Getting Thrifty with Hannah Steele
Growing up, I lived in what could be referred to as a "Goodwill" home. This is not to say my family couldn't spend money on clothes, but rather that my parents were thrifty. They just couldn't see the point in paying full price for them. While other kids were sporting their Aeropostle shirts and American Eagle jeans, as was the fashion of middle schoolers in 2010, I was wearing an assortment of brands no one has ever heard of sponsored by my local Goodwill Thrift Store. When asked where I had gotten my "colorful" top or a dress that never seemed to fit right by an inquisitive individual, I typically answered with some sort of ambiguous answer about how I was unsure or that my mom had bought it for me. What was inevitable about any encounter of this fashion was one thing: I would deny that fact that it was bought at Goodwill at all costs. In the formative years of my life, my only goal was to fit in especially when it came to clothing, but as I got older something changed.
At the peak of my freshman year of college, I was a thriving student living off of Ramen noodles and Diet Coke. I was just beginning to find myself as an adult. I quickly realized that the jeans and t-shirts that filled my closet no longer fit my personality, and so I decided that a full wardrobe renovation was necessary. There was one key problem with this ingenious idea: I was broke. So I caved and did what my parents had instilled in me years before, I went to Goodwill. This trip was the start of my thrifting endeavors, and the beginning of a new outlook on fashion.
Now I am not saying that I have impeccable taste in clothing. Sometimes I look back at things I've worn and question my sanity, but I've found shopping at Goodwill and other thrift shops to be a creative outlet, a stress reliever, and a way to be unique. Thrifting is not always easy. There are days when there seems to be nothing good in the entire store, and others where you have to be careful not to buy the whole store. At the end of the day, it always seems to be rewarding. Over the years, I've learned a few tips and tricks to making a visit to the thrift shop worthwhile and finding the perfect statement piece to add to your collection.
1. Don't be afraid to try new things. I know this statement is cliché, but the truth is so many people miss out on great statement pieces because they don't give unique clothing choices a try. I can easily find myself sticking to outfits that make me blend in, but in pushing myself to try out new patterns or styles; I have found a confidence in my own skin.
2. Take your time. It is not uncommon for me to spend an hour or more at a thrift store. This, in part, is a fear that I might miss out on a great find, but also because I take time to look at the potential in every aisle. One mistake that seems to befall many customers is that they come in expecting to find good items in no time flat, but a good find is worth searching for.
3. Buy based on what you have. A mistake that I have made on far too many occasions is buying things that go with absolutely nothing in my wardrobe. By having a few set classic items in my closet, I am able to branch out to more unique statement pieces.
4. Stay true to yourself. At the end of the day, if you feel good in what you're wearing, that is all that matters. There are times when my parents or friends raise an eyebrow or smirk at my thrift store finds, but, at the end of the day, if I like it, I'm not bothered by what they think.
In the years since I visited that Goodwill in Cornelia, I have collected an assortment of over-sized sweaters, patterned shirts, and grungy jackets, but more than that, I have learned to take risks, be creative, and accept my own sense of style. If you were to ask me now where I got the crazy, bold clothes that I wear on the daily, I will proudly tell you that I got them at my local thrift store.
Be sure to check out the thrift store event for all female TFC students on October 8th at 9-10pm in the Terrace Commons. Everything is free!