Everyone likes to think that they’re a good person. However, there are things we’re all guilty of doing that perpetuate some pretty significant ethical problems, such as where we buy our clothes at. I get it, it’s hard to refrain from. Because let’s face it- most companies today are unethical, and they’re everywhere. You’re probably thinking “they’re just clothes, what’s the big deal?”. Well, more often than not, the clothes you wear (think H&M, Nike, Forever21, and basically any store you can find at the mall) is made in poor developing countries and is environmentally unsustainable. In reality, the seemingly random people who make your clothes consist primarily of women and children who earn next to nothing for working in grueling conditions. So if you care about your fellow human beings and planet that you live on, you should consider shopping ethically! One of the many amazing ways to do that is to go thrifting, so here are 6 reasons why thrifting is ethical and awesome:
1. No More Supporting Sweatshop Labor
Since the items sold at thrift stores have been purchased by others beforehand and then donated, buying clothes at thrift stores does not support sweatshop labor. One less piece of clothing that doesn't contribute to unethical companies may not seem like a big deal, but everything you buy is essentially a vote for or against the unethical corporations that are currently dominating the fashion industry.
2. ~ Less Ca$h Money Spent ~
You should go thrifting if you want to be as happy about saving money as this guy is. Seriously, thrift stores are awesome because you can buy clothes cheaper than you can at almost anywhere else, but without the heavy price tag of damaging the environment and costing people their lives for working in awful conditions. More money in your pocket and a clear conscience- it’s a win win.
3. Better for the Environment
Make Leo happy and help the environment! Thrifting is essentially recycling but for clothes and other cool ~stuff~. Think about it, when someone owns a piece of clothing and then donates it, no new material is being used by the time you buy it. This means no more depleting environmental resources in the process. Yay!
4. Better Quality
If you want to be as ridiculously good looking as Hansel and Derek, thrift in the name of fashion! Thrifting is amazing because not only can you buy cool clothes for a lot less money, but a lot of the items at thrift stores are actually better quality than the clothes you can buy at fast fashion retailers. In the past, clothes were more expensive because they were made to last for a long time, as opposed to the way clothing today is cheaply made and quickly forgotten about.
5. One-of-a-Kind Finds
Okay, maybe not THAT one of a kind (but then again, you do you). If you buy clothes at a thrift store, you can pretty much guarantee that no one else will have the same clothes as you, which is pretty dang cool! If you’re not so keen on creating a super unique wardrobe, that’s okay too, because thrift stores offer pretty much any style of clothing that you can think of!
6. Support your Local Community and Nonprofit Organizations
We should all follow by these kool kats' example and support each other. Since most thrift stores are run by nonprofit organizations or local community organizations, shopping at thrift stores can help you support your community and make a difference while you shop- and that’s pretty amazing.
If thrifting still doesn’t sound like something you’d be into, there are tons of emerging ethical clothing brands that are starting to make a mark in the fashion industry. You don’t have to get rid of all of your clothes, and you don’t necessarily have to quit shopping unethically cold turkey. For example, simply incorporating thrifted items into your wardrobe helps when it comes to minimizing your ethical and environmental impact. At the end of the day, shopping should be fun, and not a source of exploitation and harm for human beings and our environment.
