Something I'm Doing in 2020

Getting into thrift shopping! I know it's nothing new, but if you're like me, the first thing you think about when you need something new is to go to a mall. But, I have recently started getting into thrift shopping and there are a ton of benefits to it. If you need a bit of inspo to get into it yourself, have a look below to see why you should!

1. You save money. It's obvious. But really think about it. Think about how many clothes you buy each year, and how expensive that is. When you could just pay a small fraction of that. Why pay $90 for a new top when you can hunt down something for a fraction of the cost? 

2. Spinning off of point one - it is an amazing way to affordably build up a work wardrobe. If you're like me and went into your first corporate job without any prior workwear ready to go, you'll know how expensive it is to suddenly have to put together a decent amount of work-appropriate outfits. It is SO expensive. 

3. You can find things that aren't available in-store anymore, or maybe aren't even easily available in NZ, so you're not going to bump into 10 other people in the same thing. 

4. Having designer clothes in your wardrobe is suddenly much more easily attainable. See the scarf in the photo above? It is a Stolen Girlfriends Club 100% silk scarf. I found it in brand new condition (I seriously doubt it was ever worn - the tag was still completely crisp and new looking and it doesn't have a single little mark or pull or anything on it), for TWENTY DOLLARS. Can you believe it? According to Google, it retailed at $300. Would I have paid $300 for it? Definitely not. But $20 in brand new condition? That is an absolute steal.

5. Kind of tying into the last point - you can avoid having to purchase fast fashion items that are cheap and cheerful, but probably made in a sweatshop and ready to fall apart after the first wear. We've all done it. Purchased that $20 fast fashion item that comes out of the wash suddenly a size suitable for a 3-year-old. Ultimately you're just wasting your money. Think about the cost per wear. Chances are you can purchase something for the same price or cheaper at a thirft store from a much better brand and made out of much better quality materials. 

5. It makes shopping fun. I'm not someone who enjoys clothes shopping. I could shop for makeup for hours, but I find clothes shopping to be SO tedious. But, thrift shopping is another story. It's so satisfying to be trawling through the racks and to suddenly come across something you love, that's the right size, and bonus points if it happens to be a brand you love, or designer. It's like going on a little treasure hunt. 

6. The environment. It really goes without saying. Instead of buying another brand new item to eventually end up in landfill, you're giving something a second life. I can tell you I definitely feel happier about making the choice to purchase pre-loved items and minimise wastage. 

Over the last few weeks, I have found *15* amazing pieces, and I don't think I've spent more than $300. And that includes designer pieces, brand new items, etc. you can't beat that! If you are interested, I will do a run down of the best and worst places I've found to look in Auckland. Do you enjoy thrift shopping?