Green Tweens: Nifty Thrifting

Thrifting is Nifty

Shopping for clothes may be your favorite thing to do. Or it may rank right up there with eating a peanut-butter and anchovy sandwich. Or your parents may still purchase all your clothes for you without asking for your opinion…but that’s a whole other issue. Regardless, a new outfit costs a bundle these days. And for most of you, it will fit for approximately 10 minutes before you experience an astonishing growth-spurt that leaves an inappropriate area of skin exposed and gets you sent to the Dean’s office to change into a smelly, stained, slightly-used article of clothing from the lost-and-found box.

So what’s a kid to do?

Sales are good. So are discount stores. But there’s a more cost-effective, stylish, and unique alternative: Thrift stores. You heard me, ARC, Goodwill, the Salvation Army…these places are goldmines of hardly-used clothes. If you are a fashionista, this is your opportunity to invent (or possibly reinvent) a wardrobe that cannot be imitated. For only a few of your parents’ hard-earned dollars, you can assemble at least one outfit. And, by shopping “thriftily” you are helping a worthy organization that will benefit from the profit. You may have to do some convincing with your parents, but I bet it won’t take much effort. Once they know how much money they will be saving, how could they refuse?

It used to be that thrift stores had a bit of a reputation. They were rumored to be filled with grungy cast-offs that people felt guilty throwing away. Not so any more. Many families have caught on to the community of sharing that thrift stores represent. Parents will donate nearly new clothing to such places knowing that someone will be able to use them. We’re talking worn-twice then donated clothing. Sometimes the price tags are still attached. No joke.

And believe it or not, it gets better. If you pay attention to the website for your local thrift store, you are likely to find that they have sales once or twice a month. You may be able to make your purchases for 50% off! What a deal! So let’s stop talking and start shopping…

Next Time: Shopping with a Slam Poet