Who knew the unassuming opening lyric, "Hey, Macklemore, can we go thrift shopping?" would serve as a catalyst for the thrifting movement and sustainable shopping for over a decade. Of course, this is referring to the 2012 hit song "Thrift Shop" by Macklemore and Ryan Lewis.
But "velour jumpsuits" and "flannel zebra jammies" are just the tip of the iceberg for what shoppers can find through thrifting efforts. Thrifting enables shoppers to find objectively invaluable objects and hidden gems in their searches.
A recent Reddit post on r/ThriftStoreHauls unveiled a shopper finding a rare "whimsical mini enamel tea pot." They further described their thrift find as "plucked out of a fairytale book, like the teapot a friendly forest witch would use."
And the kicker? This coveted find only cost $8.
One commenter on the post said, "Looks like something straight out of a small whimsy cottage. This is beautiful!"
Another envious viewer on the post stated, "This is so delightful. I could see it up on a wizards cottage shelf with all manner of other beautiful things."
A third noted, "That is incredible! What a cool find!"
It's safe to say that this Redditor is fulfilling their wish of having home decor that pays homage to "whimsy and wonder."
From kettles for $1 to designer coats for $20, thrift stores give folks a way to find hidden treasures for bargain prices.
🗣️ What's your primary motivation in shopping at thrift stores?
🔘 Cheaper clothes 🤑
🔘 Trendier items 😎
🔘 Reduced environmental impact 🌎
🔘 I don't thrift 🚫
🗳️ Click your choice to see results and speak your mind
Thrift shopping is not only a sustainable means of purchasing that is better for the environment, but it is also increasingly viewed as trendy and a way to get reasonably priced stylish finds. In fact, the industry was valued at $197 billion in 2023 and is expected to increase another $100 billion by 2026, according to Statista.
On the other side of the spectrum is "fast fashion," low-quality and environmentally negligent clothing brands that prioritize trends as opposed to thoughtful manufacturing and materials.
Many clothes within the fast-fashion realm, such as brands Shein and Fashion Nova, are derived from synthetic materials and dirty energy sources that release polluting gases in production and contain toxic substances. With approximately 100 billion garments made each year, they "pollute from cradle to grave," according to EarthDay.org.
However, according to the Washington Post, Goodwill received nearly six billion pounds of donations in 2021. This gives thrift shoppers infinite opportunities to find rare clothes and objects while saving $150 or more in the process, according to data relayed by BusinessDasher. And, of course, it gives people a way to care for the globe with more sustainable fashion choices.
So don't be afraid to blast "Thrift Shop" on the drive to your next Goodwill haul — your pocketbook and the Earth will thank you.
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