The average American will throw away around 80 pounds of clothing in a year.
That’s about how much a newborn baby rhino weighs!
Multiply that by everyone in the U.S. and that’s tons of textile waste going into landfills.
We get it, little compares to shopping for a brand new look, and the rush you get when you finally stumble upon that perfect top to go with your favorite brunch hat? Bliss.
But what if you could find inspiring fashion that’s also eco-friendly?
Shifting your focus to used clothes is the perfect way to enhance your looks and help the planet at the same time.
Keep reading to learn more about the benefits of buying used clothing.
Used Clothes Are Inexpensive
When you’re considering your budget, remember that used clothing is typically more inexpensive than new clothing.
The best consignment shops will typically have great deals they cycle through to keep inventory fresh. There are also online auctions to factor in.
Be sure to check the condition of the clothes before buying and factor in the cost of alterations if needed.
Pro tip: a consignment store will put out slightly used costumes near Halloween!
It Helps the Earth
When you buy secondhand clothing, you’re not only helping yourself by finding great deals, but you’re also helping the environment.
For starters, secondhand clothes don’t require the energy and resources that new clothes do.
Manufacturing new textiles requires water, dye, fuel, and other resources. The factories also pollute the surrounding area with energy waste.
And the clothes going into landfills we mentioned earlier? Some textiles can take more than 200 years to fully decompose!
At a vintage clothes shop, that shirt you see is quite a rare sight: it has yet to go into a landfill.
It Challenges Fast Fashion
The demand for the latest trends has coined the term, “fast fashion.” Fast fashion has two major qualities: the lower standard of textile and the poor working conditions in the industry.
Because the goal is to churn out as many trendy pieces as possible, they use cheaper materials and mass production techniques to make the clothes. This results in a shirt that will in all likelihood fall apart in a year.
Factory workers in countries such as Bangladesh and India often work in cramped conditions for very little pay. They work long hours in environments with machinery they’re not familiar with. When was the last time you heard of a textile worker needing forklift training?
Out With the New
When it comes to buying clothes, buying used is becoming the right thing to do. Used clothes help the environment, your wallet, and keep you looking great.
So what do you say? Are you willing to save a baby rhino’s worth of clothing this year and check out a vintage clothes auction next time you’re shopping around?
Be sure to check out our fashion blog for more style tips, tricks, and guides like this one!
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