In a world where fast fashion has taken over the vintage clothing industry, exploring ways to include second-hand fashion in your wardrobe is an exciting way to stay eco-friendly, economical, and trendy.
Here are a few reasons why skipping the mall and hitting thrift stores and vintage shops can be a fun and effective way to spice up your closet:
It’s A Greener Way to Shop
The amount of pollution that stems from the fast fashion industry is astonishing.
By buying something that is vintage or second-hand, you’re stepping away from the harmful supply chain and ultimately helping to reduce the amount of new and raw materials that fast fashion businesses use when creating new garments.
Vintage Clothing Pieces Are A Great Conversation Starter
Shopping from big business clothing companies has become so commonplace that we often wear the same clothes as our peers. When purchasing a unique vintage piece, you’re more likely to stand out against the crowd and even get some awesome compliments along the way.
The Price Is Right
Buying vintage is usually less expensive. Unlike most fast fashion companies, second-hand clothing isn’t sold by the season. Therefore, you’re much more likely to find great deals on coats in the summertime or shorts in the winter seasons at vintage clothing stores.
With just a little bit of digging, you might find that the same items that cost hundreds of dollars at a high-end fashion store are readily available at your local thrift or second-hand shop at an affordable price.
Your Vintage Clothing Pieces Will Be Unique
Wearing pieces from vintage clothing stores is one of the best ways to ensure you don’t wear the same outfits as the rest of the crowd. Finding two of the same vintage pieces is rare, so when you buy a piece of clothing that is decades old, you’re almost ensuring that your wardrobe is going to be more interesting than the average.
You Can Find Items That Aren’t Made Anymore
If you’re looking for a specific item that isn’t exactly on-trend right now, shopping vintage can lead you to the perfect piece. Fast fashion stores rely on what is trendy at the moment, which can make it hard to find clothing that is outside of what is currently most popular.
Vintage Clothing Pieces Tend to Be More Durable
Most modern clothing is not made with durability in mind due to the fleeting nature of trends. Vintage clothing tends to be more durable because it was made in decades where longevity of garments was more important than changing your look from month to month.
You Can Support Your Local Economy
Buying locally continues to prove to be extremely important to our economy. By passing up the mall and hitting a local vintage or consignment shop, you’re usually supporting a mom-and-pop business instead of a corporation.
Follow Fruitcocktail Vintage on Instagram to find unique items and new opportunities to buy vintage clothing, jewelry, and more in the Seattle area! We post distinctive vintage items daily and update you on where to find the best second-hand pieces around.