Different Approaches to Thrifting & Why a Slow Fashion Mindset is Key
Some thoughts on thrifting & why a slow fashion mindset is necessary for secondhand shopping success
As we move away from firsthand fast fashion and closer to secondhand (63% of the population shops secondhand – so promising!), I think for those who haven’t thrifted or don’t normally, it can actually be kind of daunting.
Specifically when we see thrifted fashion on social media. Like when we see secondhand influencers, especially in New York or London, doing an OOTD, their style is so individualistic and composed of pieces that seem difficult to find, which can make us feel overwhelmed and lost when we start dabbling with thrift stores and online consignments.
However, that is kind of the point their style and approach to thrifting – they spent time finding unique items, intricate handmade pieces, or upcycled gems and have adopted a slow fashion mindset fueled by patience and free from overconsumption.
So what does this mean exactly for people who feel discouraged when it comes to thrifting?
Keep reading to see why shifting to a slow fashion mindset is necessary to achieving your specific secondhand shopping goals and the different approaches you can take to thrifting.
Three Different Approaches to Thrifting
With thrifting specifically, there are a couple of routes you can go. Here’s how I organize them in my mind:
1. Eccentric
I’m addressing this approach first because, again, often when we think “thrifted fashion” we think loud, kitchy, one-of-a-kind pieces that take some time and patience to find.
If this is your aesthetic and you love these one of a kind pieces, then you have to also love the hunt.
You’ll need to slow down, have the patience to kind of let the universe meet you halfway as you devote the time to searching flea markets, Goodwill bins, Depop pages, Instagram shops, and boutique thrifts.
Some quick tips:
1. Carve out time to search – whether that’s planning a fun day of visiting a flea market or your local thrift shops or sitting down to search through secondhand sites
2. Come prepared with a loose list of what you’re looking for to prevent overwhelm. This really comes in handy, especially for online thrifts. In fact, you not only can use keywords to refine your search, but ThredUp now even has an Image Search feature that allows you to take an inspo pic and let their AI find pieces for you.
3. Wear tight but comfortable clothes. This lets you try on pieces as you go. Plus, you’ll be there for awhile so you want to be comfy. I also like to bring my AirPods and have a playlist or podcast ready if I’m going alone.
2. Timeless
The Timeless approach starts with distinguishing your style language vocab before you even think about starting to thrift. If you’re still struggling to find specific words, instead try thinking through your usual “uniform”, or outfits you wish you had for regular outings you go to.
With this mindset, the pieces you’re searching for aren’t going to scream eccentricism. Instead, you stick to investing in pieces that are truly timeless and high quality, but still reflect your personal style.
The overarching theme with this mindset is to prioritize wear and versatility over uniqueness as you thrift.
Remember to slow down and really think about the longevity of a piece and how often you would reach for it in your closet. For example, a high quality leather jacket from the thrift will cost a little more but will live in your wardrobe forever. Same with cashmere sweaters, jeans, trousers, boots, etc.
I also want to note that even though these pieces are basics, they’re essentials for a reason. They are often associated with a capsule wardrobe not because they’re boring, but because of their versatility and their ability to align with so many different aesthetics. Their silhouette, details, color, and of course how you style them are the ways they style languages.
With that same leather jacket example, if your style language includes words like tailored or polished, look for a leather blazer. If your style language includes things like edgy and moody, look for a leather bomber or moto jacket.
3. Secondhand-new
Secondhand new is sort of a cheat code and if you’re just getting into thrifting, this is definitely a great first step. It’s not necessarily true thrifting, but it is a loophole I still recommend trying in an effort to keep clothes out of landfill, plus it saves you money.
Stick with me here:
A lot of people struggle with getting their sizing right when ordering clothes online, especially from one of the many ecommerce brands that popped up during COVID.
This means brand new, current items from fast fashion sites regularly end up on Depop, Poshmark, ThredUp, etc. This also means you can buy these new, current items secondhand so you’re not directly supporting fast fashion, and again, keeping these clothes out of landfill.
While I advise against supporting fast fashion and having to resell fast fashion pieces, if you are going to buy trendier or fast fashion items, this is the way to do it. Common brands I always see on consignment sites are Aritzia, Princess Polly, Cider, and Zara.
However, if you are still supporting fast fashion brands, I highly recommend either getting out your measuring tape and learning to default to the size chart OR having the piece altered in order to keep it out of landfill, donation, or stagnant in your closet as you wait for it to sell.
When it comes to buying these pieces secondhand, I recommend stepping away from the Depop listing, thinking about how long the piece will actually live in your closet (again, slow fashion also refers to the longevity of the item), and deciding if it’s an actual need or just a want. This will train your brain to shop slower and more mindfully. It will slowly loosen the reigns of instant gratification that drives so many people to shop so regularly and recklessly.
Baby Steps
With all of that said, if thrifting or shopping secondhand still seems scary to you, then start even smaller. Try brands like Rent the Runway or Nuuly. These sites often have brand new, current pieces but keep the clothing cyclical because you rent it for a period of time and then either return it or purchase it. Trying it out first is also helpful because you can see firsthand how well the item aligns with the rest of the pieces in your wardrobe and how often you’d actually reach for it.
Bottomline: slow down and think before you buy.
Key Takeaways
1. We all need to slow down, adopt a more mindful approach to shopping, and really analyze our personal style.
2. Eccentricism that is truly reflective of your personal style is best achieved with patience and a love of the hunt.
3. Investing in basics doesn’t mean you’re basic.
4. You can still be on trend by not buying new pieces.
5. Renting clothes is actually super fun and a great way to try investment pieces before you buy.
Comment your favorite piece you’ve ever thrifted!
I’ll start. Mine is this adorable 1950s coquette, sailor-inspired mini dress that I wore for my 26th birthday this year.
