Agree to Disagree

Buying new beats thrifting any day

In our quest for sustainable and budget-friendly fashion, let’s explore the world of thrifting in our small, yet environmentally beautiful town. One pressing concern is the limited variety within thrift stores, making it tricky for locals to find the specific styles or sizes for their individual tastes.

Now, let’s talk about hygiene – a real consideration. The condition of second-hand garments doesn’t always meet our cleanliness standards, making some think twice about this kind of shopping.

Size matters, and it’s a challenge when the range of sizes in thrift stores is a bit limited. It poses a real issue for folks with non-standard measurements.

Couple that with the fact that thrift stores in smaller towns might not keep pace with the latest fashion trends as quickly as we’d like, and it creates a situation where our stores might not always showcase the latest styles.

Now, let’s touch on another aspect of thrifting — limited customer service. Traditional thrift stores, while bursting with unique finds, may lack staff assistance for a more guided shopping experience. By choosing new local clothing stores this fosters a vibrant local fashion scene.

We should also be concerned about some larger thrift stores. While they present themselves as charity-driven, there’s a cloud over their profits. A portion often funnels into corporate pockets, leaving questions about their commitment to community welfare. It’s a reminder to scrutinize where our thrift dollars truly go, considering the ethical implications.

If used clothing is the goal, though, what if we explored more innovative approaches beyond traditional thrift stores? Imagine a bustling community space where residents don’t just shop but actively engage in transforming clothing. Picture a workshop where locals learn the art of upcycling, turning old denim into stylish bags or repurposing vintage fabrics into trendy scarves.

Traditional thrifting has lots of limitations and for that reason it’s important we continue to support the new fashion industry, too.

– B. Howes is a Grade 12 student at I.E. Weldon S.S. in Lindsay.

Thrifting is good for our bank accounts and planet

I was out thrifting a few weeks back and picked up a t-shirt, two dress shirts, a tie, a lug wrench, and an air pump – all for just $30. I threw them in the washing machine (minus the wrench and pump) and they were good as new. Thrift shops carry functional and diverse items for cheap prices, which saves products from ending up in landfill and ensures that the buyer isn’t left with a drained bank account. And yet, many people still seem to hold some sort of aversion towards the idea of buying used clothing. I ask, why?

The fashion industry is notorious for its high carbon footprint and waste, so by purchasing second-hand clothing these garments are being saved from wasting away in a dump. This helps to conserve resources, reduce energy consumption, and minimize pollution associated with manufacturing new clothing items. But, if helping the environment isn’t motivating enough, then let’s look at the other benefits of thrifting.

New clothing is expensive; a single pair of jeans can easily cost $100 these days. That price gets cut by more than half in a thrift store, which not only saves money but also makes clothing more accessible to individuals who cannot afford to pay insanely overpriced clothing costs. Thrift shops also carry a diverse range of brands and styles, making it easy for customers to find outfits that fit their personality, all while helping the environment and being nice to their bank account.

Thrifting may be viewed as something commonly associated with people with lower income, but it is time we put these stereotypes aside and recognize that thrifting is good for us all – the people, the environment, and of course, our wallets.

– D. Benns is a Grade 12 student at I.E. Weldon S.S. in Lindsay.