmental degradation. Textile waste is no joke. It is a mind-boggling stat, but one garbage truck of textiles ends up in the landfill every second. Thrift stores help to divert some of this waste.

2. Lowers demand for new production

By purchasing secondhand items, we can reduce the need for new manufacturing, conserving resources and energy. Fast fashion stores are built on the mass production and mass purchase of cheap items. While shopping at thrift stores might not solve the fast fashion issue, it does help when we divert traffic from those stores to more sustainable, environmentally friendly purchases.

3. Supports local economies

Thrift stores often operate locally, keeping money circulating within communities and supporting small businesses and charities. Keep in mind that not all thrift stores support charities even if they give the impression that they do (hello, Value Village), so it’s important to look into what charity claims thrift stores are making.

4. Encourages reuse and recycling

Choosing thrifted items promotes the reuse of existing resources and reduces the need for new materials, fostering a circular economy.

5. Decreases carbon footprint

Buying secondhand reduces the environmental impact associated with the production, transportation, and disposal of new goods, thus lowering carbon emissions–and that’s always a good thing!

6. Treasure hunting

Thrift stores offer a sense of excitement and discovery as you search for hidden gems and one-of-a-kind items among the diverse selection of offerings. This is admittedly one of my favourite reasons to shop at thrift stores.

7. Unique finds

Thrifting allows individuals to express their personal style with unique clothing pieces and accessories that are not mass-produced or commonly found in mainstream stores. You can not only find unique items to wear, but also unique items to decorate your home with.

8. Affordable fashion

Thrift stores offer budget-friendly options for a variety of clothing and accessories, making fashion accessible to a wider range of people regardless of income. As I’m writing this, I’m currently wearing a $3.00 skirt I purchased at a thrift store over three years ago. I’ve definitely gotten my money’s worth out of that affordable purchase!

9. Retro style

Thrifted items often embody nostalgic styles from past decades, allowing individuals to embrace vintage fashion trends and add a retro flair to their wardrobe. These days we have to search a little harder to find true vintage gems, but they are still out there!

10. Creative DIY potential

Thrifted items provide endless opportunities for creative expression and customization through DIY projects such as upcycling clothing, repurposing accessories, and redesigning home decor items. A perfect example is the T-Shirt Rug that Krista made (pictured below).

3 Fun Finds That Support my Reasons to Shop at Thrift Stores

The thrill of the hunt and affordable fashion are probably my two main reasons to shop at thrift stores. These are three things that I’ve found recently that have brought me a lot of joy.

1. Brazil Football Jersey

I’m a huge football fan and Brazil will always be one of my favourites to watch. While the Azzurri are “my team,” Brazil is always at the top of my list of favourites. So when I saw this legit jersey for less than $20, it was a no brainer to grab it!

2. Vintage Tupperware

This find wasn’t just that it was a vintage piece of Tupperware that my family had growing up (oh nostalgia!), but also that it was in perfect condition with the drip tray included! AND it was only $3.00. Three dollars! I couldn’t get to the cash register fast enough! It’s also a great size and something I was keeping an eye out for, so a win-win all around.

3. Old Photos

I am a bit obsessed with old photos–especially of the creepy child variety. That may be a bit weird to some, but to me, finding stacks of old photos and going through them is a great way to spend a couple hours. The only downside is that stores tend to charge more than I’m willing to pay for the best ones. So when I stumbled across a box of photos for $1.00 each, I was in heaven! And I found two spectacular ones, in my opinion.

The one of the two girls has “Beth aged 5, Margaret aged 3 years 9 months, 1917” written on the back. The one with the family has “Billy and Florence King and Aunt Em” written on the back. Now I’m just on the search for the perfect frames for them both.

Thrifting Experiences

I’ve had tons of fun experiences thrifting. From finding amazing deals to finding fun treasures, I have so many reasons to shop at thrift stores.

Do you love to shop second hand? What are your favourite reasons to shop at thrift stores?

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